Documentary Airing on CatholicTV Debunks Da Vinci Code Myths About Opus Dei

During the week of February 7^th, CatholicTV will air the documentary Opus Dei: Decoding God’s Work.

Opus Dei was thrust into the international spotlight after Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code sold more than 40 million copies.

The Da Vinci Code left many people wondering, what is the real Opus Dei? What is their agenda? What is their place in the Catholic Church? And are they anything like the depiction in Dan Brown's novel?

Opus Dei: Decoding God's Work unveils the history and significance of St. Josemaría Escrivá and "The Work" God entrusted to him. Featuring interviews with Opus Dei leaders throughout the world and Vatican Affairs expert John Allen, the documentary examines The Da Vinci Code's many myths and distortions and presents another portrait of Opus Dei.

"The mission of Opus Dei is to help people turn their work and daily activities into occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society. It produces not fundamentalists but disciples who are open to the world. It does not harbor secrets, but shouts out from the rooftops the Good News about Jesus Christ, his life, message, and Church. Opus Dei is a dynamic witness to the universal call to holiness embraced by the Second Vatical Council." Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B

The documentary will air during the week beginning February 7^th at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV cable outlets at the following times (Eastern): Monday 10:30 p.m., Wednesday 2 p.m., Friday noon, and Sunday 2 a.m.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops created a website addressing the myths and historical inaccuracies of the book “The Da Vinci Code”. The web address for this site is http://www.jesusdecoded.com/

Opus Dei: Decoding God's Work was produced by Salt and Light Television, Toronto, Canada (http://www.saltandlighttv.org/)

Private College Which Wants To “Clearly Proclaim” Its Catholic Identity Will Be Discussed on Live CatholicTV Talk Show

On February 8^th, the renewal and renaming of The College of Saint Mary Magdalen (CSMM) will be discussed on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”.

Tim Van Damm from CSMM will be interviewed on the set of This is the Day.

“The change in name reflects The College’s desire to clearly proclaim our Catholic identity, to bring greater honor to our patroness, Saint Mary Magdalen, and to stand firmly with The Church in the commitment to the New Evangelization.”, says the CSMM website.

In addition to a new name, The College of Saint Mary Magdalen also renewed the program of studies. George Harne, The College’s Academic Dean stated “we have given Catholic philosophers, theologians, historians, poets, and artists the prominent voice they deserve within any liberal arts program that is worthy of being called Catholic.”

In an interview with The National Catholic Register, CSMM President Jeffrey Karls said, “Through our name change we have sought to place a greater emphasis on our patroness, St. Mary Magdalen, and the original spirit of the college. St. Mary Magdalen had converted to Christ and was the first layperson who witnessed the Resurrection of Christ, addressing him at that first meeting as “Rabboni,” which means “Teacher.” She then became the apostle to the Apostles, announcing the Resurrection.

High School Students Fasting To Learn About The Poor and Hungry? Two Youth Ministers Will Discuss Unique Retreat on Live CatholicTV Talk Show

On February 4^th, youth ministers Jen Campagna and Scott Morin will appear on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. They will discuss a unique retreat which both of them will be participating in along with high schools students and adults at their parishes.

“Food Fast” is a 24-hour hunger awareness retreat for Catholic youth developed by Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Jen and Scott will discuss this unique retreat, and how they are using it to teach young people about issues faced by their peers in the developing world and also to encourage the young people to take action on behalf of the poor and hungry. Participants will also raise money to donate to CRS.

CatholicTV will also air videos promoting Food Fast during lent.

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.

CatholicTV will also air an interview of Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger. Bishop Gettelfinger is from the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana. In honor of Scout Sunday, Bishop Gettelfinger discusses scouting as youth ministry. He served as the Episcopal Liaison to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Scout Sunday will be celebrated across the United States on February 8^th.

Ordination Mass of Kansas Bishop and Vespers From Vatican to Air on CatholicTV in February

On February 2^nd at 8 p.m.ET, CatholicTV will air the Celebration of Vespers from the Vatican with Pope Benedict XVI.

On February 8^th at noon, CatholicTV will air the Ordination and Installation Mass of Father John Brungardt as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dodge City, Kansas. The Mass will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m.

Both of these broadcasts will stream from CatholicTV.com and will air simultaneously on CatholicTV cable outlets.

Archived Papal Programming can be accessed any time at http://www.CatholicTV.com/Pope-Benedict-xvi (including Papal Visit to Spain, England and more).

Footage of other major events in the American Catholic Church and the Vatican can be viewed at http://www.CatholicTV.com/catholic-television.aspx.

Catholic Students of Various Ages to Serve as Lectors and Servers At Live Televised CatholicTV Masses During Catholic Schools Week

During the week of January 31-February 6, CatholicTV will host students from 6 different Catholic schools in honor of the 38^th Catholic Schools Week which began in 1974.

During Catholic Schools Week, Catholic school and homeschooled students of many different ages will attend the live daily Mass at the CatholicTV studios and will serve as lectors and altar servers. Presiders at the daily Mass include pastors, priests who serve on the faculty and campus chaplains.

In past years, students attending the Tuesday or Friday daily Mass have made brief appearances on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day” during Catholic Schools Week.

A Message From Father Reed

The Colosseum, Castel Sant’ Angelo, Trastevere, the tomb of Pope John Paul II and the Vatican Gardens, Trevi Fountain, Pontifical North American College … these are but a few of the places you will visit with us on CatholicTV. From her beginning as a tiny village in central Italy to the days of Peter the Apostle to her current status as a top ranking city for the arts, fashion and cuisine, Rome has seen it all.

The city of Rome lies between the hills and the sea, and encompasses approximately 420 square miles. It was originally built on the famous “seven hills” that still form part of the city. Through the centuries that followed, Rome rose as a mighty empire, declined as famine and plague set in, made it through the Dark Ages and the Renaissance, fought through foreign domination and made her way to the 21st century, stronger and more beautiful for all her experiences. No city in the world reflects the history of human endeavor quite as much as Rome. From her ancient ruins dating back to Imperial times, to her status as the center of the Catholic world and home to the Successor of St. Peter to her modern-day galleries and wonderful restaurants, everywhere there is evidence of timelessness.

When in the Eternal City recently, a crew from The CatholicTV Network made their way around Rome and the Vatican to create a new series entitled Viaggio a Roma - or - A Trip to Rome. This is exactly what this new series is, a trip around one of the greatest cities of the world to see and experience some of the most significant sites in ancient and Christian Roma. It's all for you!

Television Series Hosted By Newly-Named Indianapolis Bishop-Elect Chris Coyne Now Viewable At CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV

CatholicTV.com now offers full episodes of the show “Sacred Time” hosted by Fr. Chris Coyne before he was named as Auxiliary Bishop of Indianapolis. This show also currently airs each week on CatholicTV cable.

Full episodes can be viewed now by visiting: http://www.catholictv.com/Catholic-church-liturgy

On January 14th, The Vatican named Chris Coyne as the new Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Coyne has hosted several programs on CatholicTV. He was also an instructor at St. John’s Seminary’s Master of Arts in Ministry Program in Brighton, Massachusetts. Several employees of CatholicTV including Bonnie Rodgers, Kevin Nelson, and Jay Fadden had Fr. Coyne as their instructor at St. John’s Seminary.

Bonnie Rodgers said, “Fr. Coyne was one of my first instructors at the St. John’s Seminary Master of Arts in Ministry program. His strong family ties fostered an incredible work ethic. This, coupled with his commitment and energy in sharing the Catholic faith and traditions, made him a great teacher. This will also be a strong foundation as he serves the people of Indianapolis as auxiliary bishop.”

Fr. Robert Reed had this to say about Chris Coyne : “Bishop-elect Chris Coyne has always been so generous with his time and talent to the CatholicTV Network family. As he prepares for his new ministry in Indianapolis, his lived understanding of the Liturgy as the time when we are most the Church, its seasons and sacred space will continue to nourish our viewers for years to come. Our prayers certainly go with him.”

More information about bishop-elect Coyne is available at http://www.catholictv.com/Bishop-Christopher-Coyne

New Series of Catholic Children’s Books To Be Discussed on Live CatholicTV Talk Show

On January 25th, a new Catholic children’s book series will be discussed on the CatholicTV talk show This is the Day.

This new book series includes a book of children’s prayers, “A Bible For Little Ones”, and books about Saint John Vianney, and Saint Bernadette of Lourdes.

Tony Ryan will be interviewed on “This is the Day”. Tony works for Ignatius Press, who has collaborated with Magnificat to produce the new series of children’s books.

Magnificat has earned a very high reputation in the USA since they launched their incredibly popular monthly worship aid.