Last Saturday, I traded an all-night alcoholic binge (it was my high school's batch reunion) for some Church time with my girlfriend. It's either I'm getting old, losing the party animal in me, but for some strange reason, I found myself really happy. And no, it isn't just because I'm with my girlfriend, but because I genuinely enjoyed the church activity. It's basically a movie screening – the movie's about marriage, FIREPROOF – done in our Church's conference hall. Let me list down some of the reasons why I think the activity was such a success:
It's Different
I'm not a high and mighty worshiper of a higher power – I tend to keep things personal. I always do believed that Faith is something that you can only have in yourself, that external factors may corrupt or sway you to do things otherwise. That has got to be the main reasons why I sometimes feel like that attending Mass is such a chore. So it was like a breath of fresh air when I read of movie screening at Church. It was something different, yet still in line with helping individuals to get in touch with their Faith. Plus, there's free popcorn, so I'm not complaining!
The Movie
Though I won't tell you the plot details of FIREPROOF, all I can say that it was a nice movie. But if you'd let me watch the flick at the theaters, I'd probably want to have my money back. The common thing that Catholic films have is that they all seem to have bad actors. Mainly because of budget constraints, and lack of an indeed powerful script, that these films aren't that accepted in mainstream movie media. But the thing is, they do have their market – and yes, they're people who truly attend Church services. With me and my girlfriend actually attending a Church movie screening the first time, we not only liked the movie, we felt touched mainly because of the other participants in the room (since the movie's about marriage, almost all attendants were married. I asked for permission if me and my girlfriend can watch – luckily, they allowed it).
It's a Bond
One of the highlights of that night was that each male was given a single stem of rose. And with a card that says, I'll Never Leave My Partner Behind, we were then obliged to give the flower to our partners. Maybe because of this single act, that I am now so much inclined to attend future gatherings. Not only do you and your partner's bonds are strengthened by Church movie screenings, but your Faith can actually be felt stronger in them. My girlfriend genuinely felt touched by texture – she didn't know that I actually felt it more, that I felt that relationships (whether with your partner or a higher power) should be treasured.
My high school batch-mates called me up the next day, to tell me what a wonderful night they had. I told them that I had an equally wonderful time as well. Church movies can be the next best thing for me. I do hope that other churches try to follow suit. Try recommending it at your local church – believe me, you're in for the time of your life if you do so!