Catholic Family Movie Night: McFarland, USA

I love the springtime! The warmer weather has finally made it's way north to Iowa, although we will most likely experience one more frost in the beginning of May, or at least it usually seems that way.

Not sure about you, but this time of year, with a little over a month left of school, I find that routines are starting to wear, kids are getting a little restless, I'm just tired and ready for summer.

This month's theme is quality time as a family. And this month's movie is McFarland, USA. This movie highlights the importance and transformative power of quality time, respect, and hard work.

April’s Catholic Family Movie Night: McFarland, USA

During the month we celebrate and remember the transformation of sin, death, and darkness into freedom, life and light, let's watch Mcfarland, USA together and discuss how this relates to our family.

Before the movie starts, tell your kids: “We are going to watch a movie based on a true story. It's a story that teaches us that through love, sacrifice, hard work and unity, transformation can happen! One cross country team starts from being nobodies to an incredible team that transforms their entire community.

Watch this movie and pay attention to what it takes to see the power of transformation at work!”

Then play the movie (available for free on Disney Plus).

After the Movie:

Ask: What did you think of the movie? 

How could our family be transformed like the city of Mcfarland?

• Encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thess 5:11). This looks like: 

  • Quote from Coach: “Who’s tougher? My moneys on you.”

  • This looks like:

    • Rooting for each other’s success in school, work, homelife, etc.

    • Complimenting virtue when we see it

    • Not tearing one another down or making fun of each other.

      
      

• Try your best and do not give up 

  • Quote from Coach: “Danny: Good job, you never stopped.”

  • This looks like;

    • Doing your chores even when you don’t want to. 

    • Keeping your room clean. 

    • Keep trying to do the right thing even after doing the wrong one. 

      
      

• Don’t listen to the negative things of the world.

  • Quote from English Teacher: “This is one of the poorest towns in America. These kids are invisible. They're expendable. They come from the fields and go back to the fields unless the prisons get them first."

  • The boys didn’t listen to those comments around them and hoped for better. 

  • This looks like:

    • Ignoring mean words from others. 

    • Correcting negative self talk with true compliments about who you are. 

    • Remember you are loved child of God, everywhere and always!

      
      

• Give thanks to God for our triumphs!

  • As soon as they accomplish what they set out to (qualifying for State), they stop, kneel down and pray! What a witness!

  • This looks like:

    • Saying a prayer of thanks to God when you get a good grade, do well in a game, etc. 

      
      

• We ALL have something to contribute.

  • Danny, the slowest member, but the solid anchor, is who enabled them to win State at the end because he saw there was work that needed to be done so he dug deep and ran the fastest race of his life!

  • This looks like:

    • Even the smallest of you have something to contribute to the unity of our family!

    • God may be trying to use you to help our family be the strongest it can be. Don’t be afraid to let God use you. 

      
      

• Prepare for the race-put in the training (discipline)

  • Quote from one of the boys: “We don’t practice to lose, coach”

  • Quote from coach, “Run up those mountains, its’ what you’ve been training for.”

  • This looks like:

    • Training for the spiritual life includes daily prayer, daily scripture, frequent Eucharist and confession, regular rosaries, and pursuing virtue!

      
      

• Suffer alongside one another to foster unity.

  • When coach white picks in the fields with the boys, they call him Coach for the first time. 

  • The women of the family come to help for a team fundraiser.

  • The car wash is massively successful because the whole community wants to support the boys.

  • This looks like:

    • When someone is struggling, help them out. When mom or dad is stressed, jump in and help where you can. 

    • Try cooking dinner one night a week. 

    • Consider folding the clothes and putting them away by yourself. 

      
      

• Celebrate unity!

  • Quote from team:“Where we from? Uno dos tres-Mcfarland!”

  • This looks like:

    • Come up with a family handshake or one to three hands. 

What are some other behaviors that can help us be our best and transform the community around us? 

Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of this family. We offer to you are best and our worst. We ask you to help us work on virtues like hardwork, perseverance, patience, and unity so you can help transform our weakness to strength, our selfishness to selflessness, and our own desires to those the Lord wants. Send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, guide us, and give us courage. In your Holy Name, Amen.