TodayPriest to put on magic show
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Father Leo Goodman III wows his audiences with a flaming Bible and other illusions.
A levitation, an escape from a box of danger and floating items will top the bill Sunday at St. Patrick School.
It isn't just any old magic show. A Catholic priest who performs the tricks gears them toward deepening Christians' faith.
Each "illusion," as the Rev. Leo Goodman III calls his feats, illustrates a Biblical principle that Goodman discusses.
For example, "if I'm talking about how sin can imprison us, can hold us in bondage, I will do an escape," he says.
The magic tricks appeal to young people in "this mass media culture" and help them remember the message, he says. "To try to get people's attention, you really have to catch their eye."
Goodman, 42, started using magic when he began doing retreats more than 10 years ago.
Now a pastor at St. Mary's Church in Lancaster, Goodman does only a few shows a year.
The tricks aren't connected with divination or supernatural powers, the kind of magic the Catholic Church opposes, says Goodman, who calls his show "Magical Revelations."
Native of Carlisle
Sunday's show is a homecoming for Goodman, who was born and raised in Carlisle, attended St. Patrick's Church and graduated from Carlisle High School in 1981. He attended Penn State and Mary Immaculate Seminary. His parents, Connie and Leo Goodman Jr., live in Dickinson Township.
Ordained a priest in the Harrisburg Diocese in 1991, Goodman previously served as chaplain at Trinity and Bishop McDevitt high schools.
As part of its 225th anniversary celebration, St. Patrick's invited parishioners who became priests or nuns back for several special events over the past year, says Mary Moll, director of family, young adult and youth ministries for the church.
Goodman's last show at St. Pat's was about seven years ago, Moll says. Although she didn't attend, her son, who was about 7, did.
"He still talks about it — ‘Mom, there were flames coming out of the Bible!'" she says.
Moll says the group will set up its equipment all day Saturday to get ready for the performance. "This is quite a big deal," she says.
Assisting Goodman on Sunday will be his father, Lancaster Catholic High School students Peter Taraborelli and Andrew Graver and a home-schooler, Theresa Walker.
Everyone is welcome to the show, Moll says.
"I think it'll be fun for people of all faiths," Goodman says.
He is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians.
FYI
The Magical Revelations Gospel magic show will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday in Warrell Social Hall at St. Patrick School, 85 Marsh Drive, South Middleton Township.
A free-will offering will be taken to defray the Rev. Leo Goodman's expenses.
On the Net: www.magicalrevelations.org
