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Thank You for a Tremendous Year!

December 23, 2024

Thank you for your incredible generosity in helping us preserve the legacy of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary through the documentary Mother Overbrook. Your support has made this journey possible, and I’m excited to share our progress with you.

This past year has been a monumental one for the film. We’ve conducted thirteen, deeply moving interviews and spent countless hours capturing the breathtaking beauty of both the Overbrook and Gwynedd campuses. The footage is stunning, and the interviews are rich with emotion and insight. I often left these sessions with tears in my eyes, profoundly moved by the stories shared.

This fall marked a historic moment as Saint Charles Seminary officially “handed over the keys” to Main Line Health, completing its transition from the Overbrook campus. Before this transition, we captured key moments like the final Eucharistic Procession of the 40 Hours Devotion and the dedication of the new chapel in Gwynedd this September. During the dedication, I witnessed Bishop Senior tear up as the candles were lit for the first time—a powerful symbol of the new chapter he worked so diligently to open.

Among the most poignant moments we filmed was Father Louis Monica celebrating a private Mass in St. Martin’s Chapel, standing behind the iconic ambulatory for the last time. We also filmed a full four hours of interview time with historical expert Father John Collins. These moments are shaping this film into one of the most compelling retellings of Catholic Philadelphia’s story ever created.

Now, as we head into post-production, we are working hard to ensure that this film is completed with the quality and care it deserves. Post-production is where the story comes alive, and we are dedicating ourselves fully to this important phase while continuing our efforts to fundraise and bring this project to completion.

I’m humbled to share that another of my projects, The Total Gift: A Katharine Drexel Story, recently won a 2024 Mid-Atlantic EMMY, drawing even more attention to these powerful stories of faith. God’s timing is always perfect, and I feel blessed to see His hand guiding us in this mission.

Thank you again for your faith, your generosity, and your belief in this mission. Together, we are preserving history and inspiring the future of our Church.

May God bless you abundantly!

 

 

Gifted Storytelling That Inspires: Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary's Trusted Partner
Joyful Films are gifted storytellers and have helped Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary craft video productions that allow our mission to truly resonate in a special way with our audiences. We can count on them to get it right while always presenting the Seminary in an inspiring way.
Bishop Timothy Senior
Bishop of Harrisburg
Preserving Our Legacy: Ensuring St. Charles Borromeo Seminary's History for Future Generations
…we need to preserve the history, and memories of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary for future generations. We owe this to them. Thank you for your efforts to capture and preserve the legacy of generations of faithful Catholics…
Monsignor Francis Beach
Parochial Administrator, Saint Matthias Parish, Bala Cynwyd
Grateful Approval: St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Endorses Documentary Project
It is with great joy and enthusiasm that St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, PA, approves your endeavor to “capture” our history in the form of a full-length documentary. This project is something that we had hoped for, and we are grateful for your Spirit -filled initiative.
Bishop Keith Chylinski
Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Honoring Our History: Capturing the Stories Within St. Charles Borromeo Seminary's Walls
...it would not be right simply to leave the current site without taking stock of the amazing story which those walls and statues can tell.
Rev. Eric Banecker
Pastor St. Francis De Sales Parish
Praying for Success: Inspiring Future Generations Through the Legacy of Mother Overbrook
…I pray for the success of your labors, so that future generations may be inspired to follow in the path of so many others who left the halls of St. Charles to serve God and His Church, carrying with them all that they learned at Mother Overbrook!
Rev. Matthew Brody
President, St. Charles Seminary Priest Alumni Association
Endorsing 'Mother Overbrook': Preserving the Legacy of St. Charles Seminary
I have come to realize what a treasure we have in St. Charles Seminary…I heartily endorse the making of the documentary “Mother Overbrook” to preserve our legacy. May God bless you in this noble and worthwhile effort.
Bishop Joseph Coffey
Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
Trusted Storytellers: Dedication to Preserving the Legacy of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
Having known and worked with Mike and Sean from Deo Gratias Films for years, I can confidently say that they are the right people to tell the story of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Their dedication to storytelling is unparalleled, and their commitment to the "Our Mother Overbrook" project is evident in every aspect of their work. Mike and Sean possess a deep understanding of the seminary and its significance, not only to the Philadelphia Catholic community but also to the wider world. Their passion and respect for the history and legacy of St. Charles ensure that this documentary will capture the true essence of the seminary, preserving its story for generations to come.
Ryan Smith
Owner, Anchormark Branding Co.