Displaying items by tag: Peter Malone MSC

TO THE BONE

US, 2017, 107 minutes, Colour.

Lily Collins, Keanu Reeves, Alex Sharp, Carrie Preston, Liana Liberato, Lily Taylor.

Directed by Marti Noxon.

A serious film about young women and eating disorders. Publicity notes that the writer-director, Marti Noxon, as well is the star, Lily Collins, both experienced these disorders in their early lives. The film has been careful not to provoke audiences, move towards relapses, but trying to indicate aspects for medical and psychological help.

Lily Collins portrays Ellen, a young woman, poor self-image despite an attractive appearance, artistic talents. Her mother has abandoned her and has moved in with a partner. Her father has remarried but is always very busy (not appearing in the film, avoiding the therapy sessions). His second wife has a teenage daughter – and the two young women are strong friends.

Ellen has gone into community therapy but has responded badly. She has been affected by the suicide of a young woman who was influenced by one of her works of art, the dead girl’s parents sending Ellen pictures.  Ellen seriously blames herself for the death.

Her stepmother, concerned, always talking, anxious, arranges for Ellen to be interviewed by  a renowned specialist – an interesting role, played sympathetically and strongly by Keanu Reeves. Most of the action then takes place within the community, the different young women with their problems and interactions, the regime of the community, therapy sessions, mealtimes which they must attend even if they don’t eat, the various ploys that the young women use to avoid eating or for bringing up their food. There is a young British man, a former ballet dancer now with an injured knee, also part of the community, tending to take charge, befriending Ellen, some great bonding, some clashes.

The family gathers for a for a meeting, the father not turning up, and the doctor noting that except for the young girl, everyone else’s comments tend to be self-focused. The film builds up to a climax, the interactions between the dancer and Ellen, one of the young women being pregnant and having a miscarriage – perhaps influenced by reaction to eating and bringing up the food.

The ending is something of rock bottom, literally in the mountains, for Ellen, but now with her new personal name, Eli, images of herself dying, her actual mother offering to feed her with a bottle just like a child, the interaction of images and reality and her returning for therapy.

1. The title, expectations, the focus on eating disorders, the consequences for those suffering from the disorders, the repercussions for themselves, their families, ways to confront the disorder, individually, in community, family therapy?
2. The affluent background of the family, homes, the mother and her partner in Arizona, their ranch? The centres for therapy? The interiors, rooms? The musical score?
3. Ellen’s story, her mother leaving, the lesbian relationship, Ellen not able to stay with her? Her father marrying again, the influence of her stepmother, anxious and busy, Ellen’s friendship with Kelly, stepsister but sisters? The father and his absence, even from therapy sessions?
4. Ellen her age, her talent, art, the story of the suicide, the upset parents sending pictures to Helen, her blaming herself?
5. The attempts at therapy, communal living, regimes, Ellen’s reaction?
6. The reputation of Dr Beckham, the initial encounter, his straight words, Ellen and her reaction, offhand, returning, the decision to go into the community? The low expectations?
7. The community, the encounter with Luke, British, ballet dancer, injured knee, eating disorder? Her ship is showing her round? His story, friendship? The other members of the group, the girl with the, the bright young woman but hiding her bag under her bed, the pregnant young woman, the members of the staff, Lobo and her management, the woman running the therapy sessions?
8. The mealtimes, Ellen and her reactions, the devices to avoid eating, obligatory presence, but not necessarily eating? The conversations, personal stories? Ellen, interactions with the others, with Luke, the bonding, the merit system and his taking her to the meal, his taunting her with her favourite food, the drinking at the restaurant? The tour, the kiss, her reaction, considering him gay? Building of the friendship?
9. The issue of her name, her change of name to Eli?
10. Family therapy session, her mother and her explanations, her partner, the strong stances? The hostility with the stepmother? Kelly and her offer of sympathy? The absent father?
11. The interviews with Dr Beckham, his understanding, his challenge, straight talking?
12. The pregnant woman, the miscarriage, Luke and Ellen finding her after their dispute, the effect on Eli, her walking out, Luke and his appeal?
13. Going to Arizona, with her mother and partner, the tent, her mother and the issue of feeding her, the bottle, a symbol of maternal reconciliation?
14. Going out on the rocks, desperate, her imagination, seeing herself as dead, imagining Luke helping her? Her decision? The return, the welcome? A hopeful ending – with Eli taking responsibility for her life, some ambitions and achievement?

New book of Scripture and Prayer Reflections, 10 Minutes More, Peter Malone MSC

10 Minutes More is the sequel to the author’s previous book 10 Minutes. As in the first volume, we are again invited to take 10 minutes to read a chapter in the book. The chapter will introduce a Bible story that will lead to another 10 minutes of reflection, prayer and sharing.

It is an approach that reflects the storytelling that was at the heart of the life and ministry of Jesus himself who not only told stories but whose entire life, from birth to death, became story. His stories, his parables, all display how he shares every aspect of life with us – joys, sorrows, pain, suffering.

10 Minutes More belongs within that Jesus tradition. By reflecting – even for a few minutes – on a gospel story, we connect its profound message with our own lives. We allow its teaching to help us make sense and purpose of our own life journeys in the ancient witness of the gospel.

10 Minutes More is another delightful book from the pen of Fr Peter Malone MSC. It continues in the style of the earlier book, 10 Minutes. These small books are created for short and focused reflections on Jesus. The simple style belies a lifetime of scholarship and reflection on the Gospel accounts of Jesus; and Peter offers accessible insights into our favourite stories and connections to the great hero narratives of the Hebrew scriptures.  

– Alison McKenzie, Secretary General of the Laity of the Chevalier Family.

Peter Malone’s previous book 10 Minutes, Gospel Reflections for Minds and Hearts is a very valuable book for promoting discussion on many biblical events. Now he has written a new series of these Gospel reflections, 10 Minutes More. I can strongly recommend it for both private reading and group discussion.

– Paul Castley MSC, author, A Time for Hope (Coventry Press)

CONCLAVE

UK, 2024, 120 minutes, Colour.

Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, Jacek Koman, Brian F.O'Byrne, Isabella Rossellini, Valerio Silva.

Directed by Edward Berger.

Many audiences will be eager to see Conclave because they have read Robert Harris’ exciting novel, the story of the death of the Pope, the gathering the Cardinals, the details required by Vatican regulations, the need for security, the holding of the conclave and the election of a new Pope.

The Catholic audience, especially those with a familiarity with the workings of the Vatican, the nature of the hierarchy, the different perspectives, even of popes during the last half century, a lot to interest, to enjoy, and a provocation especially about stances for going back to consolidate past traditions or an openness to contemporary issues in the wider world and their repercussions for the church.

For non-Catholic audiences, they will enjoy the delineation of characters and their variety, the elaboration of issues, machinations, religious motivations, personal and ecclesiastical challenges. But, it would be by way of observation, the same way non-British audiences may be intrigued by a drama about the intricacies and politics, say, of Britain’s Brexit campaign.

For audiences critical/sceptical about the church, it may seem rather esoteric or politically and ecclesiastically pompous.

But, back to the Catholic perspective. The central character is Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, played in a wonderful  performance by Ralph Fiennes, always intense, but, even when not speaking, the audience very conscious of what concerns him, what he is thinking, what is making demands on him. He has wanted to resign as Dean of the Cardinals but the late Pope has refused. Which means that he has to organise the conclave.

So, there we are in the Sistine Chapel, workers in to protect security, the organisation of desks for the Cardinals, the sisters brought in to cook and cater for the conclave, the arrival of the Cardinals, from many different cultures around the world, some pomp and circumstance, some religious earnestness.

To dramatise  the different points of view, there is the open-minded Cardinal Bellini, Stanley Tucci, the hoped-for candidate from the “progressive/liberal” attendees. On the other hand, there is the almost crusading, very Italianate Cardinal Tedesco, Pietro Castillitto, with an Italy-first mentality, opposed to contemporary changes, and militantly hostile to refugees making their way to Europe. And there are some complications with an African Cardinal from Nigeria, raising issues of sexuality in the church today, and some realities of sexual abuse. And, on the worldly side, the money-political perspective, there is an American Cardinal played by John Lithgow.

There is an unexpectedly Mexican-born missionary in Congo and in Kabul, who arrives, claiming as having been made a cardinal “in pectore”. Isabella Rossellini plays a very forthright nun who has no hesitation in speaking directly to the Cardinals.

Robert Harris’ novels read very well, compelling, covering a wide range of issues from ancient Rome to 20^th century fascist and communist states, to contemporary issues. Which means that he has an interesting story to tell, the filmmakers generally checking to give some kind of authenticity to the storytelling, and an ending which will raise many eyebrows and leave many audiences suddenly shocked and, perhaps, struggling to work out what they think, and some questions for the future church.

1. The popularity of Robert Harris’s novel? A papacy story, 21^st-century?
2. The title, the death of the Pope, the rituals, the gathering the Cardinals, the conclave, the voting, behind-the-scenes? Audience knowledge of conclaves?
3. The Catholic atmosphere, Vatican, the Curia, the Cardinals, International, political stances, religious stances, the enclosure, the discussions, the voting, the black smoke, the white smoke?
4. The situation of the church, the dead pope, criticisms of his being progressive, his keeping tabs on the Cardinals, his hidden report, keeping Cardinal Lawrence as Dean, his dismissal of Cardinal Tremblay? Lawrence going in to break the seal, finding the document? The ceiling of the room, the removal of the body, the smashing of the ring?
5. Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, the complete focus of the film on him? The performance, the intensity, communicating the interior questions and doubts? His background, wanting to resign, go to a monastery? His having to organise the conclave? His reliance on O’Malley, Logistics, searching information, interviewing personnel? Mexican priest from Afghanistan? Tremblay and his background? The importance of confidentiality?
6. The background of this logistics, the Sistine Chapel, preparation, security, the accommodation, travel by bus, the rooms, the meals together, the sisters in the kitchen? Audiences appreciating such detail?
7. The key Cardinals? The Nellie, friendship with Lawrence, progressive, his ideas, his declarations, ambitions or not? To disco, irritating, bombastic, conservative, scheming, his following, his outburst after the bomb blasts, his intolerance, racist perspectives on the African Cardinal? Tremblay, American, the Curia, his manoeuvres, financial benefits for followers, arranging the nun from Africa to discredit the African Cardinal? The Cardinal from Milan, the discussions, his concerns? The range of other Cardinals, International, friendships, groups, smoking…?
8. The arrival of the man from Afghanistan, Mexican, his previous mission experience, created a Cardinal, “in pectore”, his arrival, dishevelled, the interview was Lawrence, the discussions about the authenticity, suspicions, acceptance, his background? Presence of the conclave? Lawrence leading the applause from the Cardinals?
9. The assemblies, the voting, the rituals, the county the numbers, the variety over the days, the African Cardinal, the incident with the nun in the dining room, his walking out, Lawrence and the discussions with Sister Agnes, with the nun, confession, learning the truth, the confrontation with a Cardinal, his confession, 30 years earlier, a lapse, his hopes to be Pope, the votes for him, his having to withdraw, sitting alone?
10. The confrontations with Tremblay, the information from the Monsignor who served the Pope, his drinking, last-minute talking to Laurence? Lawrence conferring with the Nellie? Confronting Tremblay, his immediate 40 reaction? Lawrence going into the patron, finding the document, the public exposure, the humiliation of Tremblay?
11. Sister Agnes, her presence, the nuns, forthright, stern, protecting the nun from Africa, standing up to Laurence, sensing the person in the Pope’s room? Her speech, a woman’s voice, the women observing, the strong stand?
12. The changes in fortune, the discussions, the Nellie and his challenge to Laurence, their friendship, his later asking for forgiveness?
13. The Cardinal from Afghanistan, his visit to Laurence, continually voting for him? Lawrence then voting for himself?
14. The tensions in the room, to disco and his behaviour and look? The African Cardinal? Tremblay humiliated?
15. The bomb blast, terrorists, Tedesco’s outburst, the speech by the Mexican, his appeal for unity?
16. The final vote, the election of the Mexican, his acceptance, the name of Innocent? O’Malley, the information about Switzerland, the Institute? Lawrence talking to the Mexican, the surprise of his situation, the transgender issue? His decision?
17. The ending, the future of the church, Pope Innocent, and the revelation? Lawrence looking at the window, the nuns coming out of the building, the end of the film and audiences left to ponder?

MSC Australian Province History, new book available

Word to Images to Digital Communications, Media. MSC Australia is the title of  this book, an e-book.

It will be uploaded on the Province website next year.  But, if you would like to receive a copy in PDF for yourself or for anyone interested, contact the author by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Writers

The book is illustrated with many photos, book covers, media outreach.

Music 

e-books 

Vietnam 

Annals

There are several appendices with article on media and communications and MSC Constitutions and Statutes, the history of media, by Tony Arthur and Peter Malone, an overview of Annals by Paul Stenhouse, on Annals editors by J. F. McMahon. Finally, a list of our media and the names of those involved in each area. 

And as indicated above, if you or anyone would like a PDF copy, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Current News…  Succession.

Succession. A word now well-known through the popular television series.

But, succession in the context of our website?

Instead of third person, I am writing now in the first person as Peter Malone, personalising these reflections, with some photo-realism of where Current News is posted!!

August 17th is the 14^th anniversary of my starting work on Current News on this site, shrewdly led on by the then provincial, Tim Brennan.

This means that I have posted, in round numbers, 300 stories each year, which tells me that would mean a total of at least 4200 items. I had not thought of it until recently when somebody used the word “discipline” about the regularity and constancy. This made me realise that I have posted six items a week, wherever I was – but mainly at home at my computer, at the desk or, as now, in my armchair, 10 PM each night, listening to Philip Adams on Late Night Live (but he has now retired).

I noticed on the website last week the news that I had turned 85. And, so, the thought about stopping. Hence, succession.

I will continue until the end of this year. I am happy to say that there is a good plan in the works for continuing the Current News. Also in the works is a re-vamping and updating of the site. So, as you do, “Watch this space”.

Planning for the future

I look back and realise that all the posts are still there on the site, something of a diary/archive of life in the Province and beyond, items that are still available through the search engine.

And I have enjoyed something like investigative journalism, an eye and an ear for stories, leads, connections, googling for stories and photos, planning ahead, now and again having to improvise, keeping alert.

Because of the work on the website, another task was writing the Analecta entries on each year of the Province, history and publications.  I now have a successor. His first entry appears tomorrow…

Acknowledging Peter Malone MSC, 85.

Peter Malone, from Sydney, educated at OLSH Bowral, and five years at Chevalier College. First profession on 26 February 1958, studies at Sacred Heart Monastery, Croydon, Sacred Heart Monastery, Canberra. His theology studies were at the Gregorian University in Rome where he was ordained in the student house chapel, April 3 1965.

He taught at Daramalan College, Canberra, moving to teach Old Testament and theology at the Canberra monastery, then pre-Novitiate director at Croydon monastery for ten years, the 1970s, teaching at the newly-established Yarra Theological Union as well as at the National Pastoral Institute and the Heart of Life Centre where he is still involved.

Frequent question: Twins? Frequent answer: Actually not!

This photo from two weeks ago, July 25^th, indicates the lack of resemblance.

During the 1990s, he headed the OCIC (International Catholic Organisation for Cinema) in Australia and the Pacific and in 1998 was elected the world President. When OCIC merged with the international television organisation, Unda, in 2001, he became the first president of SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communication). He has been reviewing films since 1968 and has published some books on cinema and religion. He was also the editor of the MSC theology periodical, Compass Theology Review for 27 years, 1972-1998. He edits this site.

He lives in the MSC Melbourne community, his brother, Philip a member, at Kew.

MSC Australia books, books about MSC Australia

Peter Malone writes: this website post has been with with my “working with Michael Fallon on our MSC Books Archive” hat on.

Have you wondered about how many Australian MSC have written books?

The quick answer is: more than a lot!

The news for this website post is that there is now An Annotated Bibliography of the Province. It will be an ebook on the Province website. This has taken some years to complete, interrupted for several years by Covid, and a realisation that many books were in the library at Kensington, quite a number upstairs on the second floor in the archives room, and so many all around the province.

After Paul Stenhouse’s death, Michael Fallon had the hefty task of organising that room, Paul’s books, coordinating the MSC books from the various sources, cataloguing them, arranging particular sections of Paul’s room so that it could become the book archive.

The Annotated Bibliography has, in alphabetical order, each Australian MSC author, the publishing details of each of their books, sometimes a short annotation, at other times longer, especially utilising the information on back covers. The books we have now are in alphabetical order occupying the wall space of half of the archive room. And, within this alphabetical order, the books written by former confreres, and these are also annotated.

In a corner across the room, is an increasing number of books about members of the congregation, different ministries, aspects of MSC life.

A request. We are eager to have copies of any books about MSC in Australia, individuals, ministry (an example is a thesis from Charles Sturt University, 2008, on MSC NT missions, with very full chapters on John Leary, Ted Merritt, Gerry Burke, more information than we have previously come across before.)

The Annotated Bibliography will find its home on the provincial website, in the section on e-books.

The person who compiled the Annotated Bibliography is website editor, Peter Malone MSC – persuaded to put in this photo of him as he stood on the library carriage which moves, rather heavily in the pushing, across the room, precarious to descend (rather easier to go up) and requires constant attention to balance! It is hoped that the bibliography maintains that good balance.

Heart of Life Centre 2024

With the Province buying Kewn Krestha, Croydon, formerly the house for mothers and the care of the Family Care Sisters, there is work in progress, renovations, repairs, work on meeting rooms and offices. But the year has begun with the Spiritual Direction, Siloam, program, a full-time group, part-time first year and part-time second year. Also the Damascus Spiritual Leaders, program, Emmaus Supervision, Let the Heart Listen. There are already a number of shorter seminars and workshops.

MSC at Heart of Life, 2024

Barry Smith, Projects Supervisor for the renovations

Khoi Nugyen, Lecturer, Religious Experience, Experience of God and Grace

Peter Malone, Tutorials, Siloam Full-time, Siloam Second Year Part-time

Daniel Magadia, Damascus Spiritual Leaders participant

Krish Mathavan, Damascus Spiritual Leaders participant, Zoom from Singapore.

A New Book: Dear More Dear Movies, Peter Malone MSC

Back in Covid lockdown days, the cinemas were closed, 2020, from mid-March to mid-November (and some weeks in 2021).

What was a film reviewer to do? Well, for many, Netflix and/or Foxtel was a major answer. The other thing to do was to keep writing on movies. 2020 quietly saw the publication of Dear Movies by Coventry Press – 101 letters to the movies themselves, sharing autobiography with them, the impact they had in their time, later, the issues they raised, Australian themes, religious and spirituality themes.

So lockdown led to more watching and more writing: Dear More Dear Movies, 85 letters this time, the same process: life, issues, themes, spirituality… And Coventry Press again said yes.

This is an endorsement by John Mulrooney MSC: I once wrote to Peter Malone - “you have spent at least one third of your waking hours living in the dark!” “Ah,” said Peter, “but I have had a bright screen in front of me filled with images of life and humanity”. And this is what he writes about in his letters to movies.

I sometimes come out of a movie theatre deeply moved by what I have watched and often have to ask myself: “why was I so moved by this film?”

Peter ties many films to various periods of his own life and personalises his responses to the films. He uses his extraordinary gifts of memory and detail to explore themes that emerge through films: forgiveness, redemption, reparation and so on. (Clint Eastwood’s films) Films such as The Nightingale and The Drovers Wife and other Australian movies evoke the “need to feel and be (and learn to express): sorry.” Films like Six Degrees of Separation remind us “when we connect, we touch the hand of God”.

Peter writes letters to movies that show human life in all its richness, beauty, colour, light, darkness and brokenness. If you love movies, this book is for you.