Fortnight For Freedom 2013

It's so important that, as Catholics, we remain engaged in the public square and do our part to promote the Gospel outside of our parishes and families. This doesn't mean forcing our beliefs on others; it means letting our gospel-informed voices be heard and it means promoting the principles of human dignity that the gospels teach us.

That's why the U.S. bishops have called a second Fortnight for Freedom. In addition to the August 1st deadline for Catholic organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, we also await a Supreme Court ruling on marriage this June, and meaningful immigration reform as well as humanitarian services. These are all areas in which Catholics have a stake and about which Catholics must make their positions known. Starting on June 21st, the bishops are calling for Catholics to participate in a two week period of prayer and action to build awareness about potential religious freedom violations and the right place of religion in the public square.

Throughout these two weeks, CatholicTV will have special programming for the Fortnight for Freedom, including the Opening Mass on 6/21 LIVE at 7pm ET (watch on www.CatholicTV.com), daily reflections from Father Reed, following the 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Closing Mass on Independence Day at 12pm ET.

Last year we held a town hall forum hosted by Cardinal Seán O'Malley, with a panel comprising Kim Daniels, JD, a religious liberty attorney, Dr. Angela Franks, co-host of Christian Witness, and John Garvey, JD, President of The Catholic University of America. Most of the concerns raised and questions asked last year are still relevant. You can watch the whole thing right here:

From maintenance to mission

The Archdiocese of Boston is in the midst of an exciting and innovative pastoral plan to strengthen the local Church and repropose the gospel. The plan ("Disciples in Mission") "seeks to revitalize the Church in Boston by positioning our parishes more solidly for the task of evangelization, the work of reaching out to our brothers and sisters and drawing them more fully to Christ Jesus." (from the Disciples in Mission proposal).

The pastoral plan (currently in phase one) strengthens local churches by establishing parish collaboratives that function under the leadership of one pastor with the support of Pastoral Teams and Parish Councils. The parishes in the collaboratives maintain their unique identities and responsibilities, while also enjoying the added benefit of a community of support from the other parishes in the collaborative, as well as a unity of vision and evangelical purpose. Parishes maintain the strengths they already have while being fortified by fellow parishes.

By empowering local churches to strengthen and unify as tools for evangelization, the Archdiocese expects that we will move from a state of simply maintaining parishes to being true disciples in mission, proactively spreading the gospel by way of the local Church.

Bishop Deeley, Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Boston, appeared on CatholicTV's This is the Day to talk about the success of the plan so far as pastors in phase one finish up their two week training. He also has some great ideas for how lay people can support the new pastoral plan. Check out his interview below:

Summer is coming...

Well, almost. May will be over before you know it, and then our Summer Season will begin!


Join us starting in June for some great summer programs. There's something for everyone!
 
Watch Christian Witness on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. Drs Angela and David Franks host this new original CatholicTV series, speaking with people who work to build a culture of love and life rooted in the New Evangelization. Some guests include George Weigel, David Clayton, Brother Rahl Bunsa, and Michael Lavigne. Rebroadcasts: Sun 4am ET, Thurs 8:30pm, Sat 4pm.

Join Shannon Muldoon for Vacation Bible School! During the weeks of June 24, July 15, and August 12, tune in at 8am and 12:30pm each day for great lessons and fun crafts with Shannon.




Tune into Divine Intervention with Father Steve on Mondays at 9pm ET. Born in India, raised in South Africa, and now ministering in California, Father Steve has a way of deeply touching lives. This reality series captures his unique and inspiring ministry to God's people through life’s turbulent and joyful moments. Father Steve captures the unique zeal and deep love at the heart of Christ’s Gospel message. Rebroadcasts: Wed 1pm ET, Fri 2am.


 

What's in the Bible airs Mondays at 8am ET. From the creater of Veggie Tales, What's in the Bible features some new friends as they explore the most important books of the Bible. This family show uses music and puppets to get you laughing and learning through God's word. Rebroadcasts: Thurs 1pm ET, Sat 8:30am.

Watch Love is Moving on Mondays at 4pm ET. From the producers of Context with Lorna Dueck, this series is hosted by and for young adults focusing on living out the Christian faith. The series challenges young adults to commit to acts of love in their daily life and to grow deeper in relationship with God and others. Rebroadcasts: Wed 2:30am ET, Thurs 10:30pm, Fri 5:30pm.



Reel Faith from NET NY airs on Tuesdays at 9am ET. Join David DiCerto and Steven D. Greydanus as they look at films through a Catholic lens.




On Mondays at 9am tune in to Gospel of Luke with Jim Grant and Dr Robert Maldonado. Our hosts are joined by biblical scholars as they share their insights into and love for Luke. Rebroadcasts: Wed 1:30pm ET, Fri midnight.


It's going to be a great summer on CatholicTV. Don't miss it!
 

 

ClearVoice™ turns 100!

Our original magazine show, ClearVoice™, celebrates 100 episodes on 5/3!

Tune in at 11am as hosts Christine Caswell and John Monahan look back on the awesome highlights from the past 100 episodes. John and Christine reflect here on what working on ClearVoice has meant to them:



Check out individual reflections from John and Christine as well as other great clips from ClearVoice™ right here.

Christine Caswell has more than 20 years' experience as a radio and television news journalist, reporting for more than a decade in Boston's major market. John Monahan has worked for 17 years in the news business, winning an Emmy® for his work as a news reporter.

Watch ClearVoice™ on Fridays at 11am ET on CatholicTV.

USA Makes Reality Show With “Christian Values”

From Slate:

The Moment drawns on many of the standard USA procedural elements. It’s aspirational and upbeat—what could be more pleasant than seeing good people get another chance to accomplish their life goals? Friends and family are front and center—the dreamers are nominated by relatives, and, in the two episodes that I’ve seen, the love and support of friends and family is key to their success. The second-chancers are all talented—they’d have to be to take photographs for Sports Illustrated, drive on the NASCAR truck circuit, or skipper an America’s Cup vessel—and they’re mentored by seasoned pros.

There is, in other words, a wholesomeness to the show that’s sometimes hard to find in reality television. And though faith and religion aren’t specifically mentioned in the first two episodes, executive producer Charlie Ebersol told me that the show is designed to promote Christian values.

Great to see Christian values promoted on secular TV! We got a chance to speak with Kurt Warner, host of The Moment, about the new series. You can catch our interview with him right here:


If you missed last night's premiere of The Moment you can check it out right here: http://www.usanetwork.com/videos/The%20Moment/Full%20Episodes

Our Retired Priests

Father O'Regan and his sister

It's the week of retired priests at CatholicTV!

Today retired priest Fr O'Regan came all the way from Centerville to celebrate Mass with us. Father O'Regan remembered Monsignor Frank MacFarland in his Mass and for that we are so greatful! Here he is with his sister who joined him for Mass, pictured with Msgr Frank's rosary.

Yesterday we were joined by Fr Cunney who lives over at Regina Cleri, the Archdiocesan residence for retired priests. He was a joy to have and gave a wonderful homily about the significance of fragrant oils, which is perfect for today, the day of the Boston Chrism Mass!


You will see Fr Cunney again on tomorrow's Mass, when Father Reed concelebrates with several priests from Regina Cleri for Spy Wednesday. Watch on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com LIVE at 9:30am ET, and again at 7pm and 11:30pm.

On Holy Thursday we will premiere a special new Triduum rosary, shot entirely at Regina Cleri, and that will air throughout the Triduum.

Please keep the retired priests of Boston in your prayers! In the Archdiocese of Boston, the Easter collection will be for the sick and retired priests of Boston, and I urge you to consider giving what you can to support these men who have given their lives to serve all of us in the Church.

God bless!

Boston seminarians

It's so wonderful to be able to see the seminarians from St John's Seminary in Brighton at the station here at CatholicTV. Whether it's to attend Father Reed's class on communication and evangelization in the conference room, or to accompany a priest for Daily Mass, they are welcome visitors!

Today Father Ed Riley celebrated Mass for us, and was joined by Deacon Chris Wallace who will, by the grace of God, be ordained this May. Deacon Chris is a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Quincy.

Before Mass, Father Reed asked Fr Riley to bless our new vestments for Solemnities, and Deacon Chris joined Fr Riley in being the first to wear them!

   


Deacon Chris delivered the homily and preached about St Joseph and "actions speaking louder than words". You can watch it right here:

  Thanks Deacon Chris and Fr Riley!

Pope Francis I | Musings from Rome

There is not much I can add to the wonderful night that just took place at St. Peter's. 

It was truly an extraordinary experience that was so presented so well by the CatholicTV Network.  The entire staff did an excellent job in bringing these events into your home.  It was truly a team effort. 

Please pray for Pope Francis I. May God guide him and protect him as he leads this Church we all love.

Your Friend,

Jay

Open up your heart | Musings from Rome

Hello to all my blogolites. 

 

Rome is crying tears from heaven as the rain comes down hard.  Tim and I went to St. Peter's Square early in the morning and I am glad we did. 

As we entered the square I saw a lone figure in the distance.
 

 As I approached, I saw a man dressed in a burlap sack kneeling on the hard stone ground praying.

I suddenly noticed that he had no shoes on and that his feet were battered and worn.  It was clear that he had walked a lot of miles without shoes.

 

I watched him for quite a while.  People would walk by him or take pictures of him but he did not look at them. 

 

My first thought was that he was a beggar because there are a lot of those in Rome.  But he was not asking for money.  I saw a nun give him some coins and I wondered if I should do the same.  A number of thoughts crossed my mind:  should I give him some money? who was he? was this a scam? 

 

I decided to give him coins but hesitated. I was nervous to approach this man who was dirty and very different from me.  Then I thought of the readings from the Mass with the Cardinals yesterday and specifically "love one another". 

 

I made my move.  I approached him, held out the coins and he opened his hand.  The coins clang as they fell into his hand.  I thought that was the end of my meeting with him and began to turn and walk away.  But he thanked me and asked where I was from.  He told me he was from Assisi.  He pulled a pamphlet out of his bag and told me to love the poor.  He again thanked me and said May God bless you.  I walked away.

I must have broken the ice because after I left a group gathered around him and I could hear them asking questions.  He answered in a very gentle way.

 

If you open up your heart and mind, if you don't let the fear of the unknown limit you, the world expands.  Love your neighbor and God will love you.

Your Friend,

Jay

Waiting for Smoke | Musings from Rome

Hello my blogolite friends.

I am standing in St. Peter's Square as I type this and am stunned by what I am witnessing.

Let me set the scene; it is pouring out and it is cold. I am not hesitant to call it raw out. My guess is it is below 50 degrees. Around the square the Vatican has set up huge monitors and are broadcasting live coverage of the Cardinals inside the Conclave. The square is a sea of umbrellas. 

Thousands of people are surrounding the monitors to be part of history. The bad weather and cold can not deter these people. This is their faith and they are here to show solidarity with the Cardinals that are charged with making this difficult decision.

Inside the colonnades are thousands of people who await the puffs of smoke that will signify whether or not a Holy Father has been elected.

I was touched as I passed a group of seminarians praying the rosary together as they looked up at the smoke stack.  You may notice some young people on the side and in the back who just walked up and started praying with them.  As I write this more people are joining and their voices are getting louder on the square.  Just beautiful.

We are living in historic times. May god guide all of us as we pray for the Cardinals.

Your Friend,

Jay