Support CatholicTV | A message from Jay

First of all, I would like to thank all of you for a successful 2013 Telethon. We went above and beyond last year, and it's all because of you. Because of your generous pledges, we are able to keep bringing the Daily Mass and our other great programs to you. But the Telethon is only one fundraiser, and we run all year. In addition to the wonderful boost we get from Telethon pledges, we rely on regular, monthly support from you, the parishioners of the airwaves.
Today I would like to tell you about a chart you will see inside the February monthly magazine. This chart reflects the amount of donation envelopes we receive each month from the viewers of CatholicTV and readers of the magazine. We need your help.  Last month we mailed out over 16,000 magazines, and more than 1,200 donations were returned to us using the envelopes inside the magazines. Father Reed and I would like to get that number up.

I remember Jack Lawless and Father Frank talking one day and Father Frank was worried about the mail being down. He loved CatholicTV and was afraid for the future. As the three of us sat in the room Jack looked at Father Frank and said, “Don’t worry, Father. If people want the Mass and other programming they will support it.” Then without missing a beat Jack said,” If God wants it to happen it will.”

You could see the tension leave Father Franks face. He smiled and did not need to say another word. That was almost 20 years ago.

It is not easy to ask a friend for help but today we turn to you.  Please continue your support of us, and consider increasing it if you are able. If you cannot afford to make a gift please say a prayer for our ministry. And for those of you who don't receive a monthly magazine, consider helping us out online.

You are our rock on which we stand. Because of you and many like you we continue to grow and expand, bringing the saving message of Jesus to a world that needs it.  With your gifts at the Telethon and your continued gifts throughout the year,  CatholicTV is able to touch many lives with our programming. Father Reed, myself and the entire hard working staff thank you for that.

2013 Telethon | A message from Jay

This week, as we busily prepare for the 2013 Telethon here at CatholicTV, I'd like to thank you for your affirmation and support, and ask you to consider how you might be able to help us continue our important ministry.

Here at CatholicTV, we bring the Mass daily to the sick and homebound, to active Catholics and to Catholics who, for whatever reason, have been away from the Church. We bring them the Mass as well as our other 23 hours of faith-filled programming, and we couldn't do it without you. So thank you, and please tune into the Telethon on February 1st and 2nd. If you can't, you can still make a pledge! Find out here:

Catholic Daughters of America

The Catholic Daughters of America staffing the phones at the CatholicTV 2009 Telethon!

“Parish of the Airwaves” Can Now Vote For Favorite CatholicTV Telethon Moment

CatholicTV has been airing an annual telethon for nearly two decades now. CatholicTV is inviting its viewers (a.k.a. “The Parish of the Airwaves”) to vote on “Your Favorite Telethon Moment” which includes:

1. A “wardrobe function” surprise with Father Chris Hickey and Msgr. McInerny (2003)

2. David Patrick Bryan sings “One With You.” (2003)

3. Paul Todd performs “On Eagle’s Wings.” (2004)

4. 4-year-old Emily Nelson sings “Could We Start Again Please” with the band STANN (2006)

Information on how to vote can be found at: http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=121&videoID=443

The telethon will air on CatholicTV on Friday, September 25th, and 26th from 9AM until 9PM each day (Eastern). The telethon will be viewable at CatholicTV.com and will air simultaneously on CatholicTV. The show is produced by Kevin Nelson and is hosted by CatholicTV General Manager Jay Fadden and Director Father Robert Reed.

Fr. Chris Hickey is the host of a show called “Going My Way” on CatholicTV.com. More information on “Going My Way” can be found at http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=41

David Patrick Bryan has been performing since he was 5 years old and has toured all over the United States and also in Europe.

Paul Todd is a renowned pianist and won the National Yamaha Keyboard Contest at the young age of fourteen. In the past, he has worked with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and other artists as well.

Emily Nelson is the daughter of CatholicTV Senior Producer Kevin Nelson.

How Does a Non-Profit Raise Money During a Recession? By Broadcasting a Live Telethon

Starting tomorrow, CatholicTV will embark upon one of its most challenging annual missions: the CatholicTV telethon. The telethon is one of the most unique live television broadcasts in the nation. It is unique because it involves an almost unheard-of 12 hours of live television made possible through large amounts of coffee and dedication to the faith.

The annual telethon includes musical performances from artists from many areas of the U.S. including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and many others. The performers include Vince Ambrosetti, Kitty Cleveland, and many others. Kitty Cleveland is known for her impressive 3-octave range and her unique voice which has been compared to the rich sound of a cello.

CatholicTV is the world’s first diocesan television station in the world and has been broadcasting for over 50 years. The telethon has been part of the CatholicTV tradition for nearly 2 decades. This year’s telethon will be the 18th* CatholicTV Telethon. CatholicTV’s viewers have been called the “parish of the airwaves”. CatholicTV employees (especially Director Fr. Robert Reed) consider the viewers “parishioners”. Because the live broadcast is so labor intensive, many CatholicTV viewers volunteer at the telethon by answering phones, and performing other duties.

Connie and Cathleen Murphy of Medford, MA (2 of CatholicTV’s “parishioners’) have volunteered at the annual telethon for over 15 years. In a phone interview with Connie Murphy, he said, “It’s a lot of fun and we have met a lot of people while volunteering. Sometimes, viewers will call in and ask me if I’m the man with the red sweater on or, they might ask me to wave at them on live television. Some callers feel like these gestures add some legitimacy.”

Traditionally, the Cardinal makes a regular appearance on the telethon. Last year, Cardinal Sean O’Malley visited the telethon although he wasn’t seen on television answering phones. Last year, Cardinal Sean “participated at the telethon to greet the people and encourage them to make their donations.” He also posed for photos with a young and attractive singer named Heather Waxman. The photos captured the great difference between Cardinal Sean’s television wardrobe (he wears a brown Franciscan habit) and Heather’s. Heather wore a colorful dress and her blonde hair contrasted Cardinal Sean’s more “conservative” gray.

The telethon will air on CatholicTV on Friday, September 25th, and 26th from 9AM until 9PM each day (Eastern). The telethon will be viewable at CatholicTV.com and will air simultaneously on CatholicTV. The show is produced by Kevin Nelson and is hosted by CatholicTV General Manager Jay Fadden and Director Father Robert Reed.

*The Telethon was cancelled in 2001 out of respect for the tragedy on September 11th.

Catholic Musicians Will Donate Their Voices to God on CatholicTV Telethon

Kitty Cleveland


Numerous Catholic artists will donate their time and talents in support of their faith at the annual CatholicTV telethon. These musicians include Vince Ambrosetti, who was invited to perform at Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s funeral Mass. Also to perform will be Michael John Poirier, who has produced 10 CD’s. All musicians will perform on a volunteer basis. CatholicTV is a non-profit corporation.

The CatholicTV telethon is one of the most unique live television broadcasts in the nation. It is unique because it involves an almost unheard-of 12 hours of live television made possible through large amounts of coffee and dedication to the faith. The telethon will air on September 25th and 26th from 9AM to 9PM each day. Some musicians perform live while other performances are previously recorded.

Below are notable singers along with the times of their performances on the CatholicTV telethon (all time are Eastern). Musicians include but are not limited to: Michael John Poirier, Tom Snow, Kitty Cleveland, Gabriel Rivera, STANN, Paul Melley, Anne DiSanto, Vince Ambrosetti, Susan Glancy, Susan Bailey, Terry Donilon, Diana Doyle, Fr. Chris Hickey, Fr. Paul Rouse, Heather Waxman, and Anne Marie David. Not all performances are listed below:

Friday, September 25th

11:30am- Michael John Poirier- Singer from Oklahoma, has released 10 music CD’s, a storytelling CD, an advent CD and a special interview CD just for men. He uses his music and storytelling as he travels around the country conducting evenings of prayer-songs and Eucharistic adoration. www.holyfamilynow.com

12:20pm Tom Snow- Tom is a jazz pianist, performer, and arranger. He has performed in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. A native of Maine, Tom has produced three CD’s. www.tomsnow.com

1:10pm Kitty Cleveland-Award-winning singer, songwriter and speaker has been performing for over 25 years around the country and at the Vatican. www.kittycleveland.com

2:00pm Gabriel Rivera- actor and singer who has toured the country performing songs from his debut CD. www.gabrielriveramusic.com


Gabriel Rivera (left) and Kevin Nelson

2:50pm STANN- band of former members of St. Ann University parish performing a wide variety of musical stylings with a variety of guest soloists.

5:50 Paul Melley- Paul has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe including two World Youth Days.www.paulmelley.com

7:05 Anne DiSanto- credits include "Year Of Hope" selected by Pope John Paul II as a Papal anthem, "Flame Of Liberty", a 9-11 tribute used for Veteran's fundraising efforts.

7:50 Vince Anbrosetti- singer and mission leader. Vince has recorded numerous CD’s. www.vinceambrosetti.org


Vince Ambrosetti and Kevin Nelson

learn more about the CatholicTV Telethon by clicking here


Saturday September 26th

10:50 am Susan Glancy- singer, flutist and vocal coach. She has been trained at the Boston conservatory.

11:45 am Susan Bailey- writer, blogger, speaker, singer and songwriter. www.susanbailey.net

12:30pm Terry Donilon- currently sings in a choral group in Rhode Island. He brings his powerful and beautiful voice to the Telethon stage once again.

1:10pm Diana Doyle- a cantor at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

3pm Fr. Hickey and Fr. Rouse- Host and co-host of the very popular series Going my Way with Fr. Chris Hickey.

4:40pm Heather Waxman- will be singing with a children’s choir as well as performing some popular selections.

5:50pm Anne Marie David- one of the talented organists from the daily Mass. www.annemariedavid.com