Activities

Defending the Faith in Watsontown
By Christopher Vermett
8th grade

On May 19th, 2006 over a thousand theaters were blanketed with “free publicity” from the TFP-organized protests against The Da Vinci Code. Watsontown, Pennsylvania was no exception. The Watsontown Theater was faced with a group of eight gentlemen from the Academy.

We had not yet finished setting up when an elderly man approached and repeated the not-so-novel phrase, “It's just a movie.” (But then he contradictingly informed how much it had strengthened his “belief in Jesus”). Student Christopher Sulzen kindly responded that a movie is not a license for blasphemy. After a short argument, he went to buy a ticket. Curiously, he bought it, left, and never went in to see the film.

Upon praying the holy rosary a man with his family asked, “Hey, what Church are you with?” Mr. Drake answered, “The Holy Roman Catholic Church.” Slightly embarrassed, the man questioned, “Which parish?” “The Transfiguration of Our Lord in Shamokin" Mr. Drake responded. “Well,” the man said, “I am Catholic and I don't see a problem with the book. Our priest said not to protest and just realize it is fiction, and then you can go see it.” Student John Mahoney replied that this is not enough because you end up supporting sin. Coming to his senses, the passerby then left with his family and did not come back.

After the first showing of the movie, some “brave and courageous” spectators mocked us and snickered childishly from afar. Not one crossed the street to confront us with arguments.

The two-hour vigil finished with three Hail Marys, and on the way back to the Academy, we were all happy at having consoled Our Lord. We could hardly wait for the next protest!