Symbolon

Symbolon is a dynamic, state-of-the-art video resource for the evangelization and catechesis of adults. It aims at transforming adults on all levels—how they think, how they pray, and how they live—by providing a comprehensive and compelling explanation of the Catholic faith. This resource can be used at the parish, or through our online digital platform, at home or wherever one may be at to bring adults into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church.

Symbolon is a production of the Augustine Institute, and it stems directly from the Institute’s mission of transforming Catholics for a new Evangelization. Symbolon is specifically designed to transform adult Catholics to re-discover their Catholic faith, in order to be witnessing disciples of Jesus Christ for the New Evangelization.

Catholicism Study Program

Fr. Robert Barron created this groundbreaking program as a thematic presentation of what Catholics believe and why, so all adults can come to a deeper understanding of the Catholic Faith. Not a video lecture, Church history or scripture study, this engaging and interesting formational program uses the art, architecture, literature, music and all the treasures of the Catholic tradition to illuminate the timeless teachings of the Church.

The CATHOLICISM Study Program presents the strong, ecclesial dimension of the Catholic Faith – God’s revelation through Jesus Christ and His Church. It is comprehensive and faithful, appropriate for:

• RCIA
• Adult lay formation
• Training adult catechists
• Diaconate and other ministerial training
• Mature high school or college/university coursework

The Catholicism Study Program includes:

• Ten compelling episodes from the series on DVD. Filmed in 50 locations throughout 15 countries, the CATHOLICISM DVDs reveal these truths in a visually-breath taking and compelling way, with original, high-definition cinematography.
• A companion study lesson written by Carl Olson for each DVD, complete with extensive commentary, questions for understanding and also questions for application to each participant’s own life.
• CATHOLICISM: Journey to the Heart of the Faith, a companion book based on a more detailed rendering of the scripts from the DVD series.
• Leader’s Program Kit, including facilitator’s guide and study guide answer key.
• Promotional materials to announce the upcoming program in your location.
• Spanish and English subtitles included in each DVD set.
• Can be experienced in 12 or 22 sessions.

Learn more about the Catholicism Study Program.

The Butterfly Circus

At the height of the Great Depression, the showman of a renowned circus discovers a man without limbs being exploited at a carnival sideshow, but after an intriguing encounter with the showman he becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed.

Fishers of Men

Fishers of Men is a film requested by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This fast-paced film on vocations to the priesthood has been described as the best vocational film ever produced for the Catholic Church. 8 out of 10 seminarians in the United States own a copy of the film.

Order Fishers of Men from Grassroots Films.

Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck

Today in the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, Deacon Chase Hilgenbrinck will be ordained a priest of Jesus Christ for the Roman Catholic Church. As a former professional soccer player, his story is compelling and has received much coverage. Below is an article from ESPN and a video from his diocese chronicling his decision to leave the soccer pitch for a life in the church.

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"For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." -- Ecclesiastes 3:1

EMMITSBURG, Md. -- Chase Hilgenbrinck is alone in the middle of the field, just outside the goal box, with his back to it. He's facing his teammates, who are standing several yards away, split into two lines for pregame warm-ups. One by one -- left, then right -- they kick a soccer ball his way, and start jogging in his direction. Chase deftly deflects each ball off to the side with a flick of his foot, setting up each teammate to launch a shot on goal.

It's been a couple months since he last put on a uniform. But it still feels comfortable. Natural. His mind drifts back to the last time he suited up: Sunday, July 13, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. He was a member of Major League Soccer's New England Revolution, facing Mexican club Santos Laguna in a SuperLiga game. Now, on the final weekend of September, he's preparing to play against a team from St. Joseph's.

St. Joseph's Seminary.

My, how things have changed.

We all have grand dreams when we're growing up. We don't just want to do something with our lives -- we want to be great at it. And for many of us, the ultimate dream was to be a professional athlete.

Chase Hilgenbrinck dreamed that dream. Three months ago, he was playing professional soccer, in his native country. He had reached the end of the rainbow. Only, at the end of the rainbow, he discovered another path he felt compelled to follow. So he gave it all up, at the very moment he had strived for his entire life.

Ironically, Chase never made national headlines during his pro soccer career. But he made headlines around the world when he ended it.

From the Associated Press, July 14, 2008:

"Hilgenbrinck accepted the calling on Monday when he left the New England Revolution and retired from professional soccer to enter a seminary, where he will spend the next six years studying theology and philosophy so he can be ordained as a Roman Catholic priest."

Click here to continue reading.

Catholics Come Home

The CatholicsComeHome.org "Epic" national TV commercial, or Evangomercial (TM), features the history, beauty, spirituality, and accomplishments of the Catholic Church over the centuries. "Epic" is filled with religious images of the Mass and Sacraments, Catholic churches, Catholic schools and universities, Sacred Scripture and Tradition, the saints and popes of the Church, and much more, to evoke the expansive impact of Catholicism on the world and individuals souls throughout history and in the ages to come, and to invite fallen-away Catholic and non-Catholics to come home.

Contrition Confession Satisfaction

Whether this is a refresher or an introduction, this film creatively walks through the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a way that will stick with you.

Purchase this video for $10 along with a discussion guide here: https://outsidedabox.com/film/contrition-confession-satisfaction/

This short film was produced by Outside da Box https://www.outsidedabox.com in collaboration with the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. It is the 19th installment of the 48-film VCAT (video catechism) http://www.vcat.org series for teens. Films are being released monthly from October 2012 - September 2016.

Welcome Home

In Mathew 5:8, Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." This short film, produced by Cory Heimann of Likable Art, metaphorically communicates the importance and beauty of confession, showing the parallel between home plate on the baseball diamond and the human soul.

99 Balloons

Eliot was born with an undeveloped lung, a heart with a hole in it and DNA that placed faulty information into each and every cell of his body. However, that could not stop the living God from proclaiming Himself through this boy who never uttered a word.

Check out www.ninetynineballoons.com for more information about Eliot.

Ash Wednesday and Lent in Two Minutes

Advent in Two Minutes

Story of Stuff

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever. Learn more about the Story of Stuff.

It's Friday…But Sunday's a Comin'

Who is your King?

Brainwashed?

What did your parents teach you?

It's Not About the Nail