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Churches open doors to devout ‘special effects’ By Dolores Madlener It’s a big order, but the pro-life ministry of St. Linus Parish, 10300 S. Lawler Ave. in Oak Lawn, say its upcoming program can deliver. “The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus will come alive” for their audience at 7 p.m. Oct. 2, through an audio-visual presentation of illuminated life-size images in the darkened church. Life Foundation of New Mexico, program presenters, says it takes them over three hours to set up for the 90-minute display. They believe the program embraces Pope John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization and encourages crowds around the country to answer his call. The special effects that have been described as “stunning” and “it gave me goose bumps,” by audiences, are achieved using images of the Divine Mercy and the Shroud of Turin “in a dramatic way,” along with inspiring music. It is designed to bring “a message of hope to a hurting world,” especially to those looking for a change in their life and a spiritual awakening, say Elizabeth Hackett and Jim Humpal who take the presentation on the road. As representatives of Life Foundation, the two are part of the lay outreach ministry of the Congregation of Marian Fathers, headquartered at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass. Humpal began the foundation in 1993 as a pro-life ministry devoted to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her image is prominently included in the program. Designed to attract men and women, strong or struggling in their faith, as well as youths and teens. Oak Lawn’s pro-lifers have appealed to nearby Catholic high schools to suspend homework on the night of the program and instead, assign a report about the church event. There is no charge for the presentation. The program will also be shown from 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at St.
Cornelius Church, Foster and Long avenues, (773) 286-8986; at
St. Gilbert Church, Grayslake, (847) 223-4731 and at St. Jude
the Apostle Church, South Holland, (708) 333-3550.
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