Why do you think the film is titled Where Hope Grows? What changes do you see in Calvin, Milt, Colt, Katie and the other characters throughout the film? Discuss how you see the growth of hope throughout the story. Who or what is the source of hope?
How does Calvin’s relationship with Produce help him make changes in his life? In his relationship with his daughter, Katie?
How can we work together to create an inclusive community for people with disabilities?
Where can the conversation go from here? How will you be accountable to yourself, your family and friends, your school, and your community?
Have you ever witnessed someone showing disrespect to a person with a disability? How did you respond? How would you respond after watching the film?
Why do one-to-one friendships matter?
Why do you think Calvin initially befriends Produce? What are his motives—good and bad—that prompt him to spend more time with Produce?
Describe Katie and Colt’s relationship. Why do you think Colt continues to spend time with Katie? Why do you think Katie keeps hanging out with Colt?
Calvin finally chooses to give up alcohol and attend his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. What situation prompts him to repent? Why does it seem to take “hitting bottom” for people to choose to turn their lives around?
At the hospital, Katie and Calvin pray for Produce and Milt. Katie asks Calvin, “What good is it to pray if you don’t get what you ask for?” How does Calvin answer her question, and would you be satisfied with his answer? How would you answer the question? What do you think is the purpose of prayer?
At a funeral service, the pastor says to “make your dash count,” to live your life to the fullest. Who is someone you know who is making their dash count? How can you tell? What are key elements needed to live a full life? What are the dangers or costs of not “making your dash count?” Who makes their dash count in the film?
Who or what “saves” Calvin? What relationships bring about his transformation, and what realizations does he make in order to grow?
What do you think will happen with each of the characters beyond the end of the movie? Imagine and describe a future for Calvin, Katie, Produce, Amy, and Colt—what will the next year hold for them?
Which character did you relate with the most—Produce, Calvin, Katie, or another character? Why do you think you felt a connection with that character? Which character did you dislike the most? What bothered you about them?
Who are some people with special needs in your life? What have you learned about life and about yourself from knowing this person?
Calvin and Katie have a strained relationship at the beginning of the movie. What are some of the sources of their tension or the obstacles that prevent them from a healthier relationship? Describe how Calvin might be frustrated with Katie, then describe how Katie might be frustrated with Calvin.
In a key scene, an embarrassed Katie must pick up a drunken Calvin from the police station. She tells him “I’ve given up on you.” What would you want to say to Calvin in this moment? What would you say to Katie?
Produce was a voice of hope for Calvin. We are all looking for some reason to have hope, to have a reason to keep going, to see that we have a sense of purpose and destiny, a reason to see what our future holds. How can you be a voice of hope in our world?
Romans 5:3-5
1Corinthians 12:14-20, 27
Are there people with special needs in your life? What have you learned about life and about yourself from knowing this person? How does your school welcome and serve people with special needs? Your friends? Your neighbourhood? Your community? This question presents an excellent opportunity to talk about inclusion with your students. In particular, you may want to raise the concept of social inclusion and what it means to ensure all members of a school or community are meaningfully engaged as part of the group, form positive, mutually beneficial relationships, and are viewed as equal, contributing members of the group. Some additional questions to ponder with your students might include: What does it feel like to be excluded? What are some ways we unintentionally exclude certain people or make them feel unwelcome? What steps can we take to make sure we create an inclusive community?
Luke 14:15-24 If Jesus pushed the disciples to go out and invite people with disabilities to the table, what would it look like for us to do the same?
Mark 12:41-43
According to the World Health Organization (2011), more than one billion people around the world have a disability(1 in 7). 20 percent of the teen population has a disability. 70 million people in the world need wheelchairs and only 5-15% have them.
http://www.who.int/disabilities/infographic/en/
http://www.who.int/features/qa/67/en/
http://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/chapter1.pdf
https://www.younglife.org/en/Pages/default.aspx
15When one of them that sat at table with him, had heard these things, he said to him: Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16But he said to him: A certain man made a great supper, and invited many.
17And he sent his servant at the hour of supper to say to them that were invited, that they should come, for now all things are ready.
18And they began all at once to make excuse. The first said to him: I have bought a farm, and I must needs go out and see it: I pray thee, hold me excused.
19And another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them: I pray thee, hold me excused.
20And another said: I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21And the servant returning, told these things to his lord. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant: Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the feeble, and the blind, and the lame.
22And the servant said: Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23And the Lord said to the servant: Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
24But I say unto you, that none of those men that were invited, shall taste of my supper.
41And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.
42And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.
A tableau or tableau vivant is a representation of a scene. No movement takes place. Students simply take positions to portray the main message of a scene. They freeze in that position for about 30 seconds. (Like a youtube “mannequin challenge” of sorts.)
Join a small group, pick one tableau. When it is your turn, present your scene. While watching other groups present their tableau, discuss/think about what you saw.
Reflection or discussion: How do you feel if you spend time with your friends in this way? When is it most important to be together this way?
Tabeau
Portray a scene in which all are friends in the group and they are all enjoying doing the same thing together.
Portray a scene in which one person in the group wants to talk to one other person in the group privately.
Portray a scene in which members of the group enjoy being together, but not necessarily all doing the same thing together.
Portray a scene in which the people enjoy small groups rather than a large group.
Portray a scene in which the people enjoy talking in a large group.
Portray a scene in which the people enjoy talking in twos or threes.
Portray a scene in which one member of the group is introducing a new person to the group. The others in the group welcome this new person.
Portray a scene in which one member is sad. The others comfort this person in various ways.
Portray a scene in which members of the group celebrate the good fortune or success of one or two members.
Portray a scene in which one or more members are trying to be peacemakers among friends who have had a disagreement.
15When one of them that sat at table with him, had heard these things, he said to him: Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16But he said to him: A certain man made a great supper, and invited many.
17And he sent his servant at the hour of supper to say to them that were invited, that they should come, for now all things are ready.
18And they began all at once to make excuse. The first said to him: I have bought a farm, and I must needs go out and see it: I pray thee, hold me excused.
19And another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them: I pray thee, hold me excused.
20And another said: I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21And the servant returning, told these things to his lord. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant: Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the feeble, and the blind, and the lame.
22And the servant said: Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23And the Lord said to the servant: Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
24But I say unto you, that none of those men that were invited, shall taste of my supper.
41And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.
42And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
God didn't create us for solitude, but for communion. This is why we have a deep longing for meaningful relationships (spiritual and emotional intimacy), as well as a deep sense of loneliness. Christ is the answer, and the Church is the means. We are called to be people of communion. Continue reading →
This is a repeat of my homily from 2015, but I felt it was worth republishing. Gn 2:7, 15, 28-24 Ps 128 R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives. Heb 2:9-11 Mk 10:2-16 Once again, … Continue reading →
Pv 9:1-4 Ps 34 R/. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Eph 5:15-20 Jn 6:51-58 It’s been a difficult month in the Church in North America, especially this past week, as we’ve been hearing about clergy sex … Continue reading →
Today is supposed to be a great and joyful feast in honour of the glory of Mary and the triumph of God’s mercy in her life. It reveals the destiny for which God has created each person. Yet, today the Church finds herself in mourning, covered with shame, confusion and hurt. It's also a call […]
It’s been a while –– I’ve stopped writing our my homilies and recording them has been a bit challenging, so there hasn’t been much to post. I’ll work on it. In the meantime, I’ve added some other audio files. Last week … Continue reading →
A tableau or tableau vivant is a representation of a scene. No movement takes place. Students simply take positions to portray the main message of a scene. They freeze in that position for about 30 seconds. (Like a youtube “mannequin challenge” of sorts.)
Fr. Roger