http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/annulment.htm
Why is Gretchen unable to stay married? What is it about the marriage that's causing her to seek an annulment to leave Gus? Infidelity? Abandonment? Indifference?
2) What's Westfalia like?
The place where the playwright worked in Vermont came up. It's Tyler Place Resort: http://www.tylerplace.com/
The idea that Westfalia has a very small off-season population but as a summer community it would be more thriving in the warm months. Bridget's grandmother would have been a year-round resident.
3) Bridget - Tim - Gretchen
Gretchen kisses Tim. Why? She wants to break the story. Why? She wants to spread her wings and try to fly. What event or revelation has led her to grab the bull by the horns? Is this a recent change in her personality? Is this a bottled up aspect of her coming loose?
Why is it so easy for Bridget to be a person of faith and open to accepting the existence of God and Mary and the Saints and yet so hard for her to be open to accept Gretchen?
"People are desperate for miracles" GRETCHEN says.
People want to believe in something greater than themselves. But what?
Would it unearth the secret to perennial truths?
Is it to tap into a divine strength that enables one to accept a Gretchen in their life? To not be burdened? To be exonerrated?
"If I ask her and she says yes" GRETCHEN says about her having dinner with Bridget now that they've had their talk... how many times growing up has Gretchen asked to do something with someone and heard "no"? And how wonderful after a lifetime of no's from people not wanting to hang around with her would it be to hear "yes" from Bridget? How joyous a moment is this reconciliation she's had with Bridget? Is Bridget reconciled in return or is it just Gretchen being optimistic?
4) The Innocents parallel parable
http://cds.aas.duke.edu/exhibits/innocentspast.html
David brought up a photographer and the series of photographs on people innocently jailed. It was to raise the question: how far do you go to believe a loved one or a dear and close friend who claims something when all logic and reason points to something else? People innocently jailed. What if it was your brother or sister who was accused of killing someone? Eye witness testimonies pointing to it. Fingerprints even, perhaps? If they swore to you they were innocent. How long could you believe? Would you believe?
5) Avoidance Tactics
Is Bridget not returning to the statue for fear she may encounter another miracle? Is she wrestling with the fact that her faith is coming alive or the fact that everyone is turning it into a freak show? If she stays away from the statue, does she think she will prevent a freak show from unfolding? Is she afraid that 1,000's of people will follow her around as it was documented that pilgrims followed Bernadette around after the events at Lourdes? Is she wanting to keep the miracle to herself for reasons of protecting the sanctity of it or for selfish reasons, not wanting to be burdened as a public figure responsible for providing an eye witness account of a divine occurance to increase the faith of others? Or is there a crisis of faith in herself? Has she accepted the miracle as a miracle or as a personal message just for her and for no one else?
6) "Approved" Apparitions
http://www.theotokos.org.uk/pages/appdisce/nineapps.html
7) Madonna Queen National Shrine - East Boston, MA
http://www.winthropchamber.com/whattodo.asp
http://www.catholicshrines.net/states/ma3.htm - photo of the shrine
Across from the Don Orione Home in East Boston stands a statue of the Madonna 35 feet high made of copper and bronze. It was erected in May of 1954, the Marian Year, and was greeted by thousands of worshippers. Its story dates back to World War II when the famous Jewish sculptor Arrigo Minerbi was welcomed to refuge in the Don Orione's Institution in Rome during the Nazi persecution against Jews. After the liberation, Minerbi created a statue of the Madonna as a gift to the Don Orione Fathers and personal thanksgiving for surviving the war. It was placed on the hill of Montemario overlooking the city of Rome. Soon after, a replica of the six-ton masterpiece was made and shipped to the Don Orione Fathers in East Boston in three pieces. It was reconstructed and dedicated as "The Madonna Queen of the Universe" by Archbishop Cushing. The shrine and serene statue greet visitors year-round. Mass is said Saturdays at 5:00 pm, Sundays at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, and weekdays at 7:30 pm. The gift shop is open daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Located at 150 Orient Avenue, take Route 1-A, turn at the cross on the hill and follow the signs. 617-569-2100
8) Greg's image of Mary winking at him Greg emailed me this image of Mary.
Is it Tim's irreverent attitude towards the faith?
Or Greg's sense of humor or his perception of Mary?
9) some St. Bernadette sites here:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintb06.htm
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=147
http://www.catholicpilgrims.com/lourdes/ba_bernadette_intro.htm
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