• About
  • Contact
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Catholic Sabah
  • News
    • All
    • Asia
    • Focus
    • Local
    • Nation
    • Vatican
    • World
    Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

    Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

    Church in India launches mental health program to confront present challenges

    Church in India launches mental health program to confront present challenges

    “León De Perú”: Vatican Media to release documentary on Prevost’s years of mission

    “León De Perú”: Vatican Media to release documentary on Prevost’s years of mission

    Pope Leo XIV visits Vatican Radio Transmission Center outside of Rome

    Pope Leo XIV visits Vatican Radio Transmission Center outside of Rome

    Father Robert became a priest 43 years ago, just steps from the Vatican

    Father Robert became a priest 43 years ago, just steps from the Vatican

    Vietnam’s Hai Phong diocese forms catechists for renewed evangelization efforts

    Vietnam’s Hai Phong diocese forms catechists for renewed evangelization efforts

    Pope Leo: ‘Polyphony is a metaphor of faith guided by the Holy Spirit

    Pope Leo: ‘Polyphony is a metaphor of faith guided by the Holy Spirit

    Pope Leo XIV echoes Pope Pius XII’s historic appeal for peace

    Pope Leo XIV echoes Pope Pius XII’s historic appeal for peace

    Pope Leo XIV echoes the cry of Francis: War is always a defeat!

    Pope Leo XIV echoes the cry of Francis: War is always a defeat!

  • Opinion
    • All
    • Im on my Way
    • Kanou Monuhid Lahan Koposizon
    • Making A Difference
    • Mantad Di Katekis Peter
    • Reflection: Straight Talking
    What Catholic Sabah stands for

    Part 1: Porn a silent addiction?

    The curious story of the Nicene Creed

    The curious story of the Nicene Creed

    Challenges of teaching theology in lived experiences

    Challenges of teaching theology in lived experiences

    Myth and history

    Myth and history

    Did Teresa of Avila inspire Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am’?

    Did Teresa of Avila inspire Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am’?

    Are conclaves really secret?

    Are conclaves really secret?

    Kartini Day and gender justice in Indonesian Catholicism

    Kartini Day and gender justice in Indonesian Catholicism

    What Catholic Sabah stands for

    Cohabitation – trial run for marriage?

  • Feature
    Losing a loved one to suicide

    It is better for you that I go away

    ‘We Can’t Just Stand By and Watch’

    ‘We Can’t Just Stand By and Watch’

    Kisah pertemuan dengan Kristus: Pengalaman sertai Jubli para Remaja di Vatikan

    Kisah pertemuan dengan Kristus: Pengalaman sertai Jubli para Remaja di Vatikan

    Council of Constantinople reaffirms Christ’s divinity and clarifies the Trinity

    Council of Constantinople reaffirms Christ’s divinity and clarifies the Trinity

    South Korean Catholic convert finds strength in Legion of Mary

    South Korean Catholic convert finds strength in Legion of Mary

    Slogan “Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa” harus dipupuk hingga ke generasi seterusnya

    Slogan “Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa” harus dipupuk hingga ke generasi seterusnya

    Bahasa ibunda adalah warisan dalam kehidupan

    Bahasa ibunda adalah warisan dalam kehidupan

    Remembering Francis, a Pope who led the Church to the peripheries

    Remembering Francis, a Pope who led the Church to the peripheries

  • Statements
    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Perutusan daripada Presiden Persidangan Uskup-Uskup Katolik Malaysia sempena Hari Malaysia

    Pastoral Letter on Earthquake in Myanmar and Regional Solidarity Appeal

    Chancery Notice

    Chancery Notice

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Lent 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Lent 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Pastoral Statement for dispensation from fasting  during Chinese New Year 2025

    Pastoral Statement for dispensation from fasting during Chinese New Year 2025

  • Chinese
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • About
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Asia
    • Focus
    • Local
    • Nation
    • Vatican
    • World
    Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

    Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

    Church in India launches mental health program to confront present challenges

    Church in India launches mental health program to confront present challenges

    “León De Perú”: Vatican Media to release documentary on Prevost’s years of mission

    “León De Perú”: Vatican Media to release documentary on Prevost’s years of mission

    Pope Leo XIV visits Vatican Radio Transmission Center outside of Rome

    Pope Leo XIV visits Vatican Radio Transmission Center outside of Rome

    Father Robert became a priest 43 years ago, just steps from the Vatican

    Father Robert became a priest 43 years ago, just steps from the Vatican

    Vietnam’s Hai Phong diocese forms catechists for renewed evangelization efforts

    Vietnam’s Hai Phong diocese forms catechists for renewed evangelization efforts

    Pope Leo: ‘Polyphony is a metaphor of faith guided by the Holy Spirit

    Pope Leo: ‘Polyphony is a metaphor of faith guided by the Holy Spirit

    Pope Leo XIV echoes Pope Pius XII’s historic appeal for peace

    Pope Leo XIV echoes Pope Pius XII’s historic appeal for peace

    Pope Leo XIV echoes the cry of Francis: War is always a defeat!

    Pope Leo XIV echoes the cry of Francis: War is always a defeat!

  • Opinion
    • All
    • Im on my Way
    • Kanou Monuhid Lahan Koposizon
    • Making A Difference
    • Mantad Di Katekis Peter
    • Reflection: Straight Talking
    What Catholic Sabah stands for

    Part 1: Porn a silent addiction?

    The curious story of the Nicene Creed

    The curious story of the Nicene Creed

    Challenges of teaching theology in lived experiences

    Challenges of teaching theology in lived experiences

    Myth and history

    Myth and history

    Did Teresa of Avila inspire Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am’?

    Did Teresa of Avila inspire Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am’?

    Are conclaves really secret?

    Are conclaves really secret?

    Kartini Day and gender justice in Indonesian Catholicism

    Kartini Day and gender justice in Indonesian Catholicism

    What Catholic Sabah stands for

    Cohabitation – trial run for marriage?

  • Feature
    Losing a loved one to suicide

    It is better for you that I go away

    ‘We Can’t Just Stand By and Watch’

    ‘We Can’t Just Stand By and Watch’

    Kisah pertemuan dengan Kristus: Pengalaman sertai Jubli para Remaja di Vatikan

    Kisah pertemuan dengan Kristus: Pengalaman sertai Jubli para Remaja di Vatikan

    Council of Constantinople reaffirms Christ’s divinity and clarifies the Trinity

    Council of Constantinople reaffirms Christ’s divinity and clarifies the Trinity

    South Korean Catholic convert finds strength in Legion of Mary

    South Korean Catholic convert finds strength in Legion of Mary

    Slogan “Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa” harus dipupuk hingga ke generasi seterusnya

    Slogan “Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa” harus dipupuk hingga ke generasi seterusnya

    Bahasa ibunda adalah warisan dalam kehidupan

    Bahasa ibunda adalah warisan dalam kehidupan

    Remembering Francis, a Pope who led the Church to the peripheries

    Remembering Francis, a Pope who led the Church to the peripheries

  • Statements
    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Perutusan daripada Presiden Persidangan Uskup-Uskup Katolik Malaysia sempena Hari Malaysia

    Pastoral Letter on Earthquake in Myanmar and Regional Solidarity Appeal

    Chancery Notice

    Chancery Notice

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Lent 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Lent 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Pastoral Statement for dispensation from fasting  during Chinese New Year 2025

    Pastoral Statement for dispensation from fasting during Chinese New Year 2025

  • Chinese
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • About
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Catholic Sabah
No Result
View All Result
Home News Focus

New film “Priest” explores value of faith

December 7, 2020
in Focus
New film “Priest” explores value of faith

Fr Paul Grogan, subject of a new film entitled “Priest” (Photo credit Michael Whyte) 

By Lydia O’Kane

Dec 7 2020

A new documentary film released online, follows the day-to-day life of an English priest from the beginning of Lent to Easter Sunday.

Down through the years, there have been numerous portrayals of priests on the big screen, whether it be two time Oscar winner Spencer Tracy in Boys Town or a young Gregory Peck in Keys to the Kingdom.

Television too, has had its fair share of clerics, some of whom end up helping the local constabulary with their crime cracking abilities: think G.K. Chesterton’s amiable Father Brown or Fr Dowling.

However, in a new film currently available online, British director Michael Whyte chooses instead to present a “fly on the wall” view of day-to-day priestly life.

Entitled simply “Priest”, the documentary follows Father Paul Grogan as he carries out his ministry in the parish of Mary, Mother of God, in the city of Bradford, in the north of England.

Fr Grogan, originally from Halifax, worked as a journalist after graduating from the University of Cambridge.  He then went on to train for the priesthood at the Venerable English College in Rome in the late 80s to mid-90s.

Made before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film shows the priest supporting parishioners in various moments of their lives from the opening scene of a funeral, to the administering of the Last Rites.

In an interview with Vatican Radio, Michael Whyte explains why he wanted to make a film that explores the highs and lows of priestly mission.

Highs and lows of priestly life

“I think that people have a rather simplistic view of the work of a priest; they tend to see it as quite an easy life, they’ve got a roof over their heads, they’ve got a job for life, they’ve got God on their side… I wanted to show that it was much more than that, and also to show that priests are human beings, they have feelings, they’re not removed from the day to day anxieties and stresses of life.”

This is not the director’s first foray into faith based filmmaking. In fact, it is the final work of a trilogy, following on from No Greater Love, a documentary about a Carmelite Monastery in London and Relics and Roses, which charts the journey of the Relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux on their visit to England.

Questions of faith

Asked why he was drawn to make three films exploring the Catholic faith, Whyte says, “it comes back to the perennial question that everybody asks. What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? What am I doing here? And nobody seems to have an answer to that.”

However, the primary focus for his first entrée into a faith based film, he recalls, came from his curiosity about the Carmelite monastery in his own neighbourhood of Notting Hill. “I was intrigued by the idea that there was this monastery, literally a hundred yards away from where I live.”

When the project eventually came to fruition after a year of filming, the director describes how he came away “with a profound respect for their life and their values.”  “I found it one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had in the course of making films,” he said.

Brought up as a lower church Anglican, Mr Whyte notes that he was intrigued by the “theatre or drama” of Catholicism. He also comments that it is a faith that has survived for 2000 years “and is still very intact; it still has a tremendous number of followers, so they’ve got to have something right.”

“Priest” was filmed from the beginning of Lent right through to Easter Sunday, the most important period in the Church’s calendar. And while the director says it was important to chart the events of Holy Week, he adds, it was also due to “God’s providence.”

Privilege

Although Michael Whyte has a long and distinguished CV and has won numerous awards for his work, he is keen to point out that he never takes for granted the privilege that his work affords him.

“You enter into a complete stranger’s life and you are by their side, you become part of their life and you become very much aware of their strengths and weaknesses and vulnerabilities and if you like, it’s a gift because you know if you think about it generally, would you share all your secrets or inner most thoughts with a complete stranger? You probably wouldn’t. So when you’re suddenly being filmed it’s very difficult to hide those things from somebody… to have access to that is a real privilege.”

One of the scenes in the film shows Fr Grogan administering the Last Rites to parishioner Mary Cunningham. “To be in that room was such a privilege,” Whyte says, “and I found myself thinking I shouldn’t be in this room, I have no right to be in this room because…this is a very intimate moment. At the same time, I’m thinking well, this is exactly what I need to film to show what it’s like, to show what it’s like to be a priest and what a priest’s daily life consists of. So you have those contradictory sorts of feelings, but that in a sense illuminates that kind of privilege that one has when you’re making films, or making documentaries.”

Value of faith

Asked what he would like people to take away from this film, he replies, “I’d like people to see the value of faith…, the comfort of joy and unity it brings to people. That spirit of love and care and beauty and truth, if you like. Also the fact that Fr Paul is a human being; he’s not dissimilar to the rest of us, he has feelings and he gets upset, he can get angry, he can be low, he can be high. He adds that even if you’re not a “God fearing person, you could watch this film and see that there is a value in the faith that these people have.”

To view the trailer for “Priest” you can follow this link – Vatican News

Previous Post

Rohingya refugees start move to remote island

Next Post

Ministry launches 21-Day Christmas Miracle Challenge

Related Posts

Jun 22 2025
Readings

Jun 22 2025

June 22, 2025
Jun 21 2025
Readings

Jun 21 2025

June 21, 2025
Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media
Asia

Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

June 20, 2025
Next Post
Ministry launches 21-Day Christmas Miracle Challenge

Ministry launches 21-Day Christmas Miracle Challenge

Recent News

Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

June 20, 2025
Church in India launches mental health program to confront present challenges

Church in India launches mental health program to confront present challenges

June 20, 2025
“León De Perú”: Vatican Media to release documentary on Prevost’s years of mission

“León De Perú”: Vatican Media to release documentary on Prevost’s years of mission

June 20, 2025
Pope Leo XIV visits Vatican Radio Transmission Center outside of Rome

Pope Leo XIV visits Vatican Radio Transmission Center outside of Rome

June 20, 2025
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minor reshuffle and new appointment of priests

Minor reshuffle and new appointment of priests

July 15, 2024
Enggan punya anak, antara sebab perpisahan suami-isteri

Enggan punya anak, antara sebab perpisahan suami-isteri

May 20, 2025
Minor transfer of priests

Minor transfer of priests

November 11, 2023
Tender Notice St Catherine of Laboure Church, Putatan

Tender Notice St Catherine of Laboure Church, Putatan

April 29, 2025
The Church wants to be more the ‘inn’ of the Good Samaritan for the sick

The Church wants to be more the ‘inn’ of the Good Samaritan for the sick

Parishioners are invited to help form prophetic and servant priests

Parishioners are invited to help form prophetic and servant priests

Archdiocesan Notice on SSPX

Archdiocesan Notice on SSPX

April 28 2020

April 28 2020

Jun 22 2025

Jun 22 2025

June 22, 2025
Jun 21 2025

Jun 21 2025

June 21, 2025
Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

June 20, 2025
What Catholic Sabah stands for

Part 1: Porn a silent addiction?

June 20, 2025
Catholic Sabah

Catholic Sabah is a media organization based in Sabah Malaysia. We bring you the latest Catholic news right to your doorstep!

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Asia
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Borneo: Ordinary Person, Extraordinary Faith
  • Chinese
  • Feature
  • Focus
  • Im on my Way
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • Kanou Monuhid Lahan Koposizon
  • Local
  • Making A Difference
  • Mantad Di Katekis Peter
  • Nation
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Readings
  • Reflection: Straight Talking
  • Statements
  • Vatican
  • World

Recent Additions

Jun 22 2025

Jun 21 2025

Malaysian Paulines spread Good News through digital media

Part 1: Porn a silent addiction?

Church in India launches mental health program to confront present challenges

“León De Perú”: Vatican Media to release documentary on Prevost’s years of mission

  • About
  • Contact

© 2024 Catholic Sabah - Powered by KK Top Web.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Feature
  • Statements
  • Chinese
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • About
  • Donate

© 2024 Catholic Sabah - Powered by KK Top Web.