The MYP hosted their annual MovieNight at Holy Trinity Church in Whitestone, NY, on Friday, January 23, 2026. The event was rectored by Diana Roach, and the Team Members were Eileen Haggerty, Mary Leavens & Tom Leavens.
The film showed was 2016’s, “A Monster Calls.” It is a fantasy story set in present-day Britain about a 13-year-old boy called Conor whose mother has a serious illness. Conor is visited by a monster who tells him three stories. These stories help Conor to understand the complicated feelings he has about his mother’s death.
After viewing the movie, the Team held a discussion with the Large Group, and the teens were honest and emotional about the messages they received from the film.
The event concluded with a Prayer Service. The theme was,
“The truth is a heavy thing, but it is the only thing that sets us free.” Part of the Prayer Service was the Presentation of Intentions. A small wooden cross was placed in the center of the group, and each teen placed a slip of paper at the foot of the cross that had a “truth” or an intention from them. They could be (1) a “truth” you’ve been hiding (e.g., “I am struggling with my faith,” ), (2) an intention for someone you love who is suffering or (3) a prayer for the courage to let your actions reflect your love, even when your feelings are complicated. To end the service, the group listed to the song, “You Say,” by Laren Daigle.
Although the film was sad and challenging, the teens enjoyed the experience of being together for it.