USA
Film by Dominican friar earns IndieFest awards
Southern Province
Fr. Armando P. Ibáñez, OP (St. Martin de Porres), writer-producer-director, received two IndieFEST film awards—Award of Excellence and Award of Merit Special Mention—for his documentary, “South Texas Gentle Men of Steel – Los Padres.” Fr. Armando, a native of San Diego, Texas, is president of Pluma Pictures, Inc., which produced the film. He is also director and assistant professor of Radio-Television-Film (RTF) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
The film is a tribute to the last two Spanish Dominican friars—Fr. Benito Retortillo, OP, and Epifanio “Epi” Rodriguez, OP, who left San Diego, Texas, and returned to their homes in Spain last year, ending an 82-year presence of Spanish Dominican friars in central South Texas. The film is also about the great impact Dominican friars had on the lives of many Mexican Americans in South Texas, who struggled against poverty and discrimination.
“The film represents a chapter of the ongoing universal story of people grappling to understand and accept each other as equals,” says Fr. Armando. “It is a chapter that traces its roots to the Spanish Conquista—a wrestling match of greed and brutality against equality and salvation. It is part of the universal story that began with Cain slaying his brother Abel.”
Another San Diego, Texas, native, Emmy Award nominee Joe O. Barrera, is the documentary’s music composer and supervisor. In addition, award-winning editor, special effects and animator, Todd Schmidt, is the documentary’s co-producer. Neil de la Peña ia director of photography, and Alan Jouet is audio engineer.
Pluma Pictures, Inc., board of directors includes Dr. Thomas M. Hedberg, vice president, Fr. Christopher Renz, OP; Secretary, Ned Greene, Treasurer, Fr. Bruce Schultz, OP, Dr. James Moises, Laurie Scheer, Michael Paz, and Dr. Erlinda Grey.
The IndieFEST Film Awards recognizes film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry. Information about the IndieFEST and a list of recent winners can be found at www.theindiefest.com.
Fr. Gregory Heille, OP, professor of homiletics and academic dean at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, has published “The Preaching of Pope Francis: Missionary Discipleship and the Ministry of the Word.” The book is described as “an inspiring and practical resource for priests, deacons, and anyone involved in the ministry of preaching. [Fr. Gregory] shares the pope’’s vision and example for the preparation and delivery of effective and engaging homilies and for laity invested in the church’s ministry of the Word in a post-Vatican II pastoral context.” The book is available through 
Sister Joeann Daley, OP (Sinsinawa), will be featured in “The Evolution of the Artistic Imagination” at Sinsinawa Art Gallery April 11–June 3. Sister Joeann is known for creating intricate art with many layers that blend color, texture, form, and function. Works on display will include sculpture, drawing, lithography, etching and collages on display from as far back as 1968, as well as Sister Joeann’s latest creations: small Styrofoam containers she calls “Styroart.” Sister Joeann applied her years of printmaking knowledge to this new endeavor. This series comprises more than 200 individual vessels, each taking about 12 hours to complete. 
