Film festival fosters spiritual legacy of John Paul II
Monday, July 13, 2009
*Frank Brennan
"I plead with you. Never doubt. Never tire and become discouraged. I plead with you. Do not sever those very roots from which you spring." - John Paul II
Within these words, we find comfort for the task ahead. We have been given the impossible statistics and the improbable likeliness of putting up a film festival within a few months shy of a year, starting without monetary funds and only big dreams. It is in this emotional state that we recall our early Church Fathers, who were merely fishermen and tax collectors. They did not know how to build a Church belonging to all God’s people. However, they heard a call, believed in the cause, and answered with action, thus receiving the knowledge and tools needed to fulfill their mission. On this ground stands the foundation of the John Paul II International Film Festival.
The John Paul II International Film Festival is an inter-faith event that will take place in Miami from October 30-November 1 of this year. The festival will showcase high-quality films with a message that reflects the beliefs of John Paul II. The purpose of the festival is to heed John Paul II’s call for a “new evangelization” through art and media,
specifically film.
JP2 was a huge advocate who extended the warm Catholic welcome to men and women of different religions. He was a role model for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He was the first pope to be invited to an Islamic nation to speak to its Muslim believers about the common bonds shared by the two faiths. The JP2 International Film Festival wishes to extend the same welcome to filmmakers of all religious affiliations in order to jointly celebrate our humanity and explore the depths of our hearts through this art form.
We would like to encourage everyone to unite themselves to this festival and invite you to make it your own. Thanks to some volunteers, our Web site has been donated to us by members of our own Catholic family who believe in the success and spiritual rejuvenation made possible by this festival.
We know God’s work is never easy, but He is the greatest employer, and working for Him is a privilege. We ask everyone to visit the Web site and sign up to our e-mail list to stay updated with our latest news. We invite you to check out our blogs and respond to them. We would love to hear your ideas and find out how you can get involved.
This event can be another miracle attributed to the name of our late Great Holy Father. If John Paul II was known as the “people’s pope” then this must become the people’s festival. May the peace of Christ and the love of Mary be with you all.
Frank Brennan
Co-Director, John Paul II International Film Festival
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Comments from readers
"Through his 'artistic creativity' man appears more than ever in the 'image of God" - Pope John Paul II
We at the John Paul II International Film Festival pray for each and every member of our Mother Church and have faith in God that our momentary light afflictions bring us eternal glory in unity with the most Holy Trinity.
Frank Brennan
Co-Director
John Paul II International Film Festival
305-491-7903
[email protected]
I understand your point, but as Ana has mentioned, the JP2 Intl. Film Festival does not belong to the Archdiocese. The festival has been created for our communities and has been built though prayer and a lot of hard work. I encourage you to go and check out the website so you can learn a little more about what we're about.
I thank you for your concern and I pray that with God's help and Mary's intercession, non of our parishes close down.
YSIC,
Laura Alvarado
Co-Director, John Paul II International Film Festival