EWTN Sues U.S. Government

EWTN Sues U.S. Government
To Stop Contraception Mandate
Network Asks Court to Stop Order to Pay for Immoral Services

Irondale, AL – EWTN Global Catholic Network filed a lawsuit February 9 in U.S. District Court in Birmingham, Alabama against the Department of Health & Human Services, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and other government agencies seeking to stop the imposition of the contraception mandate as well as asking the court for a declaratory judgment that the mandate is unconstitutional. EWTN is the first Catholic organization to file suit since the final HHS rules were published by the Obama administration on January 20, 2012.

“We had no other option but to take this to the courts,” says EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “Under the HHS mandate, EWTN is being forced by the government to make a choice: either we provide employees coverage for contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs and violate our conscience or offer our employees and their families no health insurance coverage at all. Neither of those choices is acceptable.”

The lawsuit was filed on EWTN’s behalf by Mark Rienzi, Kyle Duncan, and Erik Kniffin from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

“We are taking this action to defend not only ourselves but also to protect other institutions – Catholic and non-Catholic, religious and secular – from having this mandate imposed upon them,” Warsaw continued. “The government is forcing EWTN, first, to inform its employees about how to get contraception, sterilization and abortifacient drugs, a concept known as forced speech. To make the matter worse, the government then will force EWTN to use its donors’ funds to pay for these same morally objectionable procedures or to pay for the huge fines it will levy against us if we fail to provide health care insurance. There is no question that this mandate violates our First Amendment rights. This is a moment when EWTN, as a Catholic organization, has to step up and say that enough is enough. Our hope is that our lawsuit does just that.”

The Becket Fund previously filed similar lawsuits on behalf of Belmont Abbey College, a small Catholic liberal arts college in Belmont, N.C., and Colorado Christian University, an interdenominational Christian liberal arts university near Denver, which demonstrates that this is not just a Catholic issue. Both suits were filed prior to the HHS rules being finalized in January.

“When the government recently mandated that all private group health plans cover certain abortion drugs (namely, Plan B and ella), as well as related education and counseling, [our clients] knew that they could not obey both the government’s mandate and their own religious convictions,” said Rienzi, who focuses his practice at the Becket Fund on violations of the Fourteenth Amendment, free speech, and the free exercise of religion. “The mandate has been sharply criticized from across the political spectrum, and from religious leaders of a variety of faiths.”

Duncan, a former Louisiana Solicitor General and General Counsel of the Becket Fund, said that without a change in the rules, EWTN could be forced to pay more than $600,000 for the “privilege” of not underwriting these services.

“This mandate is particularly hard on Catholics because Catholic organizations, such as hospitals, schools, social service agencies, media outlets and others, serve people regardless of their religious beliefs,” Warsaw said. “We serve others not because they are Catholic, but because we are Catholic. “

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 200 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is a non-profit, public-interest law firm dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions. The Becket Fund has a 17-year history of defending religious liberty for people of all faiths. Its attorneys are recognized as experts in the field of church-state law, and they recently won a 9-0 victory against the federal government at the U.S. Supreme Court in Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC.

EWTN: Eat, Pray, Talk, Love!

Eat, Pray, Talk, Love!
Welcome To EWTN’s March 2012 Season Preview


Irondale, AL – Imagine being able to watch a talk show with a genial psychologist host who actually dispenses advice in accordance with the teaching of the Catholic Church! Imagine no longer! “Living Right With Dr. Ray” is exactly that and more.

And it’s just one of 10 new shows premiering in March on EWTN. There’s also a cooking show, a prayer show for kids, a show featuring Catholics whose love for Jesus kept them true to the Faith in the face of torture and death, new cuts of the renowned series “Catholicism,” and much more! Here’s a sneak peek:
Living Right With Dr. Ray: Psychologist and Radio Host Dr. Ray Guarendi blends his deep professional experience and insight with his Catholic perspective and humor in a new one-hour talk show covering issues pertinent to families, children and seniors. He welcomes a wide array of guests, interacts with a live audience, and answers questions mailed to him from viewers worldwide. Airs 1 p.m. ET, Mondays; 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays; and 10 p.m. ET, Saturdays.
Mary’s Dowry Presents: Meet the Tudor and Elizabethan priests and other Roman Catholics who refused to attend the services of the Church of England and who were determined to keep the Faith there alive – even in the face of torture, persecution and death – and take a journey with Saxon queens and bishops who bore witness to the many miracles and Faith throughout English history. Airs 2:30 p.m. ET, Mondays; and 3:30 a.m. ET, Fridays.
Savoring Our Faith: Father Leo Patalinghuguses the kitchen as his pulpit to preach the Catholic faith, while at the same time showing viewers how to prepare flavorful dishes for the whole family. Airs 8:30 p.m. ET, Sundays; 6 p.m. ET, Wednesdays; and 2:30 a.m. ET, Thursdays.
Catholicism: Journey with Fr. Robert Barron to more than 50 locations throughout 16 countries. Be illuminated by the spiritual and artistic treasures of this global Church that claims more than one billion of the earth’s people. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sundays, 10:30 p.m. ET, Wednesdays, and 4:30 p.m. ET, Saturdays.
Cat Chat: The Cat Chat Family teaches kids the most important lessons on the Catholic Faith with catchy songs, silly jokes, action-packed juggling and unicycling and the adventures of the family cat, Moses. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Mondays.
The Catholic Epistles: Join Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, STD, President of Christendom College as he examines the place of the Catholic epistles in the New Testament Canon and their witness to the apostolic teaching. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Sundays and 3 a.m. ET, Saturdays.
Fathers for Good: On location in Makati City, Philippines, Father Francis Gustilo and Frank Padilla discuss the universal challenges faced by fathers and their families around the world. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Tuesdays and 6:30 p.m. ET, Saturdays.
The Way of the Cross for Kids: In this animated special for children, Christine, Eva, Joseph and Enrique follow the 14 Stations of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Fridays.
Both Servant and Free: Fr. Brian Mullady, O.P., S.T.D., presents an in-depth study of the moral doctrine of the Church with regard to conscience, freedom, law and the formation of moral maturity, offering solutions to contemporary moral problems in the post-Vatican II Church. Airs 2:30 a.m. ET, Fridays and 4 p.m. ET, Saturdays.
Diamonds from Daniel: Frances Hogan leads a meditation on selected passages from the Book of Daniel, and relates the levels of meaning contained in the book, as people would have gleaned them during the time in which they were written. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Wednesdays and 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays.
(Debuted in February) Genesis to Jesus: Dr. Scott Hahn and Co-Host Robert Corzine show how the Old and New Testaments present God's salvific actions through his Son, Jesus Christ. Based on Dr. Hahn's best-seller, “A Father Who Keeps His Promises.” Airs 9 p.m. ET, Mondays, and 2 a.m. ET, Thursdays.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

EWTN Announcement 1/31/12

EWTN This Week:
How did the Culture of Death Make Such Gains?
How Should Catholics Approach the Bible?
What are the Four Threats to Marriage?


Irondale, AL – Have you ever wondered how the culture of death gained such a foothold in society? What happened to make things go so wrong – and what can you do in your own country to build a culture of life? Find out in “The Thomistic Response to the Culture of Death,” part of a larger series “Thomas Aquinas in Today’s World” airing exclusively on EWTN. Download the entire series – for free -- to your desktop or MP3 player from EWTN’s audio library at http://bit.ly/yKbPH5. You can also purchase the DVD from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/wExEaZ. Want to know more? Purchase “50 Questions on the Natural Law,” available from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/w4ei2Q.

Discover a very successful Catholic drug rehabilitation center in Knock, Ireland. Watch “Cenacolo: From Darkness to the Light.” Airs 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Jan. 31; 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Feb. 2; and 6:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Feb. 3 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Would you like to understand more about the inner workings of the Vatican? Watch “EWTN’s Vatican Report.” Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Jan. 31; 3:30 a.m. ET, Friday, Feb. 3; and 6:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Feb. 4 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

If you missed EWTN’s “Life on the Rock” this week, which featured highlights from the “Walk for Life West Coast,” you can still see it on EWTN’s website! Click here, http://www.ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp, scroll down to “Life on the Rock” and click audio or video. We suggest video since the video package is especially awesome this week!

How should Catholics approach the Bible? Father Mitch Pacwa begins his explanation of Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical, “Verbum Domini.” Airs 2 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Jan. 31 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Has any place on earth given the world more saints than Europe? Yet many of the churches there today are virtually empty. John Hogan and Fr. Owen Gorman, S.T.L., the hosts of EWTN’s series “Forgotten Heritage and Europe,” visit Fr. Mitch Pacwa on the set of “EWTN Live” to talk about re-discovering Europe’s amazing heritage. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Feb. 1 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Get introduced to three of G.K. Chesterton’s best works! Dale Ahlquist, President of the American Chesterton Society, and host of EWTN’s series “G.K. Chesterton: Apostle of Common Sense,” visits “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck to discuss “Lepanto,” “The Catholic Church and Conversion,” and “The Well and the Shallows.” Find out why Chesterton’s views are as relevant to this generation as they were in Chesterton’s own lifetime. Airs 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Never has a series on marriage been more important than it is now – with marriage under attack on all fronts! Don’t miss EWTN’s Home Video Highlight “Love and Life in the Divine Plan.” This multi-part series on the four threats to marriage is packed with eye-opening lectures. Purchase it from the EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/xv7S8d.

“Shock and Awe.” Don’t miss EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Joan Lewis’ blog on the Jan. 20 decision by Health and Human Services, which requires that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Lewis provides the links you need to protest this decision. Find her blog at http://bit.ly/bFl5ze.

“Suffering Puts Love to the Test.” This truth is the title of a recent address by Pope Benedict XVI to the 26th International Conference organized by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. The Council was founded by Pope John Paul II whose later years were marked with constant suffering. If you or someone you love is suffering, you might want to check out what Pope Benedict has to say in EWTN’s on-line library, http://bit.ly/yu4dYP. If life is good right now, you may want to print this out and save it for a rainy day.

Moms! Need a little inspiration and encouragement? Check out “Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms.” These short spots air throughout the day on EWTN or you can find them all anytime of day on EWTN’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ewtn. Just type “everyday blessings” in the search box. God bless you – and thank you for choosing life!

Update: EWTN Facebook Posts

EWTN Facebook Posts: Episcopal Ordinations, Not-To-Be-Missed Documentary on Stem Cells,
A "Manly" Interview with Bill Bennett and More!

Irondale, AL – See the Pope ordain two new Archbishops! Tune in to EWTN at 9:30 a.m. ET, Friday, Jan. 6. During the Mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord in the Vatican Basilica, Pope Benedict will confer episcopal ordination upon archbishops-elect Msgr. Charles John Brown, apostolic nuncio to Ireland since November 2011, and Msgr. Marek Solczynski, apostolic nuncio to Georgia and Armenia. Archbishop-elect Charles Brown was ordained in the Archdiocese of New York in 1989 and served at St. Brendan’s Parish in Bronx, N.Y. before becoming an official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1994 under then-Cardinal Ratzinger as well as a Chaplain of His Holiness in 2000. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Man up! Don’t miss “World Over” Host Raymond Arroyo’s interview with Syndicated Radio Host Bill Bennett, on what it means to be a man in today’s culture. Hear Bennett talk about his latest offering, “The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood.” Airs 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Jan. 5 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

You wouldn’t know it from the media hype, but the number of human patients who have ever been cured of any disease using stem cells from embryos is exactly zero. This is just one of many scientific facts you will learn from the documentary, “Cutting Through the Spin on Stems Cells and Cloning” with Yale Ph.d and leading Catholic Bioethicist Father Tad Pacholcyzk. This must-see, must-share program airs at 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, Jan. 14; 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, Jan. 13, and 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, Jan. 14 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Is one of your continuing, but never fulfilled, resolutions to read or study the Bible? Get to know Jesus much better this year with the newest installment of the “Ignatius Study Bible: Genesis.” Find out all about this Bible, which is neither too academic or too freely translated, when Catholic Apologist Scott Hahn visits Host Doug Keck on “Bookmark.” Airs 9:30 a.m. ET, and 11:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, Jan. 8; 5 a.m. ET, Monday, Jan. 9; and 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Jan. 11 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder. Then, order your copy from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/zgwpEh

Find out about “Mary’s Meals” an organization which feeds and educates children across the globe. Don’t miss the “Life on the Rock’” interview with Mike Miller at 10 p.m. ET, Thursday, Jan. 5 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.
Our Lady’s role as Mother of God was once a hotly debated subject. But the Council of Ephesus in 431 declared it as a dogma of the Church. Find out why when the ever-popular Father Andrew Apostoliexplains why Mary truly is the Mother of God. Watch “Our Lady in Scripture & Tradition” at 2 p.m. ET, Friday, Jan. 6 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.
The Last Days! The End Times! The Apocalypse! The EWTN Theology Staff, led by Colin Donovan, and joined by Author Desmond Birch, continues their fascinating discussion on this much-feared, much-debated subject. Airs 10 p.m. ET, Sunday, Jan. 8, 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Jan. 10, and 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Jan. 12 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Celebrate the Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day with Pope Benedict XVI! Join him as he celebrates the Mass of the Epiphany from St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Airs 3)30 p.m. ET, and 6 p.m. ET, Friday, Jan. 6 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

“This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” Celebrate Holy Mass with Pope Benedict XVI in the Sistine Chapel on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET and 12 p.m. ET, Sunday, Jan. 8 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

It is often said that priests are “Alter Christus” – other Christs. Why? What exactly does that mean? Watch “Alter Christus” at 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Jan. 10 on EWTN to hear top Cardinals of the Church delve into the most important aspects of the priesthood. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

She’s a popular EWTN series host and author of the blog, “A Catholic Journalist in London,” http://www.ewtn.com/news/blog.asp?blog_ID=4. Don’t miss Joanna Bogle’s guest appearance at 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Jan. 11 exclusively on “EWTN Live.” Get the 411 on the latest installment of her series, “Feasts and Seasons.” Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

EWTN Updates: Dec. 21, 2011

EWTN: Two Weeks of Facebook Posts
Merry Christmas!
What Do Tolstoy, Dickens, James Cagney, Christopher Plummer, and Stockard Channing Have in Common?
All Are Part of EWTN's Christmas Programming

Irondale, AL – From “The Passion of the Christ” Producer Stephen McEveety comes “The Star of Bethlehem,” a one-hour documentary that proves the existence of the star that guided the Wise Men to the Baby Jesus. Airs 9:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 22; 5 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26; and 2 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 29 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Some movies are like candy; here today, gone today! Others stand the test of time. “A Link in the Chain” is one of the latter. James Cagney stars in the role of a retiring college professor who, wondering whether or not he's made a difference in the lives of his students, begins to reflect on his relationship with them. Airs 11 a.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 22; and 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 28 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with Ebenezer Scrooge may be one of the best-known of this beloved author’s works, but Dickens has not been called the greatest novelist of the Victorian era for nothing! Don’t miss “The Chimes,” another of his works, this week on EWTN! Watch as chiming church bells magically transport a poor and discouraged 19th Century porter to the future where his hope is renewed. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Dec. 23, and 4 p.m. ET, Friday, Dec. 30 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

What will the chorus at Catholic University of America sing during this year’s Christmas Concert? Find out when “Catholic University of America's Christmas Concert (2011)” comes to EWTN. Airs 2 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Dec. 27, and 4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 31. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Tajci was the Madonna of Croatia, but the Lord had others plans for her. Watch “Tajci: A Christmas Broadcast Special” on EWTN to see and hear her now! Airs 11 a.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 25, and 9 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

The great Russian Author Leo Tolstoy is known for novels like “War and Peace;” he couldn’t possibly have written a children’s tale, could he? Tune in as EWTN airs “Martin The Cobbler.” Based on Tolstoy’s children's classic, this story follows a lonelyshoemaker who rediscovers his faith in God. Narrated by Tolstoy's daughter Alexandra. Airs 9:30 a.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Christopher Plummer (“Sound of Music”) narrates “The First Christmas,” the timeless Nativity story for the enjoyment of your whole family! With a musical background of familiar carols, this engaging special will be a favorite in your home. Airs 4:35 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 22, and 4:35 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

“Gift of Peace” is a Christmas treat that covers the first six chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Watch Acclaimed Actor Leonardo Defilippis capture Jesus Christ’s infancy and early ministry, as he transforms himself into suspicious Zechariah, the trusting and humble young Mary, the cynical Pharisees, the delightful Peter, and Jesus the Beloved Savior. Airs 10 p.m. ET, Friday, Dec. 23; and 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Celebrate Mass on Christmas Eve with Pope Benedict XVI. Airs live from St. Peter’s Basilica at 4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24, with encores at 8 a.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 25 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Enjoy musical compositions for the Birth of Our Lord by the famed choir from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Airs live 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24 on EWTN. Find EWN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

See the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve celebrated live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Airs 10:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Join EWTN’s own Friars as they celebrate the Solemn Christmas Mass from EWTN’s Chapel in Irondale, Alabama. Airs live at 1 a.m. ET, Sunday, Dec.. 25, with an encore at 12 a.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Live from St. Peter’s Square in Rome, join the Holy Father for his always inspiring Christmas Day message to the world, better known as “Urbi Et Orbi: Message and Blessing.” Airs 6 a.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 25; 9 a.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 28, and 11 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 31 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Watch the Solemn Mass of Christmas Day live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Airs 12 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 25 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Forget Times Square! Tune in to EWTN on New Year’s Eve to watch the Holy Father as he presides at the first Vespers of Thanksgiving in St. Peter’s Basilica and then visits the crèche in St. Peter's Square. Airs 11 a.m. ET, and 5 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 31 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Stockard Channing narrates a charming fable based on Tolstoy’s classic tale about a lost young man with an amazing secret! Don’t miss “Michael the Visitor.” Airs 4 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Dec. 27 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

You and your children will love “Hermie and Friends: A Fruitcake Christmas!” In this charming tale, Hermie and his bug friends have a Christmas mystery on their hands when Granny Pillar's long-anticipated fruitcake disappears. An adventure ensues that leads everyone to make a decision between selfishness and sharing. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 22, and 4 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Help your child understand the true meaning of Christmas! Watch “We Celebrate Christmas: The Birth of Jesus.” In this special, Lammy, the loveable puppet, guides children through the Nativity story, with lots of singing, dancing, and good old fashioned fun. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 22, and 4:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 28 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

If you love the music of international recording star known as “Dana,” you will love “Dana: Our Family Christmas.” Airs 6 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 22 and 11 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Hear the San Juan Children’s Choir as they sing “Siempre Navidad.” Airs 1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Looking for a Christmas miracle? Watch “A Time To Remember,” the story of a young boy who develops his gift of song, withthe help of a beloved priest. It's a journey that requires faith, perseverance, and, yes, a Christmas miracle! Airs 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24, and 1 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Looking for the perfect children’s book? Consider “Friendship with Jesus,” the breathtaking result of Author Amy Welborn and Artist Ann Engelhart’s collaboration on a children’s picture book. The author and the artist talk to Host Doug Keck about their book, which illustrates the joys of friendship with Jesus, on this week’s “Bookmark.” Airs 5:30 p.m ET, Wednesday, Dec. 21 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Have you hit a roadblock in your relationship with the Lord? Prayer, which once filled you with insight and consolation, now feels like you are talking into a void. St. John of the Cross offers you his wise counsel as a roadmapthrough rough terrain. Order “Strength in Darkness” from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/vzH1KL.

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EWTN Launches Catholic Television Programming In Ukraine
An Historic First in Ukraine’s History

Irondale, AL – EWTN Global Catholic Network was launched Dec. 8 in Kyiv, the capital and largest city in Ukraine. At the invitation of Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, head of the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and through the cooperation and support of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), who operate the Catholic Media Centre (CMC) in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, EWTN was able to launch on Volia, the largest cable television operator in the country.

The Network’s Catholic television programming immediately began streaming 24-hours-a-day on Channel 137. EWTN’s programs are initially being broadcast in English, but the Oblates are already translating a growing number of these programs into Ukrainian.

With great joy, Kyiv Archbishop Petro Malchuk visited the CMC, where EWTN’s studios are located, for the Dec. 8 launch. After celebrating the Solemn Mass of the Immaculate Conception, he blessed the workers, the studio and its equipment, and placed the entire facility under the protection of Mary Immaculate, whose feast day it was.

In his remarks, the Archbishop noted that the area had just been blessed with its first snowfall. He said that this snowfall, which will irrigate the ground, was symbolic of EWTN coming to Ukraine and bringing God’s grace to the hearts of those who will view it. Archbishop Malchuk then pressed the button which launched EWTN’s programming.

“Today, for the first time in the history of Ukraine, we have launched Catholic television” said CMC Director Fr. Pavlo Vyshkovskyy, OMI. “As of today, we are able to broadcast only in Kyiv, but we pray to God that it will be possible to watch EWTN TV in other cities of Ukraine as well. We need the prayers and support of many people for that.”

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

Saint Boniface and the first Christmas Tree