I have been waiting to watch this series ever since I first read about it in 2007 when it was in it's early stages. I can say with assurance that it was well worth the wait! My pre ordered box set arrived this past Friday and 3 days later, I have already watched 8 of the 10 episodes and I plan to have the final 2 viewed within the next couple days. I love every one of them and plan to rewatch them all multiple times, sharing it with everybody I know who is interested.
Father Barron has done a wonderful job with this Catholicism series. It sets the stage/benchmark for what we should consider measuring all future 'New Evangelization' projects against. It really is great to see such a hard worker in God's vineyard bringing forth the truth and beauty of Catholicism to the world. Father Barron was aiming for a thematic view of Catholicism and I believe he's hit a home run. The beauty and greatness of the Catholic Church is on vivid display in this 10 part series and it is my hope that the materials (dvd, study guide, and book) will be used all across the country in RCIA programs. We need to resist, as Fr. Barron says, a dumbed down Catholicism. What he highlights in this fantastic series is a beautiful and intellectually rich Catholic tradition, one of which I have been blessed to be in full communion with since 2008.
I highly recommend that anybody reading this who is either already Catholic or considering looking into the Catholic Church, to take a hard look at this 10 part series that Father Barron has worked so hard at bringing to the masses. I especially liked how Father Barron answers the questions of some of the skeptics of religion during the episodes, regardless of topic. Kudos on the informative and equally intuitive move to implement the coming New Missal translation into the episode on the Mass. The episode on the communion of saints should be seen by all Catholics as a reminder that this should be the goal of us all, to be saints, and to "not be afraid" as John Paul II echoed the words of Christ. Love the sports analogies as well!
Do yourself a favor and purchase it, and then generously share it with all your friends. "We need to tell our story" as Father Barron has said, and with this DVD series, it will allow us all to learn more about our faith (it already has for me), hopefully appreciate our faith more, and lastly, pour out our faith into the lives of the people we encounter in every day life.
Thank you Father Barron (and to all that helped in making this possible). I believe Archbishop Fulton Sheen is looking down and smiling on all your hard work. After watching most of this series the 1st time through, I love God and the Catholic Church that much more.