EWTN-Affiliated Filmmaker’s Family in Dire Plight — Seeks Prayerful Assistance| National Catholic Register

EWTN viewers who have watched two popular docudramas — A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing and its sequel — have learned the shocking roots of the dire direction of modern society. The films’ popularity led to many re-broadcasts during the years — for Part I, the latest re-broadcast in March made for a total of 42 showings domestically and 49 times internationally (though it will next re-air on Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. ET), and for Part II, 16 times domestically and 23 times internationally.

Viewers have been continually inspired by these works from Arcadia Films, along with the Saints Alive! series, which aired nine times domestically and 48 times internationally, and the Holy Eucharist series, bringing young people together with friars to reflect on the Most Holy Eucharist that will air again on EWTN Aug. 2-16.

All are the works of son Stephen and father Richard Payne, founders of Arcadia Films, who have a long association with EWTN.

As confusion about the faith spread in recent years, in order to remind and enlighten people about the truths of the faith, the Paynes brought Cardinal Gerhard Müller’s Manifesto of Faith to the screen in that same title — Manifesto of Faith — and with the endorsement of the cardinal. 

As the Paynes recount on their website, they are inspired in their work by a sacred calling: “We were privileged to have a private audience with … Pope John Paul II and presented him with some copies of our work. It was the day he published his ‘Letter to Artists,’ and he presented us with personal copies. Its closing words have inspired us since then: ‘May your art help to affirm that true beauty which, as a glimmer of the Spirit of God, will transfigure matter, opening the human soul to a sense of the eternal.’”

But no cultural exposé or saintly favorites are possible now. Arcadia is silent. The Payne family is struggling with Stephen’s serious health crisis,which that has forced the Paynes to seek medical and financial help.

Medical Crises

“A year and a half ago, Stephen woke up hardly being able to speak and not able to move for half an hour. And ever since, he’s had terrible, debilitating problems,” said Maria Payne, Stephen’s wife, as she shared the family’s stormy straits with the Register.

After several medical tests since then, the family is still awaiting a definitive diagnosis from a neurologist on the “severe neurological symptoms.”

Since having COVID in 2021, Stephen has been negatively affected, in terms of “his balance as well as some of the brain fog and memory loss,” Maria recounted.

Added to this is “severe sleep apnea problems,” Maria continued, including “some cardiovascular distress.” The Paynes are awaiting tests in that regard too, for proper diagnosis and treatment. Maria said there seems to be an endless round of appointments to different doctors and the waiting that goes along with them. Stephen’s treatment for type-2 diabetes is also being adjusted, after various tests showed his immune system “is currently overactive — like it’s stuck in emergency mode,” Maria said.

“Then on top of everything,” Maria continued, “his vision has eroded significantly” — so he needs new glasses and a new editing monitor to properly see and edit film, in hopes of eventually returning to film work. Right now, that is just not possible, his wife said. “Stephen can’t do any work. He can’t edit. He’s having a lot of brain fog and short-term memory loss. He can’t focus to be able to do the fine-tune editing he used to do so well.”

Thus, Arcadia Films’ father-son filmmaking team is on a necessary sabbatical.

“Without one, there’s not the other,” Maria said. “They’re both critically important to our apostolate. They are two hearts beating together in terms of getting the work done.”

Financial Straits

Now, Stephen and Maria Payne and their children find themselves in a perilous and critical financial situation. Recently they set up two GoFundMe campaigns. One is for Arcadia Institute, the 501(c)(3) arm of Arcadia Films, the independent film producer of documentaries, docudramas and movies for broadcast television. Because Arcadia is based in the home, this fund can cover, for example, utility bills, internet and phone services. 

The other GoFundMe is for the family expenses, beginning with food for the Paynes and their three young children — 6-year-old Mary Olivia Anna, named after the Blessed Mother, her mother St. Anne, and also St. Olivia Palermo because she was born on her feast day; 4-year-old Mark Marcellian, who was born on the feast of the twin brothers Sts. Mark and Marcellian, third-century martyrs; and 19-month-old Margaret Mary, born on the first Friday of December and so named after St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, apostle of the Sacred Heart.

Maria is seeking to organize a “Meal Train” locally, too.

“That’s really even more important than gold, silver or anything, second to prayers — is getting him the proper nutrition he needs to heal,” she explained of her husband’s recent health challenges.

Despite it all, Stephen hopes to return to work, but healing is paramount. “It’s going to take at least a year to properly heal, to deal with the neurological symptoms,” Maria explained.

The family is grateful for the fundraising so far, “but we’re hurting still. We’re facing a real crisis.”

“Getting our case out to the readers that you have really means so much to us,” Maria added, gratefully. “We need all the help we can get.”

For the EWTN family, Richard Payne added, “We want to thank you for your loving support during Stephen’s difficult illness. We hope to see all of you soon! God bless!”