Film: "No Requiem for Mt. Manresa", a valiant effort of Staten Island NY civil society to save our spiritual and natural heritage.

Until recently Mt. Manresa's Jesuit Order was the keeper of a spiritual flame fanned by the dedication and funding of thousands of Christian devotees. For more than five generations faithful pilgrims sought spiritual guidance at Mt. Manresa, an inspiring sylvan elevated landscape -- a spiritual lighthouse on a hill for all those dwelling below who may lose their moral compass. The century-old founders of this sequestered Christian retreat recognized the value of a rarely protected environment -- isolated from the encroaching human development and the wanton materialism that too often follows in its wake. Two millennia have passed, irrevocably passed, since Jesus found spiritual refuge in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. In this wilderness, the earthly Christian embodiment of its heavenly father released his soul from the fetters of carnal temptation.

If Mt. Manresa, an historic Christian icon, is going to be another sacrificial offering to that insatiable "God of Growth," in this case, hundreds of redundant townhouses, it will be further proof that we have lost our moral moorings. And our "sense of place" among millions of species of God's earth among which we are mandated by reason, spirit and environmental sustainability, to live in harmony.

Make no mistake, this is every American's story. You will be proud to identify with the Save Mt. Manresa Committee's verve, steadfast dedication to spiritual values, a sustainable environment and social justice.