EWTN Family Celebration

Hi, everyone!  I'm up late due to taking too long of a nap today so I thought I'd post a blog or two.  I just wanted to let everyone know about the upcoming EWTN Family Celebration August 8-9.  It is held at the Birmingham, AL Convention Center and of course is put on by the EWTN television network.  I'm one of the EWTN Media Missionaries and it's part of my duties to spread the word about things like this so I've provided the link if you click on the banner below.  Chip and I made plans to attend the last one but I got the stomach flu and we couldn't go, but we are planning on trying to make it to this one.  It is a free event and I've heard it is a wonderful blessing to attend. They even have activities for kids, too!

Click on the banner for more info!

Angels & Demons

Most of you remember Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code that came out not too long ago.  It claimed that Jesus had a wife and descendants, which is something most Christians (including Catholics) don't believe in.  While a really good work of FICTION, and an apparently entertaining movie, it still shook the Church and other Christians alike.  I know of many people that took it seriously, and it made them really question their faith.  

Well, tomorrow (5/15) Dan Brown's Angels & Demons comes to the big screen.  To quote the Wikipedia, the book "revolves around the quest of fictional Harvard University symbologist Robert Langdon to uncover the mysteries of a secret society called the Illuminati and to unravel a plot to annihilate Vatican City using destructive antimatter. The book uses the idea of a historical conflict between science and religion, particularly that between the Illuminati and the Roman Catholic Church." 

So I just wanted to caution anyone that might go see this movie, read the book, or encounter someone who challenges your Catholic faith.  Just be prepared!  Remember that it is a work of FICTION and that it is just entertainment.  I've already had people question me about the movie and the Church's stance.  

I know the members of our class won't take it as reality, but I wanted to throw this post out there for anyone who reads the blog that might not be strong in his or her faith, or that might not be Catholic.  I read the book before I became Catholic and found it to be just as entertaining as his other books, but I had to keep in mind that it was fiction.  The portrayal of the Church did bother me when reading the book, even though I wasn't Catholic yet, or even thinking about it!

Here is a link to the Catholic Bishops' review of it.  They had a pretty positive review and believe that the movie ends with a pretty good portrayal of the Church today.  I hope that it does.  Here is a short quote of what they said regarding it:

Highly improbable but mindlessly entertaining sequel to “The Da Vinci Code” - adapted from Dan Brown’s prequel written in 2000 -- in which religious symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) and a scientist (Ayelet Zurer) join forces with a church official (Ewan McGregor) to try to prevent the destruction of the Vatican and the murder of a quartet of kidnapped cardinals by following a trail of clues left across Rome by the secretive Illuminati cult of anti-Catholic intellectuals. Though director Ron Howard has toned down some of the book’s most egregious elements, the historical church is still portrayed as a relentless and at times violent foe of science, but the film ends on a positive note from a faith perspective and the final image of the Church is relatively positive. L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (PG-13) 2009

Reading their review, it sounds like it might not attack the Church bad at all, but you never know.  I do know that the Vatican would NOT let them film inside the walls, so that speaks volumes in my book.   In fact the full review from the USCCB says at the end:  "So see it if you must, for its thriller aspects, or for its highly picturesque Catholic trappings. But seek the truth elsewhere."

Just some of my opinions!!  See you all Sunday!

Catholic apologist Peter Kreeft to speak at Lambuth

I thought you all might be interested in this. Peter Kreeft, a noted Catholic apologist and author, will be speaking at Lambuth University in April. Here is the schedule of events & contact information.

Defending the Faith With Peter Kreeft, Ph.D.

Join us at Lambuth University as Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., offers his arguments for faith. Dr. Kreeft is a noted author, authority on C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, professor of philosophy at Boston College and defender of the Christian faith. Dr. Kreeft is considered one of the foremost Christian Philosophers and has published nearly fifty books. Dr. Kreeft’s visit to Lambuth is sponsored by the Jane Hyde Scott Center for Christian Studies.

Friday, April 17, 5:30 p.m. – Wilder Student Union, special RSVP dinner with Dr. Kreeft. Intimate discussion of "The Culture Wars." Cost for this event is $30. Reply by April 9.

Friday, April 17, 7 p.m. – R. E. Womack Memorial Chapel, keynote lecture: "Why We Should Defend the Faith." Book signing to follow.

Saturday, April 18, 8:30 a.m. – R. E. Womack Memorial Chapel, early session lecture: "Moral Relativism" Coffee and meet and greet beginning at 8 a.m.

Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. – late session lecture: "A Defense of Christ’s Resurrection"

There will be a question and answer session with Dr. Kreeft between lectures on Saturday. The general public is admitted free to all lectures. For more information or to make reservations, contact Steven Fonville, Chaplain, at 731-425-3340 or fonville@lambuth.edu, or mail checks payable to Lambuth University to: Lambuth University, Office of the Chaplain, Box 954, Jackson, TN 38301.