Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Making Movies for Christ

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Online videos are popular right now. Did you see the Darth Vader Christmas carol or the one about the adults eating their kids’ Halloween candy?

Hilarious.

How about the Silent Monks Hallelujah Chorus or the elderly couple playing the piano?

Great videos, right?

According to Media Post, 184 million people watched more than 42 billion videos in October.

Online videos can reach millions, so as evangelizing Catholics we need to be in this medium.

There is an upward trend of online videos that deliver a powerful message. Did you see the one about what the nativity would be like if social networking was around at the time of our Lord’s birth? Very clever. Or did you see the short film about the good one man can achieve with just change for a dollar? I bet you could name ten more that you’ve watched and forwarded along for others to enjoy.

So why can’t a Catechesis video have the same effect?

I believe it can and it starts with your students.

What about assigning a video competition for your class (most computers come with a free copy of Windows Movie Maker or iMovie). Pick a theme about the Eucharist, their favorite saint or a moral dilemma. Not only can they get excited about this medium, but you know they will post it on facebook and show it to their group of friends. They would be evangelizing without even knowing it!

I would like to share a stop-motion video that I put together for my Catechesis class. This video was homemade with my nieces and nephews as the actors.

The assignment was to read C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape Letters and then rewrite one of the letters in a creative way. I chose to highlight some of the themes from Book 7 about distraction.

In an age where kids chat with their friends on facebook, watch their favorite shows on Hulu, play games instantly on their smart phones (and all at one time!) we miss God’s quiet whisper. This is an important message for today, but especially in this time of waiting for Christ’s birth.

It is my hope that this video will make people aware of how the devil can so subtly distract us from our path to God. I also hope that those who are multi-media users (me included) will learn how to use media in moderation and for the greater glory of God.

I would love to hear what you think of the video. Please leave me your feedback. Here is the youtube link: Seeking God in the Quiet

Comments

  1. Welcome, Robyn! We’re very honored to have you join us at Amazing Catechists! We look forward to reading about your studies and your work with confirmation students. I’ve been a big fan of your work at Faith&Family and the National Catholic Register. Welcome, welcome! Love, Lisa

  2. I so agree, Robyn, and your thoughts are timely. Just today we were talking about this in our parish office and about how doing this well is going to be another way to reach young people.

    Thanks for sharing your video…it’s great for kids, yes. But *I* needed it just as much! 🙂

    And welcome to AC! Great to have you here!

  3. OH, Robyn! This is SUCH a great idea!!!! I love it!!!! I would especially love to see often misunderstood ideas about Catholicism explained in easy, engaging online videos. Any ideas how we can accomplish this?