Catholicism is something in which every person reading this column undoubtedly shares an interest. Catholic or not, the Church that Jesus established two millennia ago continues to draw the attention of every serious Christian who desires to be connected in an authentic way with the community of believers of the First Century and their charismatic leader, Jesus.
What fascinates so many about the Catholic Church—namely, her teachings and her traditions—has been captured in large part in the recently released series, entitled simply, "Catholicism." The series was filmed in 50 locations in 15 different countries, emphasizing the truly "catholic" (universal) flavor of the Church. Father Robert Barron, the force behind the project, plays host throughout the series, focusing on Catholic saints, art, architecture, literature, music and rituals to bring to life the rich legacy of the Catholic Church and its members.
In a world that is increasingly skeptical about religion, particularly those institutional in nature, these 10 professionally-filmed, one-hour vignettes show how the world, along with the diversity of cultures that comprise it, has been and continues to be influenced by the presence of the Holy Spirit’s activity in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. These lessons about Catholicism portray God’s Church in a truly positive and inspirational light.
George Weigel, the highly acclaimed biographer of Blessed Pope John Paul II, suggests, "Catholicism could well become one of the most significant efforts ever to advance what Pope John Paul II called ‘The New Evangelization.’ "
What many present-day Catholics lack is a fundamental understanding of and appreciation for their own Catholic faith. Father Barron’s presentations provide something of an antidote to this spiritual malaise. And he does it by bringing to light the splendor as well as the mystery of the Church’s multifaceted history and traditions.
Several parishes in our diocese are hosting a viewing of the "Catholicism" series, most of which include study guides for participants to enhance the learning experience. Some episodes have been aired on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), as well as some public television networks throughout the country. Eight of the 10 sessions will be shown over a period of two months at The Falls Reception Center in Lincoln beginning Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. Parish bulletins and flyers provide more details. Please go to our webpage for information about sessions being held throughout the diocese: http://on.fb.me/vkPLqY.
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