Saints Series on CatholicTV Examines Mother Teresa, St. Francis and Other Saints

Beginning July 6th, CatholicTV will air a mini-series looking at the lives and spirituality of Catholic saints.

The series is entitled “The Saints Always Belong to the Present” (The Saints) and is hosted by Msgr. Anthony Mancini from the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island.

In this series, Msgr. Mancini discusses short biographies of the various saints including quotes from prominent hagiographers. The program includes musical performances by the Gregorian Concert Choir of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Providence, RI; Msgr. Mancini is the founder and Director of the choir.

The Saints examines the lives and spirituality of St. Peter, St. Paul, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and St. Mary. In an engaging manner, Fr. Mancini shares the many ways in which the saints are relevant to our contemporary times, he also makes frequent references to scripture during the program.

Msgr. Anthony Mancini completed his studies for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He is the Administrator of Holy Cross Parish in Providence. In 1990, he succeeded the late Dr. C. Alexander Peloquin as Music Director at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, after having served as assistant conductor of the famed Peloquin Chorale. He also serves as Rector of the Cathedral.

After completing musical studies, Msgr. Mancini pursued sabbatical studies in 1994 at the Royal School of Church Music in London. The Gregorian Concert Choir has performed widely in the Northeast and in private audience for Pope John Paul II, as well as on radio and television.

The Saints will air during the weekly programming block “Catholic Saints and Lay People.” The Saints will air on CatholicTV.com and CatholicTV during the month of July and August.

The regular air times for the programming block Catholic Saints and Lay People are as follows (Eastern Time): Tuesday 11:30AM; Wednesday 5AM; Friday 8AM; Sunday 10:30PM

Levitating Saints, Prophecies, and Other Miracles To Be Discussed on CatholicTV Talk Show

On June 22^nd, miracles related to the Catholic faith will be discussed on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”.

According to a recent study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life , 79 percent of Americans believe in miracles.

According to Catholic author Elizabeth Ficocelli, “in all times and places [God] has exercised his power on earth in extraordinary ways: to teach, correct, warn, and inspire His people according to the needs of the age.” Elizabeth will be interviewed on This is the Day on June 22^nd.

Elizabeth Ficocelli is the author of the book “Bleeding Hands, Weeping Stone” which examines miracles related to the Catholic faith. Some of these miracles include, communion hosts turning into real flesh, the miraculous appearances of images, miraculous wounds, and more. Learn more about Elizabeth’s work at the following website: http://www.elizabethficocelli.com

This is the Day airs at 10:30AM ET at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. The show is rebroadcast at 7:30PM.

A unique Catholic leadership program for high school students will also be discussed on This is the Day on June 22^nd. The week-long program is called “Witness to Truth” and will take place from July 12-16^th. The program is designed for young practicing Catholics who want to “grow in holiness and become saints”, according to Stephen Colella, Assistant Director of the Office of the New Evangelization (ONE) for the Archdiocese of Boston. To register or to learn about this great session and the other events of the ONE office visit http://www.oymboston.org

Lylah Fitzgerald, a student who attended last year’s high school leadership program will discuss her experience on This is the Day. Stephen Colella will also join Lylah on the set of This is the Day.

Dolls Made in the Likeness of Saints? Co-Founder of ‘Original Saints’ To Be Interviewed on CatholicTV ‘This is the Day’ Program

On Friday, December 11th, Susie McCrea co-founder of ‘Original Saints’, a line of dolls, and other gifts which feature the saints, will be interviewed on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. Also, Major Paul Berg will appear via satellite from Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk Airbase in northern Iraq.

The show will stream live at www.CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV where available.

On “This is the Day”, McCrea will discuss the line of dolls as well as the inspiration behind them. That story comes from co-founder of Original Saints, Chris Opalenik.

Saying his prayers, particularly the Hail Mary, over and over, Opalenik began to dwell on the fact that “you really don’t see a lot of the Virgin Mary other than in church” and thought “how great it would be if we had something for all ages in the house.”

From there, he was inspired with the notion of creating dolls as a gift-giving idea to help spread the faith. In recognition of his original inspiration, their first prototype was of Mary, Queen of All Saints. “I do feel that I was inspired by her,” says Opalenik.

Major Berg is a member of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas. He has served in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2003, Chaplain Father Paul Madej was presiding at Mass which Major Berg was attending when rocket launches were taking place right over his base camp in Kuwait.

The interviews may be seen on Friday, December 11th, live at 10:30AM (EST) on CatholicTV where available (rebroadcast at 8PM). The show will also be streamed simultaneously at www.CatholicTV.com and will be available on the site’s archives starting Friday night. 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

"Who Cares About the Saints?"

The month of May is dedicated to Mary. Be sure and watch "Who Cares About the Saints" hosted by Father James Martin, S.J. . Father Martin is the author of My Life with the Saints which introduces readers to his favorite saints. The video version consists of short clips which give you a glimpse into the lives of the saints through artwork and Father Jim's insights.