ruah arts group

Lookie what book I received from Amazon last week! I can’t wait to read it–after I finish the substantial “Cry of Stone.”

The Island of the World 

a new novel by Michael D. O’Brien

The Island of the World is the story of a child born in 1933 into the turbulent world of the Balkans and tracing his life into the third millennium. The central character is Josip Lasta, the son of an impoverished school teacher in a remote village high in the mountains of the Bosnian interior. As the novel begins, World War II is underway and the entire region of Yugoslavia is torn by conflicting factions: German and Italian occupying armies, and the rebel forces that resist them — the fascist Ustashe, Serb nationalist Chetniks, and Communist Partisans. As events gather momentum, hell breaks loose, and the young and the innocent are caught in the path of great evils. Their only remaining strength is their religious faith and their families.
For more than a century, the confused and highly inflammatory history of former Yugoslavia has been the subject of numerous books, many of them rife with revisionist history and propaganda. The peoples of the Balkans live on the border of three worlds: the Islamic, the Orthodox Slavic East, and Catholic Europe, and as such they stand in the path of major world conflicts that are not only geo-political but fundamentally spiritual. This novel cuts to the core question: how does a person retain his identity, indeed his humanity, in absolutely dehumanizing situations?
In the life of the central character, the author demonstrates that this will demand suffering and sacrifice, heroism and even holiness. When he is twelve years old, his entire world is destroyed, and so begins a lifelong Odyssey to find again the faith which the blows of evil have shattered. The plot takes the reader through Josip’s youth, his young manhood, life under the Communist regime, hope and loss and unexpected blessings, the growth of his creative powers as a poet, and the ultimate test of his life. Ultimately this novel is about the crucifixion of a soul — and resurrection.
*

“You will not want to put this book down until you finish it, and you will continue to live in it even after you close its covers. This story will change you. It will make you a wiser, better person. Is there any greater, rarer success we can hope for in a mere book than that?”
— Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Boston College. Author, The Philosophy of Tolkien

“It is difficult to know where to turn for noble enough analogies in speaking of this book. Michael O’Brien has achieved both a seriousness and a delicacy, that is not to be taken lightly. I wonder whether we are going to find Mr. O’Brien’s name taking its place along with those of Mauriac and Bernanos before too long?”
— Thomas Howard, author, Dove Descending: A Journey into T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets

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Will it be good? Will Hollywood get history wrong as usual? Come and find out. 

Time: 6:30 drinks and snacks; 7:00pm movie

Place: Ruah House (111 S. 6th Street, Mt. Horeb)

BYOWhatever

Read a review here.

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Thanks to everyone who made the Human Experience Madison PreScreening a success! Whilst a few connections were missed, I was late in getting the registration list to my volunteers, etc. etc., it was overwhelmingly very fruitful. Joe Campo and Michael Campo loved Madison, enjoyed the screening and valued tremendously the feedback.

There were so many people who helped–you know who you are–but some people who really bent over backwards include my main financial benefactors Fr. Eric Nielsen, the Diocese of Madison’s Office of Evangelizaton & Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach and Kay Schacte. I’m grateful also for the fantastic volunteer efforts of Lisa Scheubel, Tira Jackson (artist who did the posters), Audrey Klingel, Leah Stader, Nan Delaney, Kay Schacte, Jennifer Wagner, Tim Huegerich, Beth Ptak and the St. Ambrose youth, Brad Frias and gang. Thanks so much, guys!

Stay tuned for Human Experience follow up and feedback. I know it was a powerful experience for many, and I’d love to brainstorm over ways to support Grassroots Films and respond to this artistic Molotov cocktail of a film.

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Where is it and when is this premiere?
Tuesday, November 6th 7pm at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Lecture Hall, 227 State Street, Madison, WI 608.257.0158
 

How about directions? Also, where can we park for this event?

Directions: http://www.mmoca.org/information/directions.html

Parking: See http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/parking/downtownMap.html

Is there a rating for the film? What age recommendation can you
give?
There isn’t an MPA rating, but due to a violent scene at the beginning, the producer
recommends the film for ages 13 and older.

What is Ruah Arts Group, and who is behind it?
Ruah Arts Group, founded in prayer by Jessica Smith in January 2007, is a faith based culture group whose goal is to live out John Paul II’s Letter to the Artists by fostering fellowship, formation and fraternal service with our artistic gifts for the greater Glory of God. In a world grown dismal, we want to shine a light amidst the chaos, affirm with God, “It is good.”
 

Do I have to be religious to come?
Heck no. Just human.

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We didn’t really sell anything. But the place is going to be full. Whether you can go to the premiere or not, I recommend you see Joe Campo at the Downtown parishes’ Theology on Tap on Thursday, November 8th 7pm.

Reminder on the details for the premiere:

Tuesday,  November 6th 7pm.

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (in same building as the Overture Center)

Lecture Hall

Please call Jessica at 778-8528 if you have any special needs.

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