MISSION PICTURES INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES JOINT DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH PROVIDENT FILMS FOR BOX OFFICE HIT, OCTOBER BABY

Film Makes International Debut at MIPCOM

Los Angeles, Calif. (September 4, 2012)- The award-winning and life-affirming motion picture October Baby, written, produced and directed by Jon and Andy Erwin, will be distributed to audiences this fall through Mission Pictures International (MPI) and Provident Films (http://providentfilms.org/). Provident Film’s Sr. Vice President, Ben Howard, and MPI’s co-founder Cindy Bond recently penned the deal and will be rolling out the project on September 11, 2012. National efforts will be spearheaded by Provident Films while international efforts will be driven by MPI. FOX home entertainment will distribute the DVD domestically in the general market.

“Coming off of October Baby’s success in the box office this past spring, our team could not be more excited about pairing with Provident Films,” says MPI co-founder Cindy Bond. “We can’t wait to bring this beautiful story and message to international audiences.”

October Baby (http://www.octoberbabymovie.net/) is the story of a young girl named Hannah, who collapses on stage during her theatrical debut in college. After countless medical tests, all signs point to one underlying factor: Hannah’s difficult birth. This revelation is nothing compared to what she learns from her parents: she was actually adopted, after a failed abortion attempt. Bewildered, angered, and confused Hannah turns to her oldest friend Jason for support. Encouraged by his adventurous spirit, Hannah joins his group of friends on a Spring Break road trip, embarking on a journey to discover her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future. In the midst of her incredible journey, Hannah finds that life can be so much more than what you have planned.

After reaching No.8 in the box office opening weekend, October Baby gained critical acclaim from film critics across the nation:

“Andrew and Jon Erwin’s faith-based anti-abortion drama is poignant, no matter which side of the debate you fall on.” -LA Times columnist Gary Goldstien.

"Powerful! Outstanding! I was not prepared for the impact this movie would have on me. October Baby is THE must-watch movie for all families in 2012." -Dr. Dennis Rainey, Host, FamilyLife Today

“It just might change your life!” – The Dove Foundation

The Mission Pictures team will debut October Baby to international audiences at MIPCOM this year. MIPCOM is the one-source acquisition marketplace for anyone looking to screen, source, and acquire the freshest new shows, formats and trans media productions. The annual event is held in Cannes, France and is scheduled to take place October 8-11 of this year.

To coincide with the strong message that October Baby promotes, every DVD purchased is a vote for life. The Erwin Brothers have assigned 10 percent of sales profits to benefit the Every Life is Beautiful Fund, which will distribute funds to frontline organizations helping women facing crisis pregnancies, life-affirming adoption agencies, and those caring for orphans.

About Mission Pictures International

Mission Pictures International is a foreign sales, finance, and distribution company that specializes in high quality family and faith-based entertainment for mainstream audiences worldwide.

Founded in 2008 by Cindy Bond and Chevonne O'Shaughnessy, MPI's primary focus and commitment is to create and build a trusted and vibrant brand of entertaining and life-affirming feature film and television programming. With our unique vision, passion and expertise we are able to strategically and effectively maximize our brand within the global marketplace. We achieve this goal by combining the power of our mainstream buyers, distributors and output deals with our international Christian retailers, distributors and global ministry relationships.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, MPI annually exhibits at the following Film and TV Markets: NATPE, Berlin, MIP-TV, Cannes, DISCOP, MIPCOM and AFM.

Mission Pictures slate include features such as: Seven Days in Utopia starring Academy Award® Winner Robert Duvall (Tender Mercies), Academy Award® Winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter) and Lucas Black (Jarhead); The Fifth Quarter starring Emmy Award® Nominee Aidan Quinn (Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee), Golden Globe® Nominee Andie McDowell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Ryan Merriman (Final Destination 3); Like Dandelion Dust which stars Academy Award® Winner Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite), Golden Globe® Nominee Barry Pepper (Seven Pounds, 25^th Hour), Cole Hauser (Good Will Hunting) and Maxwell Perry Cotton; Letters to God starring Robyn Lively and Bailee Madison (Brothers); The Way Home starring Dean Cain (Out of Time); To Save a Life; Bella; as well as the animated series Buzz and Poppy and Animated Kids Bible.

For more information, please visit http://www.missionpicsintl.com/.

 

About Provident Films

Provident Films, a division of Provident Music Group, develops, produces and markets faith-based films. Nashville-based Provident Music Group, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, has been one of the world’s leading Christian entertainment companies for more than three decades.

For more information, please visit ProvidentFilms.org.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien Calls Scotland to Defend the Truth about Marriage

GLASKOW, Scotland, UK (Catholic Online) - Keith Patrick Cardinal O'Brien is one of many heroic Catholic Bishops who have taken their place on the front line of the battle of our age to defend true marriage and the family and society founded upon it. Read the entire article by Deacon Keith Fournier at Catholic Online.

TEEN AUTHOR JULIETTE TURNER MAKES AGE-OLD DOCUMENT FRESH AND RELEVANT FOR A NEW GENERATION IN OUR CONSTITUTION ROCKS!

National Youth Director of Constituting America Unveils debut release today, Aug. 28, 2012, through Zonderkidz

“Our Constitution Rocks is a fun, informative, and relevant book that will empower the youth in our country with the knowledge they need to succeed. Juliette Turner may be only 14 years old,

but she highlights the importance of the Constitution for her generation and many to follow.”

—Barbara Bush, Former First Lady of the United States

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2012) — Imagine a world without Twitter, Facebook, iTunes, or television...Little did the Framers of the United

States Constitution know that their work would change the course of history, but that's exactly what it did. Fourteen-year-old Juliette Turner, the National Youth Director of Constituting America and daughter of actress and Conservative Talk Radio Host Janine Turner, is encouraging her peers to understand the importance of the Constitution and gain a deeper understanding of the document that makes America the greatest nation on earth in her debut release Our Constitution Rocks!.

Releasing nationwide today, Aug. 28, 2012, through Zonderkidz, Our Constitution Rocks! takes a unique look at America’s founding document and makes it relevant to kids today.

“’We the People’ includes kids,” says Juliette.

In Our Constitution Rocks!, readers are invited on a unique journey through the Constitution and discover the historical document in a whole new way. Through fun facts, quotes, cartoons, actual debates, great graphics, and so much more, Juliette breaks down the Constitution, clause by clause, and makes it real and relevant for a new generation.

“It’s not just an old document written by a bunch of men in powdered wigs and tights,” admits Juliette. “It is of utmost importance for kids, the future generation of America, to understand the relevancy of our Constitution, the law of the land. It is America's road map and guide and without reverence and a working knowledge of it, we will lose our country.”

Great for all ages, including parents and teachers, Our Constitution Rocks! is an easy and fun read that simplifies an age-old historical document by translating it into a current and relevant language. Juliette takes the reader on a historical journey as she breaks down the Constitution into cool categories such as:

• What has it done for me lately?
• Why should I care?
• How can I make a difference?
• Breaking it down
• The Bottom Line
• What were they thinking?

Ever since her mother read the Constitution to her on a hammock during spring break, Juliette has been interested in the Constitution and how it affects the future of America. The idea and concept for the book began as a homeschooling assignment where Juliette interpreted ninety essays that had been written by scholars from Constituting America, making them kid-friendly for a younger audience.

Written for kids by a kid, Juliette’s passion and excitement breathes new life into an old document and reminds readers why it remains one of the most important documents in world history.

The informative and fun book is also supported by a number of reputable political figures such as Barbara and Laura Bush, Jack Quinn, the Former White House Counsel under President Bill Clinton and more.

In support of her new release, Juliette will be featured in a number of political events this fall including a keynote speaker at the this year’s Constitution Day in Philadelphia (Sept. 16-17) commemorating the 225th anniversary and the first teen speaker to take the platform at Symposium at Mt. Vernon (November 2012).

Our Constitution Rocks!

ISBN-10: 0310734215

ISBN-13: 978-0310734215

USD$15.99

Paperback: 224 pages

Ages 8 and up

About the author

Fourteen-year-old Juliette Turner is the National Youth Director for Constituting America (http://constitutingamerica.org/), Founder & President of PoliKids! Politics for Kids (http://www.polikids.com/), author, activist and student. She is the daughter of actress and Conservative Talk Radio Host Janine Turner. When she isn’t in school, writing, or speaking at political conventions, Juliette can be found at home on her Texas ranch, caring for their eight dogs and twenty-five heads of longhorn cattle.

About Zonderkidz

Zonderkidz, a division of Zondervan, and Harper Collins, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning Bibles, books, board books, graphic novels, audio, video, and digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids 18 and under and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader's Version) Bible translation, the 3rd-grade reading level edition of the NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at www.zonderkidz.com.

To schedule an interview with Juliette Turner, to receive review copies or for more information on Our Constitution Rocks!, please contact:

Tracy Cole/Rogers & Cowan
310.871.8349
tcole@rogersandcowan.com

Christina Garvin/Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8144cgarvin@rogersandcowan.com

L.A. DODGER LEGENDS, AL “THE BULL” FERRARA & LEE LACY THE DREAM CENTER’S DC LOVES L.A. EVENT

DC LOVES L.A. DRAWS OVER 600 COMMUNITY MEMBERS

KIDS LEAVE WITH NEW BIKES, BACKPACKS, CLOTHES, FOOD & MORE

 

Los Angeles, Calif. (Aug.28, 2012)--Over the weekend, The Dream Center joined forces with the L.A.P.D. (CSP Division), the Housing Authority Los Angeles County (HACLA) and L.A. Parks & Recreation and 100 volunteers to host Dream Center Loves L.A. Over 600 attended the community event held at Nickerson Gardens Housing Project, including L.A. Dodger Legends Al “The Bull” Ferrara and Lee Lacy. The Dodger Alumni coached two inner city Little League teams for a fun afternoon of baseball.

Prior to the game, representatives from the L.A.P.D. and HACLA were honored for their service to the community and were presented plaques by the Dodger icons.

Community members enjoyed live entertainment provided by DJ Sparz, Sada K and were able to receive free bags of groceries and free clothes. Additionally, ten children went home with brand new bicycles as their prize for winning a dance contest.

Following the game, 175 backpacks were handed out to school age children to help kids kick off the school year. The backpacks were filled with various supplies including notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers and more.

For over nine years, The Dream Center has been visiting four major project sites (Imperial Courts, Ramona Gardens, Jordan Downs & Nickerson Gardens) three times a week; providing food, clothing, needs items and services. Their new initiative is to start putting on public events, working together with local organizations, L.A.P.D and others, to bring hope, family-fun and a sense of community to the people of Los Angeles.

For more information on The Dream Center and be involved in Dream Center Loves L.A., please visit www.dreamcenter.org.

###

About the Dream Center

The Dream Center, a volunteer driven organization that finds and fills the needs of individuals and families alike, was founded in 1994 and currently serves over 50,000 people each month.

Services and programs offered include residential rehabilitation programs for teens and adults, a shelter for victims of human trafficking, a transitional shelter for homeless families, mobile hunger relief and medical programs, and a foster care intervention outreach that works closely with Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to keep families intact by delivering the required furnishings, clothing and food to assure that their homes meet DCFS standards. Programs such as adult basic education, job skills training, and life skills counseling are also offered to homeless families and individuals.

The Dream Center’s record of success has led to the launch of over 100 independent Dream Centers nationally, as well as internationally. http://www.dreamcenter.org

For media inquiries please contact Rogers & Cowan:

Christina Garvin
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8144 cgarvin@rogersandcowan.com

UNCONDITIONAL BUILDS MOMENTUM THROUGH HIGH-PROFILE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS & MORE

Service Partners Hope Major Motion Picture Causes Chain Reaction

of Community Outreach Among Viewers

Apple & BET Hosts Exclusive Theatrical Trailer & Clips
 

Los Angeles, Calif. (August 28, 2012)—Unconditional, the new compelling drama from Harbinger Media Partners, is continuing to build momentum leading up to its September 21 theatrical release. The major motion picture, starring Golden Globe nominated actor Michael Ealy and Lynn Collins, has announced key partnerships with high-profile national non-profits such as Feed The Children, Arrow Child & Family Ministries, Here’s Life Inner City and more, in addition to more than 150 other local service organizations across the country. The partnerships are a direct response to the film’s ACT campaign, a movement encouraging moviegoers to serve alongside scores of non-profit organizations and ministries to help make a difference in their communities.

"It's encouraging to know that the film is resonating with those serving their community on a daily basis." says Michael Ealy. "This film is important to me because, not only is it entertaining, it will inspire viewers to go out and make a difference."

“This truly touching and special film highlights the difference one person can make in a child’s life armed with unconditional love,” says Feed The Children President Kevin Hagan. “The story is about spreading awareness about the need in our own communities and parallels Feed The Children’s mission with its inspiring message.”

“Unconditional is a very moving film that I highly recommend,” comments Lowell Perry, Jr., CEO of local partner Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. “If you can go, run, don’t walk!”

Other national partners include Juvenile Justice Ministries, City Life, Dream Center, and the Christian Community Development Association. For a full list of national and local partners supporting Unconditional, please visit www.unconditionalthemovie.com/ACT.

Unconditional tells the story of Sam (Collins), a woman whose storybook marriage is ripped away from her by a senseless act of violence; and “Papa” Joe (Ealy), her oldest friend who leads Sam on a journey back toward unconditional love.

Living out the message of the film, Hollywood teen actor Kwesi Boakye, who plays Macon in the gripping release, recently volunteered at The Dream Center’s Annual Back to School Bash. With over 5,000 attendees, Boakye helped hand out 1500 backpacks filled with school supplies to students whose families face financial hardship in the Los Angeles area.

Contributing to the industry chatter, both Apple and BET hosted exclusive trailers and clips from Unconditional. Additionally, the film’s single “Hope,” sung by Brian Courtney Wilson, is now available on iTunes® http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hope-single/id553309277?ls=1.

For more information on Unconditional and to find out about various opportunities through the ACT campaign, please visit http://unconditionalthemovie.com.

 

About Harbinger Media Partners, LLC

Harbinger Media Partners, LLC is a Nashville, Tennessee-based company founded in 2009 to create and produce high-quality theatrical films that inspire viewers to pursue God and serve others. For more info, please visit: http://harbingermediapartners.com/.

New Coat of Arms for Franciscan Minister General Officially Released

LEXINGTON, SC 15 August 2012 (ACNS) - The ecclesiastical coat of arms of the Very Rev. Anthony Giunta, TOR Mar., PhD, were officially announce yesterday by the Franciscan Third Order Regular of the Brothers and Sisters of Penance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of which Fr. Giunta serves as Minister General. The complete arms consist of the arms of the order in the left half (looking at the shield) and Fr. Giunta's personal arms in the right half. The shield is surmounted by a black galero with six tassels on either side, indicative of his rank. The arms were designed by Brett Merlina, p/TOR Mar.



Patriarchal encyclical addresses issues of Christian duty in government and civic life

ECCLESIA ET STATUS

Encyclical regarding Christian duty in government and community

 To the Bishops, Regular Clergy, and Faithful of the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church in the United States of America, greetings and Apostolic Blessings.

1. The Church and the State are not separate, even if they are not administratively linked. While it is correct that the State does not have the authority to govern or interfere with the business of the Church, it is a complete perversion of Christian duty and doctrine to believe that Christians must lay aside their sacred beliefs when serving in public office or fulfilling a public function such as voting. When confronted with the pervasion promotion of such a perversion in American society today, a faithful Christian is surely left perplexed at how the faith can be truly and wholly practiced if it is to be laid aside in such an important arena as government and the community. One is further left perplexed as to why every other school of thought and purported source of morality and ethics is permitted in the public sphere when religion is not. This is the ultimate work of the secularists, who seek to destroy the Church from without, and the modernists, who seek to destroy the Church from within.

2. The Christian Faith is a religion of action. No area of our lives may remain untouched by our faith if we are to call ourselves Christians. There can be no walls built between different areas of our individual lives, for in truth we each have only one life on this earth. The building of such walls is part of thought stemming from errors introduced by Protestantism. It is not appropriate for Christians to claim that they have, for example, a religious life, a work life, a social life, and a family life, and all such so-called lives are separate. Rather, those things are all aspects of one's life, not separate lives. Chief among all aspects is the religious, as it is based on the very essence of humanity and our relationship to our Creator. We cannot claim to be Christian, therefore, if we ignore the teachings of our faith when we are at work, at play, interacting with our families, participating in social organizations, and so forth.

3. There is in each person an essential hierarchy of rules. This applies even in today's lamentable environment of moral relativism that is so dangerous to the soul. Let us consider the example of two sets of rules, the social and the civil. Note that by social rules and social matters here is explicitly meant the general customs of interaction between human beings. This does not pertain to matters of social justice or social responsibility as used in these examples.

  Under social rules, one might feel a certain loyalty to one's friends and not betray their trust, for to do so would be a violation of the social rules. However, consider that there might be occasions in which the civil rules, i.e., the laws of the State, might expect you to betray the trust of your friends. Placed in such a position, one is faced with violating either the social rules or the laws of the State. Thus, anyone who would choose the laws of the State over social rules clearly values State law more than social rule. That value may indeed come from fear of greater punishment from the State, or it may come from a genuine belief that the laws of the State are superior to the social norms. It does not matter the source of the value, but only that there is such a hierarchy of rule systems inside each person. In general it can be said that whatever set of rules one values over the others such that one will always or at least most always choose those rules over the other can be said to be the chief governing set of rules for an individual. This is something inherent to each individual.

  Now consider that there are three sets of rules, viz., the social rules, the laws of the State, and the laws of the Church. We have already dealt with the choice between social rules and the laws of the State in the previous example. Consider now the two remaining choices: social rules vs. the laws of the Church, and the laws of the State vs. the laws of the Church. The scenarios are precisely the same as in the previous example. Will an individual choose social rules or Church law? If the former, then social matters are more important to the individual than the faith. This could be an individual, for example, who does not practice his faith when he is in danger of being ridiculed by others. Now, if one chooses the latter, on the other hand, then one clearly values one's faith over social matters. Likewise, if given the choice between following State law and Church law, and one chooses the former, then one finds the State superior to the Church. If one chooses the latter, then one finds the Church superior to the State.

  In the hierarchy of rules, the only appropriate arrangement is first Church, then State, and then Social. Note again that this does not refer to matters of social justice and social responsibility, for those fall under the laws of the Church.

4. It is disheartening and concerning that many people today find the State superior to the Church. It is also sad that many feel the need to give into societal pressure from modern, secular American society to hide their light under a bushel and not truly practice their faith. The more Christians give in to these bully tactics by secularists, liberals, and modernists, the weaker the Church becomes. That is, of course, the plan of the secularists, liberals, and modernists. Each individual Christian has a duty to stand up for the Faith.(1) The strength of the Church is the responsibility of all Christians.

5. Further of concern is the misinterpretation of the Constitution of the United States, and specifically the First Amendment. Nowhere in the Constitution do the words "separation of Church and State" appear. The complete text of the First Amendment is given as follows: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This Amendment applied first only to the Federal government of the United States. It did not apply to the several States until 1947.(2) Attempts to prevent federal and state governments from "promoting" religion did not come about until the twentieth century, predominately in 1994.(3)

6. We observe the long-standing Christian nature of the American republic. Even in the colonial period, each colony was predominately Christian in nature. Some colonies had official or at least preferred religions. This Christian nature did not end with the American Revolution or with the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. The Supreme Court building displays the Ten Commandments. The President of the United States is sworn into office with his hand on a Bible. "In God we Trust" is printed on money. The office of Chaplain exists in the United States Congress. These are but a few of many such examples of the presence of religion, and especially the Christian religion, in the government of the United States and the several States thereof. We also point out the religious aspect to the War Between the States, or the Civil War, for both sides of the conflict. It is simply a fallacy to suggest that it is historically American to keep religion out of the public sphere. Yet, this fallacy is precisely the reinterpretation of history and the law that the liberals, secularists, and modernists are promoting.

7. The right of the Church to be free from interference of the government is what is guaranteed by the First Amendment. Said amendment does not prevent people from applying their faith and morals to their work in public office, to their vote, or to any other aspect of the public sphere. Indeed, no true Christian can lay aside his faith to serve in public office. From whence, then, would come the moral compass expected to guide each public servant? The changing whims of society or State-imposed pseudo-morality take the place of Christian morals and ethics if Christian morals and ethics are laid aside.

8. A Christian public servant is first a servant of Christ. Likewise, a Christian citizen of a country is first a Christian. This applies even to secular states, for the law of Christ is universal. The law of Christ has outlasted many regimes and governments and will outlast them all.

9. Furthermore, the validity of any government rests on its consistency with the laws of Christ. For example, socialist regimes are intrinsically invalid and illegitimate, for socialism is incompatible with Christianity. Also, any State that seeks to suppress the Faith and restrict the freedom of the Church is inherently flawed and illegitimate. It is the duty of citizens of all countries to vote according to the principles of Christianity in order to establish that freedom that can come only through Christ. This is for the benefit of all citizens of such countries, not only for Christians, as the true Christian works for the good of all mankind.

10. We, therefore, call upon the faithful in the United States of America at this crucial time in history to remember their Christian duty when engaged in any matter of public policy or action. This includes public officials, government employees, and private citizens. In a republic, each citizen has a right to participate in governance, and therefore has a duty to do so as a means of establishing Christ's justice and truth in this world. One cannot be a Christian on Sunday and a secular public servant the rest of the week. One cannot be a Christian even every day and a secular citizen, laying aside the faith, in the voting booth.

11. America is at an important cross-roads. She faces the choice of being a secular nation that suppresses the Christian Faith or a Christian nation that embraces the freedom that can only come through Christ. We must all do our Christian duty first and foremost when making decisions that impact others. This is not an imposition of our personal beliefs on others, but an exercise not only of our rights but our duty as members of the faithful. And, indeed, the clergy have an even greater obligation.

12. We therefore pray that all the faithful in America will be given the courage and resolve to stand firm in the faith despite the opposition. We pray that those whose faith has been weakened through their own action or the influence of secularists, liberals, or modernists, may be strengthened. We pray that the hearts of our enemies may be turned. We pray that America will be spared the evils of socialism, communism, and other totalitarian regimes that are an affront to the dignity of the human person. We pray that America will respect life and individual freedom. We pray that America will shine forth as an example of true religious freedom in the future.

Rutherford Card. Johnson
Patriarch of the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church

Given at the Court of Saint Mary of Walsingham on the Feast of Saint Clare the Virgin, within the Octave of Saint Lawrence the Martyr, and on the tenth Sunday after the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, on the twelfth day of August in the 2011th day of the Incarnation of our Lord.

Notes:

(1) Jude 1.3; I Peter 3.15; II Timothy 4.

(2) Everson v. Board of Education. 1947

(3) Board of Education of Kiryas Joel Village School District v. Grumet. U.S. Supreme Court. 1994.