I love doing impossible things, because you get to witness miracles.

A few weeks ago, Patti and I met with the director and producer of our last two videos to discuss the filming of our live touring drama THÉRÈSE: THE STORY OF A SOUL. They were very excited about the project. Neither of them knew much about Saint Thérèse, but the director, K.C. Lynch, was especially moved by the beauty and depth of her autobiography. He was also entranced with Maggie Mahrt’s performance.

It was our plan to simply videotape the live drama, and create a record of the production for all of you on our mailing list. We knew this was a compromise, because much of the impact of the live drama would be lost in the translation, but with our limited budget, we felt that was the best we could do. K.C. went away with the plan to simply put the play into video format.

To our surprise, he came back a week later with the first 10 pages of a completely original screenplay. It was good – really good. Here was an opportunity to produce, not just a video of the live drama, but an intimate, honest film portrait of the most beloved and fascinating saint of modern times - the first major American made movie on Thérèse of Lisieux. This was exciting. Immediately I faxed K.C.’s screenplay to our partners in crime, the Carmelite nuns in Seattle, who helped us create the play in the first place. They loved it. At that moment I knew that we should not settle for second best, but should allow Therese to run like the wind, with full confidence and love. We had the beginnings of an excellent script, the talent, the opportunity to go to France and Rome to film, and incredible music. What was missing? Money!

Reality set in very quickly. The budget for this first-class production was set at $875,000. Wow! Where would the funds come from, especially since pre-production and planning had to start immediately? I realized that only a miracle could make this happen. So I plunged into fundraising with all my heart, asking God to lead the way.

Praying constantly for the intercession of Saint Therese, I started dialing the phone to acquire pledges. Within the first few weeks the families I called pledged $50,000. That gave us $150,000 in our existing fund for Therese. One individual was so moved by this plan that he transferred $25,000 of stock to the project. Yet we were far from our goal, and I didn’t see how we could continue. One half hour before a meeting in which I was going to call off the project, a miracle happened and we received a $100,000 pledge. What generosity! I took this as a sign to keep going. Every penny that has been pledged towards Therese has come from families and monasteries. This is indeed the "little way" and many of you have been instruments of God’s grace.

I know it is crazy to attempt something this big. But I keep thinking of the words of Pope John Paul II: "Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity." With the opportunity to do something extraordinary for the glory of God, I feel compelled to give it all I’ve got. It’s worth it.

We still must raise $600,000. I urge everyone who receives this newsletter to sincerely consider donating or pledging an amount that can make this happen. Of course we need large contributions, but we also realize that if everyone on our mailing list pledged $50.00 a month for the next year, we could stay on schedule and complete the film by next summer. On the following page, you’ll find details of ways you can help.

This is your movie too. When it’s finished, I know that you will be proud of what we have accomplished together.

God bless you,

Yesterday I called home and talked to Mary, age 9. I asked her to do something really yucky as a sacrifice for me, so that I could write a scene about Celine, Therese’s sister, becoming a nun. Leonardo overheard me and added "Tell her to do something yucky for me too, so that I can raise some money!"

The writing of that scene went exceptionally well and Leonardo got a commitment of $2000 from the calls he made that hour. I called her back and asked her "Did you offer something up for me?" "Well I burned my hand accidentally and I offered that up!" Fourteen year old Clara chimed in that she had cleaned a bathroom as a sacrifice.

It warms our hearts to see our children embracing suffering in these little ways. This is truly the way of St. Therese. Clara and Mary showed me that when you do little things with love and sacrifice, these actions become a prayer in themselves. All my children are uniting themselves to the sufferings of Christ and doing so much good for my soul, and for this film. I know that they would love to play a more exciting part in the making of this movie, but their normal little actions of love are the real reason this artistic project moves forward.

My children help me so much to trust in God. They are completely behind us in the work that we are trying to do, and if they have faith, I can have it too. Thank you Lord, for their wonderful example.

I came to this ministry as green as these Oregon trees, wanting to put God first in my life, but I had no concept of how to do it. Putting Christ first really isn’t difficult; it just appears to be. When I first got here I didn’t know anyone. I was free and I could start fresh by abandoning all my ambitions and trusting totally in Christ. I understood that meant giving up everything I was proud of. BINGO! I found my answer. I must be humble. So, now I have to figure out how to be humble. It’s hard! Every time I try to be humble I’m really being prideful. How confusing this new concept is to me. I don’t know how to be humble so I just pray for God to show me. If I had to sum up this chapter of my life with one word it would be humility. I like that goal. I enjoy trying to find Christ in everyone, especially when they are being a little devil. It’s a game and a constant challenge. Following Christ is a conscious daily choice, and that’s all I can handle, one day at a time.

This journey is also preparing me for a new chapter in my life--marriage. I have been impatiently counting the days until December 11, 1999, when my fiancée Cristi and I will receive the blessed sacrament of matrimony. I’m so excited! If being around the Defilippis family didn’t drive me into the priesthood, then God must be calling me to the vocation of marriage. I love Cristi. She’s is the most special person in the whole world. I just hope I can be the husband and father my dad is.

Well, this is my humble beginning. Dear God, let me give without counting the cost.

This inspiring one-man live drama gives a new meaning to the Word of God present in our midst. Leonardo performs the role of Jesus in a production set in the style of a Byzantine icon, that includes a compelling musical score, beautiful costumes, and an impressive set.

Be sure to contact us as soon as possible to make JOHN’S GOSPEL a part of your Millennium celebration of the birth of Christ. Call 1 800 683-2998 to schedule a performance while dates are still available.

"Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

Since joining Saint Luke Productions last August as technical assistant for the Thérèse drama, I’ve heard these simple words many times. And with every performance, Thérèse brings me nearer to understanding what they truly mean - that through a complete trust in God, she became a saint and I can become a saint too.

Trust in God has been so important to Maggie and me in bringing Thérèse’s message to audiences around the country. While most of our shows have been "showered with roses," we have occasionally found ourselves facing unexpected problems.

Before one recent show, while backing up to our sponsor’s home in the HUGE white van that carries our equipment, I heard (and felt) a "bump". "The mailbox?" I asked. Maggie looked out of the passenger side -"It’s on the ground." I was humiliated, but the sponsor thanked me, saying he had to fix it anyway! God seems to work everything out.

During my second show as technical assistant, Maggie’s microphone began making horrible noises in the middle of the performance, distracting the five hundred people in the audience. I turned the mike off, but soon realized that without it, over half the audience couldn’t hear what Thérèse was saying. Although the show’s sponsor tried to help, my experience was so limited that I didn’t really know what to do. I tried to solve the problem while controlling lights and sound at the same time—not a good idea. Poor Maggie was playing a guessing game with my lighting and I even cut her off with the lights at the end of one line! By the grace of God we made it through that show (and a few others like it.) The greatest grace was that Maggie still spoke to me after the show!

At another performance, I forgot to tape Maggie’s microphone into her costume. We had to start the show over because no one could hear her. And at the home of one generous sponsor, Maggie and I were served "pieces" of pie (a quarter of the pie each) and huge bowls of ice cream--during Lent.

Complete trust in God, humility, leaving all things in God’s hands—these are the these lessons I’ve learned on tour, and with each performance, I pray that I come closer to understanding what Saint Thérèse teaches me—

"I have no need to grow up but rather I have to remain little and become this more and more."

NEW RELEASE DATE: August, 2000. Budget: $875,000 - Raised so far: $275,000

There are several ways that you can help:

1. Make a single, tax-deductible donation to this project, insuring that the filming gets off the ground.

2. Make a contribution pledge over the next year, spreading out the total in monthly installments. We would remind you each month of your pledge.

3. Do you have any stocks or bonds that you could contribute to Saint Luke? If you donate securities, you not only avoid tax on your capital gain, but you are also allowed a charitable deduction for the full market value of the asset. This is very easy to do. Call us at (800) 683-2998 for more information.

4. Make a donation in the form of an airline ticket for "THERESE" using your miles accumulated from a "Mileage Plus" program.  This would help the filming in France and Rome.

We have received an anonymous pledge from a supporter who will match any gift we receive up to $25,000. This doubles the effect of your gift!  You can now make your donations on-line in a secure aera through our website.

GOSPEL OF JOHN Live Drama.

Budget: $20,000

To be performed by Leonardo Defilippis for the Year 2000 anniversary of Christ’s birth, and the 20th anniversary of Saint Luke Productions. We want to honor Christ in a glorious way, and you can help make this happen. Give what you can, and call for scheduling info.

A NEW HOME FOR SAINT LUKE
Help us to find a new facility with the potential for growth. We appreciate your prayers, ideas, and financial contributions.

WEBSITE
www.stlukeproductions.com

Visit our website for:

• Therese film updates
• Gospel of John updates.
• Creative drama opportunities.
• Video and audio tapes.
• Schedule of performances.

Help us spread the word!

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2000. We have been invited to perform THERESE: THE STORY OF A SOUL and MAXIMILIAN: SAINT OF AUSCHWITZ in Rome at this international youth festival (August 15 – 20). These two performances will be a perfect evangelization effort to reach young people. We have applied for grants to cover expenses, and could sure use your support.

EWTN. Maggie Mahrt, who portrays Therese in our live drama and will also play the role in the film, just finished a series on THE LETTERS OF SAINT THERESE for the Eternal Word Television Network that will air in the fall. We are also working on our own series on the lives of the saints for broadcast. We’ll let you know when you can see these excellent programs.

TV DOCUMENTARY. We are in the planning stage of a video series based on the 20^th Century martyrs. Leonardo will host the program, which will be our first completely in-house production, giving artistic opportunities to the young filmmakers who work for us. More on this as it develops.

CLONING LEONARDO. Over the next year, Saint Luke will be searching for talented actors to perform the roles that Leonardo has created over the years. We want to pass on these performances of the lives of the saints to a new generation, who will help us fulfill our dream of a Catholic theater company.