CONCERTS & SEMINARS
with Robert Béla Wilhelm
Choices: the Way of Life or the Way of Death
Gospel Quest for the Paradise of God's Blessing
Eucharist & Bread in the Lives of St. Francis & St. Clare
Treasures Hidden in the Kingdom of God
Advent Storytelling for Christmas
Celtic Storytelling for St. Patrick's Day
Storytelling Skills for Parish Life
Storytelling Celebration of Family Life
Storytelling Retreat for Youth Groups
The earliest catechetical document in the church is the first-century Didache, or Teachings of the Twelve Apostles. The core of this catechism contrasts the way of life and the way of death.Key concepts from the Didache frame two stories this evening: Pahom's Wish and Two Friends. Both stories were inspired by Russian folklore, and given literary expression by novelist Leo Tolstoy. In turn, the tales have been given a new life in the oral tradition by Robert Bela Wilhelm.PLAYBILL
Recital from the Didache, or Teachings of the Twelve Apostles
Tolstoy's Parable, Pahom's Wish
inspired by the spirituality of the Eastern Church
from the Didache
--Intermission --
from the Didache
Tolstoy's Parable Two Friends
inspired by the spirituality of the Eastern Church
from the Didache
One of the earliest artistic retellings of the Gospel story can be traced back to fourth-century Christian Armenia. There, an ancient folktale, Apples of Paradise was cast as an allegory, and a commentary, on the Gospels themselves. This is a beautifully intricate story of the key symbolic moments in the Gospels -- from the Birth of Jesus to the Resurrection of Our Lord. It is a prayerful story that meditates on the images and teachings of the Gospel.
A second Armenian story, Brother Lamb, is another allegory on Christian scriptures, rich in both Old and New Testament imagery Both stories were collected from Armenian storytellers in Turkey over 100 years ago, though the stories themselves are at least 700 years old.
PLAYBILL
Gospel stories from Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John
interwoven with the Armenian story of Apples of Paradise
--Intermission --
Parables from the Gospels
interwoven with the Armenian story of Brother Lamb
13th century Lives and Legends of Francis and Clare of Assisi are a catechetical commentary on the Gospels.Created as preaching tools by the friars, they continue to illuminate the life of Jesus through the twin mirrors of Francis and Clare. These stories are drawn from many sources, but especially the medieval stories called the Fioretti, or Little Flowers These stories call us to discipleship and fellowship. And they challenge us to a deeper appreciation of the riches of a Eucharistic spirituality in our personal lives and in our shared faith-communities.
PLAYBILL
Jesus' Call to Discipleship from the Gospel
St. Francis, and the stories of his first Companions:
Bernard the Lawyer, Giles the Knight & John the Simple
St. Clare's Stories: Her Conversion, Bread & Olive Oil,
the Pope's visit, the Saracens
Brother Leo discovers Perfect Joy
Road of Emmaus from the Gospel
-- Intermission --
Brother Jacopa, the Lamb among the Lions
Jesus Feeds the Multitude from the Gospel
St. Francis & the Wolf of Gubbio
The 9th-century Saxon Gospel, or Heliand, is the frame story for two Icelandic stories that celebrate the presence of God in our lives. Both sources -- the Saxon and the Icelandic -- are important wellsprings of the spirituality we have inherited from our European heritage.
Ivar's tale says "God listens to us, and heals us in listening." Audun's tale says "We in turn can reconcile and heal others." Both stories were creted in Iceland 800 years ago and have an amazingly contemporary feel in their realism and psuchological insight.
PLAYBILL
Prologue to the Saxon Gospel & the Parable of the Hidden Lamp from the Heliand
Ivar's Story from Medieval Iceland
Jesus' Parable of the Treasure Trove from the Heliand
-- Intermission --
Jesus' Parable of the Rich Young Man from the Heliand
Audun's Story from Medieval Iceland
The Saxon Poet's
Parable of the Two Roads from the Heliand
{Available Only November 24 to December 2}
PLAYBILL
Saint Anthony's Fire
{A humorous tale from Sicily
about the gifts of Light, Warmth & Hope}
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
{The legend of the original Santa,
and how he came to be loved by many}
The Lost Lamb
{A tender Armenian story from the Middle East
about those who trust God.}
Matthew's Story {A retelling of a Christmas story
from the Gospel of Saint Matthew}
-- intermission --
Tale of the Mistletoe
{A dramatic Norwegian tale about the Christmas Mistletoe}
Lucy Light, Lucy Bright
{A Swedish legend of Saint Lucy,
patroness of sight and light}
Saint Francis & the Christmas Wolf
{How the people of Gubbio
came to accept the Wolf as a beloved neighbor}
Luke's Story
{A retelling of a Christmas story
from the Gospel of Saint Luke}
{Available Only February 17 to March 17}
PLAYBILL
Rory's Story
{A humorous tale from County Cork
about the art of storytelling and wisdom of knowing
how to tell a tale as if your life depended on it}
Saint Patrick's Wish
{Atop the Holy Mountain in County Mayo
St Patrick struggles with the Druids,
and then bargains with God for three wishes
that will determine the destiny
of every Irish man & woman}
The Magic Trout
{A classic Irish tale from County Mayo
of how a human is enchanted into a fish
and how the spell is broken}
-- intermission --
The Harp
{A tale from Donegal about Finn McCool
and a three-stringed harp}
The Priest & The Cross of Cong
{The true story of a clever priest
who redeemed the Cross of Cong,
honored his people, and journeyed to Rome
to receive judgment for his deeds}
Dermot & the Woman of the Shee
{An ancient Irish tale from the Middle Ages
about how Dermot O'Dynne meets an enchanted woman,
and the challenge she places upon him}
A four-hour workshop, "Storytelling Skills for Parish Life"
may be available for your parish the day following the evening concert:
Time: 10:00 am to 12 Noon and 1:00-3:00 pm
For Whom? For Parish pastoral staff and all parishoners working in areas where storytelling skills are relevant: catechists, teachers, RCIA teams, adult education and Bible study groups, evangelization teams, prayer groups, youth ministers, lectors, and other parish leadership. You may invite people from outside the parish to participate.
Size: Minimum of 8 people, and maximum of 40. Attendance at storytelling concert the previous evening is required.
PROGRAM
Session one (10:00-10:50 am)
How Storytelling Works for the Teller and the Listeners: Basic Techniques
Session two (11:00-11:50 am)
A Practical Theology of Storytelling for Parish Life
Session three (1:00-1:50)
Choosing, Practicing & Sharing Stories in your Parish:
More Techniques & Practical Applications
Session four (2:00-3:00 pm)
Pryaerful reflections & Storytelling from Bob Wilhelm
Scheduling: This workshop is available
ONLY the day following an evening storytelling.
A four-hour workshop, may be available for your parish at any time. It does not have to be scheduled in conjunction with an evening concert:
Time: 10:00 am to 12 Noon and 1:00-3:00 pm -- For Whom? For Families, and also Parish pastoral staff working in family life: sacramental preparation, catecethics, family liturgies, youth ministry, counseling, marriage enrichment. -- Size: Minimum of 20 people, and maximum of 200.
PROGRAM
Session one (10:00-10:50 am)
How Families Came to Be (African) told by Bob.
Family & small group artwork with clay
with Bob & Kelly.
Session two (11:00-11:50 am)
Looking for Family Stories presentation by Kelly:
To the Seventh Generation, Part 1 (Irish) told by Kelly.
Family & small group artwork with crayons
with Bob & Kelly
-- lunch --
Session three (1:00-1:50)
The Storytelling Stone (Native American) told by Bob.
Family & small group journal-writing, with Bob & Kelly
Session four (2:00-3:00 pm)
Creating Family Storytelling Traditions
presentation by Kelly.
To the Seventh Generation , Part 2 (Irish) told by Kelly.
Family & small group artwork with postcards & photos with Bob & Kelly
Both Bob & Kelly are former youth ministers, and Kelly is the author of a book called, Storytelling & Youth Ministry.
This four-hour retreat for youth is available for your parish at any time. It does not have to be scheduled in conjunction with an evening concert: Time: Either afternoon & evening, or morning & afternoon -- For Whom? For Senior High School Youth Groups -- Size: Minimum of 20 people, and maximum of 40.
PROGRAM
White Sword of Light (Scots Folktale) told by Bob
Artwork & small group discussion
facilitated by Bob & Kelly
Creating Your Identity activity with postcards & photos, facilitated by Kelly
-- Lunch or Supper --
Waterbull of Benbecula (Scots Folktale) told by Bob
Artwork & small group discussion,
facilitated by Bob & Kelly
Creating Your Community, activity with totem-objects, facilitated by Kelly
Closing Prayer
