New Season of "We've Got To Talk"

Starting in March, we will air a new season of the show “We’ve Got To Talk” starring Fr. Dan O’Connell. Fr. Dan O’Connell is known for his energetic and creative preaching, his sweater-wearing during the summer, and his preaching in front of incredible backgrounds.

The new episodes of “We’ve Got to Talk” will start airing in March. Themes from a few of these episodes are listed below:

LOVE IS FREE: This episode begins with a story of how Fr. Dan was approached by a high-priced fortune teller on the street who wanted to sell her services to Fr. Dan. Fr. Dan takes this experience and uses it to explain how God’s love is free and how we shouldn’t spend our time or money on things which fail to satisfy.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: Fr. Dan notices a puppy that is overjoyed at seeing his friend, a 12-year girl at the airport. The occurrence reminds Fr. Dan about the unconditional love of the Lord. Fr. Dan talks about how St. Paul was able to love the Lord even though St. Paul’s preaching had sent him to prison.

HIS YOKE OUR SALVATION: Fr. Dan talks about how God is always with us. He remembers how one of his splashguards came loose from his car and was dragging on the highway, and a couple of motorists got his attention and warned him by pointing at the front of his car. Fr. Dan likens this situation to God’s desire to constantly be there for us and to help us.

“We’ve Got to Talk” can be seen each week at the following times: Monday- 5PM; Tuesday- 11PM; Wednesday- 12:30PM; Thursday- 10:30AM; Friday- 8:30PM; Saturday- 12:30PM; Sunday- 2PM. All times are Eastern Standard.

The show is viewable on CatholicTV where available and is also streamed live (simultaneously) at www.CatholicTV.com. Shows are currently offered in the archives and are viewable full-screen now for free. Click here or post this URL into your browser to view archived episodes. http://www.catholictv.org/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=77.

CatholicTV To Air New Episodes of "The Future Depends on Love"

Starting in March, CatholicTV will air new episodes of the show on marriage called “The Future Depends on Love.” The new episodes will feature a variety of guests.


Here is a list of the guests and themes of the new episodes which will start in March.

March 2- Erika Bachiochi: Marriage and Social Justice
March 9- Father Mark O’Connell: The Metropolitan Tribunal and Annulments
March 16- Katie Dardis: Healthy Marriage Begins with Chastity
March 23- Bishop Robert Hennessey: Marriage and Immigrant Vitality
March 30- Marianne Luthin and Allison LeDoux: Project Rachel - Healing Families After the Trauma of Abortion

The show is hosted by Dr. David and Dr. Angela Franks who are both professors at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA. With divorce statistics higher than ever and teenage pregnancy rates up for the first time in 15 years (source:CNN.COM), Catholic parents and young people are concerned about the messages that Catholics receive from the media and their friends regarding sexuality and marriage.

In response, the Catholic bishops of Massachusetts, being well aware of the rise in divorce, sexual immorality, adultery, and abortion began a new initiative from which this television show sprung forth.

The show is viewable each week on Monday-5:30P.M., Tuesday-1:30P.M., Wednesday-3:30A.M., Thursday 11:30A.M., 8:00P.M., and Sunday-3:30P.M.

“The Future Depends on Love” show can also be seen at the same times online at www.CatholicTV.com. The show can be viewed on the website full-screen. Paste this into your browser to view past episodes. http://www.catholictv.org/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=74

Watch "This is the Day" live on Friday!

Watch "This is the Day" live on Friday at 10:30 AM at Your Catholic Broadband Network: CatholicTV.com

Archbishop Wuerl Takes to YouTube to welcome Catholics back!

The Archdiocese of Washington is kicking off a major initiative this Lent to invite back those who have drifted away from the church, with a YouTube video invitation from Archbishop Wuerl plus 50,000 invitations available at all 140 parishes for parishioners to give to friends, neighbors or others who may miss being part of the Catholic community.



“Lent, as we prepare for Easter and reflect on what our faith means to us, is a time to invite others who are not at Mass any more to rejoin our Church family,” Archbishop Wuerl said in explaining the initiative.

The “Longing for Something? Maybe it’s God” campaign is being promoted through the video invitation recorded by Archbishop Wuerl (see above), a website (www.Maybe-its-God.org), blog about faith (to launch on Ash Wednesday), hundreds of Metro ads, radio ads, a billboard and more. Ads are running in 220 Metro cars and over 125 buses in Washington, DC and Maryland starting the week of March 1, along with radio ads and a huge billboard on Route 301 in Charles County. The ads read, “Longing for Something? Maybe it’s God” and encourage Catholics to find out more at www.Maybe-its-God.org.

The www.Maybe-its-God.org website includes the video and printable invitation (in English and Spanish), blog and a pastoral letter by Archbishop Wuerl, Belonging to God’s Family. In it he tells Catholics “Each one of us knows someone, perhaps many, who have simply drifted away from the practice of the faith…To be a Catholic is to share the joy of our faith with them by inviting them once again to reconnect with their Church and with the life-giving sacraments.”
Lent, the 40-day penitential period before Easter (April 12 this year) and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, was chosen for the campaign because it is a time when Catholics place an extra focus on reflecting on what their faith means to them. The initiative follows a highly successful campaign in past years to invite people back to confession, which now is being replicated in dioceses across the nation.

The Archdiocese of Washington is home to 580,000 Catholics living in Washington, DC and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.

Ash Wednesday Mass from Rome

CatholicTV is presently broadcasting the Ash Wednesday Mass from Rome this Ash Wednesday. The procession will begin at the Basilica of San Anselmo and will conclude at Rome’s Basilica of Santa Sabina.

Prior to Mass, the Holy Father presided at brief prayer in the nearby Church of San Anselmo on Rome’s Aventine Hill. This is also where the ashes are blessed.

During the Mass at Santa Sabina, the Pope will also preside over the traditional rite of blessing and imposition of ashes.

The Vatican pointed out in a communiqué that the day’s activity will continue an ancient Lenten tradition, long held by the Church in Rome of celebrating Mass in designated "station" or churches, which change each year.

All of this is airing on CatholicTV and a live stream at CatholicTV.com on Wednesday, Feb 25th and will include English translation. The airtimes will be 12:30PM and an encore presentation at 8:00PM.

Mothers are a gift

I had just hung up the phone with my mother and went to sit down and watch some television. I began to think of what it must have been like for her to watch her children grow and struggle through the challenges and embrace the joins that come with being a parent. I know now how quickly time goes by when you have children and how your life becomes wrapped up in your children’s needs. Everyday I think about Amelia, James and Ethan and hope that the other children were kind to them, that they had fun at school, and that they are enjoying life. I love when they laugh and am hurt when they cry. They and Shirley are my life and I am so happy to be with them. After I got off the phone it finally hit me that my mother feels the same way about my sisters and me. She was there for our first steps, first day of school, the proms, weddings, and the birth of our children. She was beside us for both the good times and the bad. She had to bury her oldest daughter which I cannot fathom. I had forgotten getting the care packages while at college filled with food. How I looked forward to receiving them. Not just because of the content but because of what they signified. My mother loved me and cared about me. Put this is perspective of what Jesus mother Mary endured. She stood beside Him when almost all others hid. She watched people hurt and kill him, the little boy she loved. She never abandoned Him! I would like to wish all mothers and especially my mom a happy mother’s day this month. What a gift mothers are! Jay

Father Reed on The Catholics Next Door on Monday 2-23

On Monday, February 23rd, the Director of Catholic TV, Father Robert Reed, will appear on The Catholic Channel show "The Catholics Next Door" Jennifer and Greg Willits are the hosts of the show. Also, they are the producers of That Catholic Show which airs on CatholicTV.

Join us for Mardi Gras in the CatholicTV livingroom, this Tuesday LIVE on CatholicTV.com

We all hope you can join us for Mardi Gras in the CatholicTV livingroom, this Tuesday LIVE at 10:30 AM on CatholicTV.com

New Show Featuring Ordinary Catholics To Air During Lent

CatholicTV will begin airing a new series entitled “ARISE Together in Christ” (ARISE) starting March 2nd. The show is based on a Catholic program of the same name created by Renew International. The show features ordinary Catholics discussing their faith and making a commitment each week to put their faith into action.

ARISE is a parish program which consists of weekly meetings of small groups of parishioners (3-8 normally) to discuss, and grow in their faith. Each meeting is centered around a bible passage and a theme. Every week, participants make plans to put what they have learned in their meeting into action.

The television program is a look into these meetings that take place amongst ARISE members. Although normal ARISE meetings last 90 minutes, the television show on CatholicTV compacts ARISE meetings into a TV-friendly 28 minutes. Each episode consists of a reading from the Bible, a very brief talk about the reading by a clergy member, and finally, the discussion featuring the small group. During this discussion, the group members talk about what the Bible reading means to them. The last portion is called “Invitation to Act” where small group members talk about what action they will take during the upcoming week to live out what they learned from the reading and discussion.

For instance, session 4 for the 2009 Lenten season has the theme “Darkness to Light”. It revolves around the Gospel of John Chapter 3:1-21. After reading the passage and discussing it, participants are then asked to think of a difficult situation in the family, workplace, parish, or neighborhood and to commit to an action that will help to improve the situation. The following week, members discuss what actions they took and what the results were.

The show will air each week at these times (EST) Monday 12:30PM; Friday 11:30PM, and Saturday 10:30AM.

Not just a tree

There was once a tree that distributed seeds. Some were eaten by animals. Other landed upon rocks and could not take root. Some were washed away or scorched by the sun. But from these thousands of seeds, one found fertile ground. Early in this seedling’s life there were constant threats to its existence. Many of the other seedlings succumbed, but this particular tree continued to grow into a small tree. Nutrients from the soil fed the tree. Its roots ran deep and every year it became sturdier. This tree supplied shade for those who would sit underneath it and was a home for birds. People passed by and admired its beauty. For generations the tree stood firm. It survived against all odds when so many others had not. But it was not the environment that killed the tree. Men came one day and began to look at all the trees in the orchard. With an axe they began to chop the sturdy trunk of the tree. Each swing made the tree weaker. The wood crackled as the weight of the tree began to betray it. It violently fell to the ground. The branches were cut off and the tree was sent to be modified. The only reminder of the tree was a stump. It was dragged from the orchard. This tree could have become a piece of fine furniture. However, it found itself in the hands of a laborer. He began to chop. Woodchips flew as he carved up the tree. Sweat dripped off his brow as he planed the wood. When he had finished, it was taken from his workshop. It was no longer a tree. When it arrived at its destination, it was put on the back of a carpenter to be carried through the streets of Jerusalem. The tree had become the cross that Jesus would hang upon. - Jay

Looking back and moving forward...

As I get older my life continues to change. I find myself reminiscing about the past and those who have touched my life in a significant way. My parents, sisters, grade school friends, college friends, grandparents and those you meet on your life journey. As I think back there are times that I smile remembering so many wonderful experiences. Those special moments that at the time may have seemed insignificant but to now bring such joy. But sometimes there is a sadness thinking of the past because some of those people are no longer in my life due to different circumstances. Also I am saddened by not being able to physically do what I could do when I was twenty. I would love to go back to the days I had in college and again share that bond I had every day with my friends who were my brothers. I miss the way that my grandmothers always made me feel special. As if I was the only one in the room. I miss my sister, Father Frank, and Jack Lawless, all of whom made me strive to be a better person. I miss those milestones in my children’s lives. Their first step, going to school, them falling to sleep in my arms. I sometimes wish I could stop time and nothing would change. Yet, if that were to of happen I would not have met my beautiful wife and had three children who I love with all my heart. I would not have seen the Red Sox win the World Series! God has a plan for each of us. I am richer for having known all those people and I thank God for all he has done. I do not know what the future holds but I welcome it and look back lovingly on the past.

Jay Fadden,
CatholicTV®
General Manager

FATHER ROBERT BARRON FEATURED IN NEW SERIES ON CATHOLICTV

Starting in March, Father Robert Barron will be featured in a new series on CatholicTV entitled “Word on Fire”. Fr Barron is a renowned speaker and theologian.

Father Robert Barron is a Catholic evangelist. He is a sought-after speaker on the spiritual life-from prestigious universities to YouTube to national conferences and private retreats. His website launched in 1999 draws over 300,000 visitors a year from every continent. Fr. Barron posts weekly video clips, commentaries and radio sermons and offers an audio archive of over 300 homilies.

Father Barron has been featured on Relevant Radio, and the “Busted Halo Show” on Sirius satellite radio. He is an award-winning author and is currently working on The Catholicism Project will be a monumental, documentary series on the teachings of the Catholic faith.

Father Barron’s new short program format series on CatholicTV features Father Barron discussing such topics as the 7 deadly sins, 7 lively virtues, and following the call of Christ, among others. Father Barron will discuss questions about the Catholic faith as well. For viewers who want to grow in holiness, Father Robert Barron will also talk about answering God’s call to be saints. The teachings will include practical, real-world applications and lessons.

Starting in March, the show will air each week at the following times (EST) Mon. 9:30 p.m., Tue. 9 a.m., Weds.11:30 a.m., Sat. 1:30 p.m., and Sun. 1 a.m.

Starting in March, “Word on Fire” will be viewable on CatholicTV where available and is also streamed live (simultaneously) at http://www.catholictv.com/.

Father Barron’s website is http://www.wordonfire.org/Default.aspx

Great happenings at CatholicTV

I am so amazed at all the wonderful work that Catholics all over the world are doing to promote the Good News. In just the past half hour I spoke with Thomas Wykes who is hosting Springfest 2009 in the Nashville area, in late May. There will be great speakers like Deanna Favre and musicians for a celebration of Catholic faith. ( www.springtimeoffaith.org) Bishop Colby of Nashville will celebrate Mass.

Then I spoke with Jessica Rey who will be on This is the Day, you might know her as the White Power Ranger, Jessica is writing a book called "Decent Exposure." and she has an incredibly elegant, and modest swimwear line inspired by Audrey Hepburn movies. You can learn more about that at http://www.jessicarey.com/. Jessica appeared in Rosary Stars which was produced by Family Theater -we aired it on CatholicTV.

There are few more people that I spoke to in the past half hour but more on that later......

FORMER BEAUTY QUEEN AND MODEL TO PROMOTE MODESTY ON CATHOLIC TALK SHOW

Brenda Sharman will be featured on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day” on Friday, February 20^th.

Brenda Sharman is the National Director of Pure Fashion. Pure Fashion is an organization which works with local leaders, clergy, and lay people to promote the virtue of modesty, protect and preserve purity, and foster an awareness of the dignity of the human person. Mrs. Sharman was the 1990 Miss Georgia USA and a professional model and spokesperson.

Pure Fashion began seven years ago when a group of Catholic mothers, disappointed by the clothing choices offered to young people, began discussing ways to change the culture, “one outfit at a time.” Today, Pure Fashion has grown to include programs across the country, proving to teenagers that they can be modest in their clothing while still being stylish and fun.

Mrs. Sharman will discuss modesty and Pure Fashion on the show.

Also on the show will be Sister Joseph Andrew. Sister Joseph is a nun from The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (Dominican Sisters MME). The Dominican Sisters MME Order was founded in 1997 with four sisters. Their numbers have ballooned to over 80 sisters and their average age is a very young 28. The average age of women who enter is 21. Sisters have joined from all across America and even Europe and the Caribbean. The Dominican Sisters MME have recently experienced an explosion in their vocations. Their upcoming discernment retreat for example, will have over 100 attendees.

Sister Joseph will discuss vocations and the spirituality of the order on “This is the Day”.

These guests can be seen on Friday, February 20th live at 10:30AM (EST) on CatholicTV where available (rebroadcast at 8PM). The show will also be streamed live at www.CatholicTV.com and will be available on the site’s archives starting Friday night. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Past this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.catholictv.org/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

The Pure Fashion website is www.purefashion.com/. The Dominican Sisters MME site is www.sistersofmary.org

Macular Degeneration on the Ark: the homily from today's TV Mass

A number of years ago I learned about a condition, a somewhat common condition called macular degeneration. I learned about it because my dad had it.

Macular degeneration is a condition usually of older adults which results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the Macular) because of damage to the retina. It is a major cause of blindness in those over 50 years. I recall that it made it increasingly difficult for my father to read or recognize faces, although he had enough peripheral vision to allow him to carry on fairly well. I recall him often saying something like: those people over there look like walking trees. Sound familiar? Maybe you struggle with this same condition or perhaps one of your parents or a grandparent? Maybe this was the very problem that afflicted the man from Bethsaida?

Now, I am not Dr Reed trying to diagnose the medical issues of people two thousand years ago. I am Fr Reed trying, like you, to make my way through this life with the great help of my Faith. And you know, it takes a sense of bravery to live this life.

We are all presented challenges along the way, but my observation has been that as one gets older, those challenges and obstacles mount...especially in the realm of the physical. These eyes, these bodies of ours are fragile and not meant to last forever. Despite all the advances in medical science, there are some problems doctors just can’t fix. Yes, miracles do happen, but not for all.
I am certain there were others in Bethsaida who were not physically touched by Jesus. But He came and walked among them!

Our coming together in prayer here today is our daily chance to focus on what is lasting and most important in life…and that is: our relationships. First of all our deep connection with the Lord Jesus, the Divine Physician, the healer of both body and spirit. We are united in Him AND, we are deeply connected to one another in the mystery of the Church. Granted, this body, this ark we have been given to navigate life is not made to last forever. But we are! Think of it: you are meant for eternity, you and I are meant for God. We will, as St Augustine powerfully reflected, we will be restless until we rest in Him.

Allow the Lord Jesus, who does indeed live among us, allow the Lord to touch you today. Know that you are loved beyond belief, that no ache or worry or thought is unknown to Him.
So...once again, we come into the presence of God, with all of our physical struggles and our sinfulness. We park our arks and discover that we are, if you will, we are all in the same boat. Thank God for this boat, the Church, that sustains us and heals us and carries us toward the fullness of life.

We are going to meet Sister Joseph Andrew today!

Today we had the delightful opportunity to meet Sister Joseph Andrew she is the vocations director and one of the founders of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Watch her interview on Friday's This is the Day! Learn more about the order by visiting the website www.sistersofMary.org

Steve Azar single shooting up the charts!

Steve Azar who was our first phone in guest for This is the Day has released a new CD and the single, You're My Life is shooting up the charts! Check it out!

Multi-Talented Miller Sisters To Be Interviewed On Catholic Talk Show

The Miller Sisters will be featured on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day” on February 13th. The trio includes Marie Miller, whose song “Cold” enjoyed a 4-month long run on the national charts, and Carol Lynn Miller, who was once determined to play division I soccer and Tess who is interested in musical theater. All three sisters are musicians.

The musical trio are from a family of ten children and were homeschooled . The three Catholic girls also host retreats and host a blog. Together, they play the mandolin, guitar, piano, and the bouzouki.

Tess Miller, the youngest of the 3 at age 17, is a multi-faceted performer, who like Marie, started at a young age. Because her goal has always been musical theater, Tess has studied acting and dancing in addition to music. Tess dreams of singing the role of Christine Daae in a major production of the Phantom of the Opera. With the Miller Sisters she sings, plays piano, and provides heavy doses of teenage energy.

These guests can be seen on Friday, February 13th live at 10:30AM (EST) on CatholicTV where available (rebroadcast at 8PM). The show will also be streamed live at www.CatholicTV.com and will be available on the site’s archives starting Friday night. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen.

The Miller Sisters’ website, a gathering place for Christ-centered sisterhood can be found at millersisterscafe.com

Recently, Jonathan Stampf appeared on This is the Day to discuss his new book. The book is entitled "Hear My Voice" it's a children's translation of the Sunday Gospel Readings for the Mass. Its a great resource for adults to use when discussing the readings with children. Each week you can visit their website to get a coloring page http://www.prayerpress.com/images/ColoringPage.gif

Jonathan shared a beatuiful picture of his daughters with their new friends, Miley the Bear and Ashley the Dog!

Follow CatholicTV on Twitter

Follow CatholicTV on Twitter!

This is my first blog entry. I am a novice when it comes to blogging so I am a bit nervous in this first attempt. I will mostly write about happenings at CatholicTV and about my experiences as a father of three children. I hope you enjoy my stories!

Stay tuned,

Jay

MLB Star Mike Sweeney , Former Miss America, and Transformers Actor to Pray the Rosary on Television

CatholicTV will debut a new production which features young adult celebrities praying the Rosary called “Rosary Stars”. The Rosary is a common way to pray for Catholics and usually includes the usage of a special beads called a Rosary to count the prayers.
CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television station headquartered near Boston.

“Rosary Stars: Praying the Gospel” features champion athletes, actors, film directors, TV hosts, recording stars, authors and lecturers who emphasize the power of daily prayer of the Rosary and encourage viewers to live the Mysteries of the Rosary daily.

This past weekend a screening took place at the Pacific Design Center in Hollywood, California. Future screenings of Rosary Stars are scheduled throughout the year.
This uplifting series features such stars as 2006 World Series pitcher Jeff Suppan; five-time Major League All-Star Mike Sweeney; actor Matthew Marsden (Rambo and the upcoming Transformer sequel Revenge of the Fallen; TV host Matt Gallant (Animal Planet’s The Planet’s Funniest Animals); humanitarian, author and Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza; and Ali Landry, an actor and former Miss America.

“Rosary Stars” includes personal reflections by all 21 celebrities, teaching tools, and a historical timeline of the Rosary. In addition, the celebrities pray a decade of the Rosary. All the features are designed to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Rosary and the Mysteries, especially among teenagers, young adults and families.

CatholicTV at Bishops Conference

We had the great opportunity to attend the Bishops Conference in November. During that meeting the Bishops established key objectives and elected a new Secretary and chairs of five committees.

CatholicTV's Kevin Nelson, conducted some wonderful interviews which you will have the chance to see on future episodes of This is the Day. These interviews included:

Archbishop Wuerl of Washington, DC

Bishop Gettelfinger of Indiana

Bishop Sam Jacobs of Houma Thibodaux

Bishop Tobin, Diocese of Providence

Bill Davies, Chairman of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting

Karey Nobles, producer of a documentary on Eucharistic Adoration entitled "Watch With Me" which will air soon on CatholicTV.

Mark Berchem and Christopher Kraker of National Evangelization Team Ministries.

Bishop Tobin, Diocese of Providence

Cardinal Sean

What a blessing to chat with these great people who shepherd our Church and share the Good News! There were so any others that we met and talked with, you can check our our magazine to see the schedule of the interview dates.