Image courtesy of Glenmary Research Center (red areas indicate dense Catholic population)
CatholicTV recently launched an effort calling on Catholics to help spread CatholicTV across the nation.
Catholicism is the largest religious denomination in the United States. Close to a quarter of the US population identifies themselves as Catholic. 52% of Pennsylvania residents are Catholic, 44% in Massachusetts, 37% in California, and 36% in New York (Source: Wikipedia).
Despite these large numbers, many Catholics have only one or at most two Catholic television channels to choose from in their local areas. CatholicTV is available to carriers free-of-charge.
CatholicTV is asking people to visit http://www.CatholicTVeverywhere.com and join its list of supporters. Names of supporters are used in a similar fashion as a petition, which will show cable and satellite providers the amount of support and demand for Catholic television programming. This in turn, should help CatholicTV to spread its programming to more cities.
CatholicTV is not about buildings or technology, rather it’s all for you. The headquarters for America’s Catholic Television Network is a building not extravagant, but clean and efficient and full of life. I spend a lot of my time in these hallways and I often remind people who come to visit that this place belongs to all of us.
Within the building that the generosity of our viewers made possible, the Monsignor Francis T. McFarland Television Center, there are many things: television cameras and lights, monitors and switchers, satellite dishes and thousands of miles of cable. But as you walk around the building there are photographs of the people who have made and continue to make this TV Network hum. The pictures of past directors, show hosts, priest presiders and WOW contestants adorn the walls. Most importantly as you tour this incredible place to meet the people who keep CatholicTV on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From the main lobby to the chapel, to offices, to through the studios and control rooms to Master Control one will find an incredible staff who work very hard each day and often wear many different hats. They do what they because of you and so that The CatholicTV® Network can continue to grow.
During these lazy, hazy days of summer, you can take a video tour with me by visiting our great website. Just point your browser to www.CatholicTV.com/tour and it will be almost as good as paying us a visit. I can take you in through the front door, by the lobby to the chapel, into the studios and Master Control. You can see the places and the faces of CatholicTV…so do drop by at CatholicTV.com/tour!
On July 13, Fr. Vern Decoteau, a talented singer, pianist, and parish Pastor, will be interviewed on the live CatholicTV talk show “This the Day”.
Fr. Vern has performed for former President George and Barbara Bush at their home in Kennebunkport, Maine. The Bush’s met Fr. Vern while he was playing at a hotel in Maine.
This is the Day airs at 10:30AM ET at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. The show is rebroadcast at 7:30PM.
Father Decoteau is a priest of the Diocese of Springfield (MA) and pastor of a Belchertown parish. Fr. Vern has found that his musical talents have been very complimentary to his ministry as a parish priest. Fr. Vern had joked to Barbara Bush that he played to a standing-room-only crowd each week (referring to his parish), after Bush had asked him if he was a professional singer.
Fr. Vern often performs at retirement communities, nursing homes, at parish functions, and of course, at Mass. He is pleased to find that his singing sometimes attracts people who have not been to church in a while.
Fr. Vern has produced several CD’s, including one for the Christmas season and sold enough copies of one CD to pay for a new steeple at his parish.
On June 22nd, Fr. Vern sang, played the piano, and was the featured guest during filming of the show “Going My Way” with host Fr. Chris Hickey and Fr. Paul Rouse. Fr. Vern was the first guest to play the piano on the show in quite some time. This episode will air later this year.
Episodes of This is the Day are posted on the site’s archives starting the same night of the broadcast day. 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/this-is-the-day.aspx
CatholicTV broadcasts across the US on Sky Angel channel 142, and selected cable outlets in New England and in Chattanooga (TN) where CatholicTV is available on FiTV channel 153. To find out where to watch CatholicTV visit: http://www.CatholicTV.com/schedule/where-to-watch.aspx
CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network streaming a live feed 24 hours a day at CatholicTV.com. Heeding Pope Benedict XVI's call to greater utilize the power of television and new media, the CatholicTV Network features its cable TV station, Catholic web site, mobile apps and widget. Celebrate Mass online; pray The Rosary; enjoy programs on prayer, the saints, the Scriptures and the Catholic Church on America's Catholic Television Network.
“This is the Day” can also be seen on demand at www.CatholicTV.com or downloaded via iTunes.com.and SQPN.com The hosts, Director of CatholicTV, Father Robert Reed, and General Manager, Jay Fadden discuss various topics of the week and respond to viewer mail (you may email the show at thisistheday@CatholicTV.com)
CatholicTV has been recognized with 3 Telly Awards for the promotional video entitled “Carry Your Faith” (CYF).
CYF depicts 2 Catholic school girls using an iPhone and being introduced to the CatholicTV iPhone application by a nun who at first glance appears angry and then smiles and shows them her iPhone. Sister Mary Brigid Riley, a Carmelite Sister, plays herself in the video. Sister is a long-time supporter of CatholicTV and serves at St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham, MA.
CYF won two People’s Telly Awards, which are given after YouTube viewers support their favorite videos with a “thumbs up rating”. CYF won a Silver Telly (highest honor) for the “Use of Humor” category and a Bronze Telly in the “Promotional Pieces” category.
CYF was also awarded a bronze Telly by the Telly Awards judging committee in the Religious/Spiritual category.
The CatholicTV iphone application is free and can be found at the Apple “app” store. The app is called “CatholicTV” and allows users to watch daily Mass, keep up with Catholic news, and much more. More information is available at www.CarryYourFaith.com.
The Telly Awards is a New York-based organization which was founded in 1978. It is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition and receives over 11,000 entries annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries. The organization’s objective is to honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs. More information about the 31st Annual Telly Awards may be found at http://www.tellyawards.com/
CatholicTV.com now has as wide range of programs hosted by priests. These videos can be viewed online without charge.
The programs range from “Going My Way”, a fun Merv-Griffin-style show in which priests sing songs, to Prayer in the Catechism, hosted by Fr. Benedict Groeschel. Some of these programs, such as Images of Jesus, are currently viewable only online.
Below are brief descriptions of the programming starring priests available at CatholicTV.com/priests
Spotlight- A movie review show with hosts Fr. “Chip” Hines and Fr. Bill Kelly.
Conversations with Cardinal Seán- A show with the Archbishop of Boston, Seán Cardinal O'Malley as he shares his insights with CatholicTV's General Manager, Jay Fadden
Going My Way- A modern version of the Merv Griffin Show. Father Chris Hickey and Father Paul Rouse share their musical talents along with guest priests. Fr. Hickey often makes comedic jokes throughout each episode.
Images of Jesus- Fr. Alfred McBride, O.Praem. hosts this series based on his successful book, Images Of Jesus
Prayer in the Catechism-Renowned priest and co-founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Father Benedict Groeschel unfolds the riches of prayer presented in the Catechism, inviting Christians to a deeper devotional life of prayer.
We’ve Got To Talk -Father Dan O’Connell preaches in front of a blue screen with fun, digital backgrounds. He was once recorded with a superhero costume on with a blue screen of the city in the background.
Blink- 3-5 minute segments on a variety of topics presented by different hosts. The Blink videos currently viewable online feature different priests including Fr. Terence Curley who discusses “Finding Your Way Through Grief ”.
Discernment of the Spirits-Fr. Tim Gallagher, O.M.V, a talented and well-known retreat leader teaches how to recognize good, evil, and God’s will in every day situations based on spiritual teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola..
Jackie Francois was born in a “Von Trapp”-like family, full of musical talent. While participating in high school peer ministry, Josh Blakesley “vowed to be "sold out" for Christ and to use his gift of writing music to glorify God.” At the present, both Jackie and Josh write and perform Catholic music.
During the week starting July 26th, “The Commons”, a Catholic music show from spiritandsong.com which airs on the CatholicTV network, will feature Jackie Francois and Josh Blakesley. Josh will sing and discuss the song “Sing Hosanna”. Jackie will sing and discuss the song “your Kingdom is Glorious”.
“The Commons” airs each week at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at the following times (Eastern): Monday 6AM and 9:30PM, Thursday 2AM, Saturday, 11:30AM and 9:30PM.
Jackie Francois is a singer/songwriter/guitarist, speaker, and youth minister from Placentia, CA (the less well known part of “The OC”).
In July 2007, Jackie moved back to Placentia, CA to begin full time music ministry, serving the wider Catholic Church. Jackie is currently a host for SpiritandSong.com's webcast, "The Commons," and for spiritandsong.com's Perfect Playlist Podcasts.
More information about Jackie can be found at http://www.jackiefrancois.com/index.html
Josh Blakesley
In addition to composing and recording music, Josh Blakesley serves as young adult coordinator and assistant music director at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Alexandria, Louisiana. He travels many weekends to other parishes throughout the U.S. doing concerts, conducting workshops for musicians, speaking at youth rallies and conferences, and leading praise and worship.
More information about Josh can be found at http://www.joshblakesley.com/
“The Commons”, is a coffee house-styled music show which includes performances by Catholic musicians such as Jesse Manibusan, Matt Maher, Sarah Hart, and others. “The Commons” also includes interviews of the musicians in which viewers can get a glimpse into the lives and spirituality of the musicians.
“The Commons” is produced by spiritandsong.com (a division of ocp). “The Commons” is a video showcase giving viewers an opportunity to experience candid conversations with intimate and unplugged performances by your favorite spiritandsong.com artists. Learn more about the artists, and Spirit and Song at http://www.spiritandsong.com/commons
On July 9th, the life and spirituality of Dutch priest Fr. Henri Nouwen will be discussed on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”.
Fr. Nouwen wrote over 40 books on the spiritual life and taught at Notre Dame University, and the divinity schools of Yale, and Harvard.
Robert Waldron, author of the book 15 Days of Prayer with Henri Nouwen will discuss his book and the life and spirituality of Fr. Nouwen on This is the Day.
This is the Day airs at 10:30AM ET at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. The show is rebroadcast at 7:30PM.
Following the series format, the book 15 Days of Prayer opens with a chronology and overview of Nouwen's life. Each of the 15 chapters begins with a focus statement and ends with questions for reflection. A guide on how to use the book points out that its purpose is to bring readers to a closer relationship with God.
Robert Waldron is the recipient of four fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities; in 1997 he also received first prize from the Catholic Press Association for the best article on spirituality written for a periodical. In addition to scholarly articles, he has written several books including: Poetry as Prayer: the Hound of Heaven, The Lost Diary of Francis Thompson Poetry as Prayer: Thomas Merton, and A Man of a Certain Tread.
The CatholicTV game show “WOW: The CatholicTV Challenge” (WOW) has been awarded 2 Telly Awards.
WOW was awarded a Silver Telly (silver is the highest) for educational programming and a bronze for religious/spiritual programming.
The Telly Awards is a New York-based organization which was founded in 1978. More information about the Telly Awards can be found at http://www.tellyawards.com/
Approximately 100 students squeeze into a television studio for each episode. The studio is full of computer-controlled lights, a starlit background, and music playing in the background during each episode.
During production of an episode of WOW on April 28, 2010, Fr. Robert Reed, Director of CatholicTV and host of the game show told the students, “the most important thing about the show is to help the people who watch the show grow in their faith. The most important thing about the show is not who wins, so let’s have fun!”
Not only does the show require help by nearly every employee of CatholicTV, but 100 different students come into the CatholicTV studios for every day of production. Each new group of students require a bit of “training” in order to produce the show.
Wow: The CatholicTV Challenge (WOW) is a children’s game show that teaches viewers the Catholic faith. The show resembles the show Jeopardy!, yet has young contestants just like the show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” WOW is hosted by Father Robert Reed, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston. Contestants are 3rd graders and are asked open-ended questions. Father Reed gives a brief explanation of the answer and occasional commentary. The show erupts with laughter and shouts of “Wow!” when contestants answer questions correctly. Each show has a Catholic theme such as “The Sacraments” or “The 10 Commandments”.
Fr. Robert Reed is the developer, Executive Producer, and host of WOW.
On June 29th, CatholicTV.com will stream the annual Pallium Mass from the Vatican. The Pallium Mass will also air on CatholicTV. At this Mass, three Americans will receive the Pallium including Archbishops Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee, Dennis M. Schnurr of Cincinnati, and Thomas G. Wenski of Miami.
On June 29th, The Pallium Mass will stream at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at noon Eastern and will rebroadcast at 8PM.
On June 1st, CatholicTV.com also aired the mass of Miami’s new Archbishop Thomas Wenski. His installation is now viewable in the CatholicTV.com archives.
The office in charge of organizing papal liturgies said June 17 that at least 35 archbishops would receive a Pallium in 2010. Pope Benedict XVI will impose the Pallium on new metropolitan archbishops at St. Peter’s Basilica. This will take place at the Mass of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles. The Pallium consists of woolen bands which will be placed around the necks of new archbishops as a symbol of their authority and responsibility.
CatholicTV streams its broadcast 24 hours per day at CatholicTV.com. Site visitors need only click on “Watch CatholicTV Live”.
On June 19th, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the concluded in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father from June 9-11, 2010. These events were televised by CatholicTV and may be viewed on-demand at CatholicTV.com.
To continue honoring the ministry of the ordained ministry CatholicTV has established a new programming block entitled “Priests Among Us”. This block, which begins in July will feature priests engaged in a variety of ministries. CatholicTV is honored to dedicate programming related to priests.
Priests Among Us will include some documentaries such as the amazing story of Fr. Werenfried van Stratten, a Dutch priest who started his priesthood working with poor German refugees after World War II and later founded the organization Aid to the Church in Need, which helps the less fortunate in over 145 countries.
In July, Priests Among Us will also feature the story of Fr. Erich Fink entitled “From Russia With Love”. Fr. Erich is from Southern Germany, where he had always dreamed of going to Russia. He now serves the Eastern-most parish in Europe in the city of Berezniki, Russia.
“From Russia With Love” details Fr. Erich’s journey to the icy-cold city of Berezniki. Berezniki is a town with about 200,000 inhabitants. Fr. Erich says that upon arriving, he found Berezniki “a communist, atheist creation with no signs of religious practice except one Orthodox Church.” Needless to say, Fr. Erich faces major challenges as a priest there.
He faces his challenges with great joy though. For example, From Russia with Love includes an interview with the mayor of Berezniki, who first met Fr. Erich on the public transport. There, Fr. Erich was smiling and giving out candy to the children.
Each week starting in July, Priests Among Us will air at the following times: Monday 8 p.m.; Fri 5:30 a.m.; & Sat 11:30 p.m. (all time Eastern)
Image courtesy of Glenmary Research Center (red areas indicate dense Catholic population)
