Councilman Hopes Film Will Have Positive Impact on Toledo

By David Yonke, The Blade, Toledo, Ohio

Mar. 22–When The Passion of The Christ was released on Ash Wednesday, 2004, the film about Jesus’ last days on Earth had a profound impact on Toledoan Tom Waniewski. The Toledo city councilman is hoping Mel Gibson’s surprise blockbuster will have a similar effect on viewers when the film returns to the big screen this weekend in free showings at Cinema de Lux Franklin Park.

“The mall is in my district and I’m sitting in on these mall meetings about security, and if there are some movies that trigger delinquency and ramped up security, I said we should bring in a movie that has a positive impact,” said Mr. Waniewski, a Republican who took office Jan. 2.

He contacted National Amusements, the chain that operates the mall’s cinema, and asked if it would show The Passion of The Christ over the Easter holidays.

“I just wanted one showing and they said, ‘Hey, we’ll do two showings a day for three days and we won’t charge a nickel,’–” Mr. Waniewski said.

The film features intensely graphic scenes of Jesus being beaten, whipped, nailed to a cross, and crucified. Directed by Gibson with Jim Caviezel starring as Jesus, The Passion set a record for the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, earning $370 million in U.S. box office receipts.

Mr. Waniewski said the movie addresses the bigger issues in life and believes Jesus’ willingness to endure such a horrific death to save souls is an inspiration to viewers.

“About 90 percent of what I do is not at Government Center, it’s in the trenches answering complaints about broken sidewalks, potholes in the streets, or broken trees,” he said. “In the grand scheme of things, those things don’t really matter. The Passion, for me, was saying there is so much more to life, so much that is bigger than I am, bigger than anything or anyone else.”

He said he does not see any church-state conflict because he is only offering Toledoans a positive message.

“I’m not asking people to go to church, I’m asking them to go to a movie. If I can build up a community, that’s what I’m interested in,” he said. “I’d be happy to sit down with members of the Muslim or Jewish communities if they’re interested in promoting peace. If they’re looking to lift humanity up even one small notch, then I’m willing to sit down any day, any time to work with them passionately about that. I just happen to be Catholic and Christian.”

The Passion of the Christ was shown twice on Good Friday and free showings are scheduled for 4 and 6:45 p.m. today and tomorrow at Westfield Frank Park Cinemas.

Here is a list of some other religious events and services coming up on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday:

–The Toledo Catholic Diocese will welcome 583 new members from across the 19-county diocese in separate ceremonies at Rosary Cathedral in Toledo and St. Michael Parish in Findlay. The new members includes 207 Catechumens, or unbaptized persons who are fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday; 276 Candidates, who were baptized in another Christian faith; and 100 Catholic Candidates who will reaffirm their profession of faith at their parishes during Easter Vigil.

–Easter egg hunt, 23,000 eggs for children 6th grade and under, 10 a.m. today, Calvary Assembly of God, 5025 Glendale Ave. 419-381-0254.

–Community Cross Walk, 2 p.m. today starting at 613 Main St.

–Easter Vigil, 5 p.m. today; Easter Sunday, 8 and 10 a.m., Community of Christ Lutheran Church, 6517 Finzel Rd., Whitehouse. 419-877-0607.

–Easter Vigil, 6 p.m. today; Easter Sunday 7, 9, and 11 a.m., Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 East Indiana Ave., Perrysburg. 419-874-4346.

–”Jesus Is Alive” musical, 7 p.m. today, Dayspring Assembly of God, 17360 North Dixie Highway, Bowling Green. Tickets are free from 419-352-0672 or www.edayspring.com.

–”The Centurion” Easter Drama at 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. tomorrow, First Apostolic Church, 5701 West Sylvania Ave. 419-885-4888.

–”This Red Is 4 U” Easter Services, 6 p.m. today, 9 and 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. tomorrow, The Church on Strayer, 3000 Strayer Rd., Maumee.

–Easter Eve, 7 p.m.; Easter Sunday 10 a.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 563 Pinewood Ave.

–”A Night of Worship” service hosted by 10:35 Church at 8 p.m. today at the Maumee Indoor Theater featuring the music of Simon Carter. The event will be made into a live worship CD. Information: 419-893-0205 or www.1035online.org.

–Easter Sunrise Service, 6 a.m. True Light Pentecostal Holiness Church, 2909 North Detroit Ave. 419-244-3537.

–Easter Sunrise Service at Metzgers Marsh Pier, by Bono Baptist Church.

–Easter Sunday services, 8 and 10 a.m. and noon, Cornerstone Church, 1520 Reynolds Rd.

–Easter Sunday Mass, 9 and 11 a.m., Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd.

–Easter Sunday Services, 8 and 10:30 a.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2272 Collingwood Blvd.

–Holy Eucharist Easter Service, 8 a.m., Festal Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m., St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 5240 Talmadge Rd.

–Easter Sunday SErvice with Chancel Choir and Brass Quartet, First Congregational Church, 2315 Collingwood Blvd.

–”SonRise” Easter Service, 7 a.m., Church of the Cross, United Methodist, 2806 Cass Rd.

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