Lent 1999 Newsletter
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Lent 1999 Newsletter |
Saint Luke Needs To Move Now by
Leonardo Defilippis
Family Reflections by Patti Defilippis
My Life With Thérèse by Maggie Mahrt
John of the Cross Music Now On CD Reflections
by Composer Randall DeBruyn
The Gospel of John performed by Leonardo Defilippis
Saint Luke Needs You
New Faces At Saint Luke
Current Schedule
| SAINT LUKE NEEDS TO MOVE NOW by Leonardo Defilippis |
| Dear Friends in Christ, Everything always happens at once around here. Gabriella Louise was born on January 18th, welcomed joyously by all her brothers and sisters, parents, and friends. Every birth is a reminder of Christ’s incarnation, causing us to pause and reflect upon the mystery of our existence. Patti and I can’t stop looking at Gabriella in wonder. We have been working hard to prepare for the new video on Therese, which is scheduled to begin filming in June, and have also started production on our new live drama on the Gospel of John, which is going to open in the year 2000, in celebration of the Millennium of Our Lord’s birth. In the midst of all these activities, we have received the startling news that by May 2nd Saint Luke Productions must find a new home. We are currently based in a 2100 square foot house in Beaverton, Oregon about a ½ mile from our family home. The City of Beaverton has informed us that we are not in compliance with zoning regulations, since our ministry operates out of a residence. Up until now, we were unaware of these restrictions, but with this new development, it seems that the time has come to move. If you have been reading our newsletter for a while, you’ve heard us mention many times before our dream of a new facility for Saint Luke that will give us greater possibilities to expand our ministry. Now we have received a clear sign from God that the time has come to test this dream by searching for a property. If it is God’s will, we will find a place that will not only duplicate the space we have now, but will be large enough for other artists to join us. Almost everyday I receive correspondence from actors, directors, and others who want to work with us. Some have been in television and films in Hollywood or in the New York theater scene. Many who write from colleges around the country are disappointed by the materialistic and self-centered environment they see in the secular world. However, I can especially relate to parents who write us about their concerns for the future of their children who are drawn to the world of drama. The facility I envision is ambitious. It would encompass rehearsal, studio, storage and construction spaces, offices, and perhaps even a chapel. We would love to see it set on some acreage, with perhaps our family home next door. I believe the Lord is giving us an exciting opportunity to make a change, and we are trusting that He has great things in store, and will lead us to His Will. I wanted to share with you these plans for the future, because I need your help. For one thing, we would be very grateful for your prayers. We have to move so quickly that we are forced to rely on the Mercy of God to provide for our needs as He sees fit. Also we pray that God will provide the financial resources to allow us to move to a facility that really has potential for the future. We have no time for a formal "capital campaign," and are simply asking you to give generously to make our move possible. Thank you for your support through the years. Now God is giving us all an opportunity to expand this ministry, and include young actors and other artists who will create new video, film and live dramas that glorify God with their loyalty to the Truth of Jesus Christ. Please join us. Accept this challenge to renew and evangelize the culture through drama, by making a contribution to Saint Luke Productions. God bless you,
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| Family Reflections by Patti Defilippis |
| Our little daughter Gabriella was baptized on Sunday, February 14, 1999, and this was
a moment of great joy and gratitude for me. Why is baptism at the such a young age so important to me? I know that for many people this ceremony is superfluous, or even, for some of my Protestant friends, in opposition to their belief. They feel that becoming a Christian is an adult decision, and that infant baptism is a farce. I could get into a whole theological discussion here, but I want to speak personally about what is in my own heart. For me the Christian life is filled with mystery. Most of the time I do not operate on this mysterious plane, and many times I feel like a complete phony in professing my belief in Jesus Christ. But when I gave this gift of Grace to my little child, she became one of us, living this mystery, striving for Heaven, and all of her future stretched before me in a new perspective. No longer does it matter to me how successful she is in this world - I am reminded that it is her soul that I must protect and guide, so that we might all be together in Eternal Life. I believe that my child actually received Grace when water was poured over her head and the Words of Christ were recited. She reaffirmed the Truth, that yes, God is real, and our family is on a spiritual journey. When she was baptized, she became a Christian and her soul was given to God. As I begin another Lent I am grateful to have this miracle of God’s Grace to reflect upon. May the baptism of our Gabriella help me to dwell in the mystery of the Resurrection, so that when Easter comes, I will be filled with joy at the Goodness of Our Savior.
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| My Life With Thérèse by Maggie Mahrt |
| Looking back on this past year and a half of playing the role of Therese, I can easily
say God has blessed me in many ways. Not only do I get to use my talents to do something
beautiful for God and to inspire others, but at the same time, I have been given the
opportunity to travel around the country and meet many wonderful people. As our Holy
Father once said," To travel is to live and to live is to travel". The
combination of both Therese’s words and the experience of "tour life" have
provided quite an enriching education. I have often wondered if it was because I am a slow learner that God chose me to play the part of Saint Therese. He knew that by having me repeat her words over and over I would eventually take her message to heart. So far Therese has been a most gracious teacher. She said, "My way is all confidence and love." I think it is primarily this that she is teaching me. As I continue to perform Therese’s life, I can look back and see that a definite evolution has taken and is still taking place in this play. In the beginning I was portraying Therese as more of a "religious Anne of Green Gables" but now, as I’m understanding her vocation and her realness more, I see the great spiritual depth that her life and message have to offer. It is because of this that I never get bored of performing or "praying" her life. Each time there is something new to contemplate. I’m very grateful to God for having given us this great saint. I truly feel like she is my close friend. It’s encouraging to meet many people, while on tour, who feel the same way. Very often I hear stories of how Therese has worked little miracles in people’s lives, so much so that I’m beginning to wonder if she isn’t traveling more than I am. At least it seems that she is keeping her promise of "Spending her heaven doing good on earth."
LETTERS ON THE THERESE DRAMA From a high school student: Attending this performance made me think that I should be happy to sacrifice since Jesus made sacrifices for me. The child-like love of Therese was so genuine that it made me want to imitate her. Her faith in God was so strong, that she did not fear death. This made me want to be just as happy as Therese was about her death. I also learned that something so simple as being kind to everyone can be a sacrifice to God. Just like Therese, I want to be able to find Jesus in people whom I find challenging to be nice to. From a mother: My 15 year-old daughter has unceasingly listened intently to the audio cassette after seeing the performance. She is memorizing her favorite lines, and last night after reciting the line "Oh my God! I want to be a saint. But I am so helpless." My three year-old daughter whispers to her, "Oh! Lauren, I want to be a saint too!" God is so good! Beauty comes forth from beauty!
The relics of St. Therese will be touring the US during the coming year. Sponsor our drama in your city in conjunction with the relics –Contact Us. |
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| John of the Cross Music Now On CD Reflections by Composer Randall DeBruyn |
| The music for JOHN OF THE CROSS was written to express both the action in the film and
the inner action of the soul seeking God. Themes represent persons in the story and the
qualities they exhibit. Thus, when John first appears, the initial imitative theme
suggests a continual movement, a growth, and a reaching upward toward God. John’s
second theme is derived from the end of the melodic phrase of his first theme, and
expresses the youthful John’s humanity, his warmth and basic goodness, and a deep
harmony with God. John responds to God’s call to enter the Carmelites; this union is expressed by the singing of "Come, Holy Spirit," based on the traditional chant, "Veni Sancte Spiritus." The appearance of Maldonado is represented by John’s first theme turned upside down, suggesting that the search for God can too easily be " turned over" to earthly pursuits. When "goodness" is confronted with this pull away from God, it becomes filled with sorrow. Madre Teresa’s first appearance is marked by a theme expressing energy and decision, suggesting God’s action in the world. This immediately leads to her second theme, heard boldly proclaimed in the brass, but subsequently with great tenderness and compassion. As Madre Teresa prays, John’s first theme can be heard approaching. During the dialogue throughout their meeting John’s first theme (longing for God) is constantly juxtaposed with Madre Teresa’s second theme ( God’s tender invitation). John’s commitment to the reform is followed by action and energy for the Lord (Madre Teresa’s first theme), which is then immediately combined with warmth and harmony with God (John’s second theme). The union of these two qualities is complete in the music, representing the ideal for the soul’s walk in faith. A new theme is presented for John’s teaching of the nuns, a theme expressing the human pathos of love and suffering for the Beloved. This is the essence of John’s teaching and of Christ’s love for us on the cross. This leads to conflict with the world and its agents (Maldonado’s theme), and to the inner suffering of the soul, represented in the interplay of John’s themes one and two. The full contrast of the struggle between a life spent for God versus a life lived for the world is starkly drawn with John and Maldonado’s themes, but ends with the triumph of John’s love for God. Triumph in God leads to true freedom, now expressed in both poetry and music. This new theme (inner freedom) then leads John to literal freedom from his jail. "Let Us Rejoice" is John’s great poem of thanksgiving for God’s gift of freedom, both body and spirit. It leads to a restatement of the suffering of the cross, finally returning to the music of the beginning. But now John carries with him all that we have seen and heard, expressed in the many themes for good and service in God’s love.
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| The Gospel of John performed by Leonardo Defilippis |
| THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN is one of the most ambitious and difficult works that we
have ever undertaken. It is a full-length production of the entire gospel that draws the
audience into a deep experience of the presence of Christ. This drama opened in 1985, and
is being revived and enhanced as a special commemoration of the year 2000 celebration of
the anniversary of Christ’s birth. John’s Gospel is centered on the Trinity, and
it is therefore particularly appropriate that this drama be seen during the year 2000 -
the year of the Trinity. JOHN’S GOSPEL will tour ONLY during the year 2000, so be sure to schedule a performance in your community while dates are still available. Contact Us. |
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| Saint Luke Needs You |
| Please make a financial contribution to these new projects: A NEW HOME FOR SAINT LUKE We will be relocating our offices and rehearsal space in May of this yearWith your generous financial support, we will be able to move to a facility that would have great potential for including talented young people in this work. Please pray for God’s Will to be done, and give of your resources to make this dream a reality.
THERESE: THE STORY OF A SOUL Video. Budget: $250,000 - Raised so far: $50,000 We are preparing to bring THERESE to a much wider audience through a video scheduled to begin filming this June. This new program will capture on film the joyful quality of the live drama, and Maggie Mahrt’s enchanting performance as Therese.
GOSPEL OF JOHN Live Drama. Budget: $20,000 To be performed by Leonardo Defilippis for the year 2000 anniversary of Christ’s birth, and also the 20th anniversary of Saint Luke Productions. We want honor Christ in a glorious way, and you can help make this happen. Give what you can, and call for scheduling info.
VISIT OUR NEW WEB SITE: WWW STLUKEPRODUCTIONS.COM Through the hard work of our own Brian Shields, who joined our staff last August, we are on the World Wide Web. Our web site is still under construction, but I encourage you all to visit us. Here are a some of our current and future services:
Help us spread the word! |
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| New Faces At Saint Luke |
Michele Gray Joins Our Office Team After working since 1983 in television and radio news production, Michele became increasingly uneasy in an industry motivated more by sensation than information. She wanted to be a part of an organization that she felt cared about the effect and quality of its message, doing work that "mattered," even on a modest scale. " In the few months I’ve been here," says Michele, "I’ve seen the positive impact the media and performing arts can have on society, and that beauty and truth can still exist in the Information Age. I am very happy to be in Oregon and proud to be working for Saint Luke Productions." Michele has a lovely family which includes her husband Kris and children John and Rachel.
Bill Iglesias - Volunteer Extraordinaire We are fortunate to have Bill Iglesias, from Jacksonville, Florida, volunteering for us for several months. He is taking a sabbatical after working for 15 years as a computer programmer, and has decided to give some time to God in our ministry here. He has been a welcome presence to our community because of his many talents in the computer field, but especially because of his prayerful spirit. When Bill had an opportunity to see Leonardo play MAXIMILIAN at a conference New York, they connected with their mutual interest in communicating the Good News through drama and film. "It’s exciting to witness dramas that speak right to the heart as these stories of the saints do," says Bill. "It has been an inspiration to be a part of this family, where faith is central and the work is the product of that faith." Thank you, Bill, for choosing to spend time helping us here at Saint Luke!
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