Manna Food Drive

My Dear Parishioners,

In a previous column I told you what a great success our Manna Food Drive was.  Our July donations totaled 1,650 pounds. The Coordinating Council of Health and Welfare is very grateful for the donations. Thank you for all your generosity. Thank you also to all the regular monthly volunteers who transport our donations. It is heavy work and they do it faithfully. This year they used 3 vehicles (2 trucks and a car) to carry our Manna Food Drive donations.

I was also asked to remind you that donations are available for anyone in need regardless of whether it’s temporary (1 or 2 months) or a longer period. Those receiving the food are as anonymous as the donors. They do not have to provide ID or proof of income/residence. To schedule a food pick up simply call 215-672-9422, Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Anyone calling to schedule a food pickup is asked for a name, a phone number – to verify a pickup or for clarification about the date/time, and an address – which gives an estimate of the distance they’re traveling/how long it takes to drive if they’re delayed. Anyone can pick up the food, just give the name of the person who requested it.

For more information visit: www.warminsterfoodbank.org.

I recently saw a movie that many are talking about. It was difficult to see but also very moving. In case you are considering it, I have copied a review from Our Sunday Visitor.

NEW YORK (OSV News) – “God’s children are not for sale.” Such is the motto of Tim Ballard, the indefatigably determined real-life crime fighter portrayed by Jim Caviezel in the fact-based drama “Sound of Freedom” (Angel Studios).

The story of Ballard’s battle against the sexual enslavement of kids — a horrifying form of depravity that’s disturbingly widespread — makes for a valuable and ultimately uplifting experience. But that payoff comes at an emotional cost.

Initially, viewers are taken on a heartrending descent into an underworld of utterly vicious cruelty and exploitation via the tale of two young Honduran siblings kidnapped by a ring of traffickers. While working as a U.S. Homeland Security agent, Ballard becomes passionately dedicated to resolving the pair’s case and to bringing down their abductors.

Thus the mood lightens as Ballard first devises and then leads a clever sting operation. He’s aided by Vampiro (Bill Camp), a colorful reformed gang member, and by Paul (Eduardo Verástegui), a wealthy businessman with an amateur’s interest in detective work. Ballard is also consistently cheered on by his supportive wife, Katherine (Mira Sorvino).

Ballard’s indefatigable determination — which not only drives him to imperil his career for altruistic reasons but subsequently to undertake a perilous rescue mission as well — is admirably heroic. And, as suggested by the quotation above, director and co-writer Alejandro Monteverde’s script, penned with Rod Barr, is tinged with references to faith.

Yet Ballard’s bravery is inextricably linked to the revolting evil he confronts. As a result, while moving and well-crafted, “Sound of Freedom” is also undeniably challenging. Parents may nonetheless feel that the movie’s educational impact will be sufficient to make it acceptable fare for older adolescents.

The film contains stylized violence, mature themes, a couple of mild oaths and a smattering of crude and crass language. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News.
Follow him on Twitter @JohnMulderig1.

God Bless you.
Fr. Bordonaro