DVD

A Family Retreat, by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Reviewed by Daniel Tobin

Contents - Nov 2006 - Buy a copy now Editorial: EWTN and the secular media: fighting fire with fire Education: The Spirit of Generation Y: the challenge for Catholic schools - Cardinal George Pell Living the Faith: What distinguishes a practising Catholic? - Bishop Luc Matthys News: The Church Around the World England: British Catholicism's dark night of the soul Books: Is the Catholic Church in Australia 'lost'? - Michael Gilchrist Brisbane Archdiocese: inclusive language in the liturgy continues - Michael Apthorp Liturgy: US bishop sets out clear guidelines on celebrations of the Mass - AD2000 REPORT Television: EWTN: now affordable and accessible in Australia - Moira Kirkwood Letters: Missal translation - Pat Hurley Letters: Translation hang-up - Fran Swindale Letters: Accuracy needed - Carol V. Phillips Letters: Faith and reason - Peter D. Howard Letters: Narrow - Norm Yodgee Letters: Infallible teaching - Don Ford Letters: Education needed - Judy O'Reilly Letters: Early baptism - John Schmid Letters: Declining practice - Gerard J. Keane Letters: Chavagnes College scholarship applications - Ferdi McDermott Letters: Conversion by violence - Gregory F.J. O'Regan Letters: Generation 'Y' - Kevin Cains Letters: Common sense and married clergy - Errol Duke Letters: Poem's author - Valerie J.Staunton Letters: Anonymity - Michael Apthorp Letters: EWTN by broadband - Bren Scheiner Poetry: Sometimes Gladness: Collected Poems 1954 to 2005, by Bruce Dawe - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: St John Bosco, St Dominic and the Rosary, St Thérèe of Lisieux - Siobhan B. Reeves (reviewer) DVD: A Family Retreat, by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen - Daniel Tobin (reviewer) Events: The teachings of the Catholic Church: an exploration Events: Second Annual Victorian Catholic Students Association Conference 25-26 Nov 2006 Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Catholic schools must proclaim the total love of Christ - Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM

A FAMILY RETREAT
by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
(DVD, Keep the Faith Inc, 2004, twelve talks, six hours, $29.95.
Available from Freedom Publishing)

Archbishop Fulton J Sheen was of the opinion that if 20th century man had one underlining fault, it was a lack of docility - the ability to be easily taught.

The 12 talks that he gives on this one DVD are a splendid example of his efforts to teach the truthful realities of life to an audience comprising children, adolescents, parents, teachers, priests and religious, displaying all of the unique gifts and knowledge gained from his many experiences as a teacher and priest.

His use of humour to capture attention at the beginning of each talk and then again to reenergise his audience whenever he feels they are flagging is a lesson for all public speakers. I know of many who have watched these talks (previously produced on video film) and memorised the jokes he uses and delight in recalling them.

The topics he covers, such as ‘Three Kinds of Love’, ‘Choice’, ‘Wasting Your Life’, ‘Youth and Sex’ and ‘Old Pots’, are full of helpful suggestions for making life more meaningful and useful. The other subjects he speaks about would have a stronger appeal to a Catholic audience and include ‘The Meaning of the Mass’, ‘The Woman I Love’, ‘Kenosis’, ‘Confession’, ‘The Devil’ and ‘Our Cross’.

The average duration of each talk is 25-30 minutes, for Archbishop Sheen realised this is about the maximum time an audience of this type can concentrate sufficiently well to absorb and retain the salient points he is making.

The production of this DVD is all in colour and the picture quality is a vast improvement on the video format.

Six hours of talks on this modestly priced DVD is marvellous value and makes for essential family viewing.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 19 No 10 (November 2006), p. 17