Can Catholic Values Survive in Hollywood? Two Biggest Obstacles – The Film Industry Culture & Friendly Fire

Danville, CA(PRWEB) November 1, 2006 –- Catholics@Work, a fellowship of individuals who explore how to actively live one's beliefs in the workplace, (http://www.catholicsatwork.org), today announced its November 2006 breakfast meeting will feature Father Wilfred (Willy) Raymond, Director of Family Theater Productions located in Hollywood. Father Willy serves as a priest in the "Hollywood world", and is committed to provide support for all Catholics, young and old, who deal with the realities of the film industry. Family Theater Productions provides a forum for Catholics in the film industry to meet, work and discuss the issues of living ones faith in the land of high profile hedonism, but the organization's work does not stop there. Family Theater Productions produces films and radio programs that actively support and celebrate Catholic family values. The mission of the Family Theater is to evangelize culture by using mass media to entertain, inspire and educate families.

The Catholics@Work breakfast event will be held at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA 94526 on Tuesday, November 14, 2006. A full buffet breakfast is served starting at 7 a.m. (Mass is offered at 6:30 a.m. at the same location.) Cost is $20 for members and $27 for non-members. To register visit http://www.catholicsatwork.org/EventDesc.aspx.

Hollywood is unlike anyplace else. It is the only town in which success is based on image and perception – it is not about what is real; it is about what can be made to seem real. In a world where fantasy and illusion are the currency of fame and success, it is extremely difficult to stand up for individual values, especially those that contradict the business culture in which a person is trying to make a living. The culture of the film industry is not the only challenge in Hollywood, there is also the threat from "friendly fire." Evangelical Christians have come to view Hollywood as mission territory, and there is a tendency among some of these "missionaries" to paint all of Hollywood with a broad brush stroke as evil. The reality is that there are many good Catholics, Jews, Muslims and other Christians already at work in Hollywood doing what they consider to be God's handiwork.

"This is an exciting time to be working in Hollywood as a Catholic and a priest," said Father Willy Raymond, the Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood, California. "The Passion of the Christ," "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" have all helped to revive an interest in Hollywood in themes of religion, values and family fare."

"Listening to the stories of what is really going on behind the public face of Hollywood is fascinating, informative and motivating," said Tom Platner, president of Catholics@Work. "Father Willy, through his experience, will enlighten us on how we can approach and use the mass media in our own locale to help spread Catholic values."

The Catholic approach to evangelizing culture is usually more deliberate and nuanced. Father Willy and his organization take the time to nurture the good already present, and demonstrate through production how values can be successfully brought to life on the big screen. Some of Family Theater's young associates, Director/Writer Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, and writers Patrick Million and Leo Severino recently produced the film, "Bella", a motion picture that won the highest award at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival, The People's Choice Award. "Bella" is the story of a fallen professional soccer star who helps a young woman deal with a very difficult decision. The filmmakers are frequent visitors to Family Theater and are all devout Catholics. Leo Severino has been teaching a year-long weekly series on the Catholic faith at Family Theater called "Going Deeper."

Family Theater also founded the annual Angelus Awards Student Film Festival in 1996 to cultivate and honor future filmmakers as they explore and create works that respect the dignity of the human person. Each year Angelus receives between 500 and 750 entries from 28 countries and 150 film schools around the world, and distributes more than $30,000 in cash prizes along with a number of in kind gifts to the winning filmmakers.

ABOUT CATHOLICS@WORK
Catholics@Work is committed to fostering fellowship and connectivity among Catholics facing the realities of life in today's workplace environment. The monthly breakfast gatherings are a unique opportunity for Catholics to:
• grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith,
• be encouraged to apply the principals of their faith in the everyday workplace,
• and, to network with other Catholic business professionals.

The breakfast series is held at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville, California, on the second Tuesday of the month seven times per year (April-June, September-December). The event starts with a buffet breakfast followed by a speaker or panel discussion and runs from 7-8:30 a.m. The event offers a great way to network with people who look for purpose and leadership in their lives. There is time prior to the beginning of each speaker's presentation to interact with other attendees, to share faith, and business and personal information. Mass is offered at 6:30am for those who wish to attend before breakfast at the same location. Managed by Catholic business professionals, Catholics@Work breakfast events are open to all, regardless of faith or occupation, who want to explore the issues of actively living one's beliefs in the workplace.

For more information visit http://www.catholicsatwork.org or call +1 925-389-0704.

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