Matt Maher and Chris Muglia to Sing on CatholicTV Broadcast of The Commons

During the week starting February 21st, “The Commons”, a Catholic music show which airs on CatholicTV, will feature musicians Matt Maher and Chris Muglia.

“The Commons” airs each week at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at the following times (Eastern): Wednesday 8 a.m. Thursday 3:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday 9:30 p.m.

Matthew "Matt" Maher is a music artist, songwriter, and worship leader originally from Newfoundland, Canada, who later relocated to Tempe, Arizona. He has written and produced five solo albums to date. His most well-known song is "Your Grace is Enough."

More information about Matt Maher is available at http://www.mattmahermusic.com/

Chris Muglia is a Catholic singer/songwriter. Through his apostolate, Sound Mission Ministries, Chris and his team of dynamic musicians, speakers, and teachers are making an impact on the church at large through their faithful families parish missions. Sound Mission Ministries is dedicated to helping families navigate through the popular culture while holding on to their Catholic faith.

As a father of 5 and husband of 14 years, Chris is able to connect with audiences of all ages. His message has inspired many to deepen their relationship with Christ and renew their commitment to the Catholic Church. He is an accomplished vocalist, guitarist and pianist, and his music is published with Oregon Catholic Press. Chris served as a full time liturgist and music director in the Diocese of Phoenix for 20 years before he formed Sound Mission Ministries. He and his family reside in Phoenix, Arizona.

http://www.chrismuglia.com/

Successor to the Apostles- Fr. Reed on Bishop-Elect Chris Coyne

A few weeks ago it was a thrill for all of us here at the CatholicTV® Network to receive word that “one of our own” had been named a successor to the Twelve Apostles.

Once pastor of St. Margaret Mary in Westwood, Massachusetts, Bishop Christopher Coyne has been called by Pope Benedict XVI to serve as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Bishop Coyne served as a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston for almost 25 years. During that time, he demonstrated skill and gentleness as a pastor, teacher and leader.

I am sure it is those very qualities that will make Chris, along with Archbishop Buechlein, a fine shepherd in Indianapolis.

Bishop-elect Chris Coyne has served not only as a parish priest, but also as professor of liturgy and homiletics, as well as director of the Pre-Theology Program at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachsetts; as director for the Office of Worship, as well as cabinet secretary for communications and archdiocesan spokesman for the Archdiocese of Boston. Of course, the new bishop has willingly offered the CatholicTV Network a hand over the years in producing a number of series for television broadcast. Employing his skill as a teacher and expert in sacred liturgy, Bishop Coyne can be seen on CatholicTV in several series. Sacred Space returns to CatholicTV cable this March. This 13-part series examines houses of worship for different faiths. You can watch this series and other fine programs from Bishop Coyne at CatholicTV.com.

All of us here at the CatholicTV Network willingly join our prayers to those of Archbishop Buechlein and all the good and faithful people of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis as they celebrate this coming month of March the ordination of a new bishop and his first days of pastoral leadership and care.

Now, good Bishop Christopher: Let’s bring America’s Catholic Television Network® to Indiana!

Catholic Priests Will Make Oscar Predictions During Special Episode of Their Movie Review Show on CatholicTV

During the week beginning February 21^st, two Catholic priests, Fr. Bill Kelly and Fr. “Chip” Hines, co-hosts of the CatholicTV movie review show “Spotlight”, will share their opinions of Oscar winners and will offer commentary in preparation for the upcoming 83nd Annual Academy Awards on February 27th, 2011.

Fr. Bill and Fr. Chip will predict winners for best picture, director, actor, actress, supporting actor, and supporting actress during this episode of Spotlight. The idea of the Spotlight show originated when a fellow priest overheard Fr. Chip and Fr. Bill arguing about who deserved the award for Best Supporting Actress in 2008. The priest who overheard them said, “you two should have your own show”.

Since its introduction in 2009, the show has gained national attention and the two priests were invited to make a monthly appearance on Wendy Wiese’s ON CALL Relevant Radio show.

This special Oscars episode of Spotlight will air at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV during the week of February 21^st at the following times (Eastern): Monday 6 p.m. Tuesday 8 p.m. Wednesday 4 a.m. Friday 4:30 p.m. Saturday 12:30 and 10 p.m.

This full episode will also be viewable anytime in the CatholicTV.com archives starting the evening of February 21^st. Archived episodes of Spotlight are available at http://www.CatholicTV.com/catholic-movies

80-Year Old Triathlon-Running “Iron Nun” To Be Interviewed on Live CatholicTV Talk Show Along With “Coach Virtue” Dan Duddy

On Feb 11^th, Sr. Madonna Buder will be interviewed on the set of the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”.

Sr. Madonna has an amazing story which began in a prominent St. Louis family to a Catholic Convent and finally to championship finish lines all over the world.

As a beautiful young woman, she became an elegant equestrian and accomplished amateur actress. But as she describes in this intimate memoir, she had a secret plan as early as 14: she wanted to devote her life to God.

She lived a mostly cloistered life as a Nun until her late forties, when a Priest suggested she take a run on the beach. More than thirty years later, she is known as the Iron Nun for all the triathlons she has won. Just five years ago, the age 75–79 category was created for her at the Hawaiian Ironman in Kona, where she completed a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon in record time.

Sr. Madonna wrote that "It is my faith that has carried me through life’s ups and downs," she writes. "Whenever injured, I wait for the Lord to pick me up again and set me on my feet, confidently reminding Him, ‘God, you know, my intent is to keep running toward you.’"

Coach Dan Duddy will also be interviewed on This is the Day. Coach Duddy coaches high school football at Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River, New Jersey. Coach Duddy’s football ministry has led to him becoming a national speaker. The Trenton Monitor Newspaper wrote of Coach Duddy saying, “During his first year at Monsignor Donovan, Duddy began to pray with his players before and after practices and games, and he brought along Bible verses to reflect on with the team. “I wanted to make sure that we were a team of prayer,” he said.

Players also attend weekly Mass together. Since beginning his football ministry, Duddy has become a national speaker, sharing his philosophy and approach to coaching young men while helping them to develop their spirituality. Duddy added that he has never felt better about his role in helping to build the faith of his players, and helping them to integrate faith into their daily lives. What they take away will serve them not only on the field, but throughout their futures.”

Dan has recently been nominated for National "Catholic Coach of the Year" by the Chicago Bears affiliated "Sports Faith International".

Suffering Christians in Africa, the Middle East, and Haiti Discussed on Program on CatholicTV Throughout February

Throughout February, CatholicTV will air special episodes of a program called “Where God Weeps”. In February, Where God Weeps consists of interviews of Catholic Bishops testifying to the suffering Church in their home countries.

www.CatholicTV.com/Catholic-news-third-world also has over 50 episodes of Where God Weeps and all may be viewed free of charge without advertising. These episodes show the plight of Christians in countries like Iraq, where many Christians have been killed even at Churches.

CatholicTV.com visitors may watch episodes about Christians in Iran, China, Pakistan and other countries. In China, Catholic bishops were recently forced to attend conferences organized by the Chinese government. According to Catholic News Agency, “several Chinese Catholic sources have reported bishops being kidnapped or arrested, in order to compel their participation.”

Pakistan has been in the world news recently because of its anti-blasphemy laws, including a recent case where a 17-year old student was jailed for something he “scribbled on an exam paper” according to Bede Sheppard, senior children’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The countries focused on in February episodes of Where God Weeps include Lebanon, where a new government is being formed after a recent collapse. On one episode airing in February, Bishop Bechara Rai of Jbeil, Lebanon discusses some of the unique struggles of Christians in Lebanon, which is 40% Christian.

Also interviewed on Where God Weeps in February will be Bishop Gabriel Ababio Mante from Ghana, Bishop Abraham Desta from Ethiopia, and Bishop Joseph Lafontant from Haiti.

Where God Weeps airs each week at the following times (Eastern) at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV cable outlets: Monday 5 a.m. Tuesday 1 a.m. Wednesday 8:30 p.m. and Thursday noon.

Did You Miss the 2011 March For Life? Watch Video of Youth Rally and Mass For Life in Washington at CatholicTV.com

Photo by A. Wessling, Executive Director - Office of Evangelization, Outreach & Information Archdiocese of Washington

Footage of the Youth Rally For Life and Mass For Life From Washington, D.C. is now available at http://www.CatholicTV.com/catholic-television.

The Youth Rally For Life included musical performances by Steve Angrisano, Ike Ndolo, Maddie Curtis and an audience of thousands of young Catholics from around the country.

During his homily, which is viewable now at CatholicTV.com, Fr. Mark Ivan said, “The biggest difference between other civil rights movements and the right to life movement is that the people whose rights are being taken away by Roe vs. Wade are not here to stand up for themselves. They can’t show the people in power that they are just as human as everyone else, they can’t march around Washington like the women who were denied the right to vote, they can’t give powerful speeches like Fredrick Douglass or Martin Luther King. The millions of unborn babies that have been affected by abortion aren’t here to stand up for themselves.”

Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington presided over the Mass For Life at the Verizon Center. Due to overwhelming attendance at this event in the past years, a second Youth Rally and Mass for Life also took place at the DC Armory and allowed an additional 10,000 youth to attend.

CatholicTV Network coverage of major events in the American Catholic Church can be viewed at www.CatholicTV.com/Catholic-Television. There are over 1,800 videos at the network's website for free, on-demand viewing.