Article by Sean Ronan ’20:
Periodically throughout the school year, Freshman and Sophomore homerooms spend their mornings watching parts of two religious movie series.
The series The Bible, shown to the freshmen, is watched in coalition with what they are learning in Scripture class. Students get to see a visual representation of the various events that took place in the Bible. Mr. James O’Brien and Mrs. Peggy York, Freshman Scripture teachers, explain that, as Scripture teachers, The Bible allows students to see the Bible from a visual standpoint. It allows the Bible to come alive, just as the material covered in Scripture class.
For visual learners, the series allows a better understanding of what is being said in conjunction with the textbook on the iPad. “The purpose of watching The Bible is to see Sacred Scripture come to life,” states Mr. Alex Basile, the chairman of the Religion Department. He further explains, “We witness God’s love in Salvation History. God uses imperfect humans and invites them to spread His message of redemption.” Charles Peknic ’21 describes his experience saying, “After being in the Latin School, I had a good understanding of my faith. Through watching the films and being in Scripture class now as a Freshman, I have an even deeper understanding of my faith; about God’s love for us.”
Sophomores will learn about the seven Sacraments from the Bishop Robert Barron’s award-winning series, Catholicism, as they learn about the Sacraments and the history of the Church in their classes.
Students will start with Part 7 of the series, “Word Made Flesh, True Bread Of Heaven: The Mystery of The Liturgy and The Eucharist”, which will deepen the students’ understanding of the Sacrament of Communion. Mr. Eric Harnisch, a sophomore religion teacher, explains, “The video is shown to help students have a greater appreciation for the Blessed Sacrament in their lives as members of the Church. The Eucharist is a central Sacrament in the life of the Church and in the lives of Christians.”
Brother Roger Poletti, S.M., who is also a Sophomore religion teacher, states that his hope would be that, “students grow in their awareness of the most important and frequently received sacrament, the Body of Christ.” Nicholas Motta ’20 describes his experience saying, “I truly obtained a sense of what it means to be a Catholic through the movies that Kellenberg shows its students.
These movies are pivotal for the development of my faith. I believe the message of the film is to appreciate all of what God has done for us. It is important to always remain thankful for the blessings we receive from God.”
Many students don’t have a clear understanding of their beliefs. However, it is evident that through watching the various films that Kellenberg has to offer, students become more mature in their knowledge of the Church and the Christian faith.