fishers of men

Vocations Film Aims to Boost Priests Too
U.S. Bishops to Show "Fishers of Men"

WASHINGTON, D.C., MARCH 14, 2006 (Zenit.org).- "Fishers of Men," an 18-minute film aimed at promoting priestly vocations, will be premiered this week by the U.S. bishops' conference.

The film, as part of a wider project, Priestly Life and Vocation Summit: Fishers of Men, intended to renew priests' sense of fulfillment in their vocation and to encourage them to draw on that
satisfaction to invite other men to pursue the priesthood. The project was developed by the bishops' Committee on Vocations.

The film, produced by Grassroots Films of New York, is a fast-paced video which shows many of the facets of a priest's daily life.

Several priests provide testimony to the importance they place on their own vocation. A dramatic re-enactment portrays how a priest can inspire a vocation through his service to someone in need of priestly ministry.

The video is accompanied by questions for discussion among priests who view the film together at their diocesan vocation summit.

One question asks, "Reflecting upon your own vocation and reasons for becoming a priest, are they similar to those presented in the film?"

Another asks, "What part of the film do you think will most inspire young men in your parish to consider priesthood as a possible vocation?"

"A hero"

The film is also intended to be used by priests in discussions with men considering the priesthood.

Men who saw an advance screening of the film have praised it highly.

"It appeals to the desire in every man to be a hero, to stand up for something great," said Kevin Kimtis of New Jersey.

"It is by far the best vocation video I have ever seen," said Brandon Macadaeg of California. "It will touch the hearts and minds of many across the country."

"'Fishers of Men' goes beyond what any person could expect of a vocations film," observed Chad Eckles of Utah. "This film touched my heart and soul."

Joseph Campo, producer of Fishers of Men, said, "I speak for everyone on the Grassroots Films
staff when I say that we have always had a positive view and appreciation of the Catholic priesthood throughout the world, and we are grateful for the opportunity to portray in the film what it means to be a priest."

Monsignor David Malloy, general secretary of the U.S. bishops' conference, said, "I thought 'Fishers of Men' was extremely moving. It reminds us why we became priests. I would love for my nephews to see it."

Father Edward Burns, executive director of the bishops' Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation, said, "With the release of the 'Fishers of Men' DVD, all the elements are in place for the Priestly Life and Vocation Summit project."

"Through workshops for priests, the goal of this is project is to renew and regenerate the priesthood in the United States," said Father Burns.

The "Fishers of Men" trailer can be viewed at www.usccb.org/vocations.

My Comments:
This video is pretty good! Grassroots Films is a solid group and very talented. I still like their vocation video that they made for the Archdiocese of New York better ("God in the Streets of New York" here and here). I get teary-eyed every time I watch it. I highlighted it here a while back. They also have a very good video for female religous life and several others as well.