Download PDF version of this page08/12/2006
Press release
Issued by the CASE
Invite Someone To The Cinema
Share your faith this Advent by inviting someone to see the recent film release, The Nativity Story, says England and Wales’ mission chief.
The Nativity Story had its world premiere at the Vatican and is now showing in cinemas across England and Wales. It provides an artistic interpretation of the events that led up to the birth of Christ: the betrothal of Mary and Joseph, their arduous journey to Bethlehem, the finding of the stable, arrival of the shepherds and kings and so on.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said: "It retells this event which changed history with realism but also with a sense of great respect of the mystery of the Nativity… a good cinematic" feature. (1)
Meanwhile, Archbishop Foley, Head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said: "It is nice to be able to have something religious for Christmas." (1)
The Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE), which runs the Catholic Enquiry Office, has launched an online website resource which provides materials to complement the film. The web portal includes: photograph stills taken from the film, articles, a competition, links and a fact file.
Director of the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation, Mgr Keith Barltrop, said: “If you’re unsure as to how to share the true meaning of Christmas with family members, work colleagues and friends, one way would be to invite them to the cinema to watch this film. You won’t need to say anything. Just get them there and let the pictures do the evangelising.”
Mgr Barltrop added: “We hope that our resources will enable people to explore the great mystery which lies at the heart of this story. Whether by taking someone to the cinema, giving them our website address or by some other means, this Advent, please signpost someone to the greatest Christmas gift – an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ and His Church. Your ‘yes’ could make all the difference in the world to them. Now is not the time for timidity and CASE is offering you free materials to support you in this task.”
The web resource is linked from the home page of: www.life4seekers.co.uk
For a wide range of evangelistic Christmas resources for parishes please see: http://www.caseresources.org.uk/resources/downloads_christmas.html
For Journalists / Editors
For more information please contact: Clare Ward at CASE. Tel. 020 8458 3316
Mobile: 0770 939 1998. Email: Clare.Ward@caseresources.org.uk
CASE is an agency of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Website: www.caseresources.org.uk
The agency also runs an evangelistic site for adult enquirers which can be found at: www.life4seekers.co.uk
Interviews can be arranged on request.
Note (1) Source: Catholic News Service: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0606750.htm
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