Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

The documentary "God is Alive, Part 2" premiered on April 5 at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield. Written and directed by Andrew Hansen and Father Michael Trummer, the film explores miraculous events and the power of faith through stories from the Midwest.

Hansen, known for his work on the diocesan podcast and as editor of Catholic Times, teams up with Father Michael Trummer, pastor of several parishes in Illinois, to present four stories of faith. This sequel follows their 2023 release, "God is Alive," which gained attention across multiple media platforms.

About 200 people attended the premiere, where the filmmakers aimed to show that "if you truly allow God into your life, especially during times of tragedy and heartache, God will show you He is alive, and He will do things you least expect,” as stated by Hansen. The documentary travels to locations such as Gower, Missouri; Edwardsville, Ashland, and Chicago in Illinois, and features discussions on faith, alongside reactions to each featured miraculous event.

The stories include individuals like Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, founder of Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, whose sainthood is recognized by many following an event after her death, and Alma Pederson, whose challenging upbringing did not deter her from choosing life for her child. The documentary also covers the trials faced by Colette Gaston of Ashland and the Davis family's faith journey in Chicago following family tragedy.

Father Trummer emphasized the importance of sharing such testimonies, saying, “We need to keep sharing stories and testimonies because God is alive, He’s active, and He’s real.”

The filmmakers captured their project using two cameras and cell phones, aiming to provide an authentic experience for viewers. Hansen hopes "that intimacy makes viewers connect more with the stories."

The documentary "God is Alive, Part 2," along with its predecessor, can be viewed at dio.org/documentary.