Special pre-screening of an NBC series will happen at Juan Diego Catholic High School

Friday, Mar. 27, 2015

DRAPER — The Skaggs Catholic Center has been selected by KSL-TV to host a free special screening of the premier of the NBC miniseries A.D. The Bible Continues.

The series is produced by Roma Downey (The Bible) and Mark Burnett (The Bible and The Voice). 

A.D. The Bible Continues is a 12-part series that will have its broadcast premiere on Easter Sunday, April 5, at 8 p.m. on NBC.

“The miniseries shows a journey through the later chapters of the biblical history picking up where the smash miniseries The Bible left off and continuing the greatest story ever told and exploring the exciting and inspiring events that followed the Crucifixion of Christ,” reads the press release from NBC, which picked up the series that used to be broadcast on the History Channel.

This pre-screening will be only shown at the Skaggs Catholic Center.

“Typically they don’t do any pre-screening at a national level,” said Molly Dumas, Juan Diego Catholic High School public information officer.

Dumas said that despite that, the NBC local authorities said that faith plays a large role in the state of Utah, “so they wanted to find a faith-based community of young people where they could make it [the screening] happen,” said Dumas.

Some of the producers had previously worked with JDCHS, and  “they said Juan Diego might be a good place to do it. Besides the auditorium, we have a lots of students. … It’s a great community for events and the students will be willing to speak out about what they see, so they did want to get feedback from a faith-based community on the series,” said Dumas.

The showing at the JDCHS auditorium on April 1 will be a short segment of the 12-part series. 

“People who want to come can see the preview and even meet some of the folks that are in the production of it and talk with them afterwards,” said Dumas.

The pre-screening is free but people must have a ticket to attend.

“Faith is an important part of the education of our students here at Juan Diego,” said Dumas, adding that sometimes the students do not consider something valid unless they see it through Hollywood, “so we want to have this opportunity to show them something that was produced, and have the opportunity to discuss it and to have discerning eyes what is Hollywood and what is God. … From my understanding, this is a really good depiction of a Biblical historical event,” said Dumas.

Dumas also pointed out that hosting the pre-screening addresses the three imperatives of Juan Diego CHS: learning, community and faith development. 

In addition, the pre-screening is a way to evangelize the school community, Dumas added.

KSL suggests the miniseries is appropriate for audiences aged 12 and older.

The Skaggs Catholic Center has opened the screening to an array of people from the community.

“We are inviting all Catholic and Christian school teachers/parents/students, local Interfaith Network churches, and religious ed programs,” said Dumas.

The pre-screening will start at 7 p.m. A Q&A and brief survey will follow the 45-minute film.

WHAT: Screening of  A.D. The Bible Continues

WHEN: Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Juan Diego Catholic High School auditorium, 300 East 11800 South, Draper

Free, but tickets required. For information or tickets, call 801-984-7650.