A Christmas Baby Shower
by Cimela Kidonakis
This Advent, I accepted an invite to a very unique baby shower.
The experience helped me contemplate the meaning of Christmas in an entirely new. unexpected way, so I wanted to share my thoughts here with you.
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I was a little confused when I first heard that my sister and her friends organized a baby shower for a women named Mary. Many of us racked our brains before reading through the details of the evite... Mary who?
Do you know which Mary they were talking about? Yes, it was Mary the soon-to-be-mother of Jesus! It all started because... [Read More]
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Meet David in our latest iMedjugorje report!
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What’s neat about this is it’s not a pilgrimage in the sense of the other pilgrimages that we’ve gone to. The Jesuits say, “You really need to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” This is all about building a personal relationship with Mary.
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Forgiveness & Grace in St. Augustine
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A personal reflection, by Cimela Kidonakis
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Have you ever wanted to disappear for awhile from all the stress and worries that come with life and work?
When we were deep in post production of our film Where There is Darkness, I disappeared.
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I called my mom to let her know not to worry but I would be offline for awhile.
I took some clothes, turned my phone off, and drove straight to Our Lady of La Leche shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, about two hours from our studio.
I didn't even leave a note... [Read More]
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NEW: Exclusive Clip from Where There Is Darkness
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JUST RELEASED: Meet Fr. Rene's friends, the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Augustine, FL, in this exclusive clip from our Where There Is Darkness.
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St. Augustine: The First American Pilgrimage Site!
Did you know that the first Marian shrine in the United States is located in the same place as many in other “firsts” in the country? These include:
- The first Catholic Mass in the United States
- The first Thanksgiving (hundreds of years before the pilgrims!)
- The first European settlement in the United States
- The first Franciscan mission in the United States
The location? St. Augustine, Florida, home to the Mission Nombre de Dios and Santuario de Nuestra Señora de La Leche y Buen Parto, or, translated in English, the Name of God Mission and the shrine of Our Lady of Milk (and Happy Delivery). READ THE ARTICLE
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St. Augustine Filgrimage
Pilgrimage Tour and Film Festival - Jan 16-20, 2020
Join the Stella Mar Films team in St. Augustine, Florida for a fun, spiritually-uplifting “filgrimage”… a pilgrimage tour and film festival!
Our film Where There Is Darkness is an official selection in the St. Augustine Film Festival, and St. Augustine is where much of the story takes place because that is where Fr. Rene lived and ministered.
We’ll show you the unique Catholic history of St. Augustine as well as the filming locations for Where There Is Darkness, and part of the tour will follow in the footsteps of Fr. Rene Robert.
Plus you’ll get to take part in the film festival and see our movie on the big screen, followed by a Q&A by the Stella Mar Films team and the movie’s interviewees.
Led by Sean Bloomfield, Cimela Kidonakis, Jessi Hannapel, special guests, and cast/crew/interviewees of the film.
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Where There Is Darkness returns to where it all began...
Our team is heading back to St. Augustine! Join us at the St. Augustine film festival and help us spread the word. Many of Fr. Rene’s friends and family will be there along with our cast and crew. You can even tour St. Augustine with us as part of our pilgrimage to experience the beautiful Catholic history there!
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UPCOMING SCREENINGS of
Where There Is Darkness
January 7-10 – Gulf Coast, Mississippi
Southern States Indie FanFilmFest
Check the festival website for details.
January 9 – Dunedin, Florida
Dunedin International Film Festival
January 9th, 6:00 PM at Andrews Memorial Chapel
Check the festival website for details.
Q&A with filmmakers
January 18 – St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine Film Festival
Saturday, January 18th, 12:00 PM at Lewis Auditorium – Flagler College
Purchase tickets here
Check the festival website for details.
Q&A with filmmakers Sean Bloomfield, Jessi Hannapel, Cimela Kidonakis and cast member Eric Newcombe.
SPECIAL ADVENTURE: Check for details about St. Augustine Pilgrimage
January 23 – Washington, D.C.
The Catholic University of America
Maloney Hall 203 Della Ratta Auditorium
8-10PM
Free for students. Donations accepted at the door for adults.
Co-hosted by Catholic University Campus Ministry, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill, Catholic Mobilizing Network and Relevant Radio.
Q&A with filmmakers Sean Bloomfield, Jessi Hannapel, and Cimela Kidonakis
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Bring Medjugorje to those who need it most!
It's the perfect time to use our work and spread God's love.
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As you know, our core mission is to spread awareness about Medjugorje throughout the world—especially to those who "do not yet know God's love"—and we do this through films, books, and the Internet.
As we continue producing content, please join our mission by sharing what we produce.
Christmas offers the perfect opportunity to give Medjugorje books and film as gifts, especially to people who might not seem open to it. You may be surprised to see them on pilgrimage one day!
Here are some ways to spread the Word...
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My Heart Will Triumph by Mirjana Soldo
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Mirjana's beautiful auto-biography has opened some of the hardest of hearts and converted some of the most skeptical minds. For gifts, save with bulk discounts.
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“In the beginning, among the six of us, I was the outsider. Unlike the others, I had grown up in Sarajevo. With its busy streets, tall buildings and modern conveniences, everything about my city was a stark contrast to the fields, dirt roads, and stone houses of Međugorje.”
-Mirjana in My Heart Will Triumph
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Reader praise for My Heart Will Triumph
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"I received this book as a gift, and it ended up being a real gift for my soul."
- Pam P.
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"A tour de force of love, highly recommended to all! Exactly what I expected from someone who says she has met the Blessed Virgin Mary! Every page drips love into our hearts." —Greg C.
"This is by far the absolute best book I have ever had the grace to read...life-changing. Mirjana takes us through her life growing up in a war-torn communist regime. She takes us to the top of Apparition Hill and into her innermost experiences with Our Blessed Mother...Get more than one!" —M. Caron, PhD
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"I bought 8 copies of Mirjana's book My Heart Will Triumph to give them to my family and our Church library...I am only on the 11 Chapter and I wish I had 100 books to give away." —Mary L.
"Simply a beautiful book...I felt such a feeling of peace, knowing the Blessed Mother is watching each and every one of us. But there is a big lesson here, and that is called Love." —Anon.
"Absolutely the best book ever written on the Apparitions of Medjugorje. I never wanted it to end." —S. Peter
"A beautiful, suspenseful, witty, and unbelievably-believable story. Once you read this, there's no going back. Your mind and heart are deeply and forever impacted. Read this book before you die." —C.K.
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Bulk Prices for My Heart Will Triumph
3 to 4 Books: $17.95 each
5 to 9 Books: $16.95 each
10 to 19 Books: $13.97 each
20 to 99 Books: $11.97 each
100+ Books: $9.97 each
Free standard shipping on orders over $40.
Order now for pre-Christmas delivery.
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To purchase in bulk, simply add the quantity of books to your shopping cart and the discount will be automatically calculated before checkout.
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Apparition Hill on DVD/Blu-Ray
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Even if you were one of the 200,000+ people who saw Apparition Hill in theaters or elsewhere, the Apparition Hill 2-Disc Set (available in DVD or Blu-Ray) features an entire two hours of bonus content including updates on the people we brought to Medjugorje for the film, plus a Behind The Scenes booklet.
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"Probably the best thing I've ever seen on film."
- R. Schiwal
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Viewer praise for Apparition Hill
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I’ve seen Apparition Hill three times now, and each time I gain a more profound insight. The theological virtues of FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE are displayed beautifully...We need more films like this! —Pam
I didn’t expect the movie to be so interesting and so moving! Even though I knew about Medjugorje, I didn’t really understand what the experience of being there was like. After seeing this movie I feel as if I can understand why so many people are changed when they go there...My 11 year old was profoundly impacted as well. GO SEE THIS MOVIE, it is a movie of hope. —Kathy
"This movie is fantastic!! I’ve seen it 3 times and I would watch it again! It shows how much God loves us, how He walks right next to us every step of the way, brings a message of hope, and teaches the power of prayer. " —Cecilia
"I am beyond happy that I was able to see this Amazing movie!! This movie WILL change the way you see things. It WILL draw you even closer to our Blessed Mother. It WILL make your heart full!!" —Alice
BRAVO! It's deeply authentic, unforgettable; and as soul stirring as it is heartbreaking. Incredibly moving but never sentimental. Whether you're an atheist or true believer, you'll be riveted. Do not miss! —IMDB user
Probably the best thing I've ever seen on film...I was most impressed with the sincerity, love and complete normalcy of everyone in the film. They talk about doubts, they talk about fears. They face severe troubles, they all grow in some way...Best. Documentary. Ever. —R. Schiwal
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The Triumph - Free online!
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We released The Triumph online for free and you can view it at our website. This also presents a wonderful opportunity for you to share one of our Medjugorje film, simply by email and social media! Please visit and share.
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Or, give the DVDs as gifts...
Bulk prices available. Bonus content included.
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40% OFF FOR CHRISTMAS
Normally $25.00, now only $14.99
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Same Goal, Many Paths
Other ways to use our work to spread the message include sharing our latest website posts and free videos online (email, social media, etc), encouraging friends and family to join one of our pilgrimages to Medjugorje (or one of the other amazing destinations), and more. Here are some resources...
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Is Our Lady calling you?
Join us in Medjugorje!
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Feb 26 to March 5, 2020
For Mirjana’s March 2 apparition
March 12 to March 20, 2020
For Mirjana’s March 18 apparition
March 30 to April 7, 2020
For Mirjana’s April 2 apparition
June 18 to 26, 2020
Co-led by Jill and Mark, who starred in Apparition Hill
For 39th Medjugorje anniversary. Optional pre-trip add-on to Scotland and Craig Lodge Retreat House (Scotland's Medjugorje).
July 30 to August 7, 2020
Co-led by Fr. Robert, who starred in Cross Mountain
For YOUTHFEST
August 27 to Sept 4, 2020
For Mirjana’s Sept 2 apparition
September 29 to October 7, 2020
For Mirjana’s Sept 2 apparition
Optional pre-trip add-on to Rome & Assisi
October 6 to 14, 2020
For Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima
Nov 27 to Dec 5, 2020
For Mirjana’s Dec 2 apparition
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Other 2020 Pilgrimages
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St. Augustine, Florida
January 16 to 19, 2020
Join our special pilgrimage tour and film festival for Where There Is Darkness
Click here for more information
Scotland and Craig Lodge Retreat House
June 14 to 20, 2020
Optional: Combine with June 18 to 26, 2020 pilgrimage to Medjugorje
Italy: Rome & Assisi
Co-led by singer-songwriter Denison Witmer
OPTIONAL: Sept 29 to Oct 7, 2020 pilgrimage to Medjugorje
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If you're not yet a member of the Apostles of Love community, please join us and help us change the world! We've been sharing a lot of exclusive content that you won't want to miss. Join now.
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The Beauty of Guadalupe | Free video
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Queen of Peace eNews
Our eNewsletter features the latest Medjugorje messages, updates and news from Queen of Peace Productions, online videos from Stella Mar, Medjugorje photos, pilgrimages, and more! Invite your friends to subscribe. It's free!
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Follow our work online
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