In October, America Media released a groundbreaking documentary meant to deepen the continuing conversation in regards to the Catholic Church in the US. Led by executive editor Sebastian Gomes, America’s video team undertook a yearlong process to provide “People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the US,” which in 60 minutes profiles 4 very different parishes across the country. The documentary, available exclusively to digital subscribers, has received a terrific deal of feedback.
Thanks for this presentation. It reminds us that we’d like to proceed to empower and form the laity in addition to additional formation of the clergy to adapt to the changing world irrespective of what a part of the country we live in. Meeting people where they’re and accompanying them to Christ is our mission, celebrated as each individuals and as a community, each local and global.
David Gruber
My husband and I are Catholics within the Midwest, currently trying to know where we belong in terms of a parish. Our openly gay son is the apple of our eyes and we fully support him and his having the ability to live authentically. Nevertheless, finding a spot inside the church where we will openly and proudly talk about him currently feels unlikely. I hope and pray that this film will open minds and cause discussions to ensue—about many issues, not only LGBTQ+—in order that we love as Jesus has taught us to like.
Mary Kondrath
Watching your charming video straight through, I used to be on a regular basis pondering, “This is identical story playing out in our parish!” I used to be even naming people at our parish which are an ideal match for the personalities you featured throughout the video. I need to try to seek out a strategy to show this video at certainly one of our Knight [of Columbus] meetings. It’s an actual eye opener. Job well done.
Peter Arnez
This documentary was thoroughly put together. I might hope it could be picked up and shown on PBS. It deserves being viewed by a bigger audience. It is a superb exploration of where the U.S. church is today and the questions and issues facing it. Bravo to the team that worked on this documentary.
Michele Cirone-Collier
This documentary brought tears to my eyes. As an elderly shut in, the pandemic brought me the wonderful gift of “attending” Mass at my old parish, which is about 3,000 miles away!
Excellent presentation. I’m so concerned in regards to the “graying” of the Catholic Church within the Northeast, as I see so few younger people at Mass. We even have such discord amongst us. It was nice to listen to about St. Cecilia’s Parish and its online ministry. Attempting to concentrate on what unites us relatively than on what divides us is kind of the challenge nowadays.
Catherine Arventos
This documentary brought tears to my eyes. As an elderly shut in, the pandemic brought me the wonderful gift of “attending” Mass at my old parish, which is about 3,000 miles away! I enjoy seeing my friends, even from behind. It’s such a present to be worshiping in a well-recognized way.
Pauline Reynolds
This film makes clear that we’re in transition to latest ways of being community. It was heartening to see how much courage people exhibited within the face of crucial and inevitable change. The young priest from Wisconsin nailed it by emphasizing relationships over institutional trappings. But I would love to know more in regards to the disconnect between the institutional church and millennials.
Maria Rouphail
This video captured a cross section of our beautiful church and faith in God. Mobilization means people now not attach to at least one place for 40 years and never move. Myself and others I do know moved not less than 3 times for work reasons to latest communities, where constructing relationships shouldn’t be a given. Family life shouldn’t be a one-stop shop in a single spot eternally. My very own need was all the time looking for “belonging” and a must nurture faith in God inside community, which shouldn’t be easy in a transient culture. Within the film I saw how discipleship is a contemporary current flowing in all the parishes profiled.
Marcelle Marion