Benedictine Community of St. Joseph (St. Joseph, MN)
Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls (Little Falls, MN)
Little Sisters of the Poor (St. Paul, MN)
Poor Clare Monastery (Sauk Rapids, MN)
Carmelite Sisters of Lake Elmo (Lake Elmo, MN)
School Sisters of Notre Dame (Mankato Province)
Missionaries of Charity (St. Paul, MN)
Sisters of St. Francis (Rochester, MN)
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (La Crosse, WI)
Sisters of St. Joseph of Madaille (MN)
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (St. Paul, MN)
Contemplative Sisters of St. Joseph (MN)
Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Fargo, ND)
Benedictines of St. Paul's Monastery (St. Paul, MN)
Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd (MN)
The Maryknoll Missionaries: Sisters (MN)
Dominican Sisters Congregation of St. Rose of Lima (St. Paul, MN)
Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver (St. Paul, MN)
Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma (Winona, MN)
Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist (Duluth, MN)
Daughters of St. Mary of Providence (New Ulm, MN and Sioux Falls, SD)
Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity (Manitowoc, WI)
Poor Sisters of Nazareth (Madison, WI)
Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church (Madison, WI)
Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus (Milwaukee, WI)
Daughters of Divine Charity (St. Mary Province, Mayville, WI)
Sisters of Saint Rita (Racine, WI)
Vietnamese Dominican Sisters (Milwaukee, WI)
Sisters of St. Joseph of Watertown (Green Bay, WI)
Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm (Davenport, IO)
A Nine-to-Five Job It's Not...
(2 videos) The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis helped create this video and they have listed an address and phone number. This video does a nice job of relating religious vocations for young college-age persons. It emphasizes the three vocations of the priesthood, sisterhood, and brotherhood equally. I also like the fact that they interview a novice sister and a seminarian along with those who already took their vows. The questions posed by the woman leading the video really asked the right ones that we who are interested in a religious vocation want to know. It is over a decade old (1991), but the messages are still right on the money. Age range is mostly college-age and around the thirties and forties. I rate this fill rather highly (9/10) because of the interviews done and keeping all three vocations at a balance. There is also a wonderful Study Guide included with this video that explains how you can use this video in a discussion format. There are also terms that are defined for someone who is not sure of the terminology. The final pages describe formats how to use the video and Study Guide for discussion for those in junior and senior high school, college-age/young adults, and finally adults/parents. Approx. 17 min.
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A Taste of Carmel: The Story of the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus.
For a woman seeking the vocation of sisterhood this is definitely one of the videos I would show. This group of sisters is not found within our diocese, but the way this video portrays the call to religious life for a woman is beautiful. There are various interviews about how the sisters came to the convent and even one father was asked about how he felt about his young daughter becoming a sister. This video is recommended for women of high school to middle-ages. It was also copyrighted in 1999 and will not go out of date soon with its message. I rate this video a 9 out of 10 because of the way it portrays the religious vocation for women even though this Carmelite group of sisters is from St. Louis Missouri.
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Answer the Call: Saint John Vianney Seminary 1998.
This video is brief and slightly outdated. I enjoyed the interviews given by the young men at the seminary. It is a video that focuses more on recruiting men to apply and be a part of c. There are some videos that pay particular attention to just answering the call to a religious vocation. This video does not do that well. It is simply describing Saint John Vianney Seminary. The age range is senior in high school to college-aged men. I rate this video a 8 out of 10. It does a very nice job at describing the school, the seminary, and the typical day. Young men are also sharing their own personal perspectives and reasons for coming to SJV. They also do have contact information at the end of the video as well. Approx. 13 min.
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Crossing Borders for Christ: Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers: The World is our Mission; Christ is our Message!
This short video does a very nice job showing us what the Maryknoll missionaries are doing in many different parts of the world. There are different services Maryknoll missionaries do. It appears that you do not even have to be a Maryknoll brother or father. One young man was interviewed was a Maryknoll seminarian excited to begin his ministry in another part of the world. This video seems up to date because they talk about the web site they have as well as other opportunities. It is geared toward college-aged and older men. I rate this video a 8 out of 10 because it does a nice job showing us what the Maryknoll is all about, but not completely. There is contact information as well with an email address. Approx. 12 min.
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God's Call: A Family Affair
(3 video tapes-two have introductions by Fr. Ken Roberts). The Serra USA/Canada Vocations Committee did a very nice job with this video. It gives the views from different religious vocations besides priesthood (Benedictine sister and a Jesuit priest). The video shows persons following their call and why they chose this vocation. It also shares with us a young man about to enter the seminary. As a whole this video displays a real and personal connection to how different persons came to their decision to follow God's call. Each of their stories would benefit anyone questioning the vocation someone is discerning about. The video does have parents giving their true opinions on their son and daughter's choice to live a religious life. I think it is important for people to see the way some parents react to their children's choice to live their lives. The video is not outdated because it was created in 1999. The age range can be for high school, college, and those in their middle ages as well because there are examples of each one of these in this video. I rate this video a perfect 10 out of 10 because it is so very personable and welcoming to those discerning their vocation. The different scriptural quotes introducing the next part of the video capture a biblical sense of why we need everyone to lead a religious lifestyle and why we need those to take those positions in the church. Approx. 24 min.
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I Can Find My Way: "Beginnings" Primary
This video is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and it does a simple, but beautiful job at explaining each vocation a person can do with their life. It goes through each one and then reiterates them all at the end. The narrator explains how each vocation fulfills the routine of serving God and others. It is pretty outdated since it was copyrighted in 1991. I recommend it for both men and women of all ages who are trying to understand vocational calls and wonder what the choices may be. This very brief video is rated a 9 out of 10 because it explains each one so simplistically that with the help of a vocations director, they can explain each one more deeply. This video "shows" each vocation through pictures and images in a wonderful way. Approx. 5 min.
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Imagine. . . Being a Priest
This is probably the video I would show if I was trying to help a young man determine if he was right for the priesthood or even thinking about it. It does an excellent job with the interviews, background music, and imagery of what a priest does and who he is in the body of the church. What a beautiful thing! It is not out dated at all and it is very to the point in the short amount of time the video lasts. The age level is around college-age to forties even. I rate this video a 10 out of 10 because of the overall affect I believe it has on the viewer of the priesthood. The back of the video explains it very well and it gives the viewer contact information. The IMAGINE really sticks in your mind too. Approx. 10:28 min.
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It is So Hard to Be Poor: Sharing and Caring Hands and the Story of Mary's Place
Mary Jo Copeland in my opinion is a living saint. What a video! This really says it all. Even though this video in not talking about vocations it talks about the greatest vocation of us all: To love, serve, and know God more and more each day. This video gives us an inside look at what Mary Jo does for the poor and destitute of Minneapolis. This images, the music, the talks from Mary Jo, and everything about this video is telling us God's will for our lives. It moves me deep within after viewing this video. It is a very recent film because of some of the technology present there. If this video does not touch the viewer in some way I'm not sure what to do or say!? It is a video for all ages and I rank it 10 out of 10 because of its strong message even though it does not mention any information about a specific vocation. Approx. 27 min.
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Knights of Columbus: 50026- The Vocation to the Priesthood
This video was very well. It is very recent and it is the "one" I would use first when trying to attract men to the priesthood. I followed along with it very easily. It gave many references to Pope John Paul II, as well as many other famous and religious leaders. This video gave a great foundation of what it means to be a priest. There were many examples of different priests who provided many wonderful insights. The background music was nice and it made the vocation to the priesthood very attractable. I'd be willing to say that this video was created as early as last year or sooner. The age range is for the young college age and above. I rate this video the highest (10/10) because of the overall presentation of the true meanings conveyed to what it means to be a priest. Approx. 29:15 min.
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Ordinary People Extraordinary Deeds: Maryknoll Sisters
What a beautiful video for women interested in the religious life. These Maryknoll sisters are from around the world and travel around the world to minister to those most in need in our world. What a bright light of Christ these women are. They appear to live in community and then go to these places in the world to minister for a while, and then come back again. This video is not outdated (copyright 1999) and is for high school, college-age, and older women. There is contact information at the end of this film for any women interested in more information. I rate this video a 9 out of 10. It shows the deep love these women have and the confidence in the decision they made for their vocation. Approx. 16 min.
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Pope John XXIII National Seminary: Preparing Second Career Candidates for Priesthood
This video is slightly outdated, but is very applicable to those men interested in the priesthood once they have begun a career. This place does have their own web site here: http://www.geocities.com/bjxxiii/. I'm not sure if it is the only one of its kind in the United States. Further research would help determine that. Age range is obviously focused on those 30 and older or so who have begun careers and are ready for the priesthood. I rate this short video pretty highly (8/10). It applies to a short group of individuals, but it does give you information at the end of the video to seek further answers about Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, MA. Approx. 7 min.
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Preparing New Apostles for the Next Generation: Net Ministries
This video was really simply explaining what Net Ministries is all about. It looks to have been made around 1996 or earlier yet. I loved the idea of the Holy Father beginning and ending this video with the message of not being afraid to do the Lord's work of apostleship. It was aimed at young, college-aged people to take a year of their life and putting on retreats around the United States, Canada, and Australia. It also show the vocation of these young people after they become alumni of Net Ministries and go on to be brothers, sisters, priests, and deacons. I give it a 8 out 10 because it didn't really focus particular attention of vocations as a whole, but just on giving retreats with Net Ministries. Approx. 9:40 min.
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Province of St. John the Baptist: The Franciscans
This video did a very nice job at explaining the life of the Franciscan brotherhood mainly through three men and their responses. It talked about their lifestyle, the vows they take, and what their ministry is all about. It is slightly outdated (1990's), but the messages remain intact. I rate it a 8 out of 10 for someone considering the Franciscan brotherhood vocation. This video is for college-age to middle age men. It gives that ever needed contact information as well. Approx. 11 min.
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Sacred Heart School of Theology
This video does a really nice job promoting their school. They give you information that is slightly outdated and they of course point out the fact that vocations to the priesthood are declining, but their school's enrollment is still growing. It is a little outdated because it was copyrighted in 1990. The interview are good and they give a positive message about joining the priesthood during your middle age. There are discussion questions and a response sheet provided in the video case. The video is suited for those college age, but perhaps more for those in their 30's or 40's. I rate it fairly high (8/10) because it is very informational, but again, it is slightly outdated with some of the charts and figures given. This information may have changed by now. They also give further contact information at the end of the video as well. Here is there web site: http://www.shst.edu/. Approx. 13 min.
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Serra International videos:
There are a number of Serra International videos with various speakers on different topics. They each have a diferent well-known speaker related to a different topic relatied to vocations and religious ministry. These conferences range from 1995 to 1997. The message is valuable to everyone, however, spiritual directors, rectors, and vocation directors will especially benefit from these videos. Each video is well over an hour long. The following is a list of the titles of conferences and talks:
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We as Heralds of the Good News
-Sister Clare Fitzgerald, S. S. N. D.
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The Spiritual Formation of Diocesan Candidates and the Seminary's Expectations for Vocation Directors
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Rev. John Canary.
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General Session - "Called to Minister"
- Most Rev. Thomas J. Murphy.
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How to Form a Parish Vocations Committee
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S. Smith/H. Radford/R. L. Boland/M. Hodes.
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Encountering the Christ, the Font of Life
-Keynote address by Rev. John C Cusick
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Called to be Foot Washers
-Most Rev. Michael J. Sheehan, Santa Fe, NM.
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Chaplains Meeting - "Challenges of Ministry Today: The Santa Fe Experience"
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Most Rev. Michael J. Sheehan.
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The World of Serra: Running a Successful Serra Club
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Fr. Ken Roberts.
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St. Cloud Diocese 10-Year Pastoral Plan
(2 copies). This video is very well done. It gives us an inside look at the various ministries going on in our diocese at the many parishes, but up close at a few parishes. There is a nice dialogue from Bishop John Kinney. He mentions in his second address before the video ends the need to pray for the many religious ministries out there and especially for vocations to the priesthood. The 10-year Pastoral Plan foresees a need for 20 new priests to the diocese and that is a voiced concern. It is very recent being copyrighted in 2000. I recommend this video to college-aged and above adults, mostly because they would be the most interested. I rate this video an 8 out of 10 because it mentions the need for vocations and that prayer is central for that. It also is put together so well and talks about he importance a church community fulfills. Approx. 20 min.
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St. John Vianney Seminary: Is God Calling You?
This was an excellent video and the one I would show to a perspective seminarian in this diocese. It is very recent (copyright 2001) and is short and to the point. Four different seminarians answer important questions related to seminary life, their choice, and what it is all like at St. John Vianney. The rector and archbishop Harry Flynn give wonderful insights that give a high school graduate or college-aged person a glance at what they could do with their life. This video could relate to older men possibly, but more for the high school to college age range. It was very twentieth century. There is contact information at the end of the video. I rate this film a 10 out of 10 because it is very well done, talks directly about the vocation of the priesthood, and gives a great insight on seminary life. Approx. 12 min.
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The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA: Never Far From Home (abridged).
This video gives us a wonderful glimpse of priests serving our military across the globe. I don't think we often think of this ministry and the importance these chaplains have in serving our armed forces. There may be some men thinking that this kind of vocation of priesthood is for them and that is why I'm glad this video is available. There might even be a longer version of this video because it says that it is the "abridged" version. I recommend this video to high school on up ages of men contemplating the priesthood. It is not very outdated (copyright 1999). I rate this video a 8 out of 10 because of the linking the vocation priesthood to something so important as serving God for our armed forces. Approx. 8 min.
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The Call: Living a life in Christ.
Overall, this video makes the priesthood very attractable and comforting knowing that you are following what God wants you to do for his life. It made me feel very welcome to the fact that if God is calling me to be a priest I should honor that and praise God for that. We just need to respond. The three priests interviewed gave slightly different perspectives. What I liked most of all was the idea of including parents and their insights of their sons becoming priests. No other video yet has done that. It could be because this video is probably the most recent vocation video we have on hand (2002). The age range can be college, but maybe more for the late twenties and thirties. I give this video the highest rating (10/10) because it hits on a lot of key points and gives a comfort to the idea of being a priest. The bishop of the Belleville Diocese gives some good points as well. The back of the video case provides some valuable information to contact them, which includes a phone and fax number, email and web site: www.pastoralcenter.org. This is a wonderful web site that we can borrow ideas for our St. Cloud Diocese web site. The Call video provides two cards that give insights for those considering priesthood and their parents, as well as parish councils, school boards, and parish organizations. On the back side of these cards are wonderful questions to think about. I suggest anyone connected to vocations to search out someone to get the answers. Approx. 15 min.
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The Call: The Diocese of St. Augustine.
This video does a wonderful job of sharing what seminary life is really like. It did not touch so much on the spiritual life as much as I would have liked or seen in other vocations videos, but it does gave a nice basic view. There are five young men in the seminary and they are sharing their experiences and journeys of how they arrived at the seminary. It is not too outdated (copyright 1998), but has this 21st century spin on the seminary. It is highly recommended for high school/college-aged men. I rate this video a 9 out of 10 because it provides true feelings of following a vocation; the one that God has in store for you. These young men share some of their past experiences leading up to their choice to enter the seminary and some of their families' reactions. The two priests at the end of the video give a couple of nice statements as well. Approx. 26 min.
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The Legacy Series: Carrying the Legacy-Part III.
This final installment does a wonderful job of wrapping any lose ends young men may be having about the discernment process or overall priesthood. The host priest interviews a few other priests on rewards of being a priest, best part of being a priest, do not fear about responding to God's call, celibacy, and advice to seminarians/perspective priests. The second part of the video is one priest discussing the misconceptions of priesthood in the form of five fears (commitment, unworthiness, separation, celibacy, seminary). The third part of the video is one priest discussing the discernment process and the steps one should take. It closes with some final words from the host priest. This whole series is very encouraging and has me ready to check into seminaries! It is for high school men, but mostly college-age and older. It is a very recent video created by LIFE TEEN. I rate it a high 10 out of 10 and suggest this one of the first set of videos to show to a discerning young man. This last video really just adds to the other three in a wonderful way. Approx. 26 min.
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The Legacy Series: Exploring the Legacy-Part I.
This first installment really shares what the priesthood is all about on an in-depth level. The narrator elaborates on what the three interviewees are explaining where the priesthood comes from, what it entails, the purpose of priests, and responding to the call. LIFE TEEN does a very nice job with this video. It is up to date and it can apply to high school age, but probably more college-age on up. I rate this video a 10 out of 10 because it focuses directly on the vocation of the priesthood and gives a very clear explanation of what it is basically about. The next two videos will no doubt go into greater detail about becoming a priest. This video and its interviews give a true indication of the priesthood. Contact information is also available at the end. Approx. 20 min.
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The Legacy Series: Upholding the Legacy-Part II.
This video did give a more specific look at the priesthood. It started out much the same way as the first video with a narrator and three interviewees. The questions revolved around what qualities do priests possess and some of the things they enjoy most about being priests. There was also a part when a group of parents were interviewed who gave their insights about their son's interest in the priesthood and later their reactions of their son being a priest. The second part of the video was a movie/role-playing of a young man interested in the priesthood and some of the fears he had (that many young men do have) about pursuing the priesthood. It was a little strange and exaggerated five fears, but it did a nice job of it. As stated earlier, this video is up to date and recommended for high school, but more for college-aged men. I rate it another 10 out of 10 because of the positive message and the key aspects I think many men think about when discerning the priesthood. Approx. 31 min.
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The Pontifical North American College: In the Steps of Peter.
This was a wonderful video describing the Pontifical North American College located in the heart of Rome. St. Peter's Basilica is right up the hill. The students have a direct link to the Holy Father. This video was aimed more for college-aged men and older. This is a seminary that is for men who belong to parishes of the United States who have come here to study and become ordained priest. Priests already ordained come here as well. This video does a very nice job with the interviews and giving us an inside look at what the Pontifical North American College is like and has to offer. It is not outdated and it is very applicable for today. I rate this video a 9 out of 10 because I get this impression that not many of our young men from this diocese will go there, but there is a chance they will. It is very well done and put together and promotes vocations to the priesthood in a very welcoming/calling fashion. There is contact information as well. Approx. 34 min.
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The Saint Paul Seminary: A Century of Vision & Leadership
(2 copies) This video shows us the deep rooted history of the seminary and how it still continues today after more than a century of producing priests from the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. There is a narrator who explains the old pictures and then there are retired priests who graduated from the seminary who are talking about their former professors and memories of the seminary. Recent graduates also talk of their experiences. It is a little outdated having been produced in 1994. It is suitable for college-age and older to enjoy. I rate this video a 8 out of 10 because it really shows what seminary life was like and is like today, but as a whole, the video focused on the history of formation of the seminary. Approx. 23 min.
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The World Over: Archbishop Dolan &Msgr. McCoy/Vocations & Seminaries
Most Reverend Archbishop Thomas M. Dolan and Rev. Msgr. Kevin C. McCoy, STD answer questions that I believe seminarians and other lay people would be interested in finding out answers related to vocations, seminaries, and the future of the church. This tape was created November 29, 2002 and it is not outdated at all as they mention the scandals in the church and what qualities seminaries are looking for today. Age range is college age and up. I rate this video highly (9/10) simply because it answers many questions I believe men going into the priesthood would like to know. It does not apply to all vocations however. Approx. 90 min.
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Vocations Video: Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
A young man by the name of Lino shows a side of priesthood we don't usually think about. Archbishop Harry Flynn is then interviewed by Lino after he shows what he does with other priests. The examples he shows is rock climbing, going to the State Fair, going to a fitness center, and hanging out with St. John Vianney seminarians. During each of the sequences Lino asks the priests and seminarians questions about why they do what they do and what their typical day consists of. It is not really outdated because it was made in 1999. The video shows a side of the vocation of priesthood we don't usually see. I really enjoyed Archbishop Flynn's advice after Lino's adventures. The advice is actually written on the screen for us to take note of and remember how it connects to each of Lino's events. Age range is definitely college-age to middle age. I can see it appealing to high school students too. I rate this video overall (8/10) because it does show a side of the priesthood I think is important to see and other videos don't show. I also enjoy what Archbishop Harry Flynn has to say. I had this feeling that it done grades prayer/vocations at some points (at the fair and the interview with the first seminarian). There is contact information for those interested as well as a web site to visit: http://www.10000vocations.org. This is really a well done web site and I recommend we model it. Approx. 20 min.
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We as Ministers of Compassion and Healing.
This video is a SERRA International Convention in which Dr. Vincent Bilotta gives a long talk about some of his influences in his life and also how he perceives religious men and women making differences in the world.
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