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.