As Year For Priests Concludes St. John Vianney Retreat Leader Will be Interviewed Live on CatholicTV

On June 29th, Fr. Frederick Miller will be interviewed on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. Fr. Miller has taken many priests and seminarians on pilgrimages to Ars, France and has authored a book on St. John Vianney entitled “The Grace of Ars”.

Fr. Miller will talk about St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. His book is based on several retreats-pilgrimages conferences to the holy places of St. John which he has led. The book is published by Ignatius Press with a foreword was written by Archbishop Raymond Burke. To preview the book please visit: http://www.ignatius.com/

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

St. John Vianney lived in the aftermath of the French Revolution, a very difficult time for Catholic priests during which priests and those who harbored priests who would not swear allegiance to the state were put to death.

The life and trials of St. John Vianney are of particular interest now to Catholics in light of what former NYC Mayor and Jew Ed Koch calls "continuing attacks" by the media on the Church and Pope Benedict XVI which Mr. Koch called "manifestations of anti-Catholicism" in the Jerusalem Post daily newspaper on April 8, 2010.

St. John Vianney battled the de-Christianization which had occurred during the French Revolution via a life or prayer, mortification, and humble service. He was known to have spent as much as 16-18 hours a day in the confessional.

Also to be discussed on This is the Day will be a leadership conference called “Kujenga-Viongozi” which means “to build leadership” in Swahili. The purpose of Kujenga-Viongozi is to develop leadership skills among high school-aged youth in the Black Catholic tradition with Christ at the center and encourage them to attain knowledge about the role of people of African descent in the story of the Catholic Church.

Columbian Military Man-Turned Priest & 8th Grade Vocational Call Amongst Stories Told in Special Magazine Issued By CatholicTV

Columbian Military Man-Turned Priest & 8^th Grade Vocational Call Amongst Stories Told in Special Magazine Issued By CatholicTV as Year For Priests Concludes

For the month of June, CatholicTV has issued a special digital version of its free monthly magazine. The special issue is over 40 pages longer than the regular print issue and is filled with extraordinary and ordinary stories about priests, their callings, and their ministry.

The digital magazine also discusses and explains basic Catholicism by answering such questions as “How can the Pope be infallible if he is only a man?” and “Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest to be forgiven?”

The CatholicTV digital magazine is available to read now at http://www.catholictv.com/catholic-magazine.aspx

A subscription to the CatholicTV print magazine is free and interested parties may subscribe at http://www.catholictv.com/magazine/subscribe.aspx

As of June 2010, the longer, digital version of the CatholicTV monthly magazine will be available at CatholicTV.com. CatholicTV has online viewers in over 140 countries and the digital magazine was created largely to make it available to subscribers across the globe. The digital magazine is also appealing to environmental enthusiasts who want to minimize paper usage.

The longer, digital version of the magazine includes stories written by Catholics from dioceses all across the U.S.

Some of the stories in the June digital magazine, which honors the Year For Priests, include:

Fr. Jhon Guarnizao, Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Crescent City, Florida- He was once in the Columbian military and has a special place in his heart for the poor

Fr. Justin Kerber, C.P- Passionist priest who felt the call to the priesthood at a young age and begged his parents to let him enter the Passionists when he completed the 8th grade. He has celebrated Mass every day for the last 37 years except for one (surgical emergency)

And many other stories…

Vatican Prayer Vigil and Mass Marking End of Year For Priests Will Air on CatholicTV

On June 10^th and June 11^th, CatholicTV will air the prayer vigil and Mass from the Vatican marking the end of the Year For Priests.

The prayer vigil and Mass will be viewable at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV.

The schedule is as follows (Eastern Time):

June 10-St. Peter’s Square prayer vigil with priests 8 p.m.

June 11-Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Mass for the close of the Year for Priests

Noon and 8 p.m.

In May 2009, the Vatican announced that a Plenary Indulgence would be given to priests and faithful who take the necessary steps. Below are the necessary steps for the faithful:

“All truly penitent Christian faithful who, in church or oratory, devotedly attend Holy Mass and offer prayers to Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to His Heart, are granted Plenary Indulgence, on the condition that they have expiated their sins through Sacramental Confession and prayed in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff. This may be done on the opening and closing days of the Year of Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Marie Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.

According the USCCB website, the closing day for the Year For Priests is on June 19, 2010.

Papal programming can be viewed at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. Archived Papal Programming can be accessed now at http://www.catholictv.com/pope-benedict-xvi.aspx (including Fatima visit, Pentecost, and more).

CatholicTV June Papal Programming Will Include Visit To Cyprus, Closing Mass For Year For Priests, and Pallium Mass

During the month of June, CatholicTV will broadcast several Vatican events and Pope Benedict’s visit to Cyprus. This programming will begin with the Solemnity of Corpus Christi on June 3rd and will end with the Pallium Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Papal programming can be viewed at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. Archived Papal Programming can be accessed now at http://www.CatholicTV.com/Pope-Benedict-xvi.aspx (including Fatima visit, Pentecost, and more).

The CatholicTV Papal Programming schedule for the month of June is as follows (all times Eastern):

June 3-Solemnity of Corpus Christi in the Basilica of St. John Lateran 8 p.m.

June 4-Arrival in Cyprus and ecumenical celebration Noon and 8 p.m.

June 5-Visit to the president and Mass in Cyprus Noon and 8 p.m.

June 6-Mass in Nicosia and farewell ceremonies Noon and 8 p.m.

June 10-St. Peter’s Square prayer vigil with priests 8 p.m.

June 11-Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Mass for the close of the Year for Priests

Noon and 8 p.m.

June 28-Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside-the-Walls Vespers for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul 8 p.m.

June 29-Pallium Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Noon and 8 p.m.

As Year For Priests Concludes CatholicTV Will Air Special on Saint John Vianney

Starting in May, CatholicTV will broadcast a new 3-part mini-series entitled “The Curé of Ars: Our Path to Heaven”. The new show aims to help viewers grow closer to Christ by looking at the life and spirituality of St. John Vianney, known as Curé of Ars.

The new series will air at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV.

“The Curé of Ars: Our Path to Heaven” is hosted by Father Roger Landry, of the Diocese of Fall River, he will cover the following topics:

St. John M. Vianney: Perseverance. St. John was known to possess the virtue of of perseverance. He struggled greatly in his studies, particularly with Latin, yet he fought through these and many other obstacles to continue his formation and celebrate the sacrament of Holy Orders.

St. John M. Vianney: the Eucharist. St. John had a great devotion to the Eucharist and the Real Presence. In this episode, Father Landry speaks to the “source and summit” of the feast of Heaven and Earth in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We are sent forth from the Mass to serve God and one another.

St. John M. Vianney: Heaven, Holiness and the Saint. This episode examines the ways in which we can focus on “living with our hearts set on the world to come”.

"The Curé of Ars: Our Path to Heaven” will premiere in May as part of CatholicTV's ongoing celebration of the Year for Priests. Pope Benedict XVI declared the year of Priests which concludes in June of this year.

Father Landry has also been featured on the CatholicTV series “Body Matters” which consists of special programs, documentaries, and short films focusing on Catholic moral issues. “Body Matters” includes the teaching on Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body taught by Fr. Roger Landry, is a Harvard-educated diocesan priest of Fall River, Massachusetts.

The schedule for the new show “The Curé of Ars: Our Path to Heaven” starting in May is as follows:

Mondays-8PM, Wednesdays- 10:30AM, & Fridays 3:30PM (all times Eastern).

Creator of ‘Matrix’ Vocations Poster To Be Interviewed on CatholicTV

On November 17, Missy Scarlett, the designer of several “Year For Priests” posters will appear on the CatholicTV live talk show “This is the Day”. One of Missy’s best-known works is a vocations poster depicting a young, hip, priest in clerical robes which appears similar to the all-black outfit worn by “Neo” the character played by actor Keanu Reeves in the film “The Matrix". The black and white poster sold more than 1800 copies and was well-received by young people.

Missy “chose to be true to my artistic visions as a homage to God….the source of all creation”. She also says that “God has awakened me with a passion that lies in the heart-felt goal of creating art that has glorifying purpose and meaning behind it. My hope is that people will be affected by these works, and have a rejuvenated faith…” Missy also produced a poster to encourage people to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation, it’s title is “Think Inside the Box”. Her creativity and enthusiasm for the sacraments has inspired people of all ages.

After the success of the Matrix-style vocations poster, Missy was asked to produce a poster for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis which shows a mosaic of Jesus crucified. Upon closer inspection, one can see that the mosaic is made up of individual portraits of every priest in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

More information on Missy Scarlett and her works is available at www.truescarlett.com

Missy Scarlett‘s interview can be seen on Tuesday, November 17th 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 Tuesday 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.org/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

New Video on Priesthood Starring Cardinal Seán O’Malley Now Available Online at CatholicTV.com

How well do Catholics really know their priests? A new 10-minute video on the priesthood at CatholicTV.com gives Catholics a detailed look at priests and the priesthood. The video includes introductory remarks and appreciation of the priesthood by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, lay people and other priests as well. One priest from the video talks about how he once baptized a tiny newborn baby in the palm of his hand using a single drop of water. Another priest mentions how he once was seriously ill and how his parishioners welcomed him back warmly.

The video can be seen now by visiting http://www.priest2009.com/

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network headquartered near Boston. CatholicTV streams its broadcast simultaneously, 24 hours a day at www.CatholicTV.com

This new video features priests talking about what sustains them, what challenges they face, and even about their hopes. One newly-ordained priest in the video said “I hope when I approach my death, the Lord will tell me “come, my good and faithful servant, you have been faithful with what I entrusted to you, enter into your master’s joy”.

Many of CatholicTV’s programs involve the priesthood and priests especially during this Year For Priests. Some of these programs include:

The new CatholicTV program “Spotlight” which will debut in October. This show stars 2 priests who review movies from the Catholic perspective. More info is available at www.CatholicTV.com

Word on Fire- This program produced by Word on Fire Catholic Ministries features renowned theologian and teacher, Fr. Robert Barron. More information is available at http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=15

Discernment of Spirits- CatholicTV.com has 26 episodes of this show on their website. The Ignatian Rules for Discernment are taught by author and priest, Fr. Tim Gallagher, OMV. Episodes are viewable now at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=43

In Honor of The Year of the Priest, CatholicTV will air special “Priest” Programming in August

Throughout August, CatholicTV will air several shows starring priests or about the priesthood. These shows include a Catholic game show hosted by a priest, Conversations with Cardinal Seán O’Malley, a “series” promoting priestly vocations, and even a show starring a Servant of God.

Although much of CatholicTV’s programs are hosted by or involve the priesthood, a particular emphasis will be given on the priesthood during the month of August. For example, CatholicTV airs a special programming block called “The Call” which promotes various religious orders including certain female religious orders. However, for the month of August, “The Call” will focus on priestly vocations and vocations to the brotherhood.

Another CatholicTV programming block entitled “Catholic Saints and Lay People” will focus on priests including Servant of God, Father Patrick Peyton. This programming block normally focuses on Catholic Saints and notable lay people including many lay women and nuns. However, the block will focus on notable priests for the month of August.

Below are brief descriptions of other “priestly programs” on CatholicTV along with links to show schedules and sample episodes:

“Saint Paul, the Man and His Message”- Fr. Jeffrey Mickler, who has a doctorate in theology from Fordham University teaches about St. Paul. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=14

“Conversations With Cardinal Seán”- General Manager, Jay Fadden discuss issues of interest with Cardinal Seán O’Malley. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=28

“Word On Fire”- Fr. Robert Barron talks about the Word of God, 7 deadly sins, conversion, and following the calling of Christ. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=15

“Prayer in the Catechism”- A talk show starring Fr. Benedict Groeschel. He discusses prayer and uses the Catechism as a guide. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=122

“Wow:The CatholicTV Challenge”- A catechetical game show starring 3rd-grade contestants and host, and Director of CatholicTV, Fr. Robert Reed. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=137

Are You Ready to Meet Jesus Face to Face? CatholicTV Show Asks Eye-Opening Questions of Priests

Two days ago, on June 29th, CatholicTV began airing a show entitled “Feed My Sheep”. CatholicTV is airing this series in honor of the beginning of the Year for Priests. “Feed My Sheep” takes viewers into the minds and lives of priests. In each episode, priests are asked questions such as: “When you meet Jesus face to face, what words would you expect to hear and why?” as well as, “How has the crisis in the Church changed you?”

“Feed My Sheep” is hosted by the Director of CatholicTV, Father Robert Reed. This series was originally broadcast several years ago, and was Father Reed’s first series as Director.

Each episode of “Feed My Sheep” features several priests answering the same question. Some of these questions include:

What motivated you to look to the priesthood?

Describe some of the significant moments of your priesthood.
As a priest, what keeps you going?

How has the crisis in the Church changed you?

What person has had the most significant impact upon your ministry as a priest?

How has and does the celebration of the liturgy and the mystery of the Eucharist affect your priesthood?

Since you are busy and days can be long and prayer is work and takes time, how do you remain a man of prayer?

What are the most important aspects of your life and work as a priest?
How can we, how do you foster vocations to the ministerial priesthood? What kind of man does it take to be a good priest?

When you meet Jesus face to face, what words would you expect to hear and why?

Some of the priests featured on the show include: Father Michael Steele, Father Paul Ring, Father Richard Cannon, Father Paul Aveni, Father Henry Cunney, Father Michael Drea, Father Paul Ritt, Father John Mulloy, Father Larry Drennan, Father Tom Kopp, Father Richard Clancy, and Father Dan Mahoney

These priests are involved in a variety of ministries including Theology on Tap, campus ministry, fire department chaplaincy, and many others.

The weekly CatholicTV schedule is as follows (Eastern Time): Monday 3:30 PM, Friday 5:30 AM Saturday 11:30 PM.