M.A.S.H group talks media, faith

A media group at St. Henry's parish in Averill Park is tackling a book by a local Catholic author.

The "Media at St. Henry's" (M.A.S.H.) group meets monthly at an Averill Park bakery to discuss books, movies and more. Members sometimes screen movies together.

Author Gloria Waldron Hukle, a member of the group, has written three historical fiction novels known nationwide as the "Waldron series." The M.A.S.H. group has been discussing her first book, "Manhattan, Seeds of the Big Apple."

The story chronicles an immigrant family's journey to colonial America and their spiritual struggle with the meaning of cultural diversity. Mrs. Waldron Hukle speaks at schools about heritage - a theme of all her books, along with tolerance and forgiveness.

"This is so important for our children today: to understand that we have continuity," she said, adding: "I couldn't have written these books [without God]. I sometimes wonder how these words came out."

The M.A.S.H. group has discussed "My Life with the Saints" by Rev. James Martin, SJ, and "Acedia & Me" by Kathleen Norris. Members read "The Help" and watched the movie version, and saw "The King's Speech."

Sister Rosemary Cuneo, CR, pastoral associate for parish ministries at St. Henry's and a member of the diocesan Vocations Team, said M.A.S.H. members relate any topic to their faith: "We don't stretch anything to make it fit. It just happens."

For example, "The Help" inspired a chat about injustice; "The King's Speech," a discussion of determination, trust and overcoming weaknesses. "We try to see the paschal mystery in the dying and the rising moments of life and how faith gets people through things," Sister Rosemary remarked.

The goal of the group is "to have a form of adult religious education through normal channels of what people are reading," she said. "It's an inroad to spiritual formation."

(For information on M.A.S.H., call 674-3818. Learn about Mrs. Waldron Hukle's books at www.authorgloriawaldronhukle.com.)[[In-content Ad]]