Take a virtual tour of the new retreat center Mary's House in Tickfaw, LA.
The Catholisim Project
Fr. Roberts Barron, head of Word on Fire media and the visionary behind "Catholicism" series, told FOCUS his hope is that the films will be used "as a tool of evangelization for everybody." "I want the series to go out beyond the walls of the Church." Set in 50 locations in over 16 countries, the series examines major themes within the Church such as the person of Christ, the mystery of God, the Virgin Mary, Saints Peter and Paul, the missionary thrust of the Church, the liturgy and the Eucharist, prayer and spirituality and the saints. Fr. Barron said that the series comes at a time when the U.S. is going through what he believes to be "the darkest period in the history of the American Catholic Church," and that the "wrong" people are telling the story of what the Church actually is. "I think Catholics from the inside have to tell a much richer, broader, fascinating story." He noted that during challenging times in Church history, the saints "tended to come forward in the times of crisis and bring things back to their evangelical basics. "The Chicago priest, who also holds the Francis Cardinal George Chair of Faith and Culture at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, said the project has taken close to four years to complete since its inception. "The priest expressed his desire that people who are "not religious at all - maybe they're atheists, agnostics, fallen away Catholics - would see the series and maybe be drawn in by the beauty of it, drawn in by culture, drawn in by history."
You can purchase this show on DVD in the Focus Online Store.
Mary, A Real Friend & Mother
Who do you say that she is? She's a simple peasant girl they call Queen of Heaven. She's the Lord's humble servant, yet an icon of womanly strength. She's ever-virgin and mother of all; lowly and exalted; filled with grace and font of grace. Sinners fly to her, but an angel bowed. She's Mary, the mother of Jesus. She's the most recongnized women in history... and the most misunderstood. Even of you're a Catholic who grew up with a statue of Mary next to your bed, you probably don't understand her as well as you think. She's not a distant and unapproachable figure in the heavens, but a real friend and mother. That's our Focus.
You can purchase this show on DVD in the Focus Online Store.
If I Can... You Can
It was an unforgettable moment when, on September 15, 1987, he played his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. Born without arms, he performed a touching song entiltled Never Be The Same. When the Pope approached him from the stage to kiss him in appreciation, it seemed to reflect the sentiments of the entire country. Never Be the Same was an appropriate song, for those few moments changed Tony Melendez' life forever and brought his unbelievable musical abilities into the national spotlight. Tony's brother and manager Jose Melendez gives FOCUS an exclusive interview on the extraordinary life of his brother Tony, what it was life growing up in a small town in Nicaragua, moving to the United States to get treatment for Tony, and his deeply moving insights into the life and faith of Tony Melendez told as only a brother can.
You can purchase this show on DVD in the Focus Online Store.
Spirit of Mission
Maryknollers live out theiur missionary vocation to spread the love of God to those in need throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Firmly grounded in the Gospels and in Catholic social teaching, they live and serve in 27 countries around the world. In the Inited States, Maryknoll is actively engadged in Mission education, a process that involes bringing back and sharing the mission experiences, including the struggles and hopes of the poor encounted on mission. Now a moral theology professor at Notre Dame Seminary. Fr. Kelly has spent his life serving as a Maryknoll missionary, where compassion is at the heart of all the ministries of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. Wheather providing life-giving medicines, nutritious food, blankets, or something as simple as a glass of clean water... it is compassion at work with a SPIRIT OF MISSION. That's our FOCUS!
You can purchase this show on DVD in the Focus Online Store.