You could always see movies by yourself. You could also give up movies altogether for Lent.

Or, you could spend part of Lent watching a weekly series of movies in a communal experience, movies that can be seen as contemporary parables on our Lenten journey --- an experience that can be both enriching and enjoyable. That is what "Soup and Cinema" is all about.

This year, our "Soup and Cinema" series takes place at three parishes --- Holy Family in South Pasadena, St. Francis de Sales in Sherman Oaks, and St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge. People gather for the soup at 6 p.m., followed by an abridged showing of the film and discussion afterward.

The communal activity takes different forms at each parish. At one, volunteers make a huge pot of soup each week, while at another individuals bring crockpots of soup, many of them homemade, sometimes as many as a dozen different varieties. The buzz of conversation which surrounds the soup (and other goodies which people bring to share) creates the atmosphere for the film and discussion which follow.

At 7 p.m., the film is introduced with an explanation of its relevance for that particular week, its background, and some viewing hints to enrich the experience. By screening only certain chapters, the films can be shortened to about one hour and 15 minutes, in order to leave more time for discussion.

The theme for Lent 2009 is "Choose Life!" This is the call we hear Moses urge upon his people early in the Lenten readings.

The first film, "Amazing Grace," is the story of how William Wilberforce chose life by trying to end the slave trade in Great Britain and preserve the lives of thousands of slaves. Not only did his action bring intense opposition from some members of Parliament, it almost cost him his own life and health over a period of 20 years. He was assisted by his minister, John Newton, who chose life by abandoning his profession as a slave ship captain and wrote the famous hymn, "Amazing Grace."

"The Bucket List" follows the adventures of two elderly men dying of cancer, who, rather than accept death, choose to live life fully by fulfilling a list they make before they "kick the bucket." What they discover gives meaning to both their lives, and hopefully to ours. It can help us in the early weeks of Lent, to check our own "bucket list" as we prepare for the new life of Easter.

Last year "Juno," the third film in this series, was nominated for four Academy Awards, and won for the best original screenplay. This was quite surprising, because Juno --- a naïve but self-assured teenager faced with an unplanned pregnancy --- chooses life rather than the abortion of her unplanned pregnancy, and seeks a life-giving couple to adopt her child. The film touches many ordinary life issues, and can help us discover how we can affirm life in many ordinary ways in our ordinary lives.

One week during Lent we offer a Family Film, so children can attend with their parents. This year's offering, "Secondhand Lions," is a delightful story about a lonely teenager who was banished by his mother to live with two crazy uncles on a farm. But he soon gets caught up in their mysterious past, and discovers that there is a lot more life in these two old guys than he ever imagined as they teach him many life lessons, especially about believing in something. There are plenty of laughs --- and lessons --- for all of the family.

The final film, "The Visitor," released in late 2008, is about a college professor who has little interest in life anymore, until he discovers two immigrants living illegally in his New York apartment. The encounter not only changes his life, but prompts him to make life choices that involve them, and involve him in the messy and complex immigration problem in our country. It can help us face the new challenges of Easter 2009.

The discussions after the films are casual and thought-provoking, helping those who saw the films to get new insights into the stories and hopefully into their own lives. They might just never give up movies again for Lent.

'Soup and Cinema' Schedule

"Soup and Cinema" presentations begin with soup at 6 p.m. and the film at 7 p.m. There is no charge for the soup or the cinema. The locations and dates are as follows:

St. Francis De Sales Church (School Hall), 13368 Valleyheart Drive, Sherman Oaks; March 2, 9, 16, 24 and 31.

St. Bede the Venerable Church (Parish Center Upstairs Hall), 215 Foothill Blvd., La Canada-Flintridge; March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1.

Holy Family Church (St. Joseph Center), 1524 Fremont St., South Pasadena; March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3.

The films to be shown, in order, are:

Week 1: Amazing Grace.

Week 2: The Bucket List.

Week 3: Juno.

Week 4: Secondhand Lions.

Week 5: The Visitor.

Capuchin Franciscan Father Anthony Scannell is Spiritual Director of Catholics In Media, and former executive publisher of The Tidings.