East Anglia Seminarians: Evan Almighty

Monday, 20 August 2007

Evan Almighty

With the holiday season being what it is, the three, sorry four (Welcome Henry) of us, haven’t been around a computer to update the Posts. September will resume with more frequent posting activity!

Among holiday activities I went to watch 'Evan Almighty' the sequel to 'Bruce Almighty'. It is rare that a practicing Catholic can watch a film these days with content that is safe, so I thought it might be worth flagging this one up. If you want to see a safe, clean comedy with a fairly good, sometimes-explicit Christian message this summer, then this is the film to watch! Kids should find it fine too as the scenes with the animals make it very family-friendly.

The plot: Evan Baxter, successful newsreader for buffalo news becomes congressman with the slogan 'change the world'. After moving to upmarket accommodation and surrounding himself with things that are worthy of his new-status he prays to God to help him do exactly that, -change the world! It really is a case of being careful what you pray for! Biblical epic meets slapstick comedy as ark building ensues, yes that’s right Evan becomes Noah! I won't spoil the ending but to stop you wondering, God doesn't kill every one!

It's actually a quite a good film with themes relating to prayer, trusting God, vocation and original sin to name but a few. The film will probably be better received in the states than here, as we seem to be a more secular society and less tolerant to religious themed films. (The treatment of 'The Nativity story' by our cinemas last Christmas was ridiculous, it didn't stand a chance)

3 comments:

On the side of the angels said...: Sorry dudes, but in no way would my kids have any desire whatsoever to see anything like this....
If you're on a pastoral placement and have a load of youngsters to keep occupied - a sudio Ghibli film works wonders - howl's moving castle, spirited away etc - older ones love things chaotic - Bill & Ted, Ferris Bueller, Rat Race - that kinda stuff....
As for anyone over fifteen , the stuff they watch would land you in the confessional....; 21 August 2007 at 12:59
Anonymous said...: I am quite looking forward to this. I found Bruce Almighty amusing, and this sounds quite good.; 21 August 2007 at 17:25
Kaila said...: My brother[who is 20] and sister[who is 15] saw this movie and they both really liked it. I would like to see it, but I haven't had the chance yet.

Kaila; 22 August 2007 at 18:01

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Prayer for Priestly Vocations

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who moved to pity at the sight of the multitudes, scattered like sheep without a shepherd, didst say to Thy disciples: "The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send labourers into His harvest," deign to turn Thine eyes of pity on this our diocese, and to call to Thy priesthood young men, who will spend themselves and be spent for Thy honour and glory, and for the souls whom Thou has redeemed with Thy Most Precious Blood, Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for Seminarians

O Lord Jesus Christ, great High Priest, I pray that You call many worthy souls to Your holy priesthood.

Enlighten the Bishop in the choice of candidates, the Spiritual Director in molding them, and the professors in instructing them.

Lead the seminarians daily in Your unerring footsteps; so that they may become priests who are models of purity, possessors of wisdom and heroes of sacrifice; steeped in humility and aflame with love for God and man; apostles of Your glory and sanctifiers of souls.

Amen.

Prayer for the Pope

V. Let us pray for our Pontiff, Pope Benedict.
R. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him to be blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies

Our Father. Hail Mary.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy upon Thy servant, Benedict, our Supreme Pontiff, and direct him, according to Thy loving-kindness, in the way of eternal salvation; that, of thy gift, he may ever desire that which is pleasing unto thee and may accomplish it with all his might. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Prayer for the Queen

V. O Lord, save Elizabeth, our Queen.
R. And hear us on the day we call upon you.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come before you.

[V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.]

Let us pray

Almighty God, we pray, that your servant Elizabeth, our Queen, who, by your providence has received the governance of this realm, may continue to grow in every virtue, that, imbued with your heavenly grace, she may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil and, being blessed with your favour may, with her consort and the royal family, come at last into your presence, through Christ who is the way, the truth and the life and who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.