Fr. Werenfried van Stratten
On June 19th, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the concluded in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father from June 9-11, 2010. These events were televised by CatholicTV and may be viewed on-demand at CatholicTV.com.
To continue honoring the ministry of the ordained ministry CatholicTV has established a new programming block entitled “Priests Among Us”. This block, which begins in July will feature priests engaged in a variety of ministries. CatholicTV is honored to dedicate programming related to priests.
Priests Among Us will include some documentaries such as the amazing story of Fr. Werenfried van Stratten, a Dutch priest who started his priesthood working with poor German refugees after World War II and later founded the organization Aid to the Church in Need, which helps the less fortunate in over 145 countries.
In July, Priests Among Us will also feature the story of Fr. Erich Fink entitled “From Russia With Love”. Fr. Erich is from Southern Germany, where he had always dreamed of going to Russia. He now serves the Eastern-most parish in Europe in the city of Berezniki, Russia.
“From Russia With Love” details Fr. Erich’s journey to the icy-cold city of Berezniki. Berezniki is a town with about 200,000 inhabitants. Fr. Erich says that upon arriving, he found Berezniki “a communist, atheist creation with no signs of religious practice except one Orthodox Church.” Needless to say, Fr. Erich faces major challenges as a priest there.
He faces his challenges with great joy though. For example, From Russia with Love includes an interview with the mayor of Berezniki, who first met Fr. Erich on the public transport. There, Fr. Erich was smiling and giving out candy to the children.
Each week starting in July, Priests Among Us will air at the following times: Monday 8 p.m.; Fri 5:30 a.m.; & Sat 11:30 p.m. (all time Eastern)
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