If you haven’t checked out the new design redux over at St. Austin Review, do so! It’s simple, creative and I think perfectly in tune with their goal and mission is–it’s not trying too hard to be what it’s not.

One feature of the new web site is the StAR blog, the Ink Desk, featuring snippets of the faith and culture conversation.

Read my first entry on Grassroots Films search for interns.

After quite a long hiatus and infrequent posting for the last two years since the advent of Ruah Movie Nights and the Human Experience screening, Ruah is back!

My husband and I have wanted to reignite this effort for some time, but things have never quite been right. Until now. A number of circumstances–crosses, joys, encouragement and signs–have aligned, all pointing towards the re-launching of Ruah, this time as a non-profit rather than just a club of loose associations.

We’re currently praying over John Paul II’s Letter to Artists, networking with friends in similar work and with a similar passion, doing the non-profit legwork (incorporation, 501(c)3 paperwork, bylaws, board, etc.), and trying to find part time jobs to keep us afloat until we can get status and apply for grants.

Please pray for our discernment, tasks, networking and especially for benefactors. As you may have heard, this is not the best financial time to begin a non-profit, as nearly all non-profits are struggling.

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Speaking of which, I just got an email from the Foundation for Sacred Arts, and they’re two shakes of a lamb away from cutting and shutting, so please strongly consider sending them a sacrificial gift:

Dear friends,

Faithfully,
Ann Marra
Executive Director

I received this via the SAF’s email newsletter:

Greetings!

The Foundation has reached a critical financial moment. We still need an additional $20,000 to cover operational costs through the balance of this year. Without it, the Foundation will be forced to cease activity and close its doors by mid-September. Yet, if each person on this mailing list offers a contribution of just $50, this financial need will be more than satisfied. The Foundation depends entirely on the generosity of its friends for the support of its programs. We urge you to consider helping us continue our vital mission to evangelize the world through art.

“In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art.” – Pope John Paul II

Contact Us!
1413 K Street NW
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
202-898-1288
info@thesacredarts.org

Happy Feast of St. Josemaria Escriva!

This painting is done by Sr. AnneMarie Heyne, who is currently a novice with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Florence, Italy. If you would like to support her vocation and promote the sacred arts, consider purchasing her paintings. Contact me at ruahfellowship@gmail.com if you’re interested.

For more on St. Josemaria:

• Short biography, links and the collect for the day
• St. Josemaria’s works for free online

I heard a joke at daily Mass that made me laugh today. As I’ve said before, I don’t hate all modern or contemporary art (though much of it is based on erroneous principles), but a lot of it is characterized by this:

A man is looking at a painting in an art gallery, and is intrigued with one particular painting. It was a canvas covered with black paint, several large orange splotches, with thin, yellow lines criss-crossed. Tilting his head with furrowed brow, the man was approached by the artist.

“I don’t know if I understand this painting at all. What’s it about?” asked the gallery patron.

Nodding seriously, the artist declared, “Few people understand my work. It comes from inside of me.”

“Maybe you should take an Alka-seltzer,” suggested the man.

I laughed out loud. Yes. Maybe you should take an Alka-seltzer!

You may be a reader of aeternus blog, a lovely online page for commentary on spirituality and mysticism, but what you may not be aware of is that the author, Lisa A. Johnston, is an artist and photographer. And her photography is gorgeous. Take a look.
(Photo used with permission.)

This great video, “March of the Unqualified” from Igniter Media is a fantastic use of media for evangelization, and a reality check for those who use false humility as an excuse for delaying Church involvement and conversion. Unfortunately, it’s a little expensive. Check out a preview here.

I received this today, and thought I’d pass it along…

Ave Maria Press has been serving the Catholic community for over 140 years as a ministry of the Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross.  We are an award-winning, leading publisher of books in the areas of prayer and spirituality, pastoral ministry, and adolescent catechesis. We are looking for self-directed, independent applicants to fill the position of Institutional Marketing and Sales Coordinator.
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This person will coordinate and develop activities within the institutional marketing product lines with particular focus on pastoral ministry products.  This position works closely with the Institutional Marketing Director, Pastoral Ministry and Adolescent Catechesis editors, and Marketing and Inside Sales departments. In this role you will:

-Develop and implement marketing plans for pastoral ministry and religious education categories
-Represent AMP at exhibits, conferences and conventions (regular travel required, including weekends)
-Develop key contacts within various diocesan offices, parishes, high schools, and Catholic organizations
-Develop promotional materials for institutional categories including catalogs,flyers, online specials, etc.
-Actively participate in strategy and launch meetings regarding product, marketing plans, etc.
-Field religious education and pastoral ministry correspondence daily

Position is located in South Bend, Indiana

Qualifications
To be qualified for this position, you must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and two (2) years of related experience is preferred.  You must also be proficient in all MS Office applications, and Internet search and database programs.  Must be able to take ownership of the position and must have knowledge and experience in current practices and issues in the Roman Catholic Church.

For immediate consideration, please submit your resume and salary requirements to: Ave Maria Press, P.O. Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Email mpopiels@nd.edu or fax to 574-239-2908. EOE.

He writes page turners to sell his “theology”. It’s not a big surprise to faithful and well-formed Christians–and in particular, Catholic Christians–but it seems to be news to the millions who read and love him into theological and historical delusion.

Read NY Times Op-Ed Columnist Ross Douthat here. He opens up the cancerous body of work and operates from head to toe, noting that Brown isn’t just your run of the mill anti-Catholic bigot, but an avant garde DIY hater of organized religion in general:

“Piggybacking on the fascination with lost gospels and alternative Christianities, he serves up a Jesus who’s a thoroughly modern sort of messiah — sexy, worldly, and Goddess-worshiping, with a wife and kids, a house in the Galilean suburbs, and no delusions about his own divinity.

But the success of this message — which also shows up in the work of Brown’s many thriller-writing imitators — can’t be separated from its dishonesty.”

That’s right folks. Douthat’s calling him a liar. In the NY Times. Sweet.

As a side note, I went to this Theology on Tap last week that, contrary to its description, was a thorough treatment of the book and movie, “Angels and Demons,” along with a fantastic overview of the Church’s teaching on art and film. Dr. Daniel VanSlyke, Associate Professor of Church History at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, was great, if not an eensy weensy bit long-winded. I’ll post the audio when I get it.

Nominations are in for the Catholic New Media awards. Among the 2009 contestants are some of my favorites, including:

• The Curt Jester, whose “Walk-In Monstrance” entry made me laugh for at least twenty minutes.
• What Does the Prayer Really Say?
• Word Incarnate, by spiritual buddy Father Abbot Joseph at Transfiguration Monastery.
• Creative Minority Report, which makes me chuckle on a regular basis. Witty, witty, witty! The Catholic Onion. Don’t miss their “Marketing the New Mass”

Why is this on a faith and culture blog? I thought it was all about the liturgy and sacred arts? Amen, “the fine arts were born on the altar,” but a renewal of faith and culture must speak the language of the day, which includes new media.