Fr. Reed on the Upcoming Lenten Season

Here we go again; Lent is just around the corner. I must admit, I sort of like Lent. It’s a sparse and unique season; it has a great prize at its end. Let’s face it…we’re dying for spring, and Easter and new Life. I mean, we are literally dying!

So, here we go again. Our annual season of owning up to sin, of asking God to help us change our lives. A time of self denial, of giving and of prayer for a better life. Perhaps you are aware that the word ‘Lent’ comes from the old English word for Spring, ‘Lenten’ or ‘lengthen’ – so called because the days get longer, the darkness recedes and there is more light. So, these forty days are a perfect chance to become more like Jesus Who is the light of our world; to become more what we were created to be…to develop a deep friendship with the God who created us. And the Lord reminds us of three ways to do just that: fasting, giving alms and prayer.

As you know, it all begins with ashes. Let’s not forget that this sign imposed on our heads is really a call to interior change and a reminder that life in this world is finite, but God is eternal. Herein lies the great opportunity of these coming forty days: come back to Jesus; live more as He lived this life…always with the hope that we will live with Him in glory!

So, however you get from ashes to Easter, that will be up to you this year. Really try to make this Lent a time when you become more like the Lord Jesus. Don’t be afraid to change and to you offer yourself, your life to God and to those around you. Lent is a wonderful opportunity. Go to www.CatholicTV.com/Lent for all of the CatholicTV Network's Lenten Programming information.

Catholic Comedian Nick Alexander to Appear on CatholicTV Talk Show

On March 19^th, Catholic comedian and musician Nick Alexander will appear on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”.

Nick is a dynamic Catholic-Charismatic-Christian comedian/worship-leader/speaker. He has three comedy albums out and also approaches his audience in a way that is engaging, funny, heartfelt, and effective.

This is the Day airs at 10:30AM ET at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. The show is rebroadcast at 7:30PM. The show is hosted by the Director of the CatholicTV Network, Father Robert Reed, and General Manager, Jay Fadden.

Nick’s career began in college when he began writing and performing worship songs with a college ministry group. Out of the blue, Nick was inspired to write a parody to Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll," influenced, no doubt, by his teen fascination with Weird Al Yankovic. "It wasn’t meant to be recorded," Nick says, "it was meant as a joke.” Nick continued to write comical tunes when he had the time. His focus, however, was still on serving in various worship settings.

Late one night, he played some of his parody tunes for some other musicians and was caught completely off guard by their reaction. "The response to these parodies was so over and beyond what I had initially expected," he remembers. "It was as if the entire group literally forced me to reckon with this talent that I had very comfortably buried. And right away I saw the possibilities of standing out in a crowd, and of finding comedy that uplifts, teaches, and is respectful of our faith.”

Author Kerry Weber will also be interviewed on This is the Day. Kerry wrote the book “Keeping the Faith: Prayers For College Students”, which she plans to talk about on the show. Kerry was Associate Editor of Catholic Digest magazine for three years before she began her present graduate studies at the School of Journalism, Columbia University.

An excerpt from the beginning of her book says: “Here, in this chapel, in the presence of God, I was no longer a nameless freshman, walking in a wandering herd. I bore no label. I was still scared, unsure, and looking for the place where I fit in; but I was no longer alone. God knew me, knew why I was here, and felt no need to make small talk about my major or my hometown.”

So begins this book of very realistic prayers about college life. Kerry expresses all the familiar emotions, all the highs and lows, all the fears and dreams that every college student experiences. She learned early on in her own college life that she couldn’t cope without God’s guidance and she clung to her faith to see her through. She makes a compelling case for staying close to God from the first unfamiliar days on campus, to the moment of graduation.

CatholicTV and Catholic Relief Services Team Up For Operation Rice Bowl

During Lent, CatholicTV will air videos promoting Operation Rice Bowl (ORB), a Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program which helps the poor overseas as well as in the United States. Some of the videos were shot in the countries where CRS is focusing much of its efforts.

The ORB promotional videos will air at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV throughout the season of Lent.

ORB began in 1975 in the Diocese of Allentown, PA as a response to the drought in the African Sahel. For 34 years, ORB has called participants to pray with their families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; learn about the global community and the challenges of poverty overseas, and give sacrificial contributions to those in need. CRS’ website offers a detailed Lenten schedule full of fasting, praying, and almsgiving on their website at http://orb.crs.org/.

Seventy-five percent of ORB gifts will go to CRS to help farmers in Bolivia receive training to improve crop yields, children in Afghanistan gain more opportunities for quality education, communities in Ethiopia access reliable water sources even during times of drought, and fund many other vital projects.

25% of what’s raised in the Operation Rice Bowl stays within each (arch)diocese to support local hunger and poverty alleviation efforts.

Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe. Since then, we have expanded in size to reach more than 100 million people in more than 100 countries on five continents. The mission of CRS is to assist impoverished and disadvantaged people overseas, working in the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching to promote the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person. Although our mission is rooted in the Catholic faith, our operations serve people based solely on need, regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity. Within the United States, CRS engages Catholics to live their faith in solidarity with the poor and suffering of the world.

As the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community, CRS is governed by a Board of Directors made up of clergy, most of them bishops, religious and Catholic lay men and women.

Lent and Easter Programming Will Include James Dean, Servant of God Fulton Sheen, and Pope Benedict on CatholicTV

Lent will begin on February 17^th (Ash Wednesday) and that marks the beginning of special Lenten programming on CatholicTV. This special programming will include “Hill Number One”, the film in which James Dean made his film debut. The Lenten programming will also include programs starring Fulton Sheen. Coverage of Vatican events with Pope Benedict XVI will also be a part of the Lenten and Holy Week on CatholicTV.

This Lenten programming can be seen via live stream at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV.

Programming Highlights For Lent and Easter include (all times Eastern):

Ash Wednesday Mass with Pope Benedict XVI- Feb.17 at noon & 8PM

Daily reflections by CatholicTV Network Director, Father Robert Reed based on the Christus Publishing book, A Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ and St. Thérèse of Lisieux

The Fifth Gospel: The Land and Sea of Galilee - Filmed in the Holy Land, narrated by Mike Farrell, the Fifth Gospel connects us to the locations where Jesus lived and taught Feb. 22-28 Tue 11:30AM, Wed 5AM, Fri 8AM, Sun 10:30PM

Hill Number One- A respectful interpretation of what might have happened among Jesus' followers in the three days before the crucifixion. James Dean plays the role of “John”. Mar.22-28; Mon-2PM Tues-10:30PM Wed-4PM; Thurs-6:30AM Fri-9:30PM Sat-10:30AM

Lenten Musical Concert with Catholic Singer Tajci- Tajci sings about the crucifixion along with cellist Janel Leppin and singer Sanya Mateyas. Holy week schedule Mon-2PM Tues-10:30PM Wed-4PM; Thurs-6:30AM Fri-9:30PM Sat-10:30AM

A Path to Glory- Msgr. Zenz from the Archdiocese of Detroit hosts this series presenting each Sunday Gospel for Lent portrayed by actors, followed by a theological reflection. Every week- Mon 4AM Wed-10:30AM Thurs 2:30PM Fri-11:30 AM

Stations of the Cross- From the CatholicTV chapel on Fridays at 3:30AM, noon, 6PM

CatholicTV will air special programming from the Vatican, Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, and Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart during Holy Week including:

Palm Sunday Mass (March 28^th) Vatican Noon & 8PM; Notre Dame 10AM

Chrism Mass (March 30^th) Cathedral of the Holy Cross Boston 11AM & 4PM

Holy Thursday (April 1^st) Vatican Chrism Mass 3PM; Cathedral of the Holy Cross Boston Liturgy 8PM (Coverage begins at 7:30PM)

Good Friday (April 2) Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion 3PM, Vatican Good Friday Service 5PM & Way of the Cross 8PM. Also a Good Friday special hosted by Fulton Sheen will air at 11AM.

Easter Vigil (April 3^rd) Vatican 4PM, Boston 8PM & Rebroadcast 3:30AM

Easter Sunday (April 12^th) Notre Dame Mass 10AM, Vatican Noon; Boston 7PM; Vatican again at 8PM.

Fr. Gawrych Will Discuss 40 Reflections For 40 Days of Lent During Live CatholicTV Interview

On February 19th, Fr. Andrew Gawrych, CSC will be interviewed on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. Fr. Andrew and Kevin Grove, C.S.C. edited the book “The Gift of the Cross: Lenten Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition”. During his interview, Fr. Andrew will discuss the Lenten season as well as the book and the reflections it contains.

This is the Day airs at 10:30AM EST at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV.

Fr. Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C. was ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2008. He currently serves at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona. He and Kevin Grove, C.S.C, edited the book The Cross, Our Only Hope: Daily Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition.

Following on the success of The Cross, Our Only Hope, “The Gift of the Cross: Lenten Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition offers daily reflections written by different members of the Holy Cross community and places a finger on the pulse of the congregation's spirituality. Lenten wisdom and moving stories emerge from the ministry of priests, brothers, and sisters including Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., and Mary Ellen Vaughan, C.S.C.

Episodes of “This is the Day” are 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

CEO of Canada’s First Catholic TV Network to Offer Lenten Reflections on CatholicTV

Father Tom Rosica, former CEO and National Director of World Youth Day 2002 will present his Lenten Reflections each week during Lent on CatholicTV. Also offering Lenten Reflections will be Father Richard Erikson, a former Air Force Chaplain who holds 3 Master’s degrees and a P.H.D. in sociology.

"As part of special Lenten programming, CatholicTV will air Lenten Reflections by Fr. Tom Rosica. Father Rosica is the CEO of Salt + Light Television, Canada's first national Catholic Television Network. He is a priest of the Congregation of St. Basil. Father Rosica is renowned in Catholic media and was appointed by Pope Beneidct XVI as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in February, 2009."


In his Lenten Reflections, Fr. Rosica packs as much Catholic spirituality and insight into his 5-minute long reflections as possible. Each reflection begins with a slow chorus singing “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom”. Reflections revolve around the Lenten Sunday Mass Readings. Catholics are offered a unique opportunity to understand the readings they hear each Sunday.

Fr. Richard Erikson will also offer Lenten Reflections on CatholicTV. Father Richard Erikson is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. He has 3 Master’s Degrees, a doctorate in sociology, and also worked as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. He is now an advisor to the Air Force. In one of his reflections, Fr. Erikson reflects upon the intensity of the Lenten season by sharing that old age is like the rest of life, only more intense. He encourages Catholics to embrace the intensity of their personal and communal Lenten journey.



Both Fr. Erikson’s and Fr. Rosica’s reflections are being played throughout the day during Lent. In addition, Fr. Rosica’s reflections can be seen each week during the “Blink” time slots at these times: Monday- 10:30PM; Tuesday- 7AM & 8:30PM; Wednesday- 1PM; Thursday- 9AM & 11PM; Saturday 2:30AM & 6:30PM. The Blink time slots consist of 30 minutes of short thoughts and reflections by many different Catholics about the Catholic faith and life as Catholics. All times are Eastern Standard

Daily Mass - Father Mahoney

Father Dan Mahoney is presiding at Mass today. There is a wonderful group of people here to celebrate Mass during this first week of Lent.

Added a guest for March 13th - Father Romanus Cessario

Great new update! Father Romanus Cessario will be joining us on This is the Day on Friday, March 13th to talk about his new book The Seven Last Words of Jesus. It is a beautiful book of profound and lively meditations on Christ’s last words, illustrated with full-color reproductions of a newly-restored Italian painted cross


Father Cessario is the Senior Editor of Magnificat and professor at St. John's Seminary in Boston. This book is based on his preaching at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. He addresses many everyday concerns: marriage, liturgy, suffering, vocations, etc. The foreword to the book is written by His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York who recently retired.

Be sure and join us on Friday at 10:30am(ET) to hear about this great Lenten resource.

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.