Blog of Fr. Peter Leung

Please pray for the health of the mother of Louis Seto (CMCC) who is now in the hospital in Toronto.

Fr Leung

Film’s Lead Actor Considered Catholic Role Model

HOLLYWOOD, California, OCT. 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The film “Bella” is destined to have an extraordinary impact on people’s lives, said the chairman of the U.S bishops’ conference committee on pro-life activities.

Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, said the film, released today in the United States, “has a message that is so connected to life: to the problems of life, the challenges of life, the value of life.” The cardinal wrote to his fellow bishops encouraging them to host advanced screenings of “Bella” with the hope of spreading the film’s message.

The film won the 2006 People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival.

“Bella” is a story about a young pregnant woman who loses her job, and a man who is unable to recover from a tragic accident in his past. Their friendship changes their lives and brings new hope to both.

The film features actors Eduardo Verástegui, Tammy Blanchard, Manual Pérez and Ali Landry.

Verástegui, a teen heartthrob during his years as a professional musician and actor, is now known as a Catholic role model. After a spiritual conversion that brought him back to Catholicism, he is now an outspoken defender of the right to life, chastity and his faith.

In a Spanish-language interview with the Eternal Word Television Network in July, Verástegui noted that he has clear “the purpose of my life, of our lives — I was not called or born to be an actor, nor created to be famous, nor rich, nor an engineer, a doctor, a success. I was called to be a saint.”

Alejandro Monteverde directed and co-wrote “Bella,” produced by Metanoia Films. Steve McEveety, producer of “Braveheart” and “The Passion of the Christ,” was the executive producer.

To locate a theater showing “Bella,” see www.bellathemovie.com.

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This article is from the ZENIT news agency.

Remembered by Chiara Lubich and by the youth

“Fr. Jesus Castellano, a true son of St. Theresa and St. John of the Cross, was one of the leading experts in Spiritual Theology, Mystical Life and Liturgy and consultant of various pontifical offices. His broad knowledge of the history of mysticism gave him the capacity to understand the novelty of the charism of unity, which he put into practice in his life with great purity and the simplicity of a child of the Gospel. Fr. Castellano possessed extraordinary openness: to society, to the challenges of the modern era, and to dialogue at all levels. We thank God for the gift of having known him.”

With these words, Chiara Lubich announced to the Movement all over the world the sudden conclusion of Carmelite Fr. Jesus Castellano’s earthly sojourn on June 15, 2006. He was 65 years old.

Many articles are now being published: biographical notes, conferences, books and articles which will formulate the Church’s gratitude for his life-long, selfless dedication.

The youth, too, would like to be heard. Some students of the summer course of the Focolare Higher Institute of Culture, who had had Fr. Jesus for their professor, highlight the fact that “he was a special person who, in every lesson, offered ‘precious pearls’.” Whoever met him in the sacrament of reconciliation felt “God’s loving gaze” through him. His simple way of sharing his vast knowledge helped others to better understand even such great realities as the Eucharist.

One of his students wrote: “I well remember a lesson Fr. Jesus gave us on the history of charisms (in the Church). He transmitted such great hope and love for the Church through his words, but even more so, through his way of being!”

10-07-2006

From Focolare Moment

四根蠟燭正在慢慢的點燃著。
靜悄悄的四周讓我們聽得見牠們在對話。

第一根說:「我是和平！可是，無人能使我繼續點燃。 我相信我快要熄滅。」
牠的燈火迅速縮小並且完全煙沒。

第二根說：「我是信心！大概，我已經不再是必須的了。既然如此 。我繼續點燃下去也不再有意思。」話畢，一陣微風柔和的將牠吹滅。
第三根蠟燭傷心地跟著說:「我是愛心！ 我得不到力量繼續點燃。人們總是將我掉在一旁，並不曉得我的重要。他們甚至忘卻去愛最近他們的人。」等了不久，牠便熄滅。

忽然‧‧‧一名孩童進到室內，並且眼見三根蠟燭不再燃燒。
「為何你們不再燃燒？
你們應該可以繼續點燃，直到末了。」說話之際，孩童開始哭起來了。
第四根蠟燭隨著說：「不要怕，只要我仍然燃燒， 我們是可以重燃其他蠟燭的。
我是 盼望！」
孩童雙眼閃出光彩，拿起那盼望的蠟燭燃亮其他蠟燭。盼望之火從來不會在你的生命中止息。‧‧‧

因此，我們每一個都可以常存 盼望、信心、和平及愛心！
我們又藉著祂，因信得進入現在所站的這恩典中，並且歡歡喜喜盼望神的榮耀。
不但如此，就是在患難中，也是歡歡喜喜的，因為知道患難生忍耐，忍耐生老練，老練生盼望，盼望不至於羞恥；因為所賜給我們的聖靈，將神的愛澆灌在我們心裏。J ~ 羅 5:2-5 ~

和平 信心 愛心 盼望