Video Recommendations

Bernardin (V 1082)
Documentary that examines the life of a man who helped define many of the critical issues facing the nation and how America stood with him as he was called to publicly define himself. It explores Cardinal Joseph Bernardin’s rise to leadership in the American Catholic Church, his role in the creation of anti-poverty programs and in the public debate on abortion and nuclear weapons. Around the ethical/moral life issues facing society, he advocated a “consistent ethic of life” and later initiated a project of reconciliation called “Common Ground” – a healing legacy that transcends ideological boundaries.

Life Principles (V 1377)
A five-part series devoted to explaining the underlying philosophy of the pro-life movement to a secular culture. Features Father Robert Spitzer, S.J.

  • Part A
    • Unit 1: Defining Personhood - Part 1 (31 Min)
    • Unit 2: Defining Personhood - Part 2 (39 Min)
  • Part B
    • Unit 3: Happiness - Five Fundamental Attitudes (45 Min)
    • Unit 4: Happiness, Ethics and Freedom (29 Min)
  • Part C
    • Unit 5: Rights and the Common Good (35 Min)
    • Unit 6: What Makes a Culture Healthy (23 Min)
  • Part D
    • Unit 7: The Abortion Issue (27 Min)
    • Unit 8: The Euthanasia Issue (44 Min)
  • Part E
    • Unit 9: Conclusion - Teaching the Life Principles (70 Min)


Beginning and End of Life Issues: Seeking Divine Wisdom (D 5105)
Learn about the Catholic Church’s stand on beginning and end of life issues. Topics of discussion include marriage and sex, family planning, treating infertility, advanced directives, organ donation and death with dignity.


Book Recommendations

The Biblical Jubilee and the Struggle for Life (BK 4824)
Ross and Gloria Kinsler; Orbis Books
The biblical Sabbath and Jubilee tradition provide essential direction for the process of personal, ecclesial and social transformation. The authors open up the richness of this tradition.

Catholic Teaching on Life Issues (BK 4868)
William J. Raddell, Jr.; The Center for Learning
states the Catholic Church’s position on critical life issues and provides guidance in regard to the ethical considerations of developing technologies in this area.

Preparing for Eternity: A Catholic Handbook for End-of-Life Concerns (BK 5709)
Joseph M. Champlin; Ave Maria Press
Guides readers through the practical, physical, emotional and spiritual concerns that everyone faces at the end of life. The author approaches the practical matters – such as making a will or naming a health-care proxy – as well as the spiritual and emotional struggles that will be encountered when considering the frailty of human life.


Internet Recommendations

http://www.respectlifetoday.com
Our mission is the conversion of both minds and hearts to the truth of Christ. We seek to provide opportunities to successfully teach that all life is sacred from conception to natural death.


To check out these materials or others from the Diocesan Resource Center, phone Kathy Ward at 406-442-5820 or 1-800-584-8914, or e-mail kward@diocesehelena.org


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 9, September 19, 2008.