Gordon: |
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When you received your vocation, why did you
decide to be a Jesuit? |
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Fr. Eddie: |
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In 1997, I had the opportunity to work there
before ordination. My two primary jobs were to work in the
box office and help with event planning. Both gave me great
insight into the festival and a chance to build
relationships with talented filmmakers. Also, I loved being
able to screen so many great films! |
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Gordon: |
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What courses do Jesuit seminarians take that
most other religious orders may not study? |
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Fr. Eddie:
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Jesuit formation is really uniquely grounded
in the experiential. The first two years spent in the
novitiate are like boot camp. You learn about Ignatian
spirituality, prayer, and the Jesuit way of proceeding. You
also make the long retreat (a 30 day Spiritual Exercises
retreat). Then you move on to First Studies (three years of
academic and ministerial work). Then comes Regency (three
years of full time ministerial work) followed by three more
years of theology studies. The whole process is about ten
years and only then are we approved to be ordained. |
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Gordon: |
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What impact does contemporary culture have on
religion? |
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Fr. Eddie:
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The level of self-imposed isolation has
increased in our culture in recent decades. So much of our
days are spent by ourselves behind screens. When we never
unplug, when we no longer choose to be part of faith
communities, when we spend so much time focusing on
ourselves, it can be very difficult to hear where God’s
calling us. However, we still crave that connection and we
crave community. So when people seek out religion today,
they do so with a new kind of fervor. I see it at the
college campus where I teach. Many of the students were
raised without any kind of religion. So, when you see them
participating in a religious service or activity, they
arrive with genuine curiosity and desire, not a sense of
obligation. That kind of interest brings an energy to modern
religion that has the potential to renew the Church.
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Gordon: |
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What interested you in getting a film degree
at LMU? |
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Fr. Eddie: |
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Jesus told stories and Jesuits have been at
the forefront of storytelling for over 450 years. In order
to carry on that tradition in present day, it only made
sense to study film and television. Mass media has the
potential to inform, inspire, and entertain and I went to
LMU to learn the best methods to do that. |
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Gordon: |
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When were you appointed president of
LPI and what are your
primary responsibilities? |
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Fr. Eddie:
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I founded Loyola Productions, Inc. in 2000.
My responsibilities over the past 18 years have been to
manage day to day operations, work closely with colleagues
to use this medium effectively, and to ensure our Jesuit
mission is rooted in all that we produce. |
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Gordon: |
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How important is film as an evangelization
source? |
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Fr. Eddie:
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Given that Americans today spend more time on
TV, mobile phones, and the internet than they do exercising,
being with friends and family, eating, sleeping, showering,
and volunteering, combined (National Labor), we
believe the Church must have a strong presence in film,
television, and digital media. Francis of Assisi told us to
preach the Gospel at all times, but only use words when
necessary. We can and should take this approach to our
digital content. We must carry on the rich Catholic
tradition of the communication arts by weaving our
sacramental truths through dynamic, modern, artistic
storytelling. It has the potential to invite viewers to
encounter God in unexpected ways. |
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Gordon: |
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What are your favorite films? |
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Fr. Eddie:
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My favorite films include
Cinema
Paridiso (beautifully weaves themes of family,
cinema, and sacrifice),
The Mission
(a well-told story that reminds us there are no easy answers
to difficult situations) and (to be somewhat self-serving)
Blood of the Martyrs (a passion project
documentary I produced that tells the story and sacrifice of
the Jesuits killed in El Salvador. It’s now available on
Amazon to view). |
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