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Posts Tagged ‘Theology of the Body’

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Influencing today’s culture

In 07 Observations on 2013/07/12 at 12:00 AM

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I grew up with movies like Boy’s Town, Bells of St. Mary’s, Spartacus and Ben-Hur. Feature films were devoid of four letter words. Actors kept their clothes on. You coud see love in their eyes. Sexual tension was the climax of a scene not beginning. Actors and actresses stayed married to the same spouse. We looked to them for more than just the latest fashions. We looked to them as role models. They exemplified good moral character both on and off the screen. I wanted to grow up to become “Charlton Heston”. I still find myself quoting his lines from Ben-Hur to make sense out of life

That was yesterday.

Today too many of those we see in the movies we see moving to divorce courts, rehab centers or jail. Celebrity gossip fuels an multi-billion dollar industry. Too often these “rich and famous” complain of empty lives. In some cases their success can be fatal. Scripture verses like “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his immortal soul” never rang more true.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

It shouldn’t have to be this way.

One acting studio is devoting itself to changing the culture of acting for the better.

It’s starting by reclaiming the name of the city synonymous with the film industry: “Holy Wood.” (For those who don’t know: “Hollywood” was originally “Holy Wood”, named for the cross of the crucified Christ.)

Holy Wood Acting Studio recognizes the power that actors have to influence society. It doesn’t believe their behavior should simply be a reflection of it.

As its website puts it, its mission “is to turn out actors who will lead the way towards a moral center for the movie and television industry…and prepare them to take a leading role in guiding these great media to that moral center that, in the past, proved that fictional drams can be honest, entertaining, popular and influential. ”

To accomplish this, Holy Wood will build what it calls the “Four Pillars” of success in acting – training in the art itself, leadership, personal and moral growth, and physical fitness.

To accomplish this, CEO, Carlos Espinosa, has gathered the best acting, leadership. spiritual and fitness coaches he could find.

To accomplish this, Holy Wood will advocate the Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body”, the approach to spirituality that emphasizes individual dignity, the complimentary roles of men and women, and how romantic love can only find fulfillment in marriage.

Holy Wood opened its doors in Culver City March 25th.

This new acting studio with spiritual vision will limit its initial class to 50 enrollees.

If its vision is realized perhaps my grandchildren will want to grow up to be the Holy Wood actors they see in the movies.

I invite you to join me in praying for this new studio’s success.

More information on Holy Wood Acting Studio can be found at http://www.holywoodactingstudio.com

Click here for more on Theology of the Body.

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Joanna Bogle Recommends

In 11 Joanna Bogle on 2011/05/26 at 9:42 PM

I am very much enjoying Genevieve Kineke’s The Authentic Catholic Woman (Servant books).  It is a realistic, well-informed and thoughtful book which looks at modern life and the modern Church sees the tasks facing Catholic women. It’s rooted in the Church’s teachings, has a sense of joy about it, and doesn’t carry any pious or unattainable goals.

It has often seemed to me that feminist campaigners over the past thirty years have raised some useful questions but failed to listen to the answers. The Church – and this book brings it out beautifully – is a mother who cherishes her daughters and wants to see their talents developed and used widely.  Pope John Paul’s “Theology of the Body”, a rich understanding of the Church as Christ’s Bride, and a sense of confidence and identity, are all important ingredients in recognising the vocation of being a Catholic woman today.  Calls for women to be ordained priestesses are calls from people who are getting the whole picture wrong.

I particularly like the chapter on sanctifying time, on seeing the importance of feasts and seasons, family events and anniversaries.  I have always noticed that it is women who are the keepers of a family’s heritage – and I don’t just mean mothers here either – and recognise the value of passed-on memories, traditions, snippets of family history.  This doesn’t mean endlessly harking back to the past or attempting to fossilize traditions or keep up childish things….it involves celebrating each passing year, noting it, remembering things as part of something alive and valuable.

I really recommend this book.

http://joannabogle.blogspot.com

Joanna Bogle is a British author, journalist, and broadcaster who resides in London