Stories of restoring the sacred, and updates from StoryTel Foundation.
We're pleased to share with you a sample of our latest story segment from our in-progress TV series On Assignment Magazine, which we filmed just a few weeks ago on Thanksgiving Day. We think it's a wonderful example of the spirit and message of our new series. Enjoy.
Read MoreOn Assignment Magazine is an on-the-road TV series investigating true stories of hope around the country. Here at StoryTel Foundation, 2015 has been dedicated to the creative development of Season One, as well as a few side projects God put on our agenda. We're excited to present to you our Season One trailer, which shows what the new series is all about.
As you travel with us on the series, the StoryTel crew will be your personal detectives, scouring the country for clues that lead to the conclusion that God is present and operating in our world after all. In a culture that often obscures God's work, On Assignment Magazine is a magnifying glass uncovering a true vision of hope to compel all of us to unlock the sacred.
In each episode we'll investigate several cases of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for God. We'll share their stories with numerous people through various TV and Web channels and inspire more audiences than ever to trace God's footprints on their own roads.
But our ongoing investigation will stall without sidekicks. We need financial support to keep the van running and the cameras rolling. Please send us on the road to capture these stories for you, your family, your friends, and, most importantly, for God.
StoryTel Foundation is pleased to announce our latest documentary is available for free via online streaming.
Our film Miles Christi: Soldiers of Christ in America premiered one year ago today on EWTN. Since then it has been rebroadcast 18 times, in 75 countries and on 3 television networks, reaching over 260 million households. We've also distributed 840 DVDs of the program.
The film's message of seeking God's will and pursuing personal holiness has already resonated with many audiences. But, since widespread distribution is a part of our mission, we want to ensure it reaches even more people. The entire full-length documentary is now available to watch on our Website and our YouTube channel.
Catch the joyful, lively spirit of Miles Christi all over again and share it with everyone you know. As founder Fr. Yannuzzi says of Miles Christi in the film, "It's worth it."
Watch the full film now:
What if I told you Jesus was seen walking in Ballwin, Mo., this summer? Would you believe me?
Perhaps you would if you've attended a Corpus Christi procession. Jesus, in His true Eucharistic presence, was carried by parishioners of Holy Infant Catholic Church around the parish grounds as a public witness of faith. StoryTel played a behind-the-scenes role in spreading devotion to this liturgical custom and sharing a real experience of the sacred with Ballwin residents.
This is how the encounter unfolded. Holy Infant parishioner Jim Rolwes remembered attending Corpus Christi processions as a youth, but his parish hadn't hosted one in over 10 years. Not sure how to start, Rolwes searched online and discovered StoryTel's video of the Corpus Christi procession hosted by St. Peter Catholic Church in Omaha, Neb.
"This is tremendous!" Rolwes said after viewing the video. He knew he had to get his parish to host a procession of its own, but getting his parish to support the effort took some work.
"I was just amazed at how many people didn't know what a [Corpus Christi procession] is," Rolwes said. He contacted StoryTel for assistance. StoryTel repurposed the St. Peter procession footage and made a new video relevant to Holy Infant Catholic Church to help them educate organizers and advertise the event.
Rolwes shared the video with the Holy Infant Knights of Columbus, the heads of all parish ministries and many parishioners. Rolwes was impressed with the quality of the video and said it was very effective in garnering support. "It really made a big difference," he said. "It was very important."
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, Holy Infant hosted its own procession in honor of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. First communicants dressed in their white attire, families processed behind them and various parish groups walked together. Everyone followed Jesus around the parish and school property, stopping at three altars decorated by parish groups.
"The procession went really well," Rolwes said. "Everyone was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the turnout. We hope to expand the route next year."
Following the procession, everyone enjoyed free hamburgers, hotdogs and ice cream courtesy of the Holy Infant Knights of Columbus and Men's Club.
If you would like to restore the sacred in your parish and neighborhood, consider hosting a Corpus Christi procession of your own. StoryTel would be happy to create a video to help your parish plan and advertise your procession.
Watch the video:
March 24 marks the 8th EWTN broadcast of the StoryTel film Where Heaven Meets Earth since its premiere in April 2013.
In this documentary, ON ASSIGNMENT investigates how a poor Catholic church became a thriving and vibrant parish again after more than 40 years of steady decline.
Watch the trailer
StoryTel Foundation was sad to learn of the death of Notre Dame law professor emeritus Charles Rice last week. But we are glad to have had the chance to meet and interview him nearly 20 years ago.
In 1996, well before the name StoryTel was conceived, Don and I were asked to interview Professor Rice when he was visiting Southern California. He was a big proponent of Thomas Aquinas College and actively sought graduates to attend Notre Dame Law school. He particularly appreciated their analytical minds and predictable commitment to the Faith.
He generously offered to share his comments on video so TAC sent us out to capture them over the summer of 1996. Here are the highlights:
Rest in peace, Charles Rice.
We're so excited to have our story told in the oldest nationally distributed Catholic newspaper in the United States!
We've always made sure to keep StoryTel out of the spotlight in our documentaries and focus the attention on the parishes, religious orders, organizations, and individuals across the country collaborating with God to restore the sacred.
Today we're grateful to have the spotlight on us. We hope this National Catholic Register article will build more support for our mission to inspire through film.
You can find the article in the Arts & Entertainment section of this week's paper or read it online: Restoring the Sacred, One Documentary at a Time.
As we thank God for another exciting year at StoryTel Foundation, we also want to thank you for your generous support. Without your prayers and contributions, we would not be exploring and restoring the sacred and inviting millions of viewers to do the same.
What a year we've had! We celebrated the completion of our fourth full-length documentary film, danced a jig over a burst of press coverage about StoryTel, celebrated as our online video views broke 24,000 and cheered madly as our Miles Christi documentary premiered on EWTN to 230 million homes around the globe!
Reminisce with us as you take a look at our 2014 film project highlights. These victories are yours as much as they're ours, but ultimately every inspired soul is God's victory. Plus, get a sneak peek at our plans for next year, including a new TV series format, a second partner TV station, and an exciting vocations project.
Many of the people and organizations whose stories should be told don't have any money to pay us for our services. That's why we need your help to serve them and continue creating impactful media productions that will foster reverence for God and the things of God.
As a 501c3 nonprofit foundation, none of our work would be possible without God's help, and yours. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today to help StoryTel in 2015.
We, too, are sanctified through the making of these films. Thank you for providing a vehicle for holiness in our own lives and the lives of our viewers. God's work is always worth it.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
In Christ,
Don Carney and the StoryTel Team
Our latest film finally aired for the first time today in the U.S. and will continue to premier through the world this week on EWTN's various international stations.
Thanks to everybody for their wonderful feedback and many DVD orders. We're so please that so many people are enjoying and appreciating our film.
To learn more about our mission our films, check out this great article about StoryTel from the National Catholic Register that was published this weekend.
Check out excerpts from Don's in-studio guest appearance on Spirit Catholic Radio this morning.
