by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Catholic film writer and producer Michael McGlinn released two films on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart on June 28 to inspire and impact Christians.
One deals with the hot-button issue of immigration. The other is about the always-relevant struggle of finding one’s vocation and purpose in life.
“Immigrants in the Heartland: Who Are We Following?” is a 44-minute feature-length documentary that focuses on how five dioceses grapple with the issue of immigration “legal and illegal, documented and undocumented,” said McGlinn, a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Kansas City, Missouri.
“We went to each of the five dioceses to see how they are getting along with this issue, and how it’s impacting the faithful,” he said.
The co-directors of this film are McGlinn and John Altman.
The five dioceses are the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the Diocese of Wichita, the Diocese of Dodge City and the Archdiocese of Denver. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and the ordinaries of each diocese make an appearance in the film.
“Our film is actually borrowing the backdrop of immigration — which is a stormy issue and always has been — as an example of how we navigate through those types of issues when they arrive in our lives,” said McGlinn.
It’s a Christocentric film that looks at how we deal with issues in a way that is pleasing to God.
The second film is “Ascent: The invitation that changed his life.”
The 23-minute short film is a story of prayer, friendship and making good choices. Its primary audience is young men, to make them aware that, of the many choices they can make for their lives, one choice might be a call to the priesthood.
The actors in this film include three Kansas City, Missouri, clerics: Father Gabriel Lickteig, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish; Father Richard Rocha, pastor of St. Bellarmine Parish; and Msgr. William J. Blacet, a retired priest.
These films aren’t in local theaters, but can be viewed or purchased online.
“People will be able to purchase DVDs, download the films or rent them,” said McGlinn. “Most people will probably stream them online.”
To see “Ascent,” go to: Ascentmovie.com; to see “Immigration,” go to: Whoare wefollowing.org.
I would love to buy them.