CatholicTV Welcomes 20,000th Facebook Fan

CatholicTV recently celebrated another social media milestone. The network reached 20,000 fans who “like” CatholicTV on its very active Facebook page. The CatholicTV Network’s official Facebook fan page launched in February of 2009, giving viewers and supporters a new tool to share their passion for CatholicTV programming.

Recent postings at the fan page have included video of Fr. James Martin, Jason Evert, Fr. Reed in Vatican City, excerpts from CatholicTV’s news magazine show “ClearVoice”, a video tour of the CatholicTV studios, and much more.

"Our Facebook fan page is exciting because we can keep fans in the loop about upcoming events and ongoing recording of their favorite shows and share news about new series projects," said Jay Fadden, CatholicTV Network General Manager. "The CatholicTV page gives us one more way to connect with our fans because their feedback is encouraged. We look forward to interacting with viewers and those who are interested in helping us spread the Good News.”

Fr. Robert Reed, President of the CatholicTV Network 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. We really like to keep people informed about what's coming up on CatholicTV.”

Timeline
2/2009 established CatholicTV.com Facebook Fan Page
3/2009 activated Facebook mobile
6/2009 1200 Fans
1/2010 3000 Fans
4/2010 5041 Fans
8/2010 10,145 Fans
3/2011 20,485 Fans

CatholicTV Viewers Form Unique Online Prayer Community

In 2010, the CatholicTV® Network launched its own social networking site at iCatholic.com. Since its inception, members have formed a unique prayer and support community.

One member from New Mexico recently started a discussion at the site’s forums requesting prayers for his daughter who suffered cardiac arrest after a sudden illness. Many members began praying and the girl recently was able to smile after recovering from a coma.

One member from New York state wrote: “Wonderful news about Kristin* smiling! Maybe she's seeing Jesus and can't tell us ... you never know. I don't even know her, but I really love this little girl. May God continue to improve her condition, healing her of everything, one step at a time. All in His loving Will.”

Not only have iCatholic members formed a prayer community, but they also use the site to ask advice from one another and share stories about their faith. For example, in one recent popular discussion, a member from Hudson, Massachusetts asked how to best deal with workplace gossip. Another member from Salt Lake City shared the story of how he and his wife experienced the supernatural scent of roses when visiting the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux.

What makes the iCatholic Online Community unique is the amount of Catholic content. For example, members have posted videos about Catholic persecution by the Nazi’s during World War II, videos of pro-life speakers, music videos by Catholic artists and much more.

The very popular social networking site, 4marks.com will go offline this week. Father Robert Reed extended an invitation to discover iCatholic.com: “As a member of 4Marks, I am sad to see this creative and well maintained site for Catholics end its service. It is my sincere hope that many more Catholics and those interested in the Church will discover iCatholic.com as a powerful way to connect with fellow believers and find fellowship and prayerful support.”

*name changed for privacy

Catholic Social Media Expert to Be Interviewed Live on CatholicTV

“50% of the world’s population is under the age of 30. If Facebook were a country, it would now be the 3rd largest. It’s a mission field like no other.” These are just a couple of insights that Matt Warner pointed out in a recent blog post.

On November 5th, social media expert and blogger Matt Warner will be interviewed live on the CatholicTV Talk Show “This is the Day”. As always, the interview will be viewable live online at CatholicTV.com (and on cable television where available).

In 2008, Matt left his engineering career to focus full time on new media and the Catholic faith. He is the founder of flockNote.com, TweetCatholic.com, QuoteCatholic.com, and his popular blog, FallibleBlogma.com. Matt is a featured blogger on the National Catholic Register’s website.

This is the Day airs at 10:30AM ET at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV cable outlets. The show is rebroadcast at 7:30PM and other times during the week.

Matt Warner will discuss flockNote on This is the Day. In a recent interview with ZENIT, Matt called flockNote “a communication tool for Catholic parishes. It basically allows parish/ministry leaders to manage their communication channels. And it allows them to post information in one place and have it reach people via e-mail, text message, Facebook, Twitter, RSS and more.”

I came up with the idea for it after many years of volunteering in my own parish -- especially youth ministry. There just wasn't a simple, universal tool to let us all communicate effectively. Some people liked e-mail. Others the phone. Others Facebook. Etc. So it was difficult to keep up with it all. And it was hard for everyone to have a common interface. FlockNote tries to bring all of those communication mediums together into one tool. “

CATHOLICTV® NETWORK INTRODUCES DIGITAL MAGAZINE WITHIN “FACEBOOK FOR CATHOLICS” SITE

Last week, CatholicTV Network® announced the creation of iCatholic, or as it’s being called -- Facebook for Catholics. The first-of-its-kind online social community gives users the opportunity to create personal profiles, blog, interact, join forums and enhance their Catholic community experience. It’s a religious take on “The Social Network.”

Now the leader in delivering television’s best religion-based content is pleased to announce a new way for Catholics to get their news and views with the launch of a monthly digital magazine.

The publication is available across multiple platforms: a free application for the iPhone/iPod touch is available in the iTunes Store, via a dedicated application for the Apple iPad and available online at (www.catholictv.com/magazine).

A prominent part of the iCatholic™ social media site, the iCatholic digital magazine features interviews, analysis, news, commentary and profiles of the people in the Catholic community across the U.S., along with programming information and news from CatholicTV Network. Plus, the magazine is chock full of vibrant videos, bright photos and online exclusives.

The digital magazine will feature articles from well-known Catholic voices and offer submissions by a team of the best writers from around the county.

The headline story in the current edition of iCatholic is about a new television series, Hope on Campus, produced by the Brotherhood of Hope; plus features articles focusing on the encouraging ministry being done on university and college campuses, high schools and in parochial settings around the nation. The edition also contains a schedule of the new fall television season on the CatholicTV Network.

A Note From Father Reed

Having lived in New England all my life, I have come to look forward to the autumn. The cooler air and downright chilly nights are a wake-up call; the brilliant colors of the turning leaves grab one’s attention.

At the CatholicTV® Network, we are particularly excited about this fall season. If you are a viewer, you have already had a taste of some of our new programming, both shows produced here in our studios and those we have acquired from all around the nation and the world.

Beyond programming, however, we continue to reach out to an ever-growing audience so as to connect people with Christ Jesus and with one another. We are proud of our new digital magazine entitled iCatholic featuring news about CatholicTV and stories and profiles of the people who make up the Church in the United States. If you are fortunate enough to have an iPad or iPhone, you can carry that digital magazine around with you by downloading the iCatholic app from iTunes. You can also read and enjoy this media-rich digital magazine at CatholicTV.com/catholic-magazine.

We also welcome you to join our innovative on-line community at the easy to remember address: iCatholic.com. This new website allows you to “meet” and interact with other members of the CatholicTV family and makes it possible for you to help us to make our new digital magazine even better.

These are just some of the “colors of the season” at CatholicTV, where it’s all for YOU!

Father Reed

CatholicTV Invites Facebook Fans and Twitter Followers to “Follow” Along During Trip to Rome

CatholicTV will produce several programs in Rome, Italy during the week of September 20th-25th. CatholicTV invites its viewers and anyone interested to watch special videos and follow “tweets” online at CatholicTV’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Father Robert Reed, President and Jay Fadden Executive Vice President and General Manager of the CatholicTV Network will lead the staff in producing shows including a series called “Viaggio a Roma” which explores some of the beautiful and holy places in Rome.

CatholicTV’s Facebook page will post daily videos of some of the various places filmed. The Viaggio a Roma series will include footage and commentary of: St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Gardens, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and many more sights and experiences of Rome.

CatholicTV plans to produce several new recitations of the rosary while in Rome. These devotions will be recorded at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Catacombs of Priscilla, and more.

CatholicTV will also record a special episode of the show “House + Home”, and its signature talk show “This is the Day” while in Rome.

CatholicTV asks that its supporters pray for CatholicTV and its employees especially during this trip to Rome.

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

CatholicTV’s Twitter page can be found at www.twitter.com/CatholicTV

CatholicTV Welcomes 10,000th Facebook Fan

The CatholicTV® Network recently celebrated another social media milestone. The network reached 10,000 fans who “like” CatholicTV on its very active Facebook page. The CatholicTV Network’s official Facebook fan page launched in February of 2009, giving viewers and supporters a new tool to share their passion for CatholicTV programming.

Recent postings at the fan page have included video of nuns singing in the CatholicTV studios, a video clip of CatholicTV being featured on Comedy Central’s the Colbert Report, and video of CatholicTV’s Fr. Reed walking into a surprise party for his 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

"Our Facebook fan page is exciting because we can keep fans in the loop about upcoming events and ongoing recording of their favorite shows and share news about new series projects," said Jay Fadden, CatholicTV Network General Manager. "The CatholicTV page gives us one more way to connect with our fans because their feedback is encouraged. We look forward to interacting with viewers and those who are interested in helping us spread the Good News.”

Fr. Robert Reed, President of the CatholicTV Network 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. We really like to keep people informed about what's coming up on CatholicTV.”

Timeline
2/2009 established CatholicTV.com Facebook Fan Page
3/2009 activated Facebook mobile
6/2009 1200 Fans
1/2010 3000 Fans
4/2010 5041 fans
8/2010 10,145

CatholicTV.com 's official Facebook fan page is available at the following address: http://www.facebook.com/CatholicTV

Fr. Robert Reed Will Give Keynote Address at Catholic New Media Celebration in Boston

On August 7, 2010 Fr. Robert Reed will give the 9:30AM keynote address at the 3rd Annual Catholic New Media Celebration (CNMC) in Boston, Massachusetts.

The CNMC MMX is an international conference focused on evangelization through new media such as blogging, podcasting, social media, and more.

The 2010 CNMC will also feature Catholic radio personality Lino Rulli, blogger Thomas Peters, Boston’s Cardinal Seán O’Malley, and many others. A waiting list has been established as the event is fully sold out.

The CNMC aims to respond to Pope Benedict XVI’s recent message that God’s love “must be expressed in the digital world… as something concrete, present and engaging.”

The CNMC aims to inform and inspire how interactive new media platforms, such as blogging, podcasting, and social media are created, shared, and implemented. Within an atmosphere of Christian community, attendees will learn how to create and share content for the benefit of the universal Catholic Church.

“This year’s CNMC will focus particularly on three things,” says Fr. Roderick Vonhögen, CEO of SQPN. “We will be exploring the best practices for creating quality content; how authentic catechesis and spirituality are incorporated; and, how a true sense of mission is instilled in those who consume this media and become a part of our online communities,” he says.

More information about the CNMC is available at http://celebration.sqpn.com/

CatholicTV Facebook Fans Pass 5000

On Easter weekend 2010, the CatholicTV® Network celebrated another social media milestone. The network reached 5,000 fans on its very active Facebook page. The CatholicTV Network’s official Facebook fan page launched in February of 2009, giving viewers and supporters a new tool to share their passion for CatholicTV programming.

The website fan page features CatholicTV video clips, background information, photo albums, and updates. Updates, announcements, and other communications keep CatholicTV fans entertained and informed about the work of the CatholicTV network. Recently, a Facebook “tour” of the CatholicTV studios was launched.

"Our Facebook fan page is exciting because we can keep fans in the loop about upcoming events and ongoing recording of their favorite shows and share news about new series projects," said Jay Fadden, CatholicTV Network General Manager. "The CatholicTV page gives us one more way to connect with our fans because their feedback is encouraged. We look forward to interacting with viewers and those who are interested in helping us spread the Good News.”

Facebook users who select the CatholicTV fan page may post their comments. Additionally, on CatholicTV.com the iCatholic section provides bloggers, videographers, and commentators the opportunity to update with photos, videos, and other user content.

Fr. Robert Reed, Director of the CatholicTV Network 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. We really like to keep people informed about what's coming up on CatholicTV.”

Timeline

2/2009 established CatholicTV.com Facebook Fan Page

3/2009 activated Facebook mobile

6/2009 1200 Fans

1/2010 3000 Fans

4/2010 5041 fans

To become a fan of CatholicTV.com 's official Facebook fan page, click here: CatholicTV Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/CatholicTV)

50-Year Old CatholicTV Uses Twitter and Other New Technologies To Spread 2000-Year-Old Faith

Over 50 years ago, CatholicTV began broadcasting the Low Mass with then-Archbishop Richard J. Cushing. CatholicTV used to rely solely on word-of-mouth marketing. Now the 50-year old television station uses modern social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

On October 12, 1964, CatholicTV became the first full-time Catholic television station in the world. Since then, old technologies have been replaced by new. For instance, the original Mass was filmed in a chapel in the Archbishop’s residence. Nowadays, the Mass is filmed in a Chapel dedicated to St. Therese in a multi-million-dollar television station.

When most Catholics think of priests, they picture black and white collars, vestments, plain black shoes, and bibles. But Father Robert Reed, the Director of CatholicTV is anything but the stereotypical priest. In a typical day, he uses his Blackberry to tell Twitter followers exactly what he is doing, down to mundane things like sitting in the airport.

Not long ago, CatholicTV was using “old-school” 16 millimeter film and huge black cassettes for broadcasting. Nowadays, CatholicTV broadcasts 24 hours a day and is already filming many programs (like the Rosary) in high-definition.

All of this has emerged after facing years of adversity such as the 1970 incident in which the TV station was burnt down by an arsonist. CatholicTV is viewer-funded, so sometimes funding can be hard to come by, but viewers have faithfully responded with donations.

In 1999, the station began broadcasting its programming online via the station’s web site, http://www.catholictv.org/- making Boston the first Catholic diocese in the world broadcasting online. Since then, CatholicTV has gone national and the website has been redesigned and upgraded, using the latest media technology for online viewers. These enhancements have culminated in the website’s nomination for a “Webby” Award for 2009 Best Religion and Spirituality web site. Supporters can vote at http://pv.webbyawards.com/

In April, CatholicTV exhibited at “The Cable Show”- an elaborate trade show featuring names such as ESPN, FOX, and NBC, among others. Interestingly, the trade show proved to be a spiritual battleground with religious and pornography stations on the same floor. The “Cable Show” is just another example of how the 50-year old television station is using modern technology and means to evangelize. Jay Fadden, General Manager of CatholicTV recently said, “As Catholics, the faith is part of our lives and today’s technology allows us to share the faith, discuss it, and pray together in a very different but community-orientated way.”