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. “

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® Network Launches Online Community

Move over Facebook, Catholics now have a new reason to hit the “like” button. CatholicTV® Network is proud to announce the launch of a new online social networking community for Catholics at www.iCatholic.com.

Under the tagline, "I am Catholic, We are the Church,” the iCatholic.com community allows visitors to establish a personal profile, upload images and videos as well as initiate and participate in discussions and forums.

“This is a place where young and young-at-heart Catholics can go to discuss their Faith and questions about their Faith,” said Father Robert Reed, CatholicTV President. “We’re coming to where you live. We’re making sure we stay on the cutting edge of technology.”

The iCatholic.com social community is the first of its kind. Members of this new online community will be able to suggest content for the monthly digital magazine, as well as be part of an exciting television series coming soon to the CatholicTV® Network.

The magazine and social community are just the latest in a string of technological innovations CatholicTV has announced this year as it continues its mission of attracting the next generation of U.S. Catholics.

As of October 6, CatholicTV will offer its full slate of programs in HD. Earlier this year, CatholicTV added numerous 3D shows to its over-the-air and online lineup, many of which were featured by Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central’s Emmy-Award winning program, The Colbert Report.

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

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)

You’ve heard about our 3D videos, now hear about everything else that’s happening at CatholicTV!

CatholicTV connects with viewers via social networking sites. You could say we are getting around!

CatholicTV recognizes that people need ready access to faith resources throughout the day and in a variety of places. For that reason CatholicTV has developed a state-of-the-art broadband TV network where daily and Sunday Masses are available in full screen and on-demand – FOR FREE. The Mass is the “source and summit” for Catholics and CatholicTV strives to make this available on every device. The Mass is available on-line, via a free download from iTunes and is broadcast throughout day. Sunday Masses originate from Boston, San Antonio (Spanish) and The Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame.

The rosary, a popular scriptural devotion is also available daily. Viewers can tune into the CatholicTV You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/CatholicTV or watch on a variety of cable carriers throughout the US.

Throughout the day CatholicTV staff members update Twitter with the happenings which take place in the Boston area studios http://twitter.com/CatholicTV . One of the most popular social networking sites for individuals and organizations is Facebook; viewers can register as fans at CatholicTV’s Facebook page.

The CatholicTV blogspot gives viewers an opportunity to keep up-to-date with the events and productions of CatholicTV. Read the CatholicTV blog by visiting http://Catholic-TV.blogspot.com/

CatholicTV’s monthly magazine brings all these sources together by sharing great articles, the monthly programming schedule and the listing of presiders at daily and Sunday Mass. The magazine is free as is the e-newsletter which is sent out via email. People who are interested in receiving the magazine and newsletter can sign up at the website http://CatholicTV.com/magazine/subscribe.aspx

Viewers have several wonderful ways to stay in touch with CatholicTV and CatholicTV loves being connected to viewers