“Apparition Hill” to open Oct. 7-13 at Bloomington and Peoria theaters

Cinemas in Peoria and Bloomington will be among those screening the new documentary “Apparition Hill,” which is opening in 35 cities this Friday, Oct. 7.

The film explores the alleged appearances of Mary in the village along the border of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia through the experiences of people who won a contest to travel there. The travelers include both believers and non-believers.

Medjugorje has been a topic of some controversy as millions of people visit the town each year.  According to reviews, the film’s director Sean Bloomfield presents the subject in a manner that, while inspirational, also respects the church’s authority on the validity of the alleged apparitions. The church has said that no ruling on the validity can be made until after the apparitions have ceased.

The film is scheduled for showings Oct. 7-13 at the Wehrenberg Galaxy 14 Cinema, 1111 Wylie Drive in Bloomington, and the Carmike Cinemas Grand Prairie 18, 5311 West American Prairie Drive, in Peoria. Check with the theaters for show times.

A trailer and more information on the film can be found at apparitionhill.org.

Original Divine Mercy image is focus of film at St. Pius X, Rock Island, on Oct. 16

ROCK ISLAND — Art of Faith is sponsoring a showing of “The Original Image of Divine Mercy: The Untold Story of an Unknown Masterpiece” on Sunday, Oct. 16, in McCarthy Hall at St. Pius X Church, 2502 29th Ave. The film will be shown at 1 p.m.

There is no charge to attend and popcorn, sweet treats and drinks will be provided. A short discussion will follow.

Everyone is invited to stay for a Divine Mercy Holy Hour, which will take place at 3 p.m. in the church. It will include the Divine Mercy Chaplet, veneration of a relic of St. Faustina, and sung Benediction.

There also will be opportunities to walk through the Holy Door of Mercy at St. Pius X, which was designated as one of seven sites for Holy Doors in the Diocese of Peoria during this Jubilee Year of Mercy.

A reception will follow in McCarthy Hall at 4 p.m.

A trailer and more information on the film can be found at  divinemercyfilm.com.

“Outcasts” film screening, discussion planned at St. Jude, Peoria, on Nov. 5 

A one-time screening of the 60-minute documentary film “Outcasts,” showing the work of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and introducing viewers to some of those they serve, is planned for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Hettinger Hall of St. Jude Parish, 10811 N. Knoxville, in Peoria.

Accompanying the film and leading a discussion to follow will be Clifford Azize, co-producer and co-founder of Grassroots Films, and Brother Elijah, who has been with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal for five years, serving in Harlem, Newark and Albuquerque.

The documentary, which is for mature audiences only, was filmed on location in the Bronx, New York, as well as areas of poverty, drug addiction and violence in Honduras, England, and Ireland.

Coordinating the Peoria showing of “Outcasts” is Marsha Kampfl, who has brought other faith-based films to the area. Cost is $15 per person, which includes a reception. Proceeds will support St. Francis House, a home in Brooklyn for inner-city youth, and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a congregation founded by Father Benedict Groeschel and others in 1987 to bring Christ into the most desolate of places.

Reservations are required and can be made by emailing marshak36@gmail.com or calling (309) 370-2122. A trailer and further information on the film can be found at outcaststhemovie.com.