October 26, 2007

No local screen showings are scheduled for Bella—yet

By Sean Gallagher

When Bella makes its national premiere on Oct. 26, the film will not be shown on any movie screens in or near the archdiocese.

But action is being taken to see that Catholics in central and southern Indiana can view the film if they wish.

One of the reasons it was shown to parish and archdiocesan leaders at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis on Oct. 16 was to encourage them, and the people they come in contact with in their ministry positions, to call theater managers to ask them to show the movie.

It was even suggested that if parishes, schools or other Catholic groups could secure 300 people who would attend a showing that they could reserve a theater to view it.

“There are many of you who work for high schools,” said Father Jonathan Meyer to those gathered at the Roncalli event. “There are many of you who are organized in your parishes. And getting 300 tickets is like nothing.”

Father Meyer, archdiocesan director of youth ministry and associate pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis, helped bring the movie to Roncalli.

Before the viewing, Father Meyer read quotes from a U.S. bishops’ document on renewing the media, and spoke about Bella and the impact it can have.

“We have an opportunity to make a difference in the mass media,” Father Meyer said, “to send a message to Hollywood, to send a message to the world, about what we want and what we value as human beings about life, about marriage, about a lot of other issues.”

After the movie was over, Father Meyer mentioned that Carl Anderson, the Supreme Knight, or overall leader, of the Knights of Columbus has encouraged local Knights’ chapters to take action to make sure Bella is shown in their area.

Tom Hawley, grand knight of Monsignor Sheridan Knights of Columbus Council #6138 in Greenwood, praised Bella for the way in which it artistically presented the sacredness of human life, something that the Knights of Columbus see as a priority to promote in broader society.

“I’m going to try to help see that it gets done,” Hawley said. “I thought it was fantastic.”

(To learn more about Bella or how to get it shown in a theater near you, log on to www.bellathemovie.com or call 888-474-6025.) †

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