Cenacle Film Club
As with a Book Club – please view the film on your own ahead of time and come prepared to listen, discuss and share what you’ve viewed through the lens of our faith.
Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. [CST] // 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. [EST] (1 hour)
Sept. 7 / Oct. 5
Facilitator: Larry Lewis, M.M.
Vulnerability is a Mark of Existence
~ Film’s Testimony to Truth & Hope ~
The vulnerability of precious things is beautiful because vulnerability is a mark of existence. Stars and blossoming fruit trees: Utter permanence and extreme fragility give an equal sense of eternity. – Simone Weil, Gravity and Grace
______________________________
Whether to protect ourselves from the harshness of life or to look good in the eyes of others, we often don the armor of invincibility. Wearing this shell too long, we can become numbed to truth. We buy into the culture of comparison and competition. All the time our true self, loved into being by God, aches to be acknowledged rather than betrayed.
Bill Wilson reminds us “We’ll make it not because we’re a better people – but because we’re a weaker people.” Film artists remind us that shattering the protective shell reveals a trembling self – longing to be understood and to love. Our faith reminds us we are embraced by a Loving, Vulnerable God. These films renew our hope in God’s promise. We claim Tennessee Williams’ truth that “Hell is yourself, and the only redemption is when you put yourself aside to feel deeply for another person.”
We invite you to join our online Cenacle Film Club! There is no cost (but of course free will offerings are greatly appreciated). We will be discussion certain films each month as listed below. Videos may be viewed or rented from local public libraries, university libraries, are various digital platforms such as Apple+, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, et cetera. We’ll list some of the viewing options below. Each person is responsible to view (and if needed, pay to view) the films on their own. Our times together shall be discussions on the films not viewings of the films. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email Mark Piper at mpiper@cenaclesisters.org. Each discussion is lead by Fr. Larry Lewis, M.M.
Films (For Discussion)
Sept. 7: CODA US 2021 (Apple+)
Oct. 5: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri US 2017 (Disney+)
Nov. 9: I’m Your Man Germany 2021 (Hulu)
Dec. 14: The Trip to Bountiful US 1985 (Prime Video or Tubi)
* Please view films on your own and come ready to share what we’ve viewed through the eyes of faith. You need not attend all sessions; participate in the film/discussions you like.
Father Larry Lewis, M.M., ordained a Maryknoll priest in 1975, served in Taiwan and China. For 20 years he coordinated an education project for Chinese church personnel to better serve their home dioceses. He served as Rector of Maryknoll and in their Personnel Office. He’s offered retreats throughout China and for four years was on the staff of the Cenacle Retreat Center, Ronkonkoma, NY offering retreats and spiritual direction. He holds an MA in pastoral counseling from St. Paul’s, Ottawa and a Ph.D. in spirituality from Duquesne. He authored The Misfit – Haunting the Human/Unveiling the Divine.