Catholic Students Will Fill the CatholicTV Studios During Catholic Schools Week

During the week of January 31-February 6, CatholicTV will host students from six different Catholic schools in honor of Catholic Schools Week.

During Catholic Schools Week, Catholic school and homeschooled students of many different ages will attend the live daily Mass at the CatholicTV studios and will serve as lectors and altar servers. In past years, students have made brief appearances on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day” during Catholic Schools Week.

On January 26^th, Sr. Janet Eisner, SND, President of Emmanuel College, (a Catholic college in Boston) will be interviewed live on “This is the Day” at 10:30AM ET. Sister Janet will be joined by students from the school. On that same day, Father Stephen Boyle, Emmanuel’s Chaplain will preside at the televised daily Mass.

Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

“Catholic Schools - Dividends for Life” is the theme selected for Catholic Schools Week 2010. According to Karen Ristau, NCEA president, “In these challenging times, the theme also reminds parents that the dividends of a Catholic school education—students prepared in faith, knowledge, morals and discipline—last a lifetime. There is no better way to invest in a child’s future—or the future of our world.”

CatholicTV produces and airs a catechetical game show called Wow: The CatholicTV Challenge (WOW). WOW is a children’s game show which energetically teaches viewers the Catholic faith. The show resembles the show Jeopardy!, yet has young contestants just like the show “Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader?” More information is available at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=137

CatholicTV Will Attend Diaconate Ordination in Boston

We will be at the Diaconate Ordination for the transitional diaconate tomorrow at 10am at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. Daniel Moloney, Guy Sciacca and Gregory Vozzo will be ordained.

Catholic Musician Sarah Hart Will Sing on CatholicTV

During the week February 1st, “The Commons”, a Catholic music show which airs on CatholicTV, will feature musician Sarah Hart. Sarah will sing the song “Renew” during the show.

The Commons airs each week at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at the following times (Eastern): Monday 6AM and 9:30PM, Thursday 2AM and 5PM, Saturday, 11:30AM and 9:30PM.

“The Commons”, is a coffee house-styled music show which includes performances by Catholic musicians such as Matt Maher, Sarah Hart, and others. The show also includes interviews of the musicians in which viewers can get a glimpse into the lives and spirituality of the musicians.

Sarah Hart is currently a staff songwriter for EMI-CMG Music in Nashville, TN and spiritandsong.com in Portland, OR. Her songs have been recorded by numerous artists such as: Robbie Seay, Matt Maher, 33 Miles, This Beautiful Republic, Sarah Reeves and Jaime Jamgochian. Her music has been featured in the television shows “Joan of Arcadia” and “Strong Medicine”, and the film “Coyote County Loser”. Sarah’s songs can be found in print in almost every Catholic church in the U.S. Sarah has also penned music for two musicals, and works as a songwriter and voiceover artist with the Tom Tichenor Children’s Theater in Nashville, TN. She is the recipient of six Unity awards for her work.

“The Commons” is produced by spiritandsong.com (a division of ocp). The Commons is a video showcase giving viewers an opportunity to experience candid conversations with intimate and unplugged performances by your favorite spiritandsong.com artists. Learn more about the artists, and Spirit and Song at http://www.spiritandsong.com/commons

"We've Got to Talk" Behind the Scenes

This footage was shot on January 27th in the CatholicTV studios on a Flip camera. This episode will air in the beginning of March 2010. Watch an episode of We've Got to Talk" now by visiting http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?SeriesID=77

Mass of Thanksgiving in Honor of Canonization of St. Damien of Molokai Will Air on CatholicTV From National Basilica

On January, 31^st, CatholicTV will air the Mass of Thanksgiving honoring the recent canonization of St. Damien of Molokai, a priest known for working with lepers in Hawaii. This Mass will take place at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

This Mass will air on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com at 3:30PM (Eastern) on January 31st, and will rebroadcast at noon the following day.

CatholicTV recently aired a memorial Mass celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the death of Servant of God Archbishop Fulton Sheen. CatholicTV also aired a thanksgiving Mass in honor of the canonization of St. Jeanne Jugan. Both of these Masses are available in the CatholicTV.com archives at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=111

St. Damien was a Catholic priest from Belgium and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a missionary religious order. He won recognition for his ministry to people with leprosy (known as Hansen's disease), who had been placed under a government-sanctioned medical quarantine on the island of Molokai in the Kingdom of Hawaii.

After sixteen years caring for the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of those in the leper colony, he eventually contracted and died of the disease, and is widely considered a "martyr of charity". He is the ninth person recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church to have lived, worked, and died in what is now the United States.

Rebuilding The Church Today and Women’s Conference Will Be Discussed on CatholicTV Talk Show

On February 2^nd, Cassandra Poppe, author, Director of Intercessories Ministry, and homeschooling mother of 5, will be interviewed live on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. Intercessories Ministry aims to rebuild the domestic church.

“This is the Day” airs at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at 10:30AM ET and is rebroadcast at 8PM.

On “This is the Day”, Cassandra will discuss Lenten Practice for families. She is known for coming up with the idea of making quilts with an image of the Rosary on them, which she uses as a tool to teach the Rosary to her young children. Cassandra has since written a book instructing people how to make their own Rosary quilts.

Cassandra is a Catholic columnist and author. Her writings have appeared in Catholic Digest, diocese newspapers, and in Catholic homeschooling publications such as Heart and Mind and the Keeping it Catholic newsletter. She and her husband, Jay, give talks on parenting, prayer, and their powerful conversion to the Roman Catholic faith.”

On January 29^th, the 2010 Boston Catholic Women’s Conference will be discussed on “This is the Day”. The conference has featured such speakers as Immaculée Ilibagiza, Kerri Caviezel (wife of actor Jim Caviezel), Kimberly Hahn and many others.

Jennifer Schiller, the coordinator for the Women’s conference will make an appearance on the show to talk about the conference. This year’s conference will feature former reality-star and model Leah Darrow, Patti Mansfield- an international Catholic speaker, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle- a friend of Blessed Mother Teresa’s, and Sister Olga Yaqob of the Eucharist- a religious sister from Iraq, who ministers on the campus of Boston University. The Conference will take place on February 27^th at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. To register, please visit http://catholicboston.com/index.php?content=tickets2010

These episodes of “This is the Day” will be available on the site’s archives starting the same night of the broadcast day. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

CatholicTV Will Air Vespers Service With Pope on Feast of Conversion of St. Paul

On Monday, January 25, CatholicTV will air the Celebration of Vespers presided over by Pope Benedict XVI from the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.

This Vespers service will air on CatholicTV cable outlets and on CatholicTV.com at 8PM and will be rebroadcast at noon the following day (all times Eastern).

This Vespers service takes place at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Each year the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches chooses a theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year, 2010, the theme is based on the biblical verse of Luke 24:48: You Are Witnesses of These Things. Honoring the Week of Prayer takes place between the feasts of Saints Peter and Paul. The week gives Christians an annual opportunity to continue to work towards unity which is already shared in Christ. It is also a time to gather in praise of the Triune God and to deepen the understanding of the ecumenical movement.

During the same feast in 2009, the Pope spoke of conversion in his homily saying, “one recognizes that this new journey cannot come from oneself. It consists in letting oneself be conquered by Christ. As St Paul says: "I am racing to grasp the prize if possible, since I have been grasped by Christ [Jesus]" (Phil 3: 12). Conversion demands our "yes", my "racing"; ultimately it is not my action, but a gift in letting myself be formed by Christ.”

CatholicTV regularly airs Papal and Vatican events: More information can be found at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=57

Support the Church in Latin America

The proceeds of the Collection for the Church in Latin America are distributed to dioceses, parishes and other Catholic institutions throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to provide assistance for the many pastoral needs of the region.

55-Year-Old CatholicTV Now Has 5000 Twitter Followers and 3000 Facebook Fans

As of January 19th, CatholicTV, which turned 55 on January 1st, 2010 has 5084 Twitter followers and 3015 Facebook fans. Both the 5000 and 3000 marks were crossed during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

CatholicTV started using Twitter and Facebook in 2009 and many employees have submitted “tweets”. The tweets keep fans of CatholicTV up to date on the daily happenings at CatholicTV and can range from simple events like “Father Reed is getting ready for Mass” to “CatholicTV just launched an iPhone app!”.

CatholicTV also uses Facebook, not only to announce news and events to “fans” but also to communicate and even receive ideas from fans. For instance, on January 18, 2010 one fan, Jeff Ferguson said “I would love to see this [a CatholicTV application] available for Android phones!”

Fr. Robert Reed, Director of CatholicTV sees CatholicTV and its viewers as a family. He recently said, “The CatholicTV Network is a unique family that stretches across the United States and among many viewers internationally at CatholicTV.com. The CatholicTV family is strengthened and informed by our elaborate and always fresh Facebook page and our very active Twitter account. We really like to keep people informed about what's coming up on CatholicTV.”

CatholicTV’s Twitter account can be found at http://twitter.com/CatholicTV

CatholicTV’s Facebook account can be found at www.Facebook.com/CatholicTV

The Eucharist Allows Kids to Hold God’s Hand? Children’s Author to Discuss on CatholicTV Talk Show

On January 22^nd, Carol Bannon, author of “Handshake From Heaven”, a children’s book about the Eucharist will appear on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”.

On January 26th, the guest for This is the Day will be Janet Eisner, the President of Emmanuel College, a private Catholic college in Boston, Masschusetts.

These live episodes of This is the Day will air at 10:30AM (Eastern) at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. These episodes will rebroadcast on the same day at 8PM.

In Carol Bannon’s book Handshake From Heaven, Bannon begins with the questions “can we touch God? Can we reach out and hold him close?” Sr. Dominica Brennan, OP, from the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minnesota called the book a “lovely faith-filled book parents can use to share their faith with their children.”

Sister Janet Eisner, SND is President of Emmanuel College in Boston, having served in this position since 1979. She is a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.

Sister Janet Eisner is a graduate of Emmanuel College and holds a Master of Arts degree from Boston College and her Ph.D. in English from the University of Michigan.

During her career, Sister Janet has influenced educational and public policy in Massachusetts and nationally. She has served on several national commissions for the American Council on Education, the Association of Governing Boards and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and on the Massachusetts Board of Regents of Higher Education. She has also chaired the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts

Sister Janet With Cardinal Sean O'Malley

These episodes will be available on the website’s archives starting the same night of the broadcast day. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

Respect for the Dignity of Human Life Is at the Heart of Catholic Life and Action

Last weekend the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provided us with an update on the current state of health care reform in the Congress of the United States. The bishops report that it is very possible that the bill to be sent to President Obama will be terribly flawed, because 1) it does away with a 33-year restriction on the funding of abortions by the federal government and 2) it provides no conscience protection for those who refuse to participate in an abortion for reasons of conscience. Though the Catholic Church has been an ardent and long-time advocate of health care reform, we will have to oppose such a bill. This is very sad.

Several months ago I had occasion to be at supper with a number of fellow Catholics. Not surprisingly, the subject of health care reform came up for discussion. During that conversation, one of my tablemates suggested that we might have to live with federally funded abortion in order to get a health care reform bill passed. The rest of the group concurred. I thought about that for a moment and asked, “Would we be willing to live with racial segregation in order to get a health care bill passed?” The group went mute. Three times I asked my question. It was never answered. Neither did my tablemates abandon their suggestion that we might need to tolerate federally funded abortion to achieve a health care reform bill.

From a Catholic perspective, racial segregation and abortion are moral evils. For that matter, so are blasphemy, stealing, calumny, adultery and a host of other actions that violate one’s self and one’s neigh-bor. According to Vatican Council II, activities like these are “infamies” that “poison human society” and “do more harm to those who practice them than those who suffer from the injury. Moreover, they are a supreme dishonor to the Creator” (Gaudium et Spes 27).

Is it ever acceptable to promote or tolerate an action that is morally evil, even as a means to a good end? No. Why? Because actions that are evil by their very nature, such as murder or the willful destruction of a person’s good reputation, can never be justified for any reason. They are inherently wrong or, as the moral law says, “intrinsically evil.” You can never call a bad action “good.” Abortion is always wrong.

Something interesting has happened in the past year. Last May a Gallup Poll reported that for the first time in recent years a majority of Americans (51%) are now calling themselves “pro-life” on the issue of abortion. This is stunning. When Gallup first asked the question in 1995, only 33% of Americans identi-fied themselves as pro-life. Something is changing.

The right to abortion cannot and will not remain the law of the land, because it is inherently wrong. Just as our natural goodness as Americans moved us to overturn the Dred Scott Decision of the Supreme Court, which denied African Americans their human rights by keeping them enslaved, so also will the wrong (not “right”) of legalized abortion be over-turned. It is only a matter of time. But time is of the essence. Tragically, 1.3 million abortions continue to be performed in the United States each year.

What can we do? Let me suggest three things. First, now that we pro-lifers are a majority in society, let us be more forceful with those who represent us in government. It is time we insist that we be truly represented at the federal, state and local levels. Speak up. Let those in elected office know you want them to make decisions that are decidedly pro-life. Second, if you have not yet communicated with your Senators and Representative in Congress on the current health care discussion, do that today. You can find the information you need in the flyer that is available at the doors of the church. Third, join us this Thursday evening, January 21, at 7:00 pm for a Holy Hour for Life. Friday marks the 37th anniversary of the dreadful Roe v. Wade decision of the Supreme Court that legalized abortion. Let us pray for an end to this specter over us and our society.

One day the Lord will ask each of us to tell him what we did for the least among us. By God’s grace and mutual encouragement may we be able to do just that.



(Monsignor William P. Fay is the Pastor of Saint Columbkille Parish in Brighton, MA and the former General Secretary for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

President of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston discusses devastation in Haiti

Tiziana Dearing, President of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Boston, appeared on This is the Day to give an update on the situation in Haiti. Ms. Dearing spoke of the ways that five million dollar commitment made by Catholic Relief Services would be raised. First people have donated online at CRS.org and over three million dollars has been raised. Secondly, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have authorized a special collection in all Catholic parishes for the upcoming weekend.

As of today, CRS is increasing its original $5 funding commitment and is planning an emergency response with an expectation of raising $25 million from its generous supporters for its relief effort.

Most, but not all, CRS staff already based in Haiti have been accounted for. Those serving fear more building collapses, are sleeping and working outdoors while marshaling relief supplies for delivery to Haiti's earthquake survivors.

Tiziana visited Haiti just six weeks ago and fears for the safety of her colleagues and the people of Haiti who extended such warm hospitality. She shared that Boston has the 3rd largest population of Haitians in the US and Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese has set up counseling resources for those mourning loved ones and those who are still trying to locate family and friends in Haiti. Visit http://www.ccab.org/help-haiti.html to learn more.

Watch Tiziana Dearing appearance on This is the Day:

Catholic Rap This Morning on This is the Day

Brother Jewel Aytona from the Fathers of Mercy did some beat-boxing, rapping, and singing during the live show today. He and His brother Deacon Joseph (pictured below) were also at the CatholicTV Daily Mass today

http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?SeriesID=72

Nationwide Catholic Response To Haiti Earthquake Will be Discussed on CatholicTV Talk Show

On Friday, January 15th, support for victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti will be discussed on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. Tiziana Dearing, President of Catholic Charities in Boston will appear on the show to discuss the response to the earthquake. This response includes a $5 million commitment by Catholic Relief Services and a nationwide effort to raise funds for victims via a special collection at Catholic parishes.

This episode of “This is the Day” will air online at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at 10:30AM ET.

Mrs. Dearing will discuss the call to parishes across the nation for a second collection at Masses during the weekend of January 16 and 17, 2010.

This call originated from a letter from Cardinal Francis George of Chicago and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York. The two wrote a letter to bishops asking them to “encourage your pastors to take up a second collection for the people and Church of Haiti this weekend, January 16 and 17, 2010.”

The letter went on to say: “Catholic Relief Services is already mounting a major emergency response to this severe disaster and has committed an initial $5 million to fund relief efforts which are likely to go on for some time. Your help and the help of the Catholic people of the United States are urgently needed.”

In addition, Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston announced that Catholic Charities Boston is actively engaged in working with the local Haitian community to assist families locally who have loved ones impacted by the earthquake. Additional information may be found at www.CCAB.org

Across the United States prayers and collections are being offered in support of those who have died and those who are waiting to hear from loved ones.
On Friday, the 15th , Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist for Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, to remember those who lost their lives or are suffering in any way due to the earthquake in Haiti at 6:30PM. Mass will be celebrated in English and Haitian Creole

CatholicTV Will Air Youth Rally and Mass For Life at 2010 March For Life

On Friday, January 22nd, CatholicTV will air coverage of the Mass for Life and Youth Rally from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Both the Mass and rally are part of the March For Life events. The Youth Rally televised by CatholicTV will feature Matt Maher, Jesse Manibusan, and Steve Angrisano.

The Mass for Life will air at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at 11AM and will be rebroadcast at 8:30PM(all times Eastern). The Youth Rally will air at 4:30PM.

The principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass for Life will be Archbishop Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. with bishops and priests from around the nation concelebrating. Response to attend the Mass has been overwhelming; as a result there are seven other churches in the area which will also host the people who are in D.C. to participate in the March for Life.

Also on January 22nd, CatholicTV will air a pro-life documentary called "A People of Life" at 3:30PM. “A People of Life” explores what it means to be pro-life and looks at the pro-life issues: abortion, euthanasia and stem-cell research in both the U.S. and Canada, and focuses on the work done by the Knights of Columbus in these areas. “A People of Life” includes interviews with Supreme Knight, Carl Anderson; March for Life Founder, Nellie Gray; Project Rachel Founder, Vicki Thorn, Congressman Bart Stupak, and President of Life-Athletes, Chris Godfrey, among others.

On January 19th, Fr. Frank Pavone will be featured in an interview on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. This will air at 10:30AM and will be rebroadcast at 8PM. Fr. Pavone is the founder and National Director of Priests For Life.

Bishops Mourn Devastation in Haiti, Urge Special Collection January 16-17

Give Generously to Support the Church's Relief Efforts in Haiti this Weekend, January 16-17, in Your Parish

The Church mourns the terrible suffering of the people of Haiti, and parishes across the country are urged to take up a special collection the weekend of January 16-17 for the humanitarian efforts of the U.S. bishops and Catholic Relief Service (CRS) in Haiti, according to a January 13 letter to Catholic bishops of the United States from Cardinal Francis George of Chicago and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York.

Cardinal George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Archbishop Dolan, chair of CRS board, said the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that ravaged Haiti "destroyed countless homes, churches, seminaries, schools, and other buildings and has left millions without the most basic necessities of life. Our faith compels us to pray for and reach out to our brothers and sisters in their time of suffering."

Fr. Frank Pavone Interview Will Air on CatholicTV

On January 19th, CatholicTV will air an interview of Fr. Frank Pavone. Fr. Pavone is one of the most well-known pro-life activists in the world. He is the Director of the organization “Priests For Life”. Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” of the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade abortion decision, called Fr. Pavone “the catalyst that brought me into the Catholic Church.”.

During his interview with CatholicTV’s Senior Producer Kevin Nelson, Fr. Pavone spoke about the establishment of Priests For Life and how it came into being as well as other topics.

Priests for Life has been praised by Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, John Cardinal O’Connor and many others.

Fr. Pavone’s interview will air during the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day” on Tuesday, January 19th. “This is the Day” will air at 10:30AM (Eastern) and will be rebroadcast at 8PM the same day. The show will be viewable on CatholicTV cable outlets and CatholicTV.com

Also on January 19th and in support of the March For Life, CatholicTV will air a special Mass from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame campus. This Mass will be a special send-off to University of Notre Dame participants in the 36th annual March for Life on January 22, 2010.

The Mass will air live on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com at 9PM on January 19th.

On Friday, January 22nd, CatholicTV will air coverage of the Mass for Life and Youth Rally from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Both the Mass and rally are part of the March for Life events. The Youth Rally televised by CatholicTV will feature Matt Maher, Jesse Manibusan, and Steve Angrisano.

The Mass for Life will air on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com at 11AM and will be rebroadcast at 8:30PM. The Youth Rally will air at 4:30PM and will be rebroadcast at noon on Saturday.

A prayer for Haiti from Catholic Relief Services

Let Us Pray

God of all creation, as we weep with our family in Haiti, console us.

In this time of crisis, open our eyes to look beyond the disaster
to see Christ in our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as Christ sees us.

Be with all creation; strengthen us in solidarity with those living and working in Haiti. All creation returns to you in mourning and your grace guides our efforts to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the grieving and stand for justice.

With your mercy, sustain us at this time
as we continue to work for peace and justice.

Amen.

Notre Dame Swim Coach Tim Welsh Will Be Interviewed on CatholicTV

On Tuesday, January 19th, Tim Welsh, Head Coach of Swimming and Diving at the University of Notre Dame will be interviewed on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”.

This episode of “This is the Day” will stream live at CatholicTV.com at 10:30AM ET on January 19th. The same episode will also air live on CatholicTV channels and associated Catholic stations throughout the US and Canada.

A 1966 graduate of Providence College, Welsh has served as a head coach in the collegiate ranks for the past 32 seasons - Johns Hopkins (eight years) and Notre Dame (24 years) - after previously serving as an assistant coach at Syracuse. He has accumulated a 416-250-1 (.624) record, including a 294-160 (.648) mark since joining the Irish in 1985.

Coach Welsh will discuss his recently released book “Coach Them Well, Fostering Faith and Developing Character in Athletes.” Other contributors to the book in include Dale Brown, David Cutcliffe, and Kelly Herrmann. “Coach Them Well” contains the reflections of these college coaches' on the ministry of coaching. Each reflection contains the faith story of each coach as well as the insight gained through more than one hundred years of combined coaching experience. “Coach Them Well” is published by St. Mary’s Press

Over the span of his head-coaching career, Coach Welsh has helped lead his teams to two national championships, coming in 1978 and '79 with Division III Johns Hopkins.
Welsh has also received personal accolades as well during his years as head coach, including being named Division III National Coach of the Year ('79) as well as BIG EAST Coach of the Year on four occasions ('99, '04, '05, '08).

Along with being presented with the Distinguished Service Award, the College Swimming Coaches Association (CSCAA) also named Welsh as the Division I men's representative on the Board of Directors. This will mark the second consecutive year in which Welsh has served in that capacity for the CSCAA. In September of 2009 he was named president of American Swimming Coaches Association.

The show will be available on the CatholicTV.com archives starting the same night of the broadcast day. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

Special Mass at Notre Dame Basilica For March For Life Participants to Air Live on CatholicTV

On Tuesday, January 19th , CatholicTV will air a special Mass from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame campus. This Mass will be a special send-off to University of Notre Dame participants in the 36th annual March for Life on January 22, 2010.

The Mass will air live on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com at 9PM Eastern. CatholicTV broadcasts across the US on Sky Angel and selected cable outlets in New England, in Chattanooga (TN) CatholicTV is available on Fi TV channel 153. To find out where to watch in your area visit: http://www.CatholicTV.com/schedule/where-to-watch.aspx

Bishop John D’Arcy (who will by then be Bishop Emeritus) will celebrate and Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades will preside and offer remarks at the conclusion of Mass. Blessings will be given to the participants and to Father Jenkins, CSC, President of the University, who is leading the delegation from the University to participate in the march.

Bishop Rhoades will be installed as the Ninth Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana on Wednesday January 13th. The installation will air on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com at 9:30PM that same day.

On January 19th, Fr. Frank Pavone will be featured in an interview on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. This will air at 10:30AM and will be rebroadcast at 8PM. Fr. Pavone is the founder and National Director of Priests For Life.

On Friday, January 22nd, CatholicTV will air coverage of the Mass for Life and Youth Rally from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Both the Mass and rally are part of the March For Life events. The Youth Rally televised by CatholicTV will feature Matt Maher, Jesse Manibusan, and Steve Angrisano.

The Mass for Life will air on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com at 11AM and will be rebroadcast at 8:30PM. The Youth Rally will air at 4:30PM and noon on Saturday.

Installation Mass of New Bishop of Fort Wayne/South Bend, Indiana Will Air on CatholicTV

On Wednesday, January 13th, CatholicTV will air the installation Mass of the new Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend, Indiana, Bishop Kevin Rhoades whose last assignment was bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA.

Bishop Rhoades is originally from Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania and studied at the Gregorian University in Rome. He studied Spanish in Spain and has experience working in Spanish-speaking apostolates. He was also a professor at St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland. This experience as a professor should come in handy in the Diocese of Fort Wayne, where there are five Catholic universities or colleges including the University of Notre Dame.

Bishop Rhoades’ installation Mass will air at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at 9:30PM Eastern. The Installation Mass will take place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

On Tuesday, January 19th, CatholicTV will air a special Mass from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame campus. The Mass will be a special send-off to University of Notre Dame participants in the 36th annual March for Life on January 22, 2010. Bishop Rhoades and Bishop Emeritus D’Arcy will concelebrate this Mass which will air live at 9PM Eastern.

The Patriot News from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania said of Bishop Rhoades, “It is Rhoades’ style that sets him apart. He is often likened to his mentor, Cardinal William Keeler, a former Harrisburg bishop who went on to develop a worldwide reputation for addressing conflict through dialogue, particularly in interfaith relations….Rhoades became the youngest bishop in the country when he was ordained at 46 in 2004.”

CatholicTV airs Sunday Mass from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame campus each Sunday at 10AM Eastern. These Masses are archived each week also and can be viewed now at: http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=12&videoID=507
CatholicTV broadcasts across the US on Sky Angel and selected cable outlets in New England, in Chattanooga (TN) CatholicTV is available on Fi TV channel 153. To find out where to watch CatholicTV visit: http://www.CatholicTV.com/schedule/where-to-watch.aspx

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network streaming a live feed 24 hours a day at CatholicTV.com. Heeding Pope Benedict XVI's call to greater utilize the power of television and new media, the CatholicTV Network features its cable TV station, Catholic web site, mobile apps and widget. Celebrate Mass online; pray The Rosary; enjoy programs on prayer, the saints, the Scriptures and the Catholic Church on America's Catholic Television Network.

The Filming of "House+Home" at the Jeanne Jugan Residence

This footage was taken on January 7th, 2010 in Somerville, MA.

CatholicTV.com Now Has Over 1000 Catholic Videos Available

Each day, new videos are added onto the website CatholicTV.com and during New Year’s week, the number of videos at CatholicTV.com reached over 1000.

Most of the videos are full-length episodes of Catholic programs produced by CatholicTV. These videos include the Daily Mass, Papal Programming, the live talk show “This is the Day”, the Catholic game show “Wow: The CatholicTV Challenge”, “Catholic Newsbreak”, and many others.

CatholicTV is a non-profit corporation whose primary mission is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of this, CatholicTV offers what many networks do not- full-length episodes of its programming free of charge on its website without paid advertising. All videos at CatholicTV.com are viewable in full-screen.

The CatholicTV broadcast streams 24 hours per day at CatholicTV.com and features shows starring nationally-known Catholics such as Fr. Benedict Groeschel and Fr. Robert Barron of Word on Fire.

CatholicTV.com also is an expansive online resource for catechesis. CatholicTV.com has full-length original production videos of teachings on the Discernment of Spirits, a catechetical game show called “Wow: The CatholicTV Challenge”, a show which teaches about Catholic marriage called “The Future Depends on Love”, and much more.

In addition to archived shows and the live streaming video, CatholicTV.com offers blogs, links to podcasts, a sign-up for a free monthly magazine, and more. CatholicTV.com even has an online store which sells everything from DVD’s, to rosaries, books, bibles, statues, and much more. Every dollar spent at CatholicTV.com helps to support CatholicTV which receives no funding from the local Archdiocese and relies largely on private donations.

National Vocation Awareness Week To Be Celebrated on CatholicTV With Special Guests and Programming

During the week of January 10-16th, CatholicTV will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week with special programming including the appearance of Vocations Directors and promoters on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day” and special programming promoting vocations.

On January 8th, Father Jack Butler, S.J., Director of Vocations for the New England Province of Jesuits will appear on the live program “This is the Day” at 10:30AM Eastern.

On January 12th, Brother Tony Stephens, C.P.M,Vocation Director of the Fathers of Mercy will appear on the live program “This is the Day” at 10:30AM Eastern.

On January 15th, Brothers Jewel and Joseph Aytona, C.P.M., co-founders of Family Vocation Ministries, will appear on “This is the Day” also at 10:30AM Eastern.

Jerry Usher, the founder of Vocation Boom! was interviewed on “This is the Day” on January 1st regarding the vocations initiative. His interview can be seen now at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72&videoID=158

Steve and Joni Abdalla, the creators of dolls which are meant to promote openness to vocations, were also interviewed on “This is the Day” on January 5th. Their interview is viewable at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72&videoID=45

Each week, CatholicTV promotes Catholic vocations through a special television programming block called “The Call”. “The Call” highlights various religious orders and explores all church vocations including consecrated life and marriage. “The Call” airs each week at the following times (Eastern): Tuesday, 12:30 PM; Wednesday 6:00 AM; Friday 9:00AM; Sunday 11:30PM

During the week of January 10-16th , a program focusing on the vocation of the priesthood will air during “The Call” programming block.

More information on “The Call” is available at: http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=145

The observance of National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) began in 1976 when the Bishops’ Conference designated the 28th Sunday of the year as the beginning of NVAW. In 1997 this celebration was moved to coincide with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord since his baptism initiated his public ministry.

CatholicTV Will Air Papal Visit of Rome Synagogue Amidst Controversy over Pope Pius XII

Synagogue of Rome

On January 17th, CatholicTV will air coverage of Pope Benedict’s visit to the Synagogue of Rome. CatholicTV will also air the Mass of the Baptism of the Lord from the Sistine Chapel on January 10th.

These events will both be viewable at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV where available at noon and rebroadcast at 8PM (Eastern). CatholicTV broadcasts across the US on Sky Angel channel 142 and select cable outlets. Information about where to watch CatholicTV in your area is available at http://www.CatholicTV.com/schedule/where-to-watch.aspx.

The Pope’s visit of the Synagogue of Rome has generated significant interest from the media and from Jewish and Catholic groups due to the Pope’s recent declaration of Pope Pius XII as Venerable.

On December 23rd, Catholic News Service reported that “Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said in a statement Dec. 23. Given Pope Benedict's respect for Jews, his signing of a decree of the "heroic virtues" of Pope Pius "should in no way be seen as a hostile act against the Jewish people," it said.”

Venerable Pope Pius XII

CatholicTV recently aired a documentary on Pope Pius XII called “A Hand of Peace: Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust” which details the papacy of Venerable Pope Pius XII.

Additionally, CatholicTV will broadcast “In Spite of Darkness”, a film by Father Christof Wolf S.J., of Loyola Productions Munich, Germany. The film, winner of the Redemptive Storyteller Award 2008 , shares the experience of an interfaith retreat which is held at the notorious Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps in Poland, where more than 1 million people, nearly all of them European Jews, were exterminated by the Nazis. The retreat participants include, a Rabbi, an atheist, and a Catholic priest—and how they come face to face not only with their own vulnerabilities and complicity but with new strength, peace, and glimmers of hope.

CatholicTV regularly airs Papal and Vatican events: More information can be found at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=57

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network streaming a live feed 24 hours a day at CatholicTV.com. Heeding Pope Benedict XVI's call to greater utilize the power of television and new media, the CatholicTV Network features its cable TV station, Catholic web site, mobile apps and widget. Celebrate Mass online; pray The Rosary; enjoy programs on prayer, the saints, the Scriptures and the Catholic Church on America's Catholic Television Network.

Denver and Rockford, Illinois Dioceses as Well as Others Add CatholicTV Widget To Their Websites

The CatholicTV widget has been added to Denver’s Archdiocesan website, the Rockford, Illinois Diocesan website, and many other sites as word continues to spread about the widget.

The CatholicTV widget (called CatholicTVjr) is a video player with over 30 different television programs each with as many as 27 full episodes of Catholic programming. The widget can be added to any website. CatholicTV offers a customizable version of this widget for any website at no charge. CatholicTV is a non-profit corporation.

News of the widget immediately intrigued journalists. Stories about CatholicTVjr were written by the Associated Press, the Boston Globe website, and many others.

The CatholicTV widget was originally designed with parish and diocesan websites in mind, but the widget has been added to many different types of sites. Some of the sites which have added the widget include:

Catholic Mountain the Catholic Website For Men www.Catholicmountain.com

The Denver Archdiocese Website http://www.archden.org

The Rockford, IL Diocese Website http://www.rockforddiocese.org/
CatholicMom.com http://new.catholicmom.com/faith/catholic-news/

The Life Teen and Edge Website of Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Rocklin, CA http://edge-sspeter-paul-net.ecatholicchurches.com/index.cfm?load=page&page=936

The Website of Holy Spirit Church in Atlanta, GA http://www.hsccatl.com/CatholicTV.aspx

The Website of Sacred Heart Parish in Middleboro, MA http://www.sacredheart-middleboro.org/news-events.html

The Catholic Blog by Fr. Austin Fleming http://concordpastor.blogspot.com

The Parish Website of St. Mary’s in Winchester, MA http://www.stmary-winchester.org/parish_info-2.html

Archdiocese of Pondicherry in Pondicherry, India: http://www.archdiocesepondicherry.com/catholic.html

More information including how to add the CatholicTV widget CatholicTVjr to any website can be found at www.CatholicTVjr.com.

Jesuit and Fathers of Mercy Vocation Directors to Appear on CatholicTV

In the continuing spirit of Vocation Awareness Week, CatholicTV will feature 2 different Vocation Directors on the CatholicTV live talk show “This is the Day”. Fr. Jack Butler (pictured above), Director of Vocations for the New England Province of the Jesuits will appear on January 8th, while Fr. Tony Stephens, Vocation Director of the Fathers of Mercy will appear on January 12th.

“This is the Day” streams live at CatholicTV.com and is also viewable on CatholicTV where available, to find out what channel in your area please visit: http://www.catholictv.com/schedule/where-to-watch.aspx. The show will air live during the above dates at 10:30AM ET, will rebroadcast at 8PM the same day, and will also be added to the CatholicTV.com archives.

Jack Butler, S.J. also works as a campus minister at Boston College, where there is a center for vocational discernment called Manresa. The primary purpose of Manresa

House is to promote vocations to the Catholic Church. Every person has a specific call from God, whether it is priestly, religious, married or single life. Manresa hosts vocational discernment weekend visits to help students discover their vocation. College president Fr. William Leahy, SJ, also holds monthly discussion groups for those considering ministerial priesthood.

Fr. Jack Butler grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and entered the Society of Jesus in 1991. Fr. Butler is trained in counseling and has worked in prison ministry, hospitals treatment centers, the education apostolate, and formation within the Society.

Fr. Tony Stephens, C.P.M. was born in 1976 and is a native of Angelus, Kansas. In 1999, Fr. Tony graduated from Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia. Discerning a call to religious life and the priesthood, he joined the Fathers of Mercy in 2000. He studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and was ordained a priest in 2005.

Father Tony Stephens

The Society of Jesus a.k.a. the “Jesuits” is the largest male religious order in the Catholic Church, with over 18,000 members. The founder of the Jesuits was St. Ignatius of Loyola.

The Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy was founded in 1808, originally under the title of "the Missionaries of France." It is now an exclusively American community, headquartered in Kentucky. The primary apostolate of the Fathers of Mercy is to conduct parish missions and retreats in an effort to re-evangelize and revitalize the faith of those who hear.

These episodes of “This is the Day” will be available on the site’s archives starting the same night of the broadcast day. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

Conversations with Archbishop Kurtz

The January episode of Conversations with Archbishop Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky will air at 10pm on Tuesday January 5, 2010 on CathtolicTV. The show features an ongoing conversation with Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz about the Archdiocese of Louisville, his involvement with the larger Church (both nationally and globally), and issues of faith in general. Reed Yadon serves as the host and conversation partner with the Archbishop in this monthly 30-minute show.

The first episode of 2010 welcomes in the New Year along with an overview of the Archbishop’s recent involvement at the November meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops(USCCB). Archbishop Kurtz serves as treasurer of the USCCB and is the committee chairman of the Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage. In his role as treasurer, Archbishop Kurtz requested a three-percent increase in the diocesan assessment to support the activities of the USCCB. Since 1998 the assessment has remained the same and the increase request was approved by the Bishops. Archbishop Kurtz, shares with viewers that the body of work by the USCCB supports the work of the local church.

CatholicTV is privileged to include the Conversations show as part of “From the Chair” programming block. “From the Chair” was established to feature Bishops sharing their ministry and experiences with the wide audience of CatholicTV. The CatholicTV network broadcasts across the US on Sky Angel, in the New England region on Comcast, Verizon, Full Channel, RCN and in Chattanooga(TN) on FiTV.

The Conversations series began airing in April of 2009. Topics include Archbishop Kurtz's vocation story, his experiences and impressions since arriving at the Archdiocese nearly two years ago, his national involvement with the Bishops' Conference, and organizations such as Catholic Relief Services. Viewers have the opportunity to send comments and questions that may be incorporated into the conversation by e-mailing conversations@archlou.org.

The show airs in the Louisville (KY) area on Channel 19, an interfaith religious cable television ministry, available to subscribers of Insight Cable in the Louisville area. Established in 1987, this unique channel was made possible through a generous grant from the Mary and Barry Bingham Sr. fund. Channel 19 is operated by the unique partnership of the Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville, The Baptist Consortium and the Kentuckiana Interfaith Community.


From the Chair airs on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com on Tuesdays at 10:00 PM, Saturdays at 3:30 PM and Sundays at 12:30PM.