Celebrities Lend Their Voices to Bring Bible Alive
October 29, 2010
LOS ANGELES (MetroCatholic) — It’s the greatest story newly told. Actors from Hollywood, the West End, and beyond have breathed new life into the Good Book, bringing its power and inspiration to a whole new generation. You need only listen to Julia Ormond as “Mary” or Neal McDonough as “Jesus” (see them too at www.truthandlifebible.com) to hear sacred words from the distant past made current and so compelling — especially in an age when even many Christians know little of the Bible (according to a recent Pew survey) and have all but forgotten the stories and people it celebrates even during major holidays like Christmas.
Launching November 1, 2010 in time for the holidays, this 18-CD, 22-hour series called Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible New Testament boasts a huge talent of over 70 world-renowned actors such as Blair Underwood, Michael York, Stacy Keach, Malcolm McDowell, Kristen Bell, John Rhys-Davies, Sean Astin, and Brian Cox. The series was produced by New York Times bestselling author, broadcast journalist and producer Raymond Arroyo and legendary award-winning radio show producer Carl Amari, who is also president and CEO of Falcon Picture Group. Brenda Noel directed.
The Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible New Testament is endorsed by the Vatican, bears the imprimatur of the archbishop of New York and includes a special foreword by Pope Benedict XVI.
Visit www.truthandlifebible.com to watch behind-the-scenes video of the celebrities performing their roles and to hear Luke Chapter 1 (Mary visited by an angel), Matthew Chapter 3 (Jesus is baptized) and Mark Chapter 5 (Jesus raises a little girl from the dead).
“They’re not just reading,” explains Arroyo, “these actors are performing, sharing these stories in the same way they were originally communicated — passed from person to person as part of an oral tradition. The stories come alive (think radio drama style with sound effects and original music), propelling us right into history, the way it might have happened.”
Describing his impetus for the project, co-producer Amari adds, “My children would ask me about a particular Bible passage, and I’d realize that I really didn’t know what it meant, even though I grew up in the Church.”
“It’s the delivery,” suggests Arroyo. “Reading or listening to Scripture being read is often a confusing, dull experience.” From the pulpit, it’s grounds for a snooze. “But performed like this,” he says, “you are thrown into the middle of the action. The Bible is suddenly not only understandable, but arresting and compelling.”
The Actors:
Neal McDonough as “Jesus,” Julia Ormond as “Mary, Mother of God,” Blair Underwood as “Mark,” Stacy Keach as “John,” Michael York as “Luke,” Brian Cox as the “Voice of God,” Sean Astin as “Matthew,” Kristen Bell as “Mary Magdalene,” Malcolm McDowell as “Caiaphas,” and John Rhys-Davies as the Narrator.
For interviews, contact: John Bianco, 413-848-1407, [email protected]
VATICAN ISSUES THREE SPECIAL POSTMARKS
October 7, 2010
VATICAN CITY, 6 OCT 2010 (VIS) - A note released today by the Governorate of Vatican City State announces the issue of three new postmarks to commemorate, respectively, the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops due to take place from 10 to 24 October, the Romafil Philatelic Fair being held in Rome on 29 and 30 October, and the “LXIV Salon Philatelique d’Automne” being celebrated in Paris, France, from 4 to 7 November.
The first of these postmarks - depicting a chalice and the Bible with a map of the Middle East - has been produced by the Vatican Post Office. The images are surrounded by the text: “ASSEMBLEA SPECIALE PER IL MEDIO ORIENTE DEL SINODO DEI VESCOVI. POSTE VATICANE. 10.10.2010″.
Anyone interested must send the philatelic material to be franked, with a stamped addressed envelope, to the Franking Office of the Vatican Post Office before 10 November.
The second postmark, produced by the Philatelic and Numismatic Office of the Governorate , shows the Roman church of the Most Holy Trinity at Monte Pincio, better known as “Trinita dei Monti”. The design is surrounded by the words: “ROMAFIL. MANIFESTAZIONE FILATELICA 2010. POSTE VATICANE 29 - 30 OTT.”.
People interested must send the philatelic material to be franked, with a stamped addressed envelope, to the Franking Office of the Vatican Post Office before 30 November.
The third post mark, also produced by the Philatelic and Numismatic Office of the Governorate, portrays the Parisian basilica of the Sacred Heart accompanied by the words “POSTE VATICANE. 64eme SALON PHILATELIQUE D’AUTOMNE. PARIS. 4 - 7 NOVEMBRE 2010″.
Anyone interested must send the philatelic material to be franked, with a stamped addressed envelope, to the Franking Office of the Vatican Post Office before 7 December
ST. GERTRUDE: A UNIQUE INFLUENCE ON CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY
October 7, 2010
VATICAN CITY, 6 OCT 2010 (VIS) - In his general audience, held this morning in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope dedicated his catechesis to St. Gertrude, “one of the most famous mystics and the only woman in Germany to receive the title of ‘Great’”, which was given to her “for her great cultural and evangelical importance. With her life and thought she made a uniquely incisive contribution to Christian spirituality”, he said.
Born in the year 1256, at the age of five “she entered the convent, as often happened at that time, for education and study. There she spent her whole life”.
Gertrude “was an outstanding student. … She went on to dedicate herself totally to God in monastic life and for twenty years nothing exceptional happened: her principal activities were study and prayer”. Then, at the age of twenty-five, “she had a vision of a young man who took her by the hand and guided her to loosen the knot of thorns oppressing her soul. In that hand, Gertrude recognised … the One Who saved us with His blood on the cross: Jesus.
“From that moment her life of intimate communion with the Lord became more intense”, the Holy Father added. She abandoned “the profane humanistic sciences for theological studies, and in her monastic observance she moved from a life she herself defined as ‘negligent’ to one of intense mystical prayer, showing exceptional missionary ardour”.
Gertrude, Pope Benedict explained, “understood that she had been distant from God, … that she had dedicated herself too avidly to liberal studies, to human knowledge, disregarding the spiritual sciences and depriving herself of the taste of true wisdom. Now she was being led to the mountain of contemplation where she abandoned the old self to clothe herself in the new”.
This German saint “dedicated herself to writing, to revealing the truth of faith with clarity, simplicity, grace and conviction, serving the Church with love and faithfulness, and becoming much appreciated by theologians and men of piety”. Among her writings - of which few remain “because of the events that led to the destruction of the convent of Helfta” - are the “‘Herald of Divine Love’ or ‘The Revelations’, as well as the ‘Spiritual Exercises’, a rare jewel of mystic spiritual literature”, said the Holy Father.
“Gertrude added other prayers and penance to those imposed by the monastic rule, with such devotion and faithful abandonment to God that she aroused in those who met here the conviction of being in the presence of the Lord. And in fact God Himself brought her to understand that He had called her to be an instrument of His grace. Yet Gertrude felt unworthy of this immense divine treasure, and confessed that she had not protected and cherished it”. She died in 1301 or 1302.
In closing, Benedict XVI highlighted how the example of St. Gertrude “shows us that the focal point of a happy and authentic life is friendship with Jesus the Lord. This is learned through love for Sacred Scripture and the liturgy, through profound faith and through love for Mary, so as to gain increasing knowledge of God and, therefore, to know true happiness which is the goal of our existence”.
Having concluded his catechesis, the Holy Father reminded the various pilgrim groups present that October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, and that tomorrow marks the feast day of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary.
“The Rosary”, he said turning to address Polish pilgrims, “is a special prayer of the Church and a spiritual weapon for each one of you. May meditation on the lives of Jesus and Mary be a light for all of us on our evangelical journey of spiritual renewal and conversion of heart”.
Teresa Tomeo is coming to Dallas!
September 28, 2010
Spend an evening with Teresa Tomeo at the White Rose Women’s Center’s 25th Anniversary Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction! Join us on October 16th at 6pm at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas. Tickets and more information are available through www.saintjosephshelpers.org or call (214) 824-5942.
BENEDICT XVI RECALLS HIS APOSTOLIC TRIP TO UNITED KINGDOM
September 22, 2010
VATICAN CITY (VIS) - During this Wednesday’s general audience, held in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope turned his attention on his recent apostolic trip to the United Kingdom, which took place from 16 to 19 September and which he described as “a historic event marking a new important phase in the long and complex history of relations between that people and the Holy See”.
Referring to the first event of the trip, his meeting with Queen Elizabeth II in Edinburgh, the Holy Father recalled how “it was a highly cordial meeting, characterised by a deep and mutual concern for the wellbeing of the peoples of the world and for the role of Christian values in society”.
In Glasgow, where he celebrated the first Mass of his trip on the feast of St. Ninian, the first evangeliser of Scotland, “I recalled the importance of the evangelisation of culture, especially in our own time in which an insidious relativism threatens to darken the unchanging truth about the nature of man”.
The second day of the visit began with a meeting in London with the world of Catholic education, at which Benedict XVI dwelt on “the importance of the faith in forming mature and responsible citizens. I encouraged the many adolescents and young people who welcomed me with warmth and enthusiasm”, he said, “not to follow limited goals, or to satisfy themselves with comfortable choices but to aim at something greater: the search for true happiness which is to be found only in God.
“In my subsequent meeting with the leaders of other religions present in the United Kingdom”, he added, “I pointed out the ineluctable need for sincere dialogue, which in order to be fruitful requires respect for the principle of reciprocity. At the same time, I identified the search for the sacred as a ground common to all religions, upon which to build up friendship, trust and collaboration”.
The Pope went on: “The fraternal visit to the Archbishop of Canterbury was an opportunity to underline the shared commitment to bear witness to the Christian message which unites Catholics and Anglicans. This was followed by one of the most significant moments of my apostolic trip: the meeting in the Great Hall of the British parliament” where, he explained, “I underlined the fact that religion, for lawmakers, must nor represent a problem to be resolved, but a factor that makes a vital contribution to the nation’s historical progress and public debate, especially by recalling the essential importance of ensuring an ethical foundation for choices made in the various areas of social life”.
The praying of Vespers with the Christian communities of the United Kingdom in Westminster Abbey, the first visit made there by a Successor of Peter, “marked an important moment in relations between the Catholic community and the Anglican Communion”, Pope Benedict said.
He then recalled how, on Saturday morning, a Eucharistic celebration was held at Westminster Cathedral, which is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord. “I as overjoyed to meet large numbers of young people”, he remarked. “With their enthusiastic presence, … they showed that they wanted to be protagonists of a new period of courageous witness, effective solidarity and generous commitment to serving the Gospel”.
Later in the apostolic nunciature, “I met with some victims of abuses committed by members of the clergy and religious. It was a moment of intense emotion and prayer”, said the Holy Father. At his meeting with people responsible for protecting children and young people in Church environments “I thanked them and encouraged them to continue their work, which is part of the Church’s long tradition of concern for the respect, education and formation of new generations”.
The old people’s home he visited on Saturday afternoon testifies, he said, “to the great concern the Church has always had for the elderly, and expresses the commitment of British Catholics to respecting life irrespective of age or condition”.
“The culmination of my visit to the United Kingdom was the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, illustrious son of that land. By way of preparation, it was preceded by a special prayer vigil which took place on Saturday evening at Hyde Park in London. … To the multitude of faithful, especially young people, I presented the shining example of Cardinal Newman, intellectual and believer, whose spiritual message can be summed up in his the witness that the way of knowledge does not mean closing in on oneself; rather it means openness, conversion and obedience to He Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life”.
Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by highlighting how “this apostolic trip confirmed my profound conviction that the old nations of Europe possess a Christian soul which merges with the ‘genius’ and history of their respective peoples, and the Church never ceases to work to keep this spiritual and cultural tradition alive”.
Cardinal DiNardo welcomes HHS Exclusion of Abortion from Federal Insurance Program, Calls for Permanent Law
July 18, 2010
Following public criticisms of new federally-funded health insurance plans that would have covered elective abortions in Pennsylvania and New Mexico, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a statement that the agency will act to exclude abortion from this program. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, welcomed the statement as averting an “alarming precedent” and called for permanent law to exclude abortion from all programs under the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Last night, however, HHS reacted to public criticisms by announcing that it will act to exclude abortion from this federally funded program, in accord with the assurances that Secretary Sebelius and President Obama have repeatedly made that PPACA will not be used to promote abortion. We welcome this new policy, while continuing to be gravely concerned that it was not issued until after some states had announced that pro-abortion health plans were approved and had begun to enroll patients. This situation illustrates once again the need for Congress to enact legislation clearly stating once and for all that funds appropriated by PPACA will not pay for abortions or for insurance coverage that includes abortion. Such legislation would mirror the Hyde amendment and similar provisions which prevent such abortion funding in all other federal health programs.
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TX Catholic Voice: July Capitol Comments, Marriage, Abortion, and Immigration News
July 18, 2010
This week’s Voice includes our July Capitol Comments titled “A Government Of the People, For the People, By the People.” It also includes information from the US Bishops on Marriage, Immigration, and Marriage.
Bishops Concerned over Federal Court Rulings Rejecting Marriage as Between One Man, One Woman
July 12, 2010
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage, expressed grave concern regarding recent rulings by a federal judge in Massachusetts rejecting the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
Archbishop Kurtz offered his remarks after two rulings on July 8 that held that section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. Section 3 provides that for purposes of federal statutes, regulations, and rulings, “marriage” means the legal union of one man and one woman.
“Marriage – the union of one man and one woman – is a unique, irreplaceable institution. The very fabric of our society depends upon it. Nothing compares to the exclusive and permanent union of husband and wife. The state has a duty to employ the civil law to reinforce – and, indeed, to privilege uniquely – this vital institution of civil society. The reasons to support marriage by law are countless, not least to protect the unique place of husbands and wives, the indispensible role of fathers and mothers, and the rights of children, who are often the most vulnerable among us. And yet, a judge has decided that a marriage-reinforcing law like DOMA fails to serve even a single, minimally rational government interest. On behalf of the bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage, I express grave concern over these dangerous and disappointing rulings which ignore even the most apparent purposes of marriage and thus offend true justice,” he said.
The court rulings were based on two separate lawsuits which had been filed in Massachusetts.One ruling states that section 3 of DOMA violates the equal protection principles of the Fifth Amendment Due Process Clause (see Gill v. Office of Personnel Management). The other ruling holds that section 3 of DOMA violates the Tenth Amendment and the Spending Clause (see Commonwealth of Mass. v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
In the Gill ruling, U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro commented that, “as irrational prejudice plainly never constitutes a legitimate government interest,” section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional.
“To claim that defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman is somehow irrational, prejudiced, or even bigoted, is a great disservice not only to truth but to the good of our nation,” Archbishop Kurtz said. “Marriage exists prior to the state and is not open to redefinition by the state. The role of the state, instead, is to respect and reinforce marriage. Thursday’s decision, by contrast, uses the power of the state to attack the perennial definition of marriage, reducing it merely to the union of any two consenting adults. But only a man and a woman are capable of entering into the unique, life-giving bond of marriage, with all of its specific responsibilities. Protecting marriage as only the union of one man and one woman is not merely a legitimate, but a vital government interest.”
The USCCB Office of General Counsel noted that the two court rulings are mistaken, both on the basis of the unique meaning of marriage, and because nothing in the Constitution forbids Congress from defining “marriage” – as that term is used in federal statutes, regulations, and rulings—as the union of one man and one woman.
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A Critical Distinction between Direct Abortion and Legitimate Medical Procedures
July 12, 2010
TX Catholic Voice: Cardinal Speaks Against Abortion Drug, Action Alerts, New Marriage Initiative
July 9, 2010
This week’s Voice includes a statement from Cardinal DiNardo regarding a new abortion drug, two action alerts, information on the US Bishops’ response to the oil spill, and information on a new web site created by the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage.
