Highlights 11/10-11/16

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This week:
(all times Eastern)

Daily Mass: Celebrate Mass each weekday with one of our beloved Boston priests.
Watch: LIVE 9:30am, rebroadcasts at 7pm and 11:30pm

Christian Witness: New. Drs Angela and David Franks talk with people who work to build a culture of love and life rooted in the New Evangelization. Guest: Tom Corcoran - Parishes equipped for mission.
Watch: Sun 4am, Wed 10:30am, Thurs 8:30pm, Sat 4pm

We've Got To Talk: New. Fr Dan continues CatholicTV's longest running studio series. This week's topic- "What Were The Chances?"
Watch: Sun 6:30am, Mon 2pm, Wed 9am, Fri 8:30pm, Sat 12:30pm

One Billion Stories: New. Join Seth DeMoor as he continues sharing the stories of Catholics around the world. This week we hear stories about Family.
Watch: Mon 4:30pm, Tues 12am and 9pm, Fri 6pm, Sat 12pm and 11pm

Spotlight: New. The film fathers look at JFK movies (featuring Parkland) this week on Spotlight, CatholicTV's movie review show.
Watch: Mon 6pm, Tues 8:30pm, Wed 4am, Fri 4:30pm, Sat 10:30am and 10:30pm

WOW: The CatholicTV Challenge: New. Father Robert Reed tests 3rd graders' knowledge in the 9th season of WOW. This week's "Wudabout": The Passion of Christ
Watch: Mon 7:30pm, Tues 5pm, Wed 8:30am, Thurs 1am, Fri 6:30am

This is the Day: New.

Tuesday 11/12- In lieu of This is the Day, we will provide coverage of the 2013 USCCB General Assembly.
Watch: Tuesday at 10:15am ET, Wednesday  at 10:30am ET.

Friday 11/15- Eva Stockhammer, promoting the 50th anniversary of Holyoke Catholic High School.
Watch: LIVE Fri 10:30am ET, Fri 7:30pm, Sat 4:30am and 5:30pm, Mon 12am.

The Gist: Encore. Rachel, Danielle, and Carolee host another great episode of The Gist. Our Guest is Leigh Anne Tuohy, of The Blind Side fame.
Watch: Tue 11am and 8pm, Wed 5 am and 6pm, Thurs 12:30am.

CatholicTV Kids' Saints and Heroes: This children's programming block presents special programs from the CCC of America teaching the Catholic faith through Saints, historical figures, and biblical characters.
This week- Francis Xavier and the Samurai's Lost Treasure
Watch: Sat 7:30am.

CatholicTV Presents: Presenting features from our programming partners.
This week-  The Miracle of Father Kapaun
Watch: Mon 10:30pm, Thurs 5pm, Sat 3:30am.

For God and Country
Watch: Friday 2:30pm.

The Call: Vocations programming.
This week- The Clergy Fund Frontlines video.
Watch: Sunday 11:30pm, Mon 11:30am, Fri 7am, Saturday 6pm

Blink U: This month on 'Blink!' We're showcasing Catholic colleges. Tune in to see great videos from Catholic colleges throughout the country, like Notre Dame, Fordham, JPII the Great and more.
Watch: Monday 4am, Wed 7:30pm, Fri 5:30am

Veterans Day Programming:
11/11 8pm: FocusTV - Archbishop Hannan's 'A Soldier of God
9pm: 'For God and Country'
9:30pm: 'The Miracle of Father Kapaun'
10:30pm: FocusTV - 'Grunt Padre'

The USCCB General Assembly:Watch: Monday 10:15am, Tuesday 10:30am.

Fortnight For Freedom 2013

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

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

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

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

The CatholicTV® Network to Air Special Coverage During Fortnight for Freedom

The US Bishops have called for “Fortnight for Freedom,” a 14-day period of prayer, education and action in support of religious freedom, from June 21-July 4. The bishops of the United States have recommended that Catholics focus "all the energies the Catholic community can muster" to heightening people’s awareness of the most cherished liberty: Religious Freedom.

The fourteen days from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this “Fortnight for Freedom”. Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action emphasizes Christian and American heritage of liberty.

The CatholicTV® Network will participate in the Fortnight for Freedom with special programming from June 21 to July 4, to rally support for the protection of religious freedom in the United States.

Throughout the two week period called for by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Father Robert Reed, president of CatholicTV will offer a daily reflection on the theme of religious freedom in a series of Blinks.

In support of this call to action the CatholicTV® Network has arranged a special hour-long discussion with Cardinal Seán O’Malley and a group of young Catholics in a live forum on the evening of Monday, June 25, 2012 from 8-9PM ET. The event will include a discussion panel, and will be moderated by ClearVoice's John Monahan.

CatholicTV President, Father Robert P. Reed, commented on the Fortnight:

This summer, the bishops of the United States have recommended that we focus "all the energies the Catholic community can muster" to heightening people’s awareness of our most cherished liberty: Religious Freedom. When our freedoms are threatened, we need to speak frankly and with courage and now is such a time... As American citizens, we need to be on guard, for religious liberty is under attack. Join us here on The CatholicTV Network between June 21 and the 4th of July as we celebrate Religious Liberty and pray urgently for a new birth of freedom in our beloved country.

Coverage will be available on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com. Comments and questions will be addressed LIVE during the event on CatholicTV’s Facebook. Viewers can also join the conversation by tweeting @CatholicTV (#fortnight4freedom). The event will also be simulcast on Relevant Radio across the US and on WQOM in Boston, MA.

CatholicTV.com Video Series Prepares Catholics For Voting

In preparation for upcoming mid-term elections, CatholicTV.com, the CatholicTV iPhone app, and CatholicTV now feature a video series called “Catholic Citizenship”. These videos are based on a letter written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Catholic Citizenship videos follow the format of the Bishops’ letter “Forming Consciences For Faithful Citizenship”.

This document addresses relevant questions such as “Who in the Church Should Participate in Political Life?, What Does the Church Say About Catholic Social Teaching in the Public Square?”, and more. The document also addresses specific issues such as human life and social justice.

The Catholic Citizenship videos can be viewed now by using the following link: http://www.CatholicTV.com/catholic-faith.

These videos also air currently on CatholicTV cable. Hosted by Fr. David O’Leary, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and Chaplain at Tufts University the Catholic Citizenship videos currently air between various programs on CatholicTV.

In one of the Catholic Citizenship videos, Fr. O’Leary insists that Catholics need to properly understand the meaning of separation of Church and state- namely that “ the separation clause means that religious institutions should not expect favoritism, nor should any church or faith group accept discrimination from the government. The purpose of the separation clause is not to silence the religious voice or to deny a public role for the religious voice. The separation clause guarantees the freedom of the church or any spiritual group to earn its way into the public policy debate by demonstrating the wisdom of its argument.”

More information about the CatholicTV iPhone app can be found at www.carryyourfaith.com

USCCB’s Website Will Feature CatholicTV’s Fr. Robert Reed

During the month of August, Fr. Robert Reed will be featured on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) website, www.usccb.org.

Each day, usccb.org offers a video reflection on the daily Mass readings. This initiative is funded by the Catholic Communications Campaign. Daily reflections are given by priests, religious, and lay people. Fr. Reed will offer video reflections on the Mass readings on the following dates: August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. To view the reflections visit http://www.usccb.org/video/reflections.shtml

Fr. Robert Reed is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and the President of the CatholicTV® Network, Father Reed was born in Boston and currently lives in the historic West End of the city. He was educated at St. John’s Preparatory School and prepared for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Father Reed also studied Broadcast Administration at Boston University's School of Communication.

After having been ordained a Catholic priest in 1985, Father Reed served in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Boston. He was appointed director of CatholicTV in May, 2005. He works at the national headquarters of the network, the Monsignor Frank McFarland Center in Massachusetts.

More information about Fr. Robert Reed is available at http://www.CatholicTV.com/Father-Robert-Reed.aspx

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.

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."

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.

Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene

From the Advent and Christmas resource section of the USCCB website:

In its present form the custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi, who made the Christmas crèche or manger for Christmas Eve of 1223.

The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time.

When the manger is set up in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another family member.

All make the sign of the cross as the leader says:

Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R/. Who made heaven and earth.

One of those present or the leader reads a text of sacred Scripture,
for example, Luke 2:1-8

Director of CatholicTV and Host of Catholic Game Show Father Reed To Appear on USCCB Website

Each day, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website offers video scripture reflections on the day’s Mass readings. Father Robert Reed, Director of CatholicTV, will give these reflections on June 25th and June 27th.

Although the USCCB website is promoting a 2000-year-old Catholic faith, the website uses modern means such as streaming video to spread the Gospel. The USCCB website also offers movie reviews (http://www.usccb.org/movies/), an online NAB bible, and an online Catechism among other features.

Each day, a different priest or lay person offers video scripture reflections. These priests and lay people come from all around the country and even include students such as Jonathan Jerome from the Catholic University of America. Priests include both diocesan and religious order priests.

These short video clips range from 2 to 4 minutes and can be embedded into any website.

Father Robert Reed is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and also Director of CatholicTV. Fr. Reed co-hosts the talk show “This is the Day”, presides frequently in the televised Masses and rosaries on CatholicTV, hosts the Catholic game show “Wow: The CatholicTV Challenge”, and also stars as the voice of the animated dog “Nosey” on the same show. Fr. Reed also assists at area parishes during weekends. In order to see his reflections at the USCCB website, visit this link on or after June 25th and June 27th.

http://www.usccb.org/video/reflections.shtml

Click below to see Fr. Reed as host and voice of “Nosey” the dog on “Wow: The CatholicTV Challenge”

http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=137

Join the Pro-Life Honor Roll!

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has great resources on the website to oppose FOCA and to affirm life. We'd like to encourage you to get on the honor roll!

http://www.usccb.org/prolife/peopleoflife/certificate.pdf

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.