'We Shall Not Be Moved' to air Aug. 26, 30 throughout U.S., the world

Sister of St. Francis of Sylvania Judy Zielinski, right, producer, writer of the “We Shall Not Be Moved: The Catholic Sisters of New Orleans,” discusses an upcoming scene with Marianite of Holy Cross Sister Clarita Bourque, who is featured in the film. The site was one of massive destruction to an area of New Orleans, skyline in background, caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2005, six Catholic communities of Sisters lost more than convents, chapels, cars and motherhouses. They also lost ministries that served the families of New Orleans ? high schools, daycare sites, community centers and senior nursing home facilities. The Sisters faced a soul-size dilemma: to remain and rebuild ? or to walk away. Mindful of their long New Orleans legacies and the massive needs surrounding them, they chose to stay and to continue their service in the city where their congregations had ministered for as long as three centuries.

Their story is told in the award-winning, hour-long documentary, "We Shall Not Be Moved: The Catholic Sisters of New Orleans," to air on EWTN Global Catholic Network on Aug. 26 at 2:30 a.m. and on Aug. 30 at 10 p.m. (both times CDT).

Viewers can find EWTN on their local TV systems and channels or watch EWTN's live broadcasts on the network?s website, www.ewtn.com, under "Television" category.
Filmed on location in New Orleans six years after Katrina, this program features images of the hurricane's damage and interviews with the sisters who not only survived the flooding but rebuilt their ministries in the city they have loved and served for so long.

The film shows how each congregation faced the seemingly insurmountable challenge of gaining the necessary funds and overcoming other obstacles to repair or rebuild their facilities. Some of these funds came from the most unexpected sources, one being King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

"This analysis elevates the program from the level of a 'Katrina brick-and-mortar rebuilding chronicle' to a complex and fascinating journey with religious women who faced an uncertain personal and public future," said Sister of St. Francis of Sylvania Judith Ann Zielinski, the film?s writer and producer for NewGroup Media, South Bend, IN. "Their choices were not uniform, simple, or immediate; ultimately, however, all six congregations, with an average of 175 years of combined service to New Orleans, re-confirmed their commitment to the city and its people," she added.

The program uses archival photos and materials, television footage of Katrina and the flood, extensive and poignant interviews with sisters from each of the congregations. Music is performed by New Orleans Gospel choirs.

The congregations featured and the year they came to New Orleans are:

• Ursuline Sisters – 1727
• Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – 1835
• Sisters of the Holy Family of New Orleans – 1842
• Marianites of Holy Cross – 1849
• Congregation of St. Joseph – 1854
• Society of St. Teresa of Jesus (Teresian Sisters) – 1915

"We Shall Not be Moved" won the 2013 Gabriel Award for Best Religious Television, National Release, in this prestigious competition sponsored by the Catholic Academy for Communication Professionals, the U.S. affiliate of the Vatican-approved SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication. The film also won a 2013 Gold Aurora Award for excellence in film and video production.

In 2012, 137 ABC stations aired the program as a presentation of the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission.

The film project was coordinated and led by SC Ministry Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio, which organized the fund-raising effort to make the documentary. They called upon NewGroup Media, an independent production company in South Bend, IN, to produce the film. The funders include congregations of women religious and represent the Assembly of Catholic Foundations and other Catholic foundations connected with Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA).

In this scene from the film, “We Shall Not Be Moved: The Catholic Sisters of New Orleans,” these Sisters of St. Joseph gather around this slab containing their logo, the only remnant of their Provincial House in New Orleans. The facility was severely damaged by five feet of flood waters caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 and then, after clean-up 10 months later, destroyed by fire when lightning struck a nail on the roof.

"I have had the privilege of witnessing the faith, hope, and love of these women religious in New Orleans since 2005," said Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Sally Duffy, president and executive director of SC Ministry Foundation and an executive producer of the film. "These prophetic sisters transformed the destruction and devastation through the power of the Spirit and through the abiding presence of Christ. They rebuilt high schools, childcare development centers, community centers and motherhouses, in some cases starting from nothing. In other cases, they began programs that responded to the needs they saw around them after Hurricane Katrina."

"People will be uplifted by these inspirational stories," she said.

For more information about the film, including a preview, or to order the DVD, visit www.weshallnotbemovedmovie.com or call 800-354-3504 for DVD orders and (513) 347-1122 for other details.

About SC Ministry Foundation
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, SC Ministry Foundation is a public grant-making organization that promotes the mission and ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. For more information, visit: www.scministryfdn.org or call or email Amelia Riedel, 513-347-1086 (office), [email protected]