Connecticut Catholic Corner

Update: EWTN Facebook Posts

2012-01-08T11:31:00.002-05:00

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

2011-12-21T08:38:00.003-05:00

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

2011-12-09T19:28:00.003-05:00

EWTN Facebook Posts

2011-12-07T15:41:00.001-05:00

EWTN Facebook Posts:
New Hampshire Gets a New Bishop, Premiere of a Major New Documentary on Archbishop Sheen, Celebrate the Immaculate Conception

Irondale, AL – In accepting his Emmy award in 1952, Archbishop Fulton Sheen famously said, “It is time I pay tribute to my four writers – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.” See what made him such a beloved icon in the new documentary, “Servant of All.” Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 11, with an encore at 3 a.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 12 and 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 17 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Attention: Two episodes of the epic new series “Catholicism” will air this weekend – exclusively on EWTN! At 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 10, Host Fr. Robert Barron demonstrates how the ancient practices of the Church’s worship endure to this day as he travels to Jerusalem, Rome, Chicago, Orvieto and Mexico City. At 11 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 11, Fr. Barron looks at some of the Church’s greatest heroines: St. Katharine Drexexl, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Edith Stein and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

“Catholicism’s” Father Robert Barron visits “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck this week to discuss his “Word on Fire Media and Teaching Apostolate.” Father’s book, a lively presentation of Catholicism, uses art, music, painting, poetry, philosophy and the saints’ lives to illustrate the Biblical message. “Bookmark” airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 7 – exclusively on EWTN. Buy the book at http://bit.ly/uVeBI1. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Manchester, New Hampshire is getting a new bishop! See the Most Rev. Peter Anthony Libascias installed as the 10th bishop of the diocese at 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 8 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Get into the spirit of Advent! Watch “Advent Reflections,” a new series filmed on location at the ShrewsburyCathedral in England with Msgr. Philip Egan, Vicar General of the Diocese of Shrewsbury. Airs 11:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Dec. 9 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewt.com/channelfinder.

Celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with Pope Benedict XVI! Watch the Holy Father preside over the traditional homage to Mary Immaculate from Rome’s Piazza di Spagna. Airs 10 a.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 8 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

EWTN will televise two special Masses on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception! See the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal World celebrate Mass from Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Irondaleat 8 a.m. ET (live), with an encore at 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 8. At noon (live) with an encore at midnight, don’t miss this beautiful Mass as it is celebrated from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Freedom! Our secular society defines it as a license to do whatever you want, whenever you want. But authentic Christian freedom is much more beautiful that that! Watch “EWTN Live” at 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 7 to get the scoop on EWTN’s new series, “Authentically Free at Last.” Hosts Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Gloria Purvis and Damon Owens – talk about their new series, which tackles what it means to have a properly formed conscience and how to combat the many modern challenges to authentic human freedom. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

What exactly is the Immaculate Conception and why is it important? If you’d like to better understand the concept of the Immaculate Conception, consider purchasing “Meditations on the Immaculate Conception” with Bishop Anders Arborelius from Stockholm, Sweden. It’s available from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/t59Uud. You’ll never hear a more beautiful explanation!

Do not miss the new documentary on Archbishop Fulton Sheen, which airs this weekend – exclusively on EWTN! “Servant of All” features stories of a man who was such a popular television personality that he won an Emmy for “Most Outstanding Television Personality”! Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 11, with an encore at 3 a.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 12 and 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 17 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

EWTN: Archbishop Fulton Sheen Special

2011-12-07T02:59:00.002-05:00

EWTN to Air Personal Story
Of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
One of the 20th Century’s Most Influential Voices

Irondale, AL – After Archbishop Fulton Sheen won an Emmy in 1952 for “Most Outstanding Television Personality,” he famously quipped, “I feel it is time I pay tribute to my four writers – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.”

Now, EWTN is proud to introduce a new generation to this superstar priest, who inspired millions – both on television and in print media – by the way he lived and by the witness he gave to his personal relationship with God. The new movie, “Servant of All,” produced by the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, will premiere on EWTN at 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 11; with encores at 3 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 12; and 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 17.

The Dec. 11 premiere will be preceded at 7 p.m. ET by an episode of EWTN's “Sunday Night Prime” television program, which will be dedicated Archbishop Sheen’s Cause for Canonization. Don't miss Host Fr. Benedict Groeschel's interviews with Msgr. Stanley Deptula, Executive Director of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, and Fr. Andrew Apostoli, CFR, Vice-Postulator of Sheen’s Cause for Canonization.

To purchase “Servant of All” from EWTN Religious Catalogue, please click here, http://bit.ly/t98TVp. To purchase other EWTN programs about Archbishop Sheen; episodes of Sheen’s famous TV show, “Life is Worth Living;” and books by Archbishop Sheen, please click here, http://bit.ly/sJneyy. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

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 2011 Christmas Specials

2011-12-07T02:54:00.002-05:00

EWTN’s Christmas Specials:
From ‘Star of Bethlehem’ To ‘Martin The Cobbler’

Irondale, AL – It’s Christmas and EWTN Global Catholic Network is brimming with Christmas movies, specials, children’s programs, musical extravaganzas and more. Below is just a sampling of the many programs that will be aired on EWTN over Advent and Christmas 2011 on EWTN.

For a full listing of U.S. specials, please check our television schedule at http://www.ewtn.com/tv/NA_2011_Dec_Advance.asp. For international listings, please click here: http://www.ewtn.com/tv/schedule_index.asp. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Children’s Programs

Martin The Cobbler: Based on the classic children’s tale by the great Russian author Leo Tolstoy, this story follows a lonely shoemaker who rediscovers his faith in God; narrated by Tolstoy’s daughter Alexandra Tolstoy. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Dec. 20 and 9:30 a.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24.

We Are Catholic: Christmas Special: When the owner of the factory surprises everyone by shipping the largest Christmas tree in a helicopter, the Mayor is informed that Manuel and Phillip are lost in the forest. In a generous way, the helicopter is used to rescue the children. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Dec.20, 10 a.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24, and 4 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 29.

Michael The Visitor:Narrated by Stockard Channing, this charming fable is an adaptation of Tolstoy’s classic tale about a lost young man with an amazing secret. Airs 5 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 21 and 4 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Hermie and Friends: A Fruitcake Christmas: 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.

The First Christmas:The timeless Nativity story, narrated by Christopher Plummer(“Sound of Music”), was produced for the enjoyment of the 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.

We Celebrate Christmas: The Birth of Jesus:Lammy, the loveable puppet, guides children through the nativity story, and helps them to understand the true meaning of Christmas, 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.
Specials
Gift of Peace: The First Six Chapters of the Gospel of Luke: Leonardo Defilippis captures Jesus Christ's infancy and early ministry, and transforms himself into the aged and suspicious Zechariah, the trusting and humble young Mary, the cynical Pharisees, the delightful Peter, and Jesus the Beloved Savior. Airs 2 a.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 18; 10 p.m. ET, Friday, Dec. 23; and 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24.

Path of the Messiah, Part 1: An EWTN original documentary follows Raymond Arroyo and Jeff Cavins as they travel to the Holy Land to retrace the footsteps of Our Lord. Part One begins this dramatic and beautiful journey into Christ's homeland, fittingly accompanied by Jeff and Raymond's reflections on the Messiah's mission and ministry. Airs 5:30 a.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 19; 2 a.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 21; and 4:30 a.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 16.

Footprints of God: Jesus: The Word Became Flesh: Steve Ray continues his journey through Salvation History taking viewers to key sites from the life of Jesus, in this exciting travelogue, Bible study, and history lesson rolled into one. Airs 10 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Dec. 20.

The Star of Bethlehem: A look at the Biblical and historical evidence revealing the incredible significance of the Star of Bethlehem. Airs 9:30 a.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 22; 5 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26, and 2 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 29.

Timeless Dramas
A Time To Remember: This Christmas favorite tells the story of a young boy who develops his gift of song, with the help of a beloved priest. It’s a journey that requires faith, perseverance, and a Christmas miracle. Airs 1 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 21; 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24, and 1 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26.

A Link in the Chain: 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.

The Chimes: Written by Charles Dickens and narrated by Derek Jacobi, this is the story of a poor and discouraged 19th Century porter. Chiming church bells magically transport him 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.

Music

San Juan Children’s Choir Presents: Siempre Navidad: Airs at 4 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 21, and 1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 24.

Catholic University of America’s Christmas Concert (2011): Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Dec. 27, and 4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 31.

Dana: Our Family Christmas: Airs 6 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 22, and 11 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26.

Tajci: A Christmas Broadcast Special: Airs 11 a.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 25, and 9 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 26.
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.

Time for: the Silent Monks!!

2011-12-03T16:33:00.001-05:00

One of my very favorite Advent time Youtube videos...

Hope you enjoyed that!
:)

EWTN Announcement 12/1/11

2011-12-01T21:40:00.002-05:00

You 'Like' Us;
Over 100,000 Of You Really 'Like' Us!

Irondale, AL – It’s official! EWTN Global Catholic Network’s Facebook fan page now boasts more than 100,000 fans!

See what the buzz is all about at www.facebook.com/ewtnonline. EWTN’s Facebook page is constantly updated with video clips, newslinks, information about new shows, films and documentaries, breaking news about special guests, the latest information about what’s happening at EWTN, and a lot more.

“We’d like to thank our viewers for their support,” said EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “If you haven’t joined us on Facebook yet, please do! If you have, please take a moment and let your friends know. Next Thanksgiving, we hope to bring you the news that we have topped 200,000 Facebook ‘likes.’ We never rest in spreading the Gospel message – and this news shows that our fans don’t either.”

Also, as you’re making up your Christmas lists this year, please don’t forget to include EWTN. See Father Joseph’s special offer at http://bit.ly/s3swh1, and check out the EWTN Religious Catalogue, www.ewtn.com/ewtnreligiouscatalogue, for gifts that keep Christ in Christmas!

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 Announcements 10/28/11

2011-10-28T07:33:00.001-04:00

EWTN Launches New Television Network in Germany on Astra

Irondale, AL – EWTN Global Catholic Network will launch a new television network in Germany beginning Sunday, Nov. 6. EWTN Katholisches TV will air Catholic religious programming 24-hours-a-day on Astra 1H, one of the world’s largest providers of direct-to-home satellite services, reaching 135 million homes or 55% of all TV homes in Europe.

“We have been broadcasting part-time in Germany since July 2000, but the launch of our new network, EWTN Katholisches TV, on Astra IH will place us in the same satellite neighborhood as many of Germany’s most popular television channels,” said EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “This means we can bring the Gospel to millions more souls. Viewers can also tune into the new network via our new German website, www.ewtn.de.”

During the launch, EWTN will debut 12 new series in German. They will include the popular children’s program “The Friar,” or “Pater Johann” in German; a series on the Second Vatican Council with Auxiliary Bishop Klaus Dick, who was an eyewitness to the Council and is a friend of the Holy Father; Sunday Mass from the famous Cathedral of Cologne; “Mother Angelica Live Classics” and “The Journey Home” episodes, which have been translated into German; and much more. There’s also a complete devotional package that includes the four mysteries of the rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Way of the Cross, and five public litanies.

The German launch has been in the works for some time, according to Martin Rothweiler, Managing Director of EWTN’s German corporation. In fact, Rothweiler said that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVII, wrote a letter of support dated Dec. 21, 1999, just prior to EWTN’s July 2000 entry into Germany: “I have heard that Mother Angelica, who has established a big Christian television network [in the U.S.], is going to expand her work to Europe. I can only greatly welcome this intention. I explicitly recommend any kind of support for it. …This would be a step forward for the Church, and a valuable contribution to the moral renewal of our society…”

German viewers will find the 24-hour Network at the following coordinates: Satellite: ASTRA 19,2° East, Frequency: 12460 MHz, Polarisation: horizontal, Symbol rate 27500, channel name: EWTN Katholisches TV

Viewers may also be interested in learning that America’s best-selling biography of EWTN’s famous foundress, “Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles,” has been translated into German and is available direct from the publisher, www.media-maria.de, as well as from Amazon and German bookstores everywhere.

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 Announcments

2011-10-21T16:07:00.002-04:00

Another EWTN First:
Catholic Network To Launch on Roku
Programs Will Be Available in English and in Spanish

Irondale, AL – EWTN Global Catholic Network is proud to announce that it is the first Catholic television network to be available on Roku. Now Roku customers can watch EWTN’s U.S. English and U.S. Spanish (EWTN Español) television channels through their Roku streaming players.

Featuring a starting price of $59.99, Roku players allow customers to stream movies and TV shows, live sports, music, games and more – all instantly on their TVs. EWTN can be found in the Roku “Channel Store” under the “Religion & Spirituality” category. Customers just click on an icon with the familiar EWTN cross and globe logo, below which is written “EWTN Global Catholic Television Network.” EWTN is a free channel.

“Throughout our 30-year history, EWTN has always been willing to use cutting-edge technology to carry out our mission,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “Our partnership with Roku is an exciting innovation which makes our U.S. English and U.S. Spanish-language programs available to an even larger audience.”

EWTN’s diverse programs include live call-in talk shows, news programs, original series and documentaries, teaching series with noted theologians, award-winning children’s shows, live coverage of the Pope and important Church events, a live daily Mass, devotions, concerts, music, and much more.

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 Facebook Posts

2011-10-19T07:17:00.002-04:00

EWTN Facebook Posts:
St. Margaret Mary relics on U.S. tour, Savannah's new bishop, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison

Irondale, AL – Savannah, George is getting a new bishop and EWTN is the place to see him installed! Tune in to EWTN at 3 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 18 (or 12 a.m. ET, Wednesday, Oct. 19) to celebrate the Mass of Ordination and Installation of Fr. Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM Conv. as the 14th Bishop of Savannah. You’ll also get to see the breathtaking Cathedral of John the Baptist, which was newly renovated only a few years ago. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

The relics of St. Margaret Mary will be at EWTN on Wednesday, Oct. 19. If you can’t be in Irondale for public veneration, then do the next best thing! Tune into “EWTN Live” at 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Oct. 19 to see the relics and learn about the Emmanuel Community’s pilgrimage across the U.S. Discover the saint who was known as the Apostle of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and who responsible for promoting the First Friday devotion. This show is a must-see! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

The auto racing world was dealt a terrible blow with the death of Dan Weldon during a race in Las Vegas. NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison puts things in perspective as he discusses how he dealt with the tragic deaths of two of his sons as the result of events surrounding racing on EWTN’s newest radio program, “Blessed 2 Play.” Airs 2:30 p.m. ET Fridays and 4:30 p.m. ET Sundays – exclusively on the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network. Find an EWTN radio affiliate near you at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp or tune into EWTN’s SIRIUS Channel #130.

See Pope Benedict will make three blesseds into full-fledged saints! Tune into EWTN at 4 a.m. ET (live) or 12 p.m .ET, Sunday, Oct. 23 to this two-and-a-half hour special papal event! The three being canonized are Guido Maria Conforti, founder of the Pious Society of St. Francis Xavier for Foreign Missions; Luigi Guanella, founder of the Congregation of the Servants of Charity and the Institute of the Daughters of Our Lady of Providence; and Bonifacia Rodriguez Castro, foundress of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters, Servants of St. Joseph. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

What Catholics Really Believe! Let Dr. Ray Guarendi and Fr. Kevin Fete explain the differences in the way that Catholics and Protestants speak of their relationship with Jesus. Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET through November 2 – exclusively on EWTN. This show is so good, you will not want to miss a single episode! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Wish you could get your EWTN religious programming in German? Wish no longer! EWTN will launch a new television network in Germany beginning Sunday, November 6! EWTN Katholisches TV will air Catholic religious programming 24-hours-a-day on Astra 1H, one of the world’s largest providers of direct-to-home satellite services, reaching 135 million homes or 55% of all TV homes in Europe. If you live in the U.S and speak German, fear not. You can access the network streaming live on our new German website, www.ewtn.de or on EWTN’s English website at http://www.ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp.

He’s the founding editor-in-chief of the popular worship aid, “Magnificat,” and the artistic director of Blackfriars Repertory Theatre in New York. Hear Fr. Peter J. Cameron, O.P. talk about his latest book, “Mysteries of the Virgin Mary: Living Our Lady’s Graces,” with Host Doug Keck on this week’s “Bookmark.” Explore some of the major mysteries associated with Our Lady. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Oct. 19 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

What’s happening at the Vatican? Find out on “EWTN’s Vatican Report.” Airs 4:30 a.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 18; 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 20, and 6:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 22 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Pope Benedict XVI opened the doors to our Anglican brothers and sisters to come into the Catholic Church. Anglican clergy are “crossing the Tiber” in record numbers. How is this historic event going? Keep up-to-date by reading “A Catholic Journalist in London,” Joanna Bogle’s blog, which can be read exclusively on EWTN’s website, www.ewtn.com (Find her under “Blogs.”)

Learn how to defend the institution of marriage! Tune into “EWTN on Location: Love and Life in the Divine Plan Family Conference,” which airs at 10 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 25 , and 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 27 – exclusively on EWTN. This week, hear the Action Institute’s Dr. Sam Gregg discuss human anthropology and marriage. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

EWTN Press Release: Oct. 11, 2011

2011-10-11T12:22:00.003-04:00

EWTN Global Catholic Network to Premiere ‘Vianney Speaks’
With St. Luke Productions’ Acclaimed Filmmaker Leonardo Defilippis

Editors: See Free Story, Based on a Defilippis Interview, Following Press Release

Irondale, AL – St. John Vianney was such a holy priest, he knew a penitent’s sins even before he confessed them, he was attached by the devil almost every night, and he converted every single soul in his parish – so people came to Ars as much to experience his parishioners as the saint himself.

Hear this saint’s life-changing sermons in the EWTN Original Co-Production, “Vianney Speaks” with acclaimed Actor and Filmmaker Leonardo Defilippis. The program will air 1 p.m. ET, Friday, Oct. 14, and 5 a.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 15 – exclusively on EWTN. (Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.)

“The majority of people have never heard any sermons like this from the pulpit,” Defilippis said. “They are very moving. Vianney was known to weep in front of people; he would also be thunderous; he would shake people up! I decided to take some of these sermons and put them into a dramatic format. I could have done it in [an EWTN] studio with a simple set, but we decided to go even further and put it into a cinematic format so you felt as if you were in Ars itself.”

Defilippis calls Vianney one of the most important saints in our Church and in Christianity. “I say that because he is directly connected with the very structure of the Church itself. He’s a priest, pastor, and patron saint of all priests, all bishops, all pastors. The parish is the foundation from which every saint comes. St. Francis, Mother Teresa, all grew up in a parish. They got their sacraments, their vocation, from priests.”

The sermons selected for this program are true masterpieces and include Vianney’s warnings about the enemies of our salvation. “[Satan] said to St. John Vianney himself, ‘I’m with you even in the Mass, as you’re doing the consecration, when you’re in the confessional. When a penitent leaves, I’m with them.’ [The devil] does the same with families; he goes after the mother and the father. He told John Vianney, ‘When the parents are mine, the children are mine.’ Our greatest weapon [against the devil] is the rosary.”

To learn more about the television special and to view movie trailers and videos, visit www.vianneyspeaks.com.

To learn more about the Curé of Ars, check out the many resources available from EWTN Religious Catalogue. There you will find the “Vianney Speaks” DVD, http://bit.ly/nxUGuT; an episode of EWTN’s award-winning “My Catholic Family” animated children’s TV series on St. John Vianney (in both English and Spanish), http://bit.ly/p3tD5T; a classic book by Abbe Francis Trochu entitled “The Cure D’Ars: St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney,” http://bit.ly/pnSTvb; and many other related items. Just go to http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com and search for “Vianney” and “St. John Vianney.”

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.
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“Vianney Speaks” Could Change Your Life
By Michelle Laque Johnson
St. John Vianney was such a holy priest, he knew a penitent’s sins even before he confessed them, he was attached by the devil almost every night, and he converted every single soul in his parish – so people came to Ars as much to experience
But was he one of the most important saints in Church history, as some claim? Hear some of Vianney’s life-changing sermons and decide for yourself when acclaimed Actor and Filmmaker Leonardo Defilippis brings this saint to life in the EWTN Original Co-Production “Vianney Speaks.” Airs 1 p.m. ET, Friday, Oct. 14, and 5 a.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 15 – exclusively on EWTN.

“Vianney Speaks” grew out of an original play that Defilippis wrote on the saint – one he has performed across the country. There are a few snippets of Vianney’s famous sermons in the play, which showcases the life-changing experiences people had after going to confession to Vianney and how the devil attacked him. But after reading Vianney’s sermons, Defilippis knew they deserved greater attention in and of themselves.

“The majority of people have never heard any sermons like this from the pulpit. They are very moving. Vianney was known to weep in front of people; he would also be thunderous; he would shake people up! I decided to take some of those sermons and put them into a dramatic format. I could have done it in [an EWTN] studio with a simple set, but we decided to go even further and put it into a cinematic format so you felt as if you were in Ars itself.”

By tradition, Vianney was considered exceedingly dumb; in fact, he barely made it through the Seminary. At least one of his fellow seminarians was so outraged about his ordination that he circulated a petition against him – and Vianney was so humble he asked if he could sign it! Little did either of these men know that this underdog’s sermons would be so profound that some now say he should be made a doctor of the Church.

Undoubtedly, this humble man heard more confessions than any other priest in Church history. “He heard confessions for 41 years straight, 365 days a year,” Defilippis said. “He started out a couple hours a day and then went to 16 to 18 hours a day. He had a bigger stream of pilgrims coming to him than to any parish church in Church history.”

Small wonder since he cared about everything and everyone. For example, Defilippis says there is the story about a mother who was worried about her son getting married at age 15 or 16 to another girl around the same age, so she decided to travel to Ars to ask Vianney for his advice. However, when she got to the church and saw how packed it was, she realized it would take weeks to see the popular priest, and she knew she had to get back to her children. As she prepared to leave, Defilippis says Vianney burst out of the confessional, walked down the aisle and said to her, “Do not be afraid. Let them marry. They will be okay.” And he walked away.

“He took care of even the simplest thing that a mother or father or child would worry about it,” Defilippis said. “These kinds of things happened all the time! He is one of the most of the most important saints in our Church and in Christianity. I say that because he is directly connected with the very structure of the Church itself. He’s a priest, pastor, and patron saint of all priests, all bishops, all pastors. The parish is the foundation from which every saint comes from. We all come from the parish structure. St. Francis, Mother Teresa, all grew up in a parish. They got their sacraments, their vocation, from priests.”
St. John Vianney also warned people about “the enemies of our salvation” – warnings that you will hear in “Vianney Speaks.”

Says Defilippis: “We forget that the devil is alive and well, and he’s in the Church. He said to St. John Vianney himself, ‘I’m with you even in the Mass, as you’re doing the consecration, when you’re in the confessional. When a penitent leaves, I’m with them.’ [The devil] does the same with families; he goes after the mother and the father. He told John Vianney, ‘When the parents are mine, the children are mine.’ Our greatest weapon [against the devil] is the rosary,”
As for this week’s program, Defilippis said he hopes that people will put themselves in the proper frame of mind before tuning into “Vianney Speaks.”

“You want to get into the right mode to absorb something so rich and so beautiful, to settle down and get focused” he said. “A lot of us are so busy, it’s hard for us to take that time and just listen and be quiet. It’s hard for me too. Therefore, you miss so much! What we all do is think that everything revolves around what we have to accomplish – and it doesn’t really matter. In the end, God accomplishes it. God really should take all the credit.”

Watch “Vianney Speaks” – and take it to heart. To God be the glory!
Note: To learn more about the television special and to view movie trailers and videos, visit www.vianneyspeaks.com. To learn more about the Curé of Ars, check out the many resources available from EWTN Religious Catalogue. There you will find the “Vianney Speaks” DVD, http://bit.ly/nxUGuT; an episode of EWTN’s award-winning “My Catholic Family” animated children’s TV series on St. John Vianney (in both English and Spanish), http://bit.ly/p3tD5T; a classic book by Abbe Francis Trochu entitled “The Cure D’Ars: St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney,” http://bit.ly/pnSTvb; and many other related items. Just go to http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com and search for “Vianney” and “St. John Vianney.”

EWTN Press Release: October 11, 2011

2011-10-11T12:20:00.001-04:00

EWTN Facebook Posts: From help in living out your marriage vows in a modern world to a man some say is the most important saint of modern times

Irondale, AL – Love sports and your Catholic faith? Then tune into “Faith Bowl IV” to watch award-winning Major League Broadcaster Vin Scully interview five-time MLB All-Star Mike Sweeny Jr., his father and high school Coach Mike Sweeny Sr., and Kristin Sheehan, co-director of Notre Dame’s “Play Like a Champion” program. Part 1 airs 6:30 p.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 11, while Part 2 airs 6;30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 12 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Want to understand more about the Magisterium of the Catholic Church? Look no farther! Tune into “EWTN Theology Roundtable” at 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 11 or 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 13 as Host Colin Donovan discusses the Magisterium with Fr. Mark Mary Cristina, MFVA, and EWTN Theologians Cindy Cuellar and Tom Nash – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

If you love St. Teresa of Avila, don’t miss “Teresa De Jesus.” The beloved eight part mini-series on the great saint and mystic begins 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 12, with an encore at 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 15. Part 2 will immediately follow, with airings at 2 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 12 and an encore at 9 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 15 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder. If you only speak English, you’ll have to work a little harder because of the subtitles, but it is well worth it! Spanish speakers will rejoice!

Need help living our you marriage in the modern world? Then, don’t miss “EWTN Live” this week as Host Father Mitch Pacwa interviews Fr. James Dean, who guided Greg & Julie Alexander back from the brink of divorce by teaching them to incorporate the truths of the Church into their marriage. The couple, now marriage coaches, started “The Alexander House” to help other couples with their revolutionary Marriage Works N-Him™ process. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Oct. 12 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Missions! Find out how to give and receive from the missions this week on EWTN’s “Threshold of Hope” with Father Mitch Pacwa. Airs 2 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 11 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

New proof of the existence of God! Watch Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. discuss his latest book by the same name on this week’s “Bookmark” with Host Doug Keck. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Oct. 12 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Sister Joan of Arc of the Nashville Dominicans is a former Division 1 basketball and track athlete at the University of Notre Dame. Hear her story this week on EWTN Radio’s “Blessed 2 Play.” Airs 2:30 p.m. ET, Fridays, with an encore at 4:30 p.m. ET, Sundays – exclusively on the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network. Find EWTN Radio at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp.

Free podcast! Download EWTN’s “Speaking of Saints” – October’s 13-part podcast – for free! Mother Teresa of Calcutta touched the lives of countless people across the globe. Series Host Susan Conroy’s summer at Mother’s home for the destitute and dying in Calcutta led to a lasting friendship. Conroy shares stories highlighting the lessons we can learn from Mother Teresa’s example. Find it here: http://www.ewtn.com/podcast/index.asp#special.

He’s one of the most important saints in the history of the Church, but few know much about him. Hear some of St. John Vianney’s most life-changing sermons, including the one about “the enemies of our salvation, in “Vianney Speaks.” This original EWTN co-production with St. Luke Productions’ acclaimed Actor and Filmmaker Leonardo Defilippis could change your life. Airs 1 p.m. ET, Friday, Oct. 14, and 5 a.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 15 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

The Church in Vietnam is supposedly free, yet it’s under constant surveillance because the socialist order considers it a threat. Find out all about it in “Vietnam – Gilded Cage.” Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 13 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Can’t get enough of St. Teresa of Avila, whose feast day is celebrated October 15? Then tune into “Lives of the Saints: St. Teresa of Avila,” a one-hour docudrama on this 16th Century saint and mystic. Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6?30 p.m. ET, Friday, Oct. 14 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

How did the Catholic Church get its devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and how did this devotion spread? Find out in “Saint Margaret Mary and the Sacred Heart.” Record it at 1 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 16 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

EWTN Announcements 9/27/11

2011-09-27T15:07:00.001-04:00

Cohabitation. Living together. “Everyone” is doing it – so what’s the problem? Find out when EWTN airs a dynamic presentation by University of Virginia Professor Dr. Brad Wilcox, who was featured at the “Life and Love in the Divine Plan Family Conference” at Aquinas College in Nashville, Tenn. Airs 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Sept. 27 and 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 29 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

St. Thèrése fans! Don’t miss the opportunity to see the acclaimed feature film, “Miracle of Saint Thèrése.” This classic film made in France in 1959 follows the life of this Carmelite saint from her childhood through her death and explores her unique spirituality, known as the “Little Way.” Airs 1 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 28 and 8 pm. ET, Saturday, Oct. 1, her feast day! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Fans of “Crossing the Goal” rejoice! Former NFL all-pro wide receiver Danny Abramowicz and his team from EWTN’s hit show, “Crossing the Goal,” will storm the set of “EWTN Live” with Host Fr. Mitch Pacwa at 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 28. Don’t miss a minute of the fun – exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

“The Fighting Nun!” That’s what “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck affectionately calls Sr. Margherita Marchione, who returns to the show to discuss another wonderful book on her hero, Pope Pius XII. For years, she has been a champion of his monumental work to save the Jews from the scourge of Hitler during World War II. “The Truth Will Set You Free” sets forth the deeds of Pius XII during his amazing pontificate. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 28 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Dolores Hope! Don’t miss EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo’s personal tribute to this 102-year-old Hollywood legend – a daily communicant who was instrumental in her late husband’s conversion late in life. Read his latest blog, “The Other Lady of Hope, Dolores Hope, RIP,” at http://origin.ewtn.com/news/blog.asp?blog_ID=2.

Always wanted to own and operate a Catholic radio station? Find out how at EWTN’s Catholic Radio Conference Oct. 12 -15 in Birmingham, Alabama. Get the details at http://www.catholicradioconference.com/.

It’s classic James Cagney! Don’t miss this film, “A Link in the Chain,” which features Cagney in the role of a retiring college professor, who wonders if he’s made a difference in the lives of his students. Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 28 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Find out about the many graces received in Great Britain during the tour of the relics of St. Thèrése! Watch “Heart of the Matter,” at 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 1, the feast day of this beloved saint. Features Fr. Daniel Seward and a lineup of expert guests including Msgr. Keith Barltrop, National Coordinator of the British tour, an attraction that proved to be an even greater draw than Pope John Paul II’s 1979 visit to Ireland! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Follow the tour of the relics of St. Thèrése to South Africa and the African continent! Watch “The Little Flower in Africa,” a documentary featuring interviews with Catholic Church leaders and the lay faithful, an overview of Carmelite spirituality, a brief history of the Catholic Church in South Africa, and more. Airs 1 p.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 30, and 5 a.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 1.

Learn how modern artisans restored the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi to its former glory following the devastating 1997 earthquake that rocked central Italy. Watch “Restoration of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi” at 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 29 – exclusively on EWTN.

EWTN Special: Mother Angelica and Hollywood Legend Dolores Hope!

2011-09-23T13:37:00.004-04:00

In memory of Hollywood Legend Dolores Hope! EWTN will re-air Mother Angelica’s poignant interview with the late wife of Comedian Bob Hope. Find out how you can be “in the world, but not of it.” Airs 7 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 24 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

EWTN Facebook Announcements

2011-09-19T14:57:00.002-04:00

EWTN Facebook Posts: Did you know a large majority of scientific discoveries over the past 400 years were made by Catholic priests?

Irondale, AL – Did you know that a preponderance of major scientific discoveries over the past 400 years were made by Catholic priests? That’s just one reason that using science as a club to attack religion is ridiculous! Tune into “Bookmark” this week as Dr. Stephen Barr discusses his book, “Modern Physics and Ancient Faith,” with Host Doug Keck. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 21 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Don’t have time to go to Church or school to study the Bible? What if five of the foremost Bible study scholars in the world came directly to your home? That’s what will happen if you record “What Every Catholic Needs to Know About the Bible.” Set your video recorders to EWTN at 4:30 a.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 21 – and you’ll soon be evangelizing your friends! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Padre Pio is one of the most beloved saints of modern times. Follow the life, times and events that shaped the miracles associated with this amazing priest in “Padre Pio’s San Giovanni: I Can Refuse No One.” Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 21 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

When told they are going to die, some people bargain with God – and sometimes God answers. Such was the case with Fr. Patrick Peyton, who was cured of TB through the intercession of Our Lady. In gratitude, he began a mission to propagate the rosary to reunite families in disarray after World War II. Find out more in “Most Unusual Man.” Airs 10 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 18; 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Sept. 20; and 5 a.m. ET, Thursdays, Sept. 22 on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Want to know what happened at the Vatican this week? Tune into “Vaticano.” This week, listen to Pope Benedict XVI talks about prayer and the closeness of God in hard times; hear from missionary sisters who are walking in the footsteps of giants; see an international organization laboring to nurture a culture of life; join a group of Venezuelans as they complete the pilgrimage of their dreams – and more! Airs 10 a.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 18 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Learn about the role of prayers and sacrifice in the lives of missionaries! Tune into “Threshold of Hope” with Fr. Mitch Pacwa. Airs 10 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Sept. 20 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Trust Tami Kiser, a busy mom of nine, teacher, volunteer and more, to teach you how to balance your priorities so you'll have ample time for Jesus throughout your day. Her new book, “Smart Martha’s Catholic Guide for Busy Moms,” has helped thousands lead more fulfilling lives by becoming more spiritually focused. Get it from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/p2bl06.

Is “Lord of the Rings” really a fundamentally religious and Catholic work? Author Joseph R. Tolkien thought so! Watch Joseph Pearce talk about the Catholicity in this famous series in EWTN’s September Home Video “Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings: a Catholic Worldview.” Available now from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/qkTYB4.

Hear the top Catholic News of the week on “Register Radio.” Tune in 2 p.m. ET, Fridays; 7 p.m. ET, Saturdays; and 11 a.m. ET, Sundays – exclusively on the EWTN Radio Network. Find EWTN’s AM/FM affiliates at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp/

Get insights and observations about the Vatican and Rome available nowhere else! Read “Joan’s Rome,” a blog by EWTN Bureau Chief Joan Lewis. Find it here: http://www.ewtn.com/news/blog.asp?blog_ID=1.

September only! Free EWTN podcast: September 11th: A Spiritual Response. Download it – and other great podcasts – at http://www.ewtn.com/podcast/index.asp#special.

EWTN Press Release September 19, 2011

2011-09-19T14:36:00.003-04:00

EWTN Supports Mexico’s Bishops’ Conference in Developing Catholic Radio

Irondale, AL – Representatives of EWTN’s Radio Católica Mundial were honored to be asked to assist the bishops of Mexico in their efforts to develop and grow Catholic radio in Mexico by participating in the Episcopal Conference Communications Commission’s (CEPCOM) Second National Meeting of Internet Catholic Radio, which was held in August on the premises of the Mexican Episcopal Conference at Lago de Guadalupe.

“EWTN has encouraged Mexican Catholic radio to integrate professionalism with a cheerful experience of the Faith,” said Mons. Luis Artemino Calzada, Bishop of Valle de Chalco and President of the Communication Commission of the Mexican Bishop Conference. “It is deeply remarkable how EWTN’s great team of professionals have taken their deep faith in Christ and in the Gospel to empower a work with worldwide repercussions.”

Claudio Ramirez, EWTN’s Director of Marketing for Latin America and Spain, said EWTN was happy to help.

“Practically speaking, Mexico does not have Catholic radio now,” said Ramirez, who led off the main day of the conference with a talk entitled “Charisma of EWTN, Radio Católica Mundial.” “The Church has begun to develop Internet Catholic radio as well as AM and FM stations. We were invited by the Bishops’ Conference to assist in the conference with our radio experience and to give recommendations about the identity, mission and production of Catholic radio.”

EWTN’s Radio Católica Mundial has been broadcasting throughout Latin America and Spain since 1996 through its AM & FM affiliates and Internet streaming audio, and since 1992 via shortwave radio. EWTN offers two radio networks in English and Spanish, which broadcast the message of the Gospel 24-hours-a-day to more than 258 million people around the world and to 10.7 million satellite radio subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.

In addition to Ramirez, Juan Manuel Youshimats, EWTN’s Marketing Manager for México and Central America, spoke at the conference about the “Identity and Mission of Catholic Radio,” and Douglas Archer, EWTN’s Director of Spanish Programs, spoke about the “Process of Making and Airing a Catholic Radio Program.”

“EWTN is pleased to assist the Bishops’ Conference with its important new initiative in starting up and continuing to develop Catholic radio in the country,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “In addition to Radio Católica Mundial, our commitment to the Hispanic market includes EWTN Español, a television channel which broadcasts 24-hours-a-day; a Spanish website, www.ewtn.com/espanol; an e-newsletter “Alas;” a YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/ewtnespanol; a Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/ewtnespanol; a Twitter site, http://twitter.com/#!/ewtnespanol; numerous books and pamphlets, and much more!”

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 Announcements

2011-09-13T06:49:00.004-04:00

Remembering Archbishop Pietro Sambi, papal nuncio! EWTN will air a Memorial Mass for His Excellency Archbishop Pietro Sambi live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. at 12 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 14, with an encore at midnight. The Mass will be celebrated by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Get your sports with a little bit of soul! Tune into the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network to hear “Blessed2Play,” a sports show in which top athletes talk about the role of faith in their lives both on and off the field. Airs 2:30 p.m. ET, Fridays, with an encore at 4:30 p.m. ET, Sundays. Find an EWTN Radio affiliate near you at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp or tune into EWTN’s Sirius Satellite Channel #130.

God, Modern Life and Physics! That’s the topic when Prof. Anthony Rizzi of the Institute for Advanced Physics guests on “EWTN Live” with Host Father Mitch Pacwa. Don’t miss Prof. Rizzi, who takes on science’s challenge to the Faith. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 14 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

One more chance! Fr. Benedict Groeschel joins EWTN’s “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck to talk about “The Cross at Ground Zero.” In this book, Father Groeschel discusses the many questions people ask in the face of overwhelming tragedy. Tune in to EWTN at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14. Then, order your copy of the book at http://bit.ly/qtBEN6. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

This month’s FREE podcast from EWTN is “September 11: A Spiritual Response.” Click here, http://www.ewtn.com/podcast/index.asp#special, to download four episodes of Fr. Groeschel’s discussion of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which brought our nation and the world to its knees.

“The family that prays together stays together.” This saying is familiar to most Catholics, but not everyone is familiar with the story behind Fr. Patrick Peyton, the man who popularized it. His story is told by show business personalities and features clips and photos from his Family Theatre productions on radio and TV. “Most Unusual Man” airs 10 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 18, 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Sept. 20, and 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 22 – on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

She’s one of the youngest saints in the history of the Catholic Church! Don’t miss “Maria Goretti,” the story of the young girl who gave her life to protect her purity. She later appeared to her murderer in a dream and forgave him, an act which changed his life. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 17 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Do you love Padre Pio? Then don’t miss “At the Gates of Heaven,” a documentary which looks at the canonization process of this relatively new saint. Airs 1 p.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 16, and 5 a.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 17 – on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Hear the EWTN theology staff discuss the issues of the day! Tune in to “EWTN Theology Roundtable” at 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Sept. 13 or 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 15. This month, the staff focuses on Scripture and Tradition. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

If you love Easter Church iconography, or want to learn more about it, has EWTN got a show for you! Don’t miss “Sacred Craft,” which explains the theology and artistry of icons, at 2 a.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 18; 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23; and 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 23 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Forgiveness

2011-09-11T09:25:00.005-04:00

It's not always easy, but it is always necessary.

First Reading
30 Anger and wrath, these also are abominations, and the sinful man will possess them. [Sir.27:30]

1 He that takes vengeance will suffer vengeance from the Lord, and he will firmly establish his sins.
2 Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.

3 Does a man harbor anger against another, and yet seek for healing from the Lord?
4 Does he have no mercy toward a man like himself, and yet pray for his own sins?
5 If he himself, being flesh, maintains wrath, who will make expiation for his sins?
6 Remember the end of your life, and cease from enmity, remember destruction and death, and be true to the commandments.
7 Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook ignorance.
8 Refrain from strife, and you will lessen sins; for a man given to anger will kindle strife,
9 and a sinful man will disturb friends and inject enmity among those who are at peace. [Sir.28:1-9]

Psalm Reading
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. [Pslam 103:1-4, 9-12]

Second Reading

7 None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.
8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
[Romans 14:7-9]

Gospel Reading

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?"
22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
24 When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents;
25 and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'
27 And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
28 But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.'
29 So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'
30 He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt.
31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.
32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me;
33 and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'
34 And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt.
35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
[Matthew 18:21-35]

*source: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#11

EWTN Announcements

2011-09-07T06:07:00.002-04:00

How do you know when the Lord is talking to you? How can you be sure what He is asking you to do? Is there a way to know? St. Ignatius of Loyola said it is possible what the Lord is saying to you and he shared this knowledge in a famous system known as the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Learn all about it in EWTN’s superb new series, “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola” with Father Tim Gallagher of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sundays; 1 p.m. ET, Mondays; and 5 a.m. ET, Fridays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder. Do NOT miss this one!

If you’re Irish -- or just wish you were – you won’t want to miss “Catholic Lives Ireland” – exclusively on EWTN. The stellar lineup includes the founder of “Children in the Crossfire;” a nun whose chastity program transformed Uganda into Africa’s success story in the fight against HIV/Aids; the three-time winner of Ireland’s prestigious “Sam Maguire Cup” and manager of the renowned County Tyrone Gaelic Football Team – and so many more! This must-see series airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Mondays and 4 a.m. ET, Thursdays. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Learn about the lives of Chinese martyrs – and those who are dying for the faith in China even today! Tune into EWTN’s exclusive new series, “Saints of China,” hosted by Anthony Clark, assistant professor of East Asian history at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Airs 11 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 2:30 a.m. ET, Fridays. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Which country has the most beautiful churches and shrines dedicated to Our Lady? Some say it is the Philippines? Are they right? Find out in “Mary, Mother of the Philippines” with Father Melvin Castro. Airs 2:30 a.m. Etna d 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Did you know that the Catholic Church is at the forefront in the fight against human trafficking? Fr. Benedict Groeschel talked about this with John Klink, head of a little-known Vatican agency known as the International Catholic Migration Commission, this past Sunday on “Sunday Night Prime.” Did you miss this riveting show? Find it now on EWTN’s YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/ewtn.

Uncertain about your need for spiritual direction or how it might benefit you? Find out everything you need to know about spiritual direction when Father David J. Simonetti guests on “EWTN Live” with Host Father Mitch Pacwa. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 7 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

What if you could question your favorite saints about the life and times – and our own? What might you learn? Find out this fall on EWTN’s new series, “Saints Alive!” Airs Sundays at 10:30 a.m. ET, Mondays at 6 p.m. ET, Tuesdays at 4 a.m. ET, and Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. ET – exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Examine the physical evidence (and metaphysical premises for) the existence of God! Tune into EWTN’s new series, “The Heavens Proclaim the Glory of God” with Father Robert Spitzer. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Mondays; and 5:30 p.m. ET, Fridays – exclusively on EWTN. Find www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Explore the lives of the saints with EWTN favorites, Fr. John Trigillio and Fr. Ken Brighenti. Their new series, “Crash Course in the Saints,” airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 5:30 a.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET, Wednesdays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

EWTN’s viewers are familiar with Joanna Bogle. This British dynamo hosts “Feasts and Seasons” and other shows on EWTN and regularly blogs on www.ewtn.com as “A Catholic Journalist in London.” But we bet you didn’t know that Bogle was greatly influenced by a little-known nun named Sister Mary Alban! Find out more when Bogle joins “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck to discuss her new book, “A Nun With A Difference: The Life and Letters of Sister Mary Alban, FC.” Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept 7 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Miss a show on EWTN? Just go to EWTN’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ewtn and get yourself a little inspiration!

Eucharistic Adoration

2011-09-06T07:32:00.002-04:00

Connecticut Catholic Corner has a new video...

Hope you enjoyed it.

God bless!

Tell them it's a sin!

2011-09-03T20:00:00.018-04:00

We are all sinners, but we are not all 'repenters' (if that's not a word it should be). Today people have redefine what is sin. Abortion? That's not murder, it's choice! Gay marriage? That's not an abomination to God, it's love! Euthanasia? It's not killing, it's mercy! Does society today even know what sin is anymore?!

During mass tonight I was reflecting on the readings as I usually do. The Old Testament reading prompted this post.

Ezekiel 33: 7 - 9
7 "So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.
8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.
9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life.

Did you get that last bit? The sinners blood will be on YOUR hands IF you didn't warn them about sin. Catholics are you speaking up about sin in society today or have you been bullied into thinking 'tolerance' means you have to shut up? Have you been told you are homophobic because you oppose gay marriage? (I've yet to see anyone who is afraid of a gay person- such a ridiculous argument). Have you been told that to "love your neighbor" you must not only tolerate gay marriage but accept it and want it taught to your children in public school? Have you been told to "mind your own business" when the topic of abortion comes up? Have you heard other Catholics say things like "I'm against abortion BUT I think it's a choice for other women"? It's not a choice, it's a death sentence to an innocent pre-born human being. Murder is sin. Supporting the "choice" of murder is a sin too. If you're not warning people of these sins, it will be on you one day.

Have you heard any of these things? Has anyone said them to you? They have to me and my response is "If I didn't love you, I wouldn't bother sharing the Word of God with you."

To love your neighbor as yourself is wanting what's best for them. The best for them is Jesus Christ. Gay marriage is not love, its sin. If I hated you I would accept and tolerate your sins, but I love you so I will NOT accept or tolerate your sin.

Scripture clearly tells us to WARN the sinner of their sin- they may not know what they are doing is sin unless you tell them. Do NOT beat them over the head with your bible or catechism. That does nothing but irritate people. SHARE the love of God with people. Share how much God hates sin and wants people to repent and turn to Him. Share the beauty of your Catholic faith. Don't keep it some guarded secret! Don't miss the opportunity to share God with another person.

Catholics have the most amazing blessings from God in our Sacraments. One of them is Confession/Reconciliation. This is a gift, a gift we need to embrace and put to use in our lives. We sin, we sin daily in ways we recognize and sometimes in ways we don't at first recognize. Sin separates us from God, but Confession brings us back. If you have supported gay marriage, abortions, euthanasia and more you need to confess these things and you can be forgiven. Don't fall for society redefining everything and telling you these things aren't sins, they are! Look at yourself, see your sins and confess them.

Sin leads to death...eternal death. But our Loving Father in Heaven has given us the choice to choose life or death. Choose life. Go to Confession, have your sins forgiven. There is nothing that God won't forgive you for if you repent and truly seek forgiveness for your sins. He knows you're a sinner, He's just waiting for your confession.

From the wonderful Archbishop Fulton Sheen...(you don't want to miss this)
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

I love Archbishop Sheen's final words...

"If you had never sinned, you never could call Jesus 'Savior'."

Powerful.

Catholicism Series by Fr. Robert Barron

2011-09-02T08:57:00.004-04:00

Oooooooohhh! Wow!

Did that not inspire you?

Father Robert Barron shares the truth of Catholicism in a 10 part tv & DVD series.

For more: CatholicismSeries.com

Surviving Hurricane Irene

2011-09-01T13:13:00.015-04:00

I've lived in Connecticut all my life, so I've endured several hurricanes and for the most part we've always made out with only minor damages over the decades (a partial lost roof, trees down, mild water damage and busted windows mostly). Thankfully, we've never known the total destruction of our home or any loss of life from a hurricane. My heart goes out to the people who are now (and in the past) suffering the ultimate price of living in the path of a hurricane.
For us Hurricane Irene was just a big pain in the backside most of the time. I say most of the time, because the rest of the time my children's laughter and giggles blocked out the inconveniences and frustration. Not having electricity or a land line phone for four days is humbling and frustrating (we've gone longer periods, so those of you still without power you have my sympathies).

How many times did we flick a light switch walking into a room or pick up the phone only to hear dead silence on the other end? Too many to count. We spent our days outside looking up and down the road (along with our neighbors) in hopes of seeing any CT Light & Power truck on it's way. We also played board games like "Sorry" and "Scrabble". Our evenings were spent listening to the radio sparingly because once those batteries were gone, that was it. There were no batteries to be found anywhere.

Reading by flashlight was a limited treat because again, we didn't want to use up the batteries and be left completely in the dark. I tried candlelight, but the flickering bothered my eyes more often than not. And I couldn't focus well on reading one single book (I'm the type of person that when something is bothering me-like not knowing when the power will come back on- I can't focus well or absorb what I read. My brain is easily distracted much to my annoyance.

But I did manage to retain a few things I read. Like the fact that it was a Catholic priest named Fr. Frank Peyton who coined the motto "The family that prays together, stays together" in 1947 while trying to promote his Family Rosary Crusade. I had heard protestants use that quote all the time, I now wonder if they knew it came from a Catholic priest wanting to promote praying the rosary?!

I also learned that Alfred Hitchcock was a Catholic and that light blue vestments are not allowed in the United States, but varying shades of violet are. I learned the skullcap worn by Bishops is called a "zucchetto". I learned that encyclical letters and encyclical epistles are not the same things. Encyclical letters are from a pope to the entire Church, while encyclical epistles are addressed to a specific part of the Church. For instance, the pope might direct an encyclical epistle to America, but not to the rest of the Catholic Church around the world. I

I didn't know these things before Hurricane Irene hit, so besides being thankful for surviving Irene and having only minor damage, I am also thankful for the new things I learned about my Catholic faith.

**The book I learned these things from is: "The Catholic Almanac's Guide to the Church" by Matthew Bunson.

Man with biblical fingers and toes...

2011-08-27T15:02:00.011-04:00

Found an interesting story on WFSB News channel about the man with 24 fingers and toes.

"It's thanks to my 24 digits that I'm able to make a living, because I have no fixed job," Hernandez said.

Known as polydactyly, Hernandez's condition is relatively common, but it's rare for the extra digits to be so perfect. Anyone who glanced quickly at his hands would be hard-pressed to notice anything different unless they paused and started counting.
Hernandez said that as a boy he was visited by a prominent Cuban orthopedist who is also one of Fidel Castro's doctors, and he declared that in all his years of travel he had never seen such a case of well-formed polydactyly.

"He was very impressed when he saw my fingers," said Hernandez, who is the only one in his family to be born with extra digits."

source: http://www.wfsb.com/story/15341348/cuban-man-24-proud-of-his-4-extra-fingers-toes

From the bible:
2 Samuel 21:20
"There was another battle, at Gath, and there was a giant, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from the Rephaim."

Wonder if this man is a descendent?

EWTN Press Release - August 24, 2011

2011-08-24T08:55:00.005-04:00

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

EWTN’s New Season Begins September 1

Irondale, AL – Do you secretly wish you could meet a saint– or perhaps someone who may well be on their way to sainthood? Then tune into EWTN Global Catholic Network this September. Here’s a sneak peek at September’s premieres: (Please see www.ewtn.com for more information.)

Saints Alive! What if 10 of history’s greatest saints returned from heaven to be interviewed and questioned about some of the most important issues of our time? That’s the premise of this show. You’ll be captivated by their holy wit and wisdom! Airs 10:30 a.m. ET, Sundays; 6 p.m. ET, Mondays; 4 a.m. ET, Tuesdays; 10 p.m. ET, Wednesdays; and 4:30 p.m. ET, Saturdays.

Catholic Lives Ireland: The all-star line-up includes Irish luminaries – and saints in the making -- from all walks of life. There’s Richard Moore, founder of “Children in the Crossfire,” who struggled to forgive after being blinded as a child by a British soldier’s plastic bullet during Northern Ireland’s infamous “troubles.” There’s Sister Miriam Duggan, a gynecologist whose chastity program transformed Uganda into Africa’s success story in the fight against HIV/Aids. There’s Mickey Harte, three-time winner of Ireland’s prestigious “Sam Maguire Cup” and manager of the renowned County Tyrone Gaelic Football Team. And that’s not even the half of it! This must-see series airs at 5:30 p.m. ET, Mondays and 4 a.m. ET, Thursdays.

Saints of China: Martyrs of the Middle Kingdom: How do you grow a Church when the government wants to control it? This series, hosted by Anthony Clark, assistant professor of East Asian history at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, examines the history of the Catholic Church in China, from the Jesuit missions to the massive growth of Catholic missions before the Communist government came to power in 1949. Learn about the lives of Chinese martyrs, and the state of the Catholic Church in China under the Communist government. Airs 11 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 2:30 a.m. ET, Fridays.

Mary, Mother of the Philippines: Some believe that no country outside of Italy has more beautiful churches and shrines dedicated to Our Lady than the Philippines. Are they right? Join Fr. Melvin Castro’s tour of these holy sites at 2:30 a.m. ET and 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays.

Crash Course in the Saints: EWTN favorites, Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Ken Brighenti, explore the lives of the lives of the saints in this new series. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 5:30 a.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET, Wednesdays.
Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola: This saint’s spiritual exercises are one of the most famous methods of discerning God’s call – whether you are a religious or laity. If you’ve always wanted to learn more, but haven’t had the time, this is the series for you. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sundays; 1 p.m. ET, Mondays; and 5 a.m. ET, Fridays.

The Heavens Proclaim the Glory of God: Fr. Robert Spitzer examines the physical evidence – and metaphysical premises for – the existence of God. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Mondays; and 5:30 p.m. ET, Fridays.

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 shortwave 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.

Father doesn't always know best...

2011-08-20T10:33:00.021-04:00

Recently Irish Bishop Christopher Jones of Elphin called children of divorced parents "born losers". This, as you might imagine didn't go over well with a great many people. I'm one of them.

Bishop Jones said,

"Many of them were born losers," he continued. "They had no start in life in terms of a loving relationship ... They grow up disturbed and dysfunctional."

"When a culture of marriage weakens, an ever-growing number of children will never experience the inestimable value of being raised by a loving, married mother and father," he added.

That's rather a broad statement don't you think? What if the father wasn't "loving" to begin with? What if he was an abusive loser himself? What if he physically, verbally, and emotionally abuses the children and wife? Does anyone think that type of father is needed in a child's life?

There are women out there who pray to God everyday to make their husbands better spouses and fathers because they know these fathers are BAD for their children. These fathers who are supposed to be caregivers and role models are instead alcoholics, abusive, adulterers, addicted to pornography and perhaps the worst of all is the selfish uncaring father who has no excuse for his appalling behavior to his offspring. To say that all children need their fathers in their lives or they will be 'born losers' is quite frankly wrong unless we all live in a Norman Rockwell world.

Bishop Jones, no disrespect intented but you are wrong. Maybe if we lived in an ideal world, your statement would be true. But not all men are good fathers, and the last thing children need are bad fathers setting bad examples for children to mimic and one day become.

Being a divorced parent with children I can honestly say sometimes divorce is the BEST thing a parent can do for their children. You see there are ex-husbands who don't want their children raised with God in their lives. Husbands who degraded the Christian faith and toss out slurs against Christians every chance they get. Trust me on this. Children are put in the position of having to decide if "Mommy is telling the truth (thus making Daddy a liar)" or if "Daddy is telling the truth" leaving Mommy as the lying party in this situation. Dysfunction is born.

There are fathers who mock God, mock church attendance and instead embrace secularism (sadly I know this from personal experience). These same fathers support putting teens on birth control, they have the theology of "if you're going to drink or sleep with your significant other, do it in your own home where its safe" mentality. They see nothing wrong in teens "experimenting" with alcohol, drugs and sex - it's a rite of passage to some of them "oh everyone does it".

This is NOT the type of "father" children need. THIS type of father is detrimental to the well being of children. I understand the gist of Bishop Jones' statement. In the world we live in divorce has become commonplace and many times the couple don't do enough to try and work things out. They don't take their vows to heart that in good times and bad you need to work together to sustain the marriage. As soon as things get tough, some people ditch the marriage and move on to the next. This is rampant in our society and yes it is harmful to children. I do agree with the Bishop on that.

In my opinion the work needs to be done BEFORE the marriage begins. Children need to be raised on HOW to chose a good spouse. Talk to your kids as they are growing up. Point out the things that make a good spouse, a compatible spouse and perhaps most important of all a respectful and honorable spouse. If children aren't taught how to find a good spouse is it any wonder so many people marry people who are wrong for them?

Christian women need to make sure they marry good Christian men who share the same values they do and have the same ideals for raising children. Saint Paul was right when he said not to be "unevenly yoked" (2 Cor.6:14-18) with unbelievers. It's just too difficult on the marriage and children. That's not to say it can't ever work, it can, but much of the time it doesn't and the children suffer for it. If the spouses are divided on how to raise the children, the children get mixed messages, confusion and dysfunction.

In these and abusive situations the parents' divorce CAN be a good, healthy and spiritually beneficial act IF the main caregiver makes God the center of the broken family's life.

I have a 1945 Catholic "Mother's Manual" that contains prayers to be said for many situations we are faced with in our lives. I'd like to offer this prayer to our Holy Mother Mary to be prayed by divorced moms struggling to raise their children on their own. May they find comfort and strength in God and our loving Mother Mary.

"Mary, my Mother, grant that my little child/children may instruct me in the ways of God. Let its innocent eyes speak to me of the spotless holiness of Jesus. Let its open smile remind me of the great love God has for His creatures. Let its happiness teach me the unbounded power of God. May its first feeble effort to speak call to my mind the wisdom of the Almighty. May its simple trust in me lead me to cherish a like confidence in God. May my love for God be stimulated by the deeprooted affection my child has for me. May I in all these things grow in a greater appreciation of my holy motherhood. Mary, I trust in you to obtain this favor for me. Amen
Mother of Mothers, pray for me!

Help: Have you seen this before?

2011-08-19T18:15:00.003-04:00

My grandmother gave me this picture of the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus years ago. I have never seen this particular picture anywhere else and I was wondering if anyone could tell me about it.

In the bottom right side it says "1933 M.M.N". In the background there is a bird on a wicker basket with book inside it.
Any information on this particular picture would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you and God bless...

New Common English Bible a disappointment

2011-08-18T11:03:00.007-04:00

I just don't like it. The new CEB bible translation leaves much to be desired in my humble opinion.

All references that currently read "Son of Man" (referring to Jesus) now read "the Human One". And the Beatitudes have changed the "blessed" to "happy".

As if messing with the Beatitudes wasn't bad enough, the Lord's Prayer has changed to:

"Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."

And no more will we recognize the "ashes to ashes" at funerals because Genesis 2 "dust from the ground" has been changed to fertile "topsoil". Thus leaving me with the impression of a newly potted petunia.

Source: Catholic Culture

"Volition" an Outstanding Prolife Film

2011-08-15T13:00:00.006-04:00

PHENOMINAL ProLife short film!! You must watch this and please share it on your blogs, Facebook and Twitter!

Volition
noun
1. the act of willing, choosing, or resolving; exercise of willing: She left of her own volition.
2. a choice or decision made by the will.
3. the power of willing; will.

*dictionary reference: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/volition

Is Perry "Bush-like"?

2011-08-13T19:08:00.011-04:00

Earlier today I read a post by Michael Tomasky at The Daily Beast. I was really surprised at how Mr. Tomasky says liberals, conservatives and Republicans viewed President Bush and President Obama. Here is what he had to say:

"When my friends and I looked at George W. Bush in 1999, we shuddered like people who’d turned a street corner and stumbled across a dog’s corpse. We knew and had contempt for his beliefs, but it had nothing to do with them, really. It was just the way he presented himself. That puffed-out chest. That self-satisfied smirk. All that Jesus talk—even in the event that it was sincere, which we never quite bought, it was to a liberal deeply inappropriate to haul it into the public square like that. He represented Southern country clubs and Dodge Durangos and Browning bolt-actions and homes with no books in them (putting Laura to the side, since she wasn’t the candidate). He was the kind of man who, if I ran into him at a hospitality tent at a tailgate party, I’d make an effort to avoid. Liberals just couldn’t stand the sight of the guy. And that was before he ruined the country.

I understand that conservatives feel similarly about Obama. They look at him and see wine-and-cheese parties where people have jazz playing in the background and where talk turns to the merits and demerits of Jonathan Franzen, who drive Priuses (or is it Prii?) and buy espresso machines and live in homes with far too many books in them. And worse than that: for much of Red America, Dr. Frankenstein himself could not have stitched together a more perfect Other: urban, urbane, sophisticated, intellectual. “Black,” of course, may no longer be a deal breaker in this day and age, but it doesn’t help. Many conservatives clearly can’t stand the sight of him."

Wow huh? I can't speak for ANYONE else, but I'd like to say this is NOT how I ever viewed Barack Obama. My view of Obama was not good- still isn't good, but I never thought of "wine-and-cheese parties" with jazz playing or homes with too many books in them. No. My impression was more along the view of butchered babies, abortionists, inexperience, all mouth no action, spineless, backroom deals, Chicago politics, underhandedness and we can't forget the rantings of Obama's minister Reverend White who left a distinct impression on me of "Black America" hating every White American for the sins of American History. That was my view of Barack Obama when he was running for president. I can't say much of that has changed, perhaps it's only worsened.

My view of George W. Bush in 1999 was not "Southern Country clubs" or "Dodge Durangos" or "homes with no books in them". No, instead I thought we'd have a President who didn't cheat on his wife, have affairs in the Oval Office, lie under oath...to put it simply, I had hope that I would be able to respect him even if I didn't agree with all his policies. I am happy to say that I was right about my first impressions of President G.W. Bush.

Then Tomasky goes on to say that Rick Perry is "chillingly Bush-like", here is how Mr. Tomasky defines Perry as being "Bush-like"...

"Perry, on this scale, is chillingly Bush-like. I saw a clip the other day of him saluting—an off-screen soldier, perhaps, or a flag. It was a small thing. But he looked exactly like Bush. The chest pumped up with self-regard. The overly aggressive way he thrust his saluting hand out from his forehead. He even, I swear, was smirking. I shuddered all over again."

How does Mr. Tomasky know that Perry's "chest [was] pumped up with self-regard"? To me, he looked patriotic, with a chest swelled in pride of our great country. Interesting in how people can view the same thing and come to different conclusions and impressions.

I don't see Bush in Rick Perry at all. While they both may have come from Texas and have similar political views it is Ronald Reagan that I am reminded of each time I see Rick Perry in the media. I am not sure exactly what it is about him, but he always brings President Ronald Reagan to my mind.

Catechism: Saints

2011-08-12T15:06:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking of new ways to share the Catholic faith and came up with the "What does the Catholic Catechism say about that?" feature. Weekly (hopefully) I will post quotes from the catechism either on their own or in relation to a topic discussion. Today I am starting with the topic of "saints".

956 The intercession of the saints. "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness.... [T]hey do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus.... So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped." 495

Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life. 496
I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth. 497

957 Communion with the saints. "It is not merely by the title of example that we cherish the memory of those in heaven; we seek, rather, that by this devotion to the exercise of fraternal charity the union of the whole Church in the Spirit may be strengthened. Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself" 498:

We worship Christ as God's Son; we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples! 499

960 The Church is a "communion of saints": this expression refers first to the "holy things" (sancta), above all the Eucharist, by which "the unity of believers, who form one body in Christ, is both represented and brought about" (LG 3).

961 The term "communion of saints" refers also to the communion of "holy persons" (sancti) in Christ who "died for all," so that what each one does or suffers in and for Christ bears fruit for all.

962 "We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers" (Paul VI, CPG § 30).

*The Knights of Columbus online Catechism was used for this post*

Protestant vs Catholic issue? I think not.

2011-08-09T12:03:00.017-04:00

I truly welcome all emails, whether you are Catholic or nonCatholic, whether you agree with me or disagree with me. But some of you who write to me to purge yourselves of your immense hatred of the Catholic faith are wearing blinders. I can't begin to count the number of emails my blog has received over the years from Protestants who gleefully point their fingers at the Catholic Church portrayed in the media as an evil entity out to assault children and degrade women by not allowing them to be priests. Some of you actually manage to cackle in your emails! No easy task I am sure, but you some how manage.

While I don't disagree with your outrage over the sexual abuse scandals that have tarnished the Church's reputation and destroyed countless lives, I do have to wonder at your seemingly enjoyment of hearing horrid news. Does it really bring you such joy? Do you not weep for the victims instead of taking pleasure in any and all attacks against the Catholic Church?

There are several things I'd like to address today concerning scandals and these gleeful emails. First up, do you think assorted abuses don't happen in Protestant churches? Do you think that less abuse is happening in Protestant churches?? I know from your emails that many of you blame celibacy in the Latin Rite to be the reason for sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, but statistics say you're wrong.

Since you've got your crooked fingers pointing at the Catholic Church, let me point my finger at some facts and Protestant clergy in the news just to keep things fair.

Recently a protestant Youth Minister in CA decided to make up a game that including POURING HONEY on teenage girls then while they tried to shower off the honey the minister video taped them. The four girls were 15 and 17 years old. Will he get jail time?? Probably not because the statue of limitation for such a crime is only THREE years and the offense occurred in 2007.

For the full story go HERE.

But sex abuse isn't the only crimes happening in protestant churches, there is also violence. At a Baptist church in Alabama a minister fired the choir minister, Simone Moore (who by the way ran for the senate in 2010). The choir minister Moore wasn't happy with his severance pay so he whipped out a taser gun and tased his minister! A brawl ensued in which one of the church's deacon's decided to STAB the choir minister's MOTHER!
What kind of church is it that people carry around taser guns and knives?! What kind of message is being preached that teaches you to taser or stab people when you disagree with something?

For the full story go HERE.

How about those new fangled Baptist prayers?? Let's not forget about "smokin' hot" wives and fast cars when we pray to our Lord! Boogity, boogity, boogity amen!!

Let's hear that put to music, shall we?

So that's just what's happening in Protestant news recently. Now let's look at statistics and facts.
I've posted reports from Catholic sources and Protestant sources and secular sources on sexual abuse by clergy in the past. But I think the short and to the point statistics article published by "StopBapistPredators.com" is one of the best because it includes ALL clergy and compares the "Catholic Scandal" to what is really happening in Protestant churches that the media doesn't report.

Quote:

"A Baptist-published brochure states that 35% of ministers surveyed "had engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior." It also states that Protestant clergy are "sexually exploiting their parishioners at twice the rate of secular therapists." (Broken Trust, published by the Christian Life Commission of the BGCT)
Other studies "have shown no differences" in the frequency of clergy sexual abuse "by denomination, region, theology, or institutional structure." Thus, "the problem of clergy sexual abuse is not just a Catholic issue - the problem extends to Protestant denominations as well." (Ministerial Ethics at 162*) Penn State professor Philip Jenkens reported that between 2 to 3 percent of Protestant clergy are pedophiles. His same study reported that less than 1.7 percent of Catholic priests are pedophiles. There is simply no reason to think that clergy child molesters are solely a Catholic problem.

Insurance companies receive from Protestant churches each year about 260 reports involving allegations of sexual abuse committed against minors. This is LESS than the annual number of 228 abuse incidents reported against Catholic priests. That reality is particularly noteworthy because Catholics keep track of even "credible accusations," which Southern Baptists don't even bother to determine or keep records on."

Sexual abuse of ANYONE is a heinous crime, especially of our innocent children. They are to be protected and cared for. ANY clergy who harms them should be locked up for life with NO chance of getting out in my personal opinion. The Catholic Church's handling of abuse in the past is disgusting, with no question about it. But it was not our current Pope's blame, as many of you who've written me have declared (by the way, if you call my Pope "Rat" you will not get a response from me publicly or in email). Almost all of these cases happened years before Pope Benedict XVI was pope, and documents prove that while our current Pope was a Cardinal, he tried to make positive changes to help put a stop to abuse and remove guilty clergy. For the story on that go HERE and HERE.

Thankfully, there are new strict policies in place now to put an end to the abuses like we've seen happen in the past. As a convert to the Catholic Church, I can't help but wonder WHY the parents of abused children didn't go directly to the police? I would not leave it to the Church alone to deal with. I would inform the Church AND the police then let them handle the situation, thus making sure pressure would be put on both the Church and the police to investigate quickly, responsibly and above all else protecting other children.

I hear from my cradle Catholic family and friends "that just wasn't done back then" as if they truly believed going to the police rather than the Church would have been a sin. Perhaps they truly believed or felt that. I think maybe many parents just wanted to protect their children from having to expose themselves to questioning by police and a possible court trial where the child would have to relive the horror in front of numerous strangers, thus causing the child more pain. I can understand that.

Parents want to protect their children, but we must never forget that keeping silent only protects the abuser and makes more victims. Child abuse in any form is NOT a Protestant vs Catholic issue. The issue is the child and protecting them while punishing the guilty.

I have other emails about female priests (as if), the Eucharist and infant baptism that I will tackle soon. Until then I thank you for your comments and look forward to your emails.

God bless...

Meet Seraphim

2011-08-06T13:55:00.004-04:00

Have you heard "Seraphim"? Do you know of Christa, Lisa and Theresa Hanson? If not you should.

Today I am sharing my love of the music produced by Seraphim. About a year ago, I received Seraphim's "Hail, Queen of Heaven" cd from a dear friend. This is one of my most listened to religious cd's of all time.

The songs included on this cd are:

-Ave Maria (Gregorian)
-Hail, Queen of Heaven
-Sing, Sing, Ye Angel of Bands
-Immaculate Mary (*my personal favorite on the cd)
-Mother Mary, At Thine Altar
-On This Day, O Beautiful Mother
-Salve Regina
-Hail, Queen of the Heavens
-O Sanctissima
-Mother Dear, O Pray for Me
-Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary
-Hail, Holy Queen

If you visit their website you can hear samples of their music from all their cd's.
http://www.hansonfamilysingers.com/seraphim/main/music.php

Enjoy!

Mother Angelica Live Classics- Oct. 17, 1995

2011-07-31T15:21:00.003-04:00

Did you miss Mother Angelica Live Classics this week? If you did, you missed a great episode, but thankfully EWTN shares it's programming on Youtube now.

I just love Mother Angelica. She's a wonderful teacher and inspiration to me.

God bless you Mother Angelica!!

I trusted you Fr. Corapi...

2011-07-08T10:06:00.023-04:00

I've avoided this topic long enough. My intention was not to shove it in a closet and pretend it wasn't happening, but rather to wait and see.

I didn't want to believe it and I didn't want to slander a priest whom I have loved, trusted and respected for so many years. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to believe this was some horrible attack by the enemy to bring down a good priest and great defender of the Faith. I wanted to know that the trust I put into this priest was well placed. I wanted to believe that he was a victim because to believe he was guilty was just too devastating. It made me question my ability to discern the truth from lies. Who could I trust if someone I looked up to like Father Corapi was lying and leading a double life, preaching one thing and doing another? How could I fall for such deceit? Who should I trust if not a priest who preaches so well on the faith?

I'm a convert. I don't know that I would actually be Catholic today if not for Father Corapi's teaching on EWTN and Youtube. Eventually probably, but Father Corapi's teaching fast tracked me to becoming Catholic. I had so many questions about the Catholic faith and like many others before me, found them answered on EWTN (God bless you Mother Angelica). While Father Corapi certainly was not the only one teaching me the Catholic faith on EWTN, he was one of my favorites (as you may already know if you've read my conversion story on this blog).

Father Corapi not only taught the Catholic faith well, he defended it. He inspired others to defend it with knowledge. He inspired a love of the Catholic faith and a love for learning the Catholic faith. He was a great speaker. He was also a great deceiver.

As I said earlier, I didn't want to jump to any quick judgements when the "Corapi Controversy" first began hitting the media. I wanted to give it some time and see what actually came to light. Before the rumors began, I noticed a different looking Corapi. He had shaved his head, dyed his goatee and gotten an orange tan. I wondered what that was all about. It was strange to me and others I talked with. We couldn't figure out why he would do that to himself- we still can't figure that out. It's bizarre. Was Father Corapi having a mid-life crisis or something?

Like so many others, I was shocked and outraged on behalf of Father Corapi when he was suspended back in March. I was so full of absolute trust in this priest that I could not believe for a moment the rumors of him acting in anyway unprofessional as a priest. I thought "the enemy is attacking a great Catholic priest" and I stood by that belief for months.

Then the bizarre "Black Sheep Dog" story came out along with his statement that he was no longer going to be called "father", but simply "The Black Sheep Dog". Well, pardon my language here but "Just what the hell was that?" Now my shock was over-run with my anger. I shouted "Hypocrite" at his blog. He had preached and taught for YEARS about "offering it up" and "carry your cross" when we suffered, he NEVER preached about giving up and walking away! Who was THIS man and where was the Father Corapi I had come to know??

Ahh... and there lies the problem. I didn't know Father Corapi, I never had. The Father Corapi I thought I knew was a fraud. He was made up. The real Corapi was busy with prostitutes, sexting and living away from his order collecting millions from his media company. In other words he was the SAME John Corapi as he was BEFORE his conversion "back to the Church" (from his conversion story video). All the ways he described himself prior to becoming a priest are exactly what has come out now. He's the same old John Corapi he was in his youth, drinking, drugs, women, lying...boldly living in sin without thought for morality. There was no conversion. It was all a lie, a deceitful lie to sucker people in.

That is devastating to so many of us who trusted him, respected him, looked up to him and believed in him. And what of his poor mother? She must be even more devastated then the rest of us. He has spoken of his parents lovingly during his speeches, how proud they were when he "changed" his life and became a priest. What must she think of him now? I believe his father has already passed away- at least he was spared seeing his son fall so low.

This week's statement by SOLT's (the order Corapi belonged to) naming the allegations and 'proof' found are just too much to ignore any longer.

Fr. Corapi's Order Finds Him Guilty

ROBSTOWN, TEXAS, July 5 (CNA/EWTN News) - Father John Corapi's religious order has found him guilty of substance abuse, sexual activity and violating his promise of poverty.

A July 5 press release from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) said that while Fr. Corapi was involved in public ministry he had "sexual relations and years of cohabitation with a woman known to him, when the relationship began, as a prostitute."

The investigative team also found that he "repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs," "recently engaged in 'sexting' activity with one or more women in Montana," and holds legal title "to over $1 million in real estate, numerous luxury vehicles, motorcycles, an ATV, a boat dock, and several motor boats."

His religious order said it is concerned "Fr. Corapi is now misleading (many) individuals through his false statements and characterizations."

"It is for these Catholics that SOLT, by means of this announcement, seeks to set the record straight."

Source: http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=114254

You lied to us "Father" Corapi. It's not just that you did these things, it's that you continue to deny it and call yourself innocent when the proof has already been found. Admit it!! Stop telling everyone you are innocent and face up to what you've done. You need to confess, repent, do penance AND apologize to everyone. It's not that I thought the man sinless or that he could do no wrong, I'm not that naive. It's that I didn't think he would flat out lie to everyone or be the fraud he has been proven to be. To say I am disappointed doesn't begin to cover it.

Christ was betrayed by a kiss, those who believed in Father Corapi were betrayed by his lying lips. You continue to say you are innocent when the evidence is overwhelming against you. Judas gained 30 silver coins for betraying Christ, Corapi gained boats, ATV's, luxury vehicles and more for betraying those who believed in him and trusted him. Was it worth it John?

You've taught me your last lesson John Corapi... never completely trust anyone, even a priest. I'll pray for you, but I'll never trust you again.

Is.2:22 'Stop trusting in mere humans,
who have but a breath in their nostrils.
Why hold them in esteem?'

A "Living, Breathing Document?" Try Reading It!

2011-07-06T14:36:00.005-04:00

by Contributor Tim Siggia

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government, lest it come to dominate our lives and interests." -- Patrick Henry

As we celebrate another Fourth of July, it seems only fitting that we pay at least a passing tribute to the most important of our founding documents, the Constitution of the United States. Some may argue that it was the Declaration of Independence that was officially proclaimed on July 4, 1776, and that the Constitution was not adopted until 11 years later, on Sept. 17, 1787, and they would be right. However, the 11-year hiatus between our nation having declared its independence from the British Crown and adopted the Constitution which would be the bulwark of its existence stands as proof that the Constitution was not drafted overnight, and neither was it lightly considered by those who put it together. It was written, and fully intended by those who wrote it, to stand for time.

What the liberals among us regard as axiomatic, unquestionable truth concerning the Constitution is recognized by conservatives as the Biggest Lie Ever Told. On the evening of June 30, 2011, Democrat strategist Chris Hahn, a former campaign worker for Sen. Chuck Shumer (D-N.Y.), repeated the lie once again: that our Constitution is "a living, breathing document that evolves over time." Oh really? To those who not only perpetuate this lie but believe it themselves, may I put forth a question: Have you ever tried reading that living, breathing document? Do you even know how many articles it contains, and how many amendments? (There are seven of the first, and 27 of the second.)

Let me suggest an analogy here, one to which any homeowner -- or, for that matter, any responsible tenant -- can readily relate: Consider the foundation upon which your home is built. Is it a "living, breathing" structure that evolves over time and shifts with the prevailing winds and sands? Of course it isn't! If it were, it would not support your home, and you know it! Well, the Constitution of the United States is the foundation of our representative republic, and the Founding Fathers intended for it to be just that: a firm, rock-solid foundation, not a "living, breathing" anything.

But what about the amendments to the Constitution, I can hear the liberals protesting now? Aren't they evidence of the Constitution being a "living, breathing" entity? Once again, I offer the analogy of a house's foundation. Even the firmest of structures will eventually show signs of decay, and so it is with our Constitution. But note here that as the Constitution itself was not lightly drafted, so the amendment process is not likely taken. In order for the Constitution to be amended, or to have an amendment repealed, the following process must be undertaken. The amendment must be proposed in Congress, and passed by a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate -- which means that unless one party totally dominates both houses of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans must be in fundamental agreement with it. Next it must be signed by the president. Even then the process is not over, for the measure must then be ratified by the individual states before it becomes part of our Constitution. It is a most cumbersome process, and intentionally made so by our Founding Fathers for the specific purpose of preventing our most important founding document from becoming the very thing liberals now claim it to be: a living, breathing document that shifts with the prevailing sands of time.

So why, in the face of all this, do liberals still adamantly aver our Constitution to be a "living, breathing document"? May I suggest a translation here from politico-speak to plain, simple English? What they are really saying here is that our Constitution says whatever they want it to say, and means whatever they want it to mean. Two glaring examples of this prevail to this day. The first example is the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision of 1973, in which a liberal-dominated Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that a woman has a "constitutional" right to have her unborn child aborted. Yet where in the Constitution is this matter addressed, or, for that matter, even suggested? I have read the Constitution -- more than once -- and I can unequivocally state for the record that it IS NOT THERE! Yet because five liberal Supreme Court justices agreed that it OUGHT to be there, even if it isn't, it was therefore made "constitutional" by judicial fiat. To this day, Democrats and other liberals still glowing cite "a woman's constitutional right to a safe, legal abortion," though their claim has absolutely no basis in fact.

The second is a deliberate misreading of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment which supposedly establishes the separation of Church and State. The Establishment Clause simply reads, "The Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion." What it means, and was fully intended to mean, is that there would be no establishment of any one religion to be the national religion in exclusion of all others. There is nothing here about any supposed separation of Church and State, though liberals continually read this into the Establishment Clause. What follows the Establishment Clause -- and about what we never hear a peep out of from liberals -- is the Exercise Clause, which states, "nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof." It is the Exercise Clause, in fact, that liberals have DELIBERATELY ignored, resulting in federal regulations prohibiting school prayer, praying in public places, and displays of the Ten Commandments and other things pertaining to religion.

So where does the phrase, "separation of Church and State," originally appear? Not in the Constitution, nor in any of our other founding documents, but rather, in a private letter from Thomas Jefferson to a group of Baptists in Danbury, Connecticut -- a private letter whose contents were never intended to become legislation.

For those who do not have pocket Constitutions (which are available upon request from the Heritage Foundation at www.heritage.org), the Constitution may be found online. May I suggest to my liberal friends, as well as anyone else who may be interested in going to the source for the truth, a reading of this wonderful document? May I especially suggest a perusal of Amendments 1-10, known to every school child as the Bill of Rights, to see what every one of these amendments has in common regarding the role of government in our lives, and then compare it to what we hear from the White House today? It all just might result in a most profound education.

Our Pope on Twitter

2011-06-28T16:35:00.002-04:00

Rant Warning

2011-06-25T17:41:00.013-04:00

Warning: I AM going to rant.

First Rant: It's summer time and yes it's hot out. Everyone is trying to stay cool and enjoy the warm season while it lasts here in New England, I get that, really I do. What I don't get is going to church with your butt hanging out of your shorty shorts, or your cleavage spilling out of your spaghetti string tank tops. What ever happened to wearing your "Sunday best" for God? You get all dressed up for dates, weddings, parties but not for God and worshipping? What's wrong with you?

You're in CHURCH for goodness sake, COVER UP!! No one wants to worship while seeing your body parts dangling out of your clothes. If you want to dress like you're for sale please take it somewhere else because my children and I don't want to see it!

Church is NOT for showing off your abs, new boob job or your perky butt. Church is for WORSHIP. Show some reverence and respect not only for God, but also for others seeking to worship in church and how about showing some self respect?? Dress appropriately for church. You are worshipping GOD, you are receiving your Savior in the Eucharist. This is HOLY, you need to dress appropriately.

I am not saying you need to go out and spend a lot of money on clothes just for church. They don't need to be expensive, they need to be MODEST. Have you ever looked at the amount of times modesty is brought up in the scriptures? Guess what?? Modesty doesn't go out of fashion with God, certainly not during mass. Besides being disrespectful in your revealing clothes, you look like a complete idiot.

Second Rant: This is to all the parishes out there who advertise in their bulletins and websites that they are an AC/climate controlled parish where parishioners can worship in a cool AC controlled environment during the hot summer months. If you advertise it then PLEASE DO IT!

I can't tell you how many times myself and others go to a church in the summer BECAUSE it offers a cool place to worship only to get there and find the doors open to the summer heat and people inside fanning themselves silly with their bulletins. Those same bulletins that advertise AC! What's up with that? If you can't afford to run the AC then STOP ADVERTISING YOU DO. It's false advertising and people are tired of it.

Final Rant: Shut up!! People need to SHUT UP in church. This has been a pet peeve of mine for YEARS- DECADES to be honest. But recently I had another incident that really pushed my buttons and then soon after that I was talking with other Catholics and they all shared similar stories about their parishes. Lack of reverence.

A few weeks ago, I attended a Sunday morning mass (I usually go to Saturday evening). As soon as mass had ended, the priest barely making it to the narthex (entry area) to shake hands with parishioners as they leave; and parishioners exploded into talking about baseball scores, the weather, the price of gas and their cute new sandals while the "choir" (more like a band) belted out BLUES tunes with their electric guitar, drums and baby grand piano- I kid you not.

Unfortunately for all the folks who wanted to quietly pray after mass, we were instead bombarded with loud music and people nearly yelling over the music to talk about nonsense. I can't exactly say I was stunned as this wasn't the first time this has occurred, but none the less I was ticked off, disappointed and appalled at the lack of reverence shown by nearly every single person in this parish (and no I am not saying which one). The nave/sanctuary is NOT the place to be doing this. Can't you shut up for the 3 minutes it takes you to walk OUT of the nave and sanctuary areas?? Apparently not.

What is WRONG with everyone?? Do they not know what worship is about? What our parish churches are about? WHO is IN our parish churches?? If you're a Catholic and you don't know what mass is about you need to take the time and educate yourself. Either look it up, talk to your priest or you can email me I'd be happy to fill you in.

So my question is, are you all stupid or intentionally disrespectful?

Put some clothes on! Dress for GOD. Shut up and show some respect to God, your parish, other parishioners and yourself. If you don't know any better, consider yourself educated now.

And to the priests and deacons out there, how about some homilies on MODESTY and REVERENCE?? Your parishioners NEED to hear it.

STOP the "Bathroom Bill" NOW!

2011-06-04T12:05:00.000-04:00

Have you been paying attention to the "Bathroom Bill"? Are you worried what this will mean for our state, our public schools and public areas? If not, you should be.

What you need to know about "The Bathroom Bill" (HB 6599).

If HB 6599 passes, the state as you know it will change immensely and not for the better.

Our public school children will be forced into confusing situations about themselves, their teachers and their classmates. If a young child proclaims themselves to be transgendered they will able to use school bathrooms of the opposite sex. If a transgendered boy wants to play on the girls track team he will be able to. If a transgendered girl wishes to play on the boys football teams she will be able to and by state law no one will able to stop it.

If your kindergartener's male teacher decides to dress in drag one day and wear high heels and a dress to class the school will have no power to reassign him and you as the parents will have no legal rights to protest your child being placed in this classroom. To oppose this will make you guilty of discrimination!

Your daughters will be sharing bathrooms with boys and your sons will be sharing bathrooms with girls. What of high school shower rooms? Will the transgender boy on the girls soccer team be allowed to shower in the girls team locker room? See section 25 of the current bill which does allow for shared bathroom facilities as well as shower areas.

Adult women and little girls will have their safety put in jeopardy each time they use a public restroom. Male predators will easily mask themselves in female garb and use public restrooms as hunting grounds to assault women and children at a higher rate than ever. These predators are opportunists and this law will give them more LEGAL opportunities to assault women and children.

This bill MUST be stopped for the protection of women and children!

For more details visit: The Family Institute of Connecticut

( http://www.votervoice.net/core.aspx?AID=274&Screen=alert&IssueId=25319&APP=GAC&SiteID=-1&VV_CULTURE=en-us )

Is this what we want for Connecticut??

I should hope not, but if we don't STOP HB 6599 this is what the future of Connecticut will be.

Knights of Columbus Museum

2011-06-02T17:04:00.014-04:00

Today my family and I visited a few museums in New Haven, Ct for my daughters sixteenth birthday. Each year I ask my children to decide what they would like to do for their birthday, and this year my sixteen year old requested spending her day at a few museums. We first spent a few hours at the Peabody Museum in New Haven, then she requested we visit a 'new-to-us' musuem. The Knights of Columbus Museum on State Street is what she wanted to see next, so off we went. Admission is free and parking is free- you can't beat that!

Having never been to the KoC museum before we were not sure what to expect. We were delighted to find a special "Blessed: A Tribute to John Paul II" exhibit going on. The JPII exhibit took up nearly the entire second floor of the museum. There were assorted paintings, photos, clothing, furniture, vestments, art sculptures and more!
(above: this is the fountain near the underground parking area)
(below: JPII Tribute Gallery)

(below: Rubble from the World Trade Center 911 attack)

(below: Saint Peter bronze statue)

Besides the wonderful JPII Tribute Gallery, the KoC museum is also currently featuring "Full of Grace: Crowned Madonnas from the Vatican Basilica" reprint paintings from all around the world. These were amazing. Unfortunately, photographing the artwork was forbidden so I can not share them here. This artwork is a collection of printed reproductions from the Vatican's own collection.

There is much to see at the Knights of Columbus Museum and I highly recommend it.

Thank you...to 'Nobody'!

2011-03-28T06:56:00.013-04:00

Written by Contributor Doug

In the 1987 movie, “Suspect,” starring Cher and Dennis Quaid, Joe Mantegna plays an ambitious and zealous Washington D. C. prosecutor erroneously prosecuting a deaf/mute homeless man (played by Liam Neeson) in the alleged mugging and murder of a female file clerk. The prosecutor makes the case that in a city with so many very prominent people, a seemingly lowly file clerk with just a few bucks on her, and working late on a cold night and just trying to get back to her parked compact jalopy on a cold night to get home is in fact an important person, and as the prosecutor cites, “too important to forget.”

You don’t need to be in Washington D.C. to be surrounded by supposedly “prominent people.” They surround us in almost every community, and if not, then all over the TV, radio, Internet and in the press. They seem relatively inescapable, all these mammoths of importance, in whose shadow the rest of us meaningless schmucks seem to quietly evaporate. And as we know all too well, to put it mildly, some of these supposedly superior people aren’t quite at all what they’re cracked up to be in terms of character. But what really makes these coronated behemoths of prominence so prominent?

In the (1987) movie, “Wall Street,” a scrappy, blue collar machinist union steward, played by Martin Sheen, angrily admonishes his hoity, brash, up and coming stock broker son (played by real life son, Charlie Sheen), that he never judged a man by the size of his wallet. You could probably append to that moral, fame, as well.

I don’t like phony greeters and phony greetings. My voice mail welcomes me, as does my computer when I turn it on. It’s all fluff. I don’t like receiving a phony greeting from an inanimate object like it cares about me or even has the capacity to do so.

Likewise I bristle at being greeted by people whose job it is to greet me. I’m a big, strong fellow. I don’t need a doorman to open a door for me and feign my superiority. I resent being greeted by the person at Wal-Mart or the local DMV branch, who wishes me a good morning and might possibly even ask me how I’m doing today like he really cares. (Some day, I’ll stop and actually give him the whole laundry list as an answer!)

And forgive me, but greeters in church strike me as phony too. To call this stewardship is a stretch at best. If someone seeks stewardship, there are much more substantive things to do and that need being done. But I suppose it’s like chicken soup for a cold; it might not help, but it certainly can’t hurt either. I see no harm in it, but little to any real value either. If it is because it is your job (be it paid or unpaid), to robotically greet me as opposed to simply doing it because you truly wish to do so, then I’d much rather you save your breath and my time.

I guess I’m like my old man, a somewhat rugged, cantankerous and generally stoic, but also straight-shooting sort, who used to ridicule people for showing up and sending flowers at wakes and funerals. “Come see me and give me flowers when I’m alive, not dead!” the old man used to grumble. You would have had to know my father to appreciate the irony, as he was hardly the type of guy you would give flowers too anyway, but his point was characteristically sage, succinct, and crystal clear nonetheless.

My parish is one of those that has the cigar store Indians who redundantly offer the unsolicited good morning and open the door for people entering for Mass. But my parish also has a certain usher, also doing “stewardship” who takes the stewardship to higher plain beyond that which seems obligatory, minimal, and frankly, shallow, if not utterly plastic.

I don’t know her name. She is an elderly woman, who dresses both modestly and frugally. She has a consistently warm, gentle, and loving radiance about her. Clearly, you can see Jesus in her and in her gracious actions. When she passes the basket to each and every person who contributes, she quietly nods, smiles, and thanks them, as if they were donating to her. Sometimes, for younger folks and kids, she might also address them as “Dear,” “Sweetie,” “Honey,” etc. I don’t know this woman’s name. I know nothing about her, but her presence and actions both strike and inspire me every time I see her and I see her take her stewardship of ushering just one small, but very genuine step further. An I’m willing to bet that nobody ever asked her to do that. (With all due respect, and no offense intended, to all the very well-meaning "greeters" out there, see the difference?) Her simple, unsolicited and earnestly heartfelt gesture warms me every time she and I share that brief interaction, and I can’t help but think I am not the only so affected by her.

Something about this warm, sweet, loveable old soul reminds me of the parable of the poor widow who gave her last two coins to the temple, and Jesus remarked that while those richer and more ostentatious than her sanctimoniously gave the little extra of the vast surplus they could afford, the poor old widow humbly, quietly, instinctively and faithfully gave all she had left. Several biblical passages also tell us that the rich and famous here are exalted here, yet will be humbled come Judgment Day, and visa versa with the poor and humble.

Likewise, those who cling to save their life here will lose it, while those who look toward the next life will reap so much more. The Bible also teaches us that what some of us here on earth consider “wise” is actually folly in God’s eyes, and more often than not, even sinful. We are also called to be the “light” to illuminate the earth and “the salt” to season it. The Bible also teaches that we should not seek praise for doing what is right, for such is what is expected of us. The Beatitudes tell us that “The meek will inherit the earth.”

That little old lady in my church is a monumental pillar to absolute nothingness. She’s nobody important. In fact, she’s simply a nobody - here. It is said that angels often secretly walk among us and do good works. I can’t help but think that this humble little old lady is an angel, and the secret status of that angel is really no secret, at least for those willing to look instead of just see, and to listen instead of just hear, despite and beyond all the earthly noise, grandeur, shallow distractions and fleeting pleasures.

There is inherent beauty in these angels among us who the world arrogantly and foolishly deems “nobodies,” and our lives are better for their presence, and for their good works. And if you haven’t yet noticed, then start doing so today.

I believe it was St. Therese (“The Little Flower”) who, unable to do much of anything else, incessantly prayed for others while seriously ill and confined to bed. (As someone once taught me in my younger days, “When you don’t know what to do….DO SOMETHING!“) Indeed, when we are weak is when we are strong. And when we are “nobody” then we are truly “somebody,” especially in God’s eyes.

And to that angelic “nobody” in my parish, I simply say, “No, Ma’am….Thank YOU!”

“Humility is the mother of salvation.” (St. Bernard)

-by Doug-
Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor

　　

America's Golden Calf

2011-03-26T18:45:00.003-04:00

By Contributor Tim Siggia

""These are your gods, O Israel, that have led you out of the land of Egypt." -- Ex 32:4

"and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." -- Matt. 24:11

If recent events have not conclusively proven that the American people made a grievous error in 2008 when they elected Barack Hussein Obama President of the United States, nothing ever will. In situation after situation in which leadership was called for, Obama presented us instead with indifference and indecision. Our current misadventures in Libya are only the latest example of this. We saw it just last year when a British Petroleum oil platform ruptured, spilling countless tons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. We saw it again just recently with the uprising in Egypt that ended up in the deposing of longtime leader Hosni Mubarak. Now we're seeing it again in Libya, where Obama first declared (Libyan dictator Muammar) Khadafi must go, then flip-flopped on that objective, and now refuses to call that which fits every definition of war a war, calling it instead a "kinetic military action." In each situation, where nearly every previous president would have stepped forward and taken decisive action, Obama has instead sat on his hands, dithered and procrastinated, and, when he finally decided to act, offered up too little too late.

Yet he has been anything but indecisive when it comes to his own personal agenda of stripping the American people of their freedom and moving the United States from an economy of free-market capitalism to one of communism. He wasted no time in exercising government power grabs, from the banking and insurance industries, to the automotive industry, and finally, to health care, which by itself accounts for one-sixth of the total economy. The laughingly mislabeled Affordable Health Care Act was railroaded through Congress by an extremely partisan Democrat majority, when poll after poll bore out that the majority of Americans opposed such a program. This act, called Obamacare by its many critics, is still being treated as law of the land by the Obama Administration despite having been ruled unconstitutional by two federal judges, and having been legally challenged by the attorneys-general of 21 additional states. And his blueprint for realizing all this? It's a book by a fellow "community organizer," a man named Saul Alinsky, entitled Rules For Radicals, which, among other things, was dedicated to the World's First Rebel, Lucifer -- Satan -- The Devil -- and is Obama's personal bible.

Barack Obama has shown himself to be more than just a non-Party communist, more than just a "community organizer," which was his background before being elected to the United States Senate, and later to the Presidency of the United States. He is, in a word, America's Golden Calf. From the days of Obama-Mania, just two years ago, he was presented as the New Messiah, The Anointed One, or, simply, The One. He was supposed to unite a divided country, end all discord in the Middle East, capture and bring Osama bin Laden to justice, and make America prosperous once more. Instead, bin Laden remains at large, the Middle East is in unprecedented upheaval, and the United States is now more politically polarized than in any time previous since the Civil War. And we are now trillions of dollars in debt.

Yet all this in fact has been foretold in Scripture. In Exodus 32, the Bible relates how Aaron, the brother of Moses, fashioned a representation of a calf made out of the melted-down gold and jewelry of the Israelites, and presented it to the Israelites as their God. Jesus Christ himself warned of false Christs who would arise and lead their followers astray (Matt. 24).

Does Barack Obama fit into such categorization? Consider the following:

Upon hearing Obama speak, one listener remarked, "That, sir, is the voice of God, the voice of God!" It was soon afterward learned that Obama made all his speeches with the aid of a Teleprompter, and was virtually helpless without it.

Commentator Chris Matthews reported having felt "a thrill run up his leg" upon hearing Obama speak. Has this ever been publicly said by anyone about any other American president?

A teacher in a New Jersey township forced her students to sing hymns of praise to Barack Obama. Another teacher had his students repeat after him the words, "I am an Obama Scholar."

Throughout all this, to be fair, Obama himself never expressly asked for deification. But, just as noteworthy, he never refuted any of it either, as any president before him surely would have.

And what have we seen in the meantime of that president who was supposed to change and reform the world with his physical presence alone, so his minions would have had us believe?

We have seen a president who stands helplessly by as events unfold before him, rather than stepping in and taking charge. We have seen a president who continually presents the United States of America in the worst possible light, jetting around the world apologizing for the very things that have made America great, bowing to foreign dictators, and wasting our tax dollars with ineffective government programs (Obamacare, the Stimulus, "Cash For Clunkers"). We have seen a president who pays more attention to basketball than to foreign policy, who cold-shoulders our longtime allies (Israel and Great Britain), and plays golf while his country crumbles all around him.

We have, to sum it all up, seen the most inexperienced, unprepared, unfit and unworthy President of the United States ever to hold the office prove to us on almost a daily basis that he is in fact all of that. As previously noted, Obama never expressly asked to be deified, but neither did he say or do a thing to discourage such treatment. On the contrary, he seemed, at every turn, to encourage it.

He is not a God. He does not have superhuman powers. He is only one man among multitudes of the same, and, as he continually proves, a most fallible one at that. What does Jesus say about such people, in Gospel after Gospel and parable after parable?

"He who exalts himself shall be humbled."

Will Obama himself, or those who even now continue to worship at his altar, ever finally learn this?

-Tim Siggia-
Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor

**image from PublicDomainPictures**

Notre Dame Church Lenten Mission

2011-03-09T08:52:00.010-05:00

Don't miss this!!

Coming to Notre Dame Parish in Durham, Connecticut is Fr. Kaz Chwalek, MIC. Fr. Kaz will be giving several presentations on The Divine Mercy, hearing confessions and celebrating mass with Fr. Lipton (Temporary Administrator for Notre Dame Parish).

March 12 - 5 pm Vigil Mass
March 13 - 8 am and 10:30 am Masses
March 13 - 7 pm Divine Mercy Presentation (1 hour)
March 14 - 8 am Daily Mass
March 14 - 7 pm Divine Mercy Presentation (1 hour)
March 15 - 8 am Daily Mass
March 15 - 7 pm Divine Mercy Presentation (1 hour)
March 16 - 8 am Daily Mass
March 16 - 7 pm Divine Mercy Presentation (1 hour)
**Confession follows the 7 pm March 16 presentation

Topics Covered:
-Divine Mercy Introduction
-Celebrating the Feast of the Divine Mercy
-Divine Mercy Presence in the Liturgy
-Divine Mercy in the Gospel
-Meaning of Divine Mercy Picture
-Historical knowledge of St. Faustina

For more information call Notre Dame Parish (860)349-3050
or visit their website http://www.churchofnotredame.org/
Notre Dame Parish
272 Main Street
Durham, Ct 06422

For more information on Fr. Kaz Chwalek MIC: http://thedivinemercy.org/library/article.php?NID=3752&PLID=77

Divine Mercy Chaplet song lyrics:

"Eternal Father,
I offer you the Body and Blood,
Soul and Divinity,
of Your Dearly Beloved Son,
Our Lord, Jesus Christ,
in atonement for our sins
and those of the whole world".

On the ten small beads of each decade, say:

"For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world".

Conclude with (Say 3 Times):

"Holy God,
Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us
and on the whole world".

Is The Westboro Baptist Church Wrong?

2011-03-08T07:25:00.009-05:00

Written by contributor Doug
Photo from AirforceTimes.com ( Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press )

The US Supreme Court recently upheld the right of the Westboro Baptist Church to protest homosexuality at funerals of fallen military veterans, regardless of their sexual orientation. As much as this whole disturbing affair nauseates me, it is significant enough to warrant analysis.

The Westboro Baptist Church is not wrong in the message it preaches [opposing gay marriage], but rather, how it preaches it, which strikes me much akin to using a sledge hammer to relieve your friend of a fly that landed on his forehead.

The church members argue that the evil of rampant homosexuality in our nation, which has also now recently been given an increased approval by the Obama administration (no longer with just a wink and a nod by the previous “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy) in our military is the cause of increased evil in our society, including war.

Mother Teresa said, and I believe rightly so, that increased evil in our society is because of abortion. I would add homosexuality, overall promiscuity, and various other evils into that recipe for disaster as well, so with all due respect, perhaps both Westboro and Mother fell a little short in their explanations.

There are many theological reasons for suffering, including original sin, redemptive suffering, if not for ourselves, then for others, etc… The Bible, contrary to popular and erroneous belief, does not contain contradictions, but rather, paradoxes. Suffering, while seeming to be contrary to the will of a loving God, is also in place to bring about a better good for us, and thus, His glory.

Clearly the fallen veterans are not the cause of war, but rather, patriots who bravely sacrificed their lives because of it. Their honor should be preserved, and their already suffering families and loved ones should, morally speaking, if not constitutionally speaking, be allowed their peace and privacy to mourn and lovingly bury their dead, and again, regardless of their sexual orientation. After all, in a moral society, with rights come responsibilities, and a (well formed) conscience should compliment a constitution and correctly guide our actions based on the knowledge and understanding that what we “can” do is not always what we “should” do. One of the driving principles in my life has always been, “Your right to swing your fist ends at the tip of my nose.”

I believe the evangelizing/protesting Westboro members are hanging their hats, at least partially, if not completely, on a passage from Ezekiel, Chapter 33, verses 7-10:

“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them a warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘O, wicked man, you shall surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked man shall die in his inequity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, he shall die in his inequity, but you will have saved your life.”

Perhaps these will meaning, but over the top fellow flawed humans from Westboro might consider reflecting also on Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 1-6:

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take that speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

As Christians, we are to judge evil in actions, not in people, the former being our duty, and the latter, God’s purview. Put another and more commonly evoked way for our part, “Hate the sin; love the sinner.” With regard specifically to homosexuality, in at least some cases before our sordid and deteriorating culture deemed it trendy and acceptable to those seeking only lustful experimentation and/or lifestyles, some immutability might be involved.

Prior to its later cowardly and rushed capitulation behind closed doors because of bullying, protests, infiltration and politicalization by radical gays in the early 70’s, the American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality as a mental dysfunction or disorder in it’s then Diagnostic and Statistical Manual until 1973. This fact then requires us to consider # 1735 of the Catholic Catechism:

“Immutability and responsibility for an action can be diminished or even nullified by ignorance, inadvertence, duress, fear, habit, inordinate attachments, and other psychological or social factors.”

Thus, where applicable, gays may be given at least some latitude for their sins, but they should also seek treatment (as some have successfully done so) for their affliction, as well reconciliation and a mindset toward repentance as well. Those who choose homosexual behavior purely of a free will simply need to stop, confess, and repent.

For brevity sake, I will only refer to a longer passage, although I highly recommend its reading, namely, Mark, chapter 4, verses 3-21, in which Jesus teaches a parable about a sewer of seed and the various situations and subsequent explanations as to how the seed falls on the ground, and the ramifications for the results. But like on rocky soil, seed cannot be planted and expected to fully grow. Thus, to evangelize to a person with a clearly closed mind is not only more often than not a waste of time, but in some cases, such foolishly boorish, albeit well-intended action can even further drive someone away from any future hope of acceptance of God’s Word and will, and thus, perhaps even salvation itself.

So what conclusion can we draw from this debate? As much as I so often bristle at trendiness, I refer to the bracelets made popular a few years back that simply contained the letters, “W.W.J.D.?” The abbreviation stood for, “What Would Jesus Do?” and the bracelets were theoretically intended to model better behavior in the wearer of the bracelet, as based on the example of Jesus.

So what would Jesus possibly say regarding the whole Westboro debate? Again, we can refer back to the Gospels and review not just the words of Jesus, but His actions as well to find the answer. Clearly, Jesus evangelized, passionately and often, but He did not waste His time or energy on people who couldn’t be bothered with His message or dismissed it, and He taught the same evangelization technique to His traveling apostles in Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 11-15:

“And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.”

While Jesus and His apostles did evangelize, they never beat anyone over the head with their messages. That is because God wants us to come to Him, but only by our free will, which He lovingly gave to us as a gift to be used, and not abused. Such is the difference between ‘freedom” and “license.” And that is also another reason in some cases for suffering: the abuse, or “license” of our God-given free will.

The gravely confused members of the Westboro Baptist Church apparently have not yet figured out, or simply don’t care about this stark difference in evangelization methods. And make no mistake about it, while their intentions are clearly good, their horrifically clouded judgment, as manifested by their all too frequent, and now ironically court sanctioned misguided actions, are wantonly cruel, purely evil and a grotesquely ugly, and impeding mutation of true Christianity.

And for so-called “Christians,” that’s just not “good” enough.
　
~Doug~

Catholic Teaching on Homosexuality:

Catechism #2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, 141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." 142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

Catechism #2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

Catechism #2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

*emphasis added

Comments and thoughts by Julie...

Doug clearly you are a nicer person than I am by giving Westboro Baptist Church the benefit of the doubt that "their intentions are clearly good". While I agree that gay marriage is a sin in the eyes of God and the Holy Catholic Church, I do not agree that Westboro Baptist 'church' (and I used that term very lightly) is doing any of this out of any goodness.

I believe (and I do hope I am wrong) that the folks at Westboro are so filled with hate for people they wouldn't know Jesus' love if he walked up and hugged them. The most important thing Jesus taught was LOVE. LOVE is what changes people. Love is what gives hope to the hopeless. Love is what inspires people to do better and be better. Without love, you've got nothing. Who will even consider listening to the Word of God if the person talking to you is screaming you are 'going to hell' and 'God hates you'?

Compare the loving acts shown by Mother Teresa to the Westboro Baptist folks. We will "know them by their fruits" our Lord said. Mother Teresa spoke out against evil, but she did it in love and with respect for human beings. Westboro Baptist Church in my view fails miserably at that. I'll take Mother Teresa's fruits over Westboro any day. That said, I hope you are correct about them and that I am wrong. I just don't see their "goodness", all I see are 'fruits of hate'. I'd like to think and hope that all their protests come from a will to do good and please God...a desire to do the will of God... - I just don't see it I am sorry to say.

As always, thank you Doug for being a Connecticut Catholic Corner contributor! You bring wonderful thought provoking articles to the table and I truly appreciate that.

EWTN Press Release 1/6/11

2011-01-06T16:43:00.002-05:00

EWTN Proud to Announce Its Newest Affiliate:

Pax Catholic Communications’ Radio Paz in Miami

Almost 85% of Catholic Radio Stations in the U.S. Are Now EWTN Affiliates

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network is proud to announce that Pax Catholic Communications’ Radio Paz, the radio ministry of the Archdiocese of Miami, has become EWTN’s newest radio affiliate. Building on a relationship that began 13 years ago today, (Jan. 6, 1998), Radio Paz in Miami will expand its program carriage of EWTN’s Spanish Network, Radio Católica Mundial, from three hours per day to up to 12 hours per day.

“As Radio Paz and EWTN move forward as a team, I know you will enjoy and appreciate the new productions,” said Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski.

“Many people are aware of EWTN’s English language radio feed, which is now broadcast by 148 affiliates, but not everyone is aware that EWTN boasts two Spanish radio networks, one in Latin America and one here in the U.S., as well as a Spanish television network,” said EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “We are especially pleased to include the Miami Archdiocese as part of our family.”

In fact, as the new year begins, EWTN is proud to say that almost 85% of U.S. Catholic radio stations rely on programming supplied by EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network or EWTN’s Radio Católica Mundial – programming which is supplied to affiliates free of charge.

“The growth of Catholic radio in this country really began with Mother Angelica,” Warsaw continued. “Mother launched the world’s largest privately-owned shortwave radio facility on Dec. 28, 1992. Approximately three years later, on Feb. 27, 1996, EWTN launched a worldwide AM/FM radio service. Mother’s vision was to build Catholic radio in this country, and around the world, by offering quality Catholic programming and advice free of charge.”

Mother’s vision was always a global vision – because her Church is a universal Church.

“On February 1, 1989, before others even began thinking of the Hispanic audience,” Warsaw continued, “EWTN began reaching out to our Hispanic brothers and sisters with a three-hour block of programming. EWTN’s round-the-clock Spanish language television and radio has been available in Latin America and Spain since 1996 and in the U.S. since 1999.”

In the beginning, building Catholic radio was slow – just as it had been with Catholic television. With less than 10 Catholic-formatted radio stations in the U.S., Mother used a 1996 live television show to inspire the laity to establish even more Catholic AM/FM stations in their own communities. EWTN’s English and Spanish language radio networks were developed almost in parallel. Three businessmen responded to Mother’s live show and the first English-speaking AM/FM broadcast went on the air on Jan. 2, 1997, while Radio Católica Mundial was made available for carriage via AM/FM radio stations, as well as the Internet, on June 14, 1999.

“Today, thanks to Mother’s ‘yes’ to God’s call, EWTN is proud to count 148 out of 175 AM/FM Catholic radio stations in the U.S. as EWTN affiliates,” Warsaw said. “EWTN Catholic radio can also be heard on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel #160 and via the Internet.”

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 and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

**Press release comes directly from EWTN as is**

Preparing for Advent

2010-12-15T14:54:00.004-05:00

Want To Prepare For Advent? Help The Endangered Among Us Live Through It!

by Contributor Doug

So there I was, listening to my pastor giving his Homily in mass this morning, and at the same time, God was also giving the same Homily.

I’ll let you digest that one for a minute.

No, really, it’s OK. As those who well know me would zealously attest, I may be crazy, but I’m not nuts. And trust me, if my opening statement made sense to you, your not nuts, either.

Our pastor, hardly the shrinking violet type, who is much more concerned with saving souls than feelings (Picture a slightly older but similarly zesty Father Corapi of EWTN!), gave yet another unabashed but quite necessary sermon on protecting the sanctity of life, and once again, didn’t even try to mince words on the topics of abortion and euthanasia, sadly rare topics in many other parishes for reasons of sheer cowardice and political correctness, but not mine. (I love this guy!)

Father mentioned how Pope Benedict, in his opening Advent Mass in the Vatican, spoke of preparing for the celebration of Christ’s coming by praying for the unborn, many of whom worldwide will be savagely slaughtered by Christmas, and most ironically, as Father Corapi has often said, in what should be the safest place on earth, the womb.

As the priest spoke about protecting the sanctity of human life, he also mentioned how far we have regressed, as women now, upon being confirmed that they are pregnant, are typically and callously next asked by their doctors if they wish to keep or terminate their growing, nurturing baby inside them. At about this time, I noticed a woman sitting about a half dozen or so pews ahead of me, holding a rambunctious toddler, a handsome young tyke, with a perfectly round face, blond hair and big, sparkling blue eyes. This little guy, as if he thought himself to be a visual aid, suddenly sprang completely straight upright, standing on Mom’s legs, and looking backward over her shoulder to all those behind him and broke out a huge smile from ear to ear! The timing could not have been any more perfect!

Now does anyone really believe that precious event, and at that precise time, was just coincidence?
Mother Teresa blamed the increase in evil in the world on abortion. I don’t think she was too far off the mark there. As we try to cleanse our own lives in this joyous season of celebration, how can we condone the slaughter of the most innocent and defenseless among us when the crux of this entire festive season is the birth of a baby, the baby who would become our savior? And yet we condone the killing of other babies in His likeness?

To clarify my usage of the word “condone,” Edmund Burke sagely noted that all that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. And in our own faith, a great number of Catholics agree with abortion and euthanasia, and some even actively support these ghastly endeavors. And still others, who do oppose these atrocities, say or do nothing about it. Same evil, different tactic.

And thus, the flames of this insidious evil threat to life continues to flourish, perpetually fed and fanned by the energizing fuel of apathy, if not collaboration.

Who is then left to annoy others “convenience” when we are finally rid of all our “inconvenient” young and old? (As someone of middle age, that very thought gives a chill up my spine!) To paraphrase Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran Minister imprisoned under Hitler’s regime, he failed to speak when they came for the Jews, the Austrians, the Poles, etc.., and finally when they came for him, no one was left to speak.

Too many times I hear the excuse (not reason) of compassion tossed about. God gave us our lives and only He can take them back. We belong to Him. Would any of us so tolerate the theft and abuse of any cherished possession that belonged to us by someone else?

There are also, difficult as it may seem to fathom, sound theological principles that uphold suffering, but that topic is an article unto itself. Suffice to say for now that our superior and loving God’s will is better informed and ultimately far more benevolent in the end than ours. We, the created, created, contrary to our arrogance, do not know more than our Creator. God also allows evil (as Father mentioned in His Homily today, such as the horrific torture and death of God’s Son), so that a greater good can come of it. Abortion and euthanasia are evil, period, and that is just absolute truth, as taught by the Church. To paraphrase the late and great Archbishop Fulton Sheen, absolute truth is still absolute truth, despite how many or how few people believe it. God, having allowed these evils to exist, also demonstrates His love by giving us free choice. We can work to stop those evils, and thus achieve a greater good, or sit back (and maybe even join in) and allow those evils to continue and even thrive.

I am nauseated by pro-abortion politicians and candidates continually trying to slither off the hook by saying that while they favor abortion (Wink, wink, NARAL, keep those political contributions flowing!), they wish to keep abortion “safe and rare.” yet they do little if anything to ever keep it safe or rare. Likewise, I have so often had this same ridiculous argument with others who claim that they favor abortion and euthanasia because of the horrific conditions that they so often see foisted among children and the elderly in our society today. True enough, but if they are so concerned, what if anything, do they typically do to help stop those atrocities from occurring to children and the elderly that in their minds so necessitates abortion and euthanasia to continue? NOTHING! Isn’t this mindset somewhat akin to using a sledge hammer to kill a mosquito on your friend’s forehead?

Another favorite Father Corapi gem of mine (which I heard again just last night) was that he encourages people to pray the Rosary daily, and often hears people reply that they pray in their own way, yet in his experience, these same people pray seldom, if ever at all. Once again, more excuses, no action. If our eroding culture is our so-called excuse for allowing abortions and euthanasia to continue, then by that “logic,” why don’t we all just starve ourselves to death to eliminate the tragedy and potential of obesity? As a baseball announcer might say, “Swing and a miss!”

Some of you can take an active part in saving the innocent and defenseless around us, but you have more excuses than pharmaceutical companies have pills. Stop making excuses and do something about it! Some of you, for any number of truly legitimate reasons cannot. OK, fine. Pray. Better yet, pray the Rosary. Who better to pray to for life than our Blessed Mother, who gave birth to our Savior so that all could live eternally? And if you think you are too busy, you are not. As Father Corapi has said, the Pope recites the Rosary four or five times a day. Do you have any idea what his daily schedule is like? Are you really busier than the Pope? Furthermore, the Blessed Mother at Fatima told us to pray the Rosary daily, for others, and for that matter, ourselves, too. As we know from John: 19, 26, 27, Jesus, while dying on the cross, gave us to Mary as her children, and Mary to us as our mother, also. So listen to your Mother!

Like St. Paul, in 2 Corinthians, 12, 10, when we are weak, we are strong. St. Therese of Lisieux (“The Little Flower”) is known for her prayers for, and kindness to others, despite her suffering and infirmity.
Does prayer seem ineffective to you? How’s your faith?

“…For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
(Matthew: 17, 20.)

As we know from Jesus in Matthew : 19, 26, all things are possible with God. We only need to pray, and with faith. And pray lovingly, not just for the rescue of those endangered, but for the repentance of, and mercy upon all those who intentionally and unintentionally, actively and passively, endanger them. And while thus praying, keep this scenario in your mind:

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The suckling child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
(Isaiah: 11, 6-10.)

As Sam Cooke sang, “What a wonderful world this would be.”

As the saying goes, “The more, the merrier.” Let us then have a fruitful Advent by saving the endangered among us, and thus, a very merry Christmas. God bless.

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you; you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
(Luke: 2, 9-13.)

Doug

Youth and Sex by Bishop Fulton Sheen

2010-11-08T15:41:00.005-05:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

EWTN Press Release 9/29/10

2010-09-29T21:19:00.004-04:00

October 1, 2010

EWTN Foundress Mother Angelica’s Hometown to Name a Street in Her Honor

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Mother Angelica, the cloistered nun who founded EWTN Global Catholic Network, will be honored by her hometown of Canton, Ohio when a section of Market Ave. is declared the “Mother Angelica Memorial Corridor.” The section, between 30th St. N.W. and 44th St. N.W., includes the portion of the avenue that runs in front of Sancta Clara Monastery, where Mother made her first vows and lived out her first years as a nun.

“Mother Angelica and all of us at EWTN are truly touched and thrilled by the recognition bestowed upon our foundress by the Mayor and the Canton City Council,” said EWTN CEO & President Michael P. Warsaw. “It is a testament to the work that Mother accomplished in her life – work from which the whole world is benefiting. We want to thank the Mayor and the Canton City Council for recognizing Mother Angelica in this way.”

The honor comes as EWTN prepares to descend upon the Canton Civic Center Oct. 9 and 10 for its annual “Family Celebration,” an event that attracts viewers from all over the country thanks to its roster of well-loved speakers, children’s entertainment, and more. This year, the Network will pay homage to the life and legacy of its famous foundress with a live program featuring many of this year’s speakers as well as select members of the audience. This made Canton the perfect location for the 2010 Family Celebration.

This year’s speakers are all well-known to Mother. They include EWTN’s “World Over” Anchor (and Mother Angelica’s best-selling biographer) Raymond Arroyo; “Journey Home” Host Marcus Grodi; Dr. Ray Guarendi, host of EWTN Radio Network’s “The Doctor Is In,” and Mother Assumpta Long of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, whose order hosts the EWTN children’s catechetical series, “Truth in the Heart.” “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck will emcee the event.

EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw, Deacon Bill Steltemeier, Father Anthony and Father Joseph Mary Wolfe will also be on hand for the popular “Family Talk,” which is a chance for viewers who are part of the EWTN Family, to ask questions

In addition, children will be entertained by “Roamin Catholic” Host Rob Wahl and his sidekick, Pete the Penguin, as well as Brother Leo, author of “Hey Brother Leo” fame. “Older kids” can browse the EWTN Religious Catalogue shop, line up to “Meet the Author,’ and maybe even get a signed copy of Arroyo’s new book, “The Prayers & Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica.”

Doors will open at 8 a.m. As always, there will be plenty of opportunities for confession as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It’s a day no fan of EWTN and Mother Angelica will want to miss – and, best of all, it’s free!

For more information, please visit: http://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration/

Note: We invite you to tell you friends about this event – and the great honor being bestowed on Mother Angelica – on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other social networks – and to tweet about it using the hashtag #EWTN.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th 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 and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

**Press Release issued by EWTN to Connecticut Catholic Corner**

Why be Catholic?

2010-09-05T11:38:00.004-04:00

Why be Catholic?? by Tim Staples

For more information visit: http://www.catholic.com/new/why_be_catholic.asp

Mother Angelica Live Episode

2010-08-23T12:34:00.002-04:00

What a treasure Mother Angelica is to our Catholic faith!

Full episode of Mother Angelica Live:

Mother Angelica Live Classics - Regret, Remorse and Sorrow - June 07, 1991

Thank you Mother Angelica and God bless you!

Should We Take Our Faith to the Voting Booth?

2010-08-21T13:55:00.005-04:00

Written by Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor Tim Siggia

"The Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof." -- Constitution of the United States, Amendment 1

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution, quoted above, is probably one of the most deliberately misunderstood parts of that document. Over the years, it has been construed to mean separation of church and state, a concept which, though having originated with founding father Thomas Jefferson, is in fact nowhere to be found in the Constitution itself. Jefferson first used the phrase not in any official document, but rather, in a private letter to a group of Baptists in Danbury, Connecticut. Since then, liberal politicians, jurists, and pundits have erroneously linked the concept to the Establishment Clause, using it as justification to ban all religious expression and reference in public schools, government buildings, and public grounds -- conveniently ignoring the second portion of that clause: "nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

So is it right, constitutionally or otherwise, for Catholics to take their faith to the voting booth?

Jesus Himself gave us the answer: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." -- Matt. 22:21

But this then raises another question: What is Caesar's and what is God's on Election Day? Election Day is coming up in just a little more than two months now, and it should be giving us, as Catholics, pause for reflection. On this day, when those of us lucky enough to be American citizens of majority age are taught to consider it a civic duty to make our preferences known at the polls, might a possible answer be that in some cases -- like this one, for example -- that which is Caesar's and that which is God's might be one and the same?

Voting, in a very real way, is much like the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is not something done lightly. If done responsibly, it requires reflection, examination of conscience, and many questions. Who am I voting for? What have been his positions in the past? Are those positions reflective of Catholic teachings and Catholic values? Does this candidate support or oppose such things as abortion and euthanasia? Is he one who would preserve the Sacrament of Matrimony, or would he redefine it? Is it better or worse to vote for a non-Catholic whose positions are in line with Catholic teachings, or a nominal Catholic whose positions run contrary to those teachings?

Finally, the big question: Do we check our faith at the door when we enter the polling place? By now, hopefully, the answer is obvious. In Matthew 22, Jesus gives us the prescription on which to base not only our votes, but everything else in life we do: His first and greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Then the second: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If we follow His prescription, and take our faith with us when we cast our votes, we cannot help voting responsibly.

-Contributor Tim-

EWTN Press Release 8/21/10

2010-08-21T09:42:00.003-04:00

Do You Know ‘The Biblical Story of the Mass?’
Find Out In EWTN’s Exclusive Fall Series

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – As a Catholic, do you ever wonder why Jesus is referred to as “the lamb of God” or why the “body and blood” of our Lord distributed at communion still look and taste like ordinary bread and wine? If the biblical story of the Mass did not begin at the Last Supper, where did it begin? Answers to these and many more questions will be provided in EWTN’s exclusive new 13-part series, “The Biblical Story of the Mass,” which will air 5 p.m. ET Sundays (with a re-air at 2:30 a.m. ET Fridays), beginning Sept. 5.

If you really want to understand what’s happening at Mass, why the priest and people have distinct liturgical roles, why the Eucharist is the best path to a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Trinity – and a whole lot more -- tune into this challenging new series.

Hosted by EWTN Theologian Tom Nash and Fr. Wade Menezes, this lively, conversational program is partially based on Nash’s book, “Worthy is the Lamb: The Biblical Roots of the Mass,” http://bit.ly/dAqnPu. Nash is also co-author of “Catholic for a Reason III: Scripture and the Mystery of the Mass,” http://bit.ly/bJQXPx. Fr. Wade Menezes is the well-known host of numerous EWTN series, including “The Ten Commandments of Catholic Family Life,” http://bit.ly/aqJzi3, and “Gospel of Life vs. Culture of Death,” http://bit.ly/bPo5wh,

“When St. Paul mentions the Lord’s Supper, most Protestant Christians view the ritual as simply a symbolic meal, which recalls Christ’s redemptive work that they believe began and ended on the Cross,” says Nash. “Wouldn’t you like to be able to defend the Catholic belief with biblical and historical evidence?”

Tune in this fall and learn what really happens on the altar each Sunday!

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, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

***Press Release from EWTN***

EWTN Press Release 8/17/10

2010-08-17T18:02:00.002-04:00

EWTN To Air Pope’s Historic U.K. Visit Live
Exclusive Interviews, Expert Commentary Available

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will provide live coverage of every public event during Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to England and Scotland Sept. 16-19, numerous original productions on the life and works of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be beatified by the Pope during his visit, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.

Coverage will be seen and heard on all nine EWTN Television Networks worldwide, and can be heard in English, Spanish, French and German; on EWTN Radio Network, and at www.ewtn.com through live streaming video. (Find EWTN Television at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder and EWTN Radio at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm or on Sirius Satellite Channel 160.)

Special live coverage will be provided by EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo, who has covered more papal events than anyone in the industry and who obtained the only English language interview in existence today with the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. (Contact EWTN to arrange an interview.)

“To my mind, this visit to the U.K. is to Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy what Pope John Paul II’s visit to Poland was to his,” said “World Over” Host Raymond Arroyo, who will anchor EWTN’s coverage. “Not enough attention is being paid to the historicity of this seismic moment.”

EWTN’s coverage of these events will include exclusive interviews with Deacon John “Jack” Sullivan, who prayed to Newman for healing after watching a series on the saint on EWTN and whose resulting miracle is responsible for Newman’s beatification; Cormack Murphy O’Connor, former Archbishop of Westminster, who worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to make this papal trip possible; Lord David Alton, a member of Parliament, who will discuss the government’s view of the trip and what Catholics can expect; Westminster’s current Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams, and many others!

You’ll also travel to the Birmingham Oratory and the rooms in which Newman lived and worked; Westminster Hall, where St. Thomas More was condemned to death; the Guild Chapel and much more.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in 160 million television households in 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 and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

**EWTN Press Release from EWTN**

Yes, Faithful People Can Still Be (And Often Are) Intelligent, Too!

2010-08-15T19:52:00.002-04:00

From Contributor Doug:

“Jesus said to him {Thomas}, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’” (John: 20, 29.)

A female co-member of a group to which I belong to inevitably winds up sitting at or near me at our annual dinner, ironically around Christmas time. I say ironically because it is during this season of the birth of our Savior that I typically again hear this woman touting how she left the Catholic faith because it insulted her intelligence. I also once remember reading somewhere a nasty quip by another Catholic dissident who claimed she left the faith because the thought Jesus had more answers to her questions than the Pope. I guess the rest of us are just simple minded idiots. Or are we?

My dictionary partially defines "faith" as an “unquestioning” belief in God. I beg to differ with the good Mr. Webster on that summary.

Having accomplished all that she did, Mother Teresa was far from stupid, yet she was certainly faithful. But at the same time, she also experienced and survived a period of grave doubt. Mother Teresa I’m not, but I am faithful, and while hardly a rocket scientist, I don’t consider myself a stupid person either, yet I have had questions, too. Asking questions is natural and even prudent. It’s how we handle those questions that really matters, as per # 26 of the Catechism: "Faith is man's response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life." Thus, the quest is OK, but our path needs to be illuminated to see where we are going. Such is faith.

In his talks telecast on EWTN, Father Corapi addressed this issue at least a couple different times. On one occasion, he cited once being chastised for his traditional beliefs by a moral relavist nun, who sarcastically dismissed him as not being too bright, so he then acquired his numerous undergraduate and graduate degrees and later spoke to that same nun again. The second time, she accused him of being too conservative. In another talk, Father Corapi used the Holy Trinity as an example, admitting that he also cannot fathom how God can be three beings in one, and most if not all of us would also be hard pressed to explain that one. Such is one of God’s many mysteries. Father Corapi simplified the question by simply suggesting that we acknowledge that it is above our ability to explain it, and to thus simply accept it instead.

But isn’t that really the true test of faith? The dictionary also offers the definition of “loyalty.” When we are of average or even higher intelligence, and believe contrary to that which we cannot explain, isn’t that true faith to God, and indeed, “loyalty”? Faith infers belief without seeing proof. And it does not have to be rocket science, nor is it an insult to anyone’s intelligence.

As Catholics, we believe in apostolic succession, Jesus, our High Priest, ordained his apostles, and one of them, Peter, became our first Pope, as so appointed by Jesus. (“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.“ Matthew:16, 18). It is through this same apostolic succession, as well as history, tradition and scripture, that Jesus, and not just the Pope, answers our questions through the (Catholic) Church, the original Christian Church, instituted by Jesus Himself, and then onward through Peter.

As Catholics, we believe that our Church’s teaching our absolute truth. To deny them is heresy. As Archbishop Fulton Sheen once noted, “absolute truth” is still “absolute truth,” despite how many, or how few people believe it.

As beings created by God, our intelligence is truly blessing, but it is also finite. What our intelligence cannot explain, faith must.

Perhaps it is these allegedly far more “intelligent” people who are in true need of education, specifically via evangelization. One of the admission requirements to Heaven is humility, but not an I.Q. test, as Jesus said in Luke, 18, 17:” Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Is it little wonder that Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”? (Matthew 5:5.)

Thus if we intend to enter Heaven, our chances are far greater by doing so with the trusting humility of a child, and not by haughtily tossing around 95 cent words, erroneously thinking we are actually impressing someone. And remember, who is often referred to as the gatekeeper to the Pearly Gates? Peter!

I’ve used these quotes before and I continue to do so because they are so beautifully sage, simplistic and applicable: “Humility is the mother of all salvation” (St. Bernard), and “Pray, hope and don’t worry” (St. Padre Pio, my adopted Patron Saint).

Thus my parting advice: Keep the faith! It’s the smart thing to do!

Peace,
Doug

EWTN Press Release 8/11/10

2010-08-11T14:58:00.003-04:00

EWTN Global Catholic Network Exclusive:
Vatican Newsmaker, Archbishop Raymond Burke
To Appear Aug. 18 on “EWTN Live”

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Archbishop Raymond L. Burke will make an exclusive television appearance on “EWTN Live” with Host Fr. Mitch Pacwa at 8 p.m. ET, Wed., Aug. 18 to discuss his role as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, which has been called the Vatican’s Supreme Court, and much more.

Before being appointed to the Apostolic Signatura on June 27, 2008, Archbishop Burke served as the Archbishop of St. Louis, Mo., and as Bishop of La Crosse, Wisc. An outspoken champion for the culture of life, Archbishop Burke’s appearance is sure to be a newsmaker.

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 and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

**Press Release from EWTN**

The Devil

2010-08-08T08:17:00.004-04:00

"The Devil" - Bishop Fulton Sheen

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

What a fantastic teaching on the devil in our world and the salvation brought by Jesus Christ on the Cross.

EWTN Press Release 7/30/10

2010-07-30T13:16:00.001-04:00

EWTN’s New Series, ‘The Suffering Church,’ Reveals the Truth About
Catholic/Christian Persecution Around the World – And What You Can Do About It

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Imagine being thrown into a hole in the ground or a metal trailer for months on end – being baked in 120 degree heat -- and later becoming blind after being pulled from this darkness into bright light. Your crime? Reading the Bible. This is just one of many stories of Christian persecution relayed in “The Suffering Church,” a 13-part original series, which will begin airing in September exclusively on EWTN Global Catholic Network.

Most Catholics think religious persecution reached its zenith during the Roman Empire, when Nero set Christians ablaze and used them as torches or fed them to the lions. However, the truth is that more Christians have died for their faith in the 20th Century than in ALL the preceding centuries put together.

Watch “The Suffering Church” to learn the truth about Christian persecution in China, Burma, North Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam/Laos, Iraq, Sudan, Nigeria, Egypt, Eritrea/Ethiopia, India, and Sri Lanka – and, most importantly, what you can do to help. This series is part of EWTN’s continuing commitment to shining the light on Catholic social justice concerns around the world.

The series is hosted by Lord David Alton, a member of the British Parliament, who launched “Jubilee Campaign UK” in 1987. That campaign has resulted in more than 150 members of Parliament “adopting” cases of religious discrimination around the world.

Lord Alton’s guests, who have dedicated their lives to intervening in such cases, include Ann Buwalda, an immigration attorney in Northern Virginia who founded the U.S. branch of the Jubilee Campaign in the early 90s, and top figures from Aid to the Church in Need, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, Coalition for the Defense of Human Rights, American Center for Law & Justice, and many, many more.

Lord Alton also talks with natives such as Rev. John Chol Daau, a former “lost boy” and founder of the first Christian newspaper in Sudan, Professor Habtu Ghebre-Ab, President and Founder of “In Chains for Christ,” Bob Fu, President of the China Aid Association, and many others.

Viewers will also meet U.S. Congressmen concerned about the problem, who will talk about the places they have visited and what they’ve been able to do to put pressure on various governments.

The pain and suffering revealed in this series are almost unimaginable to Westerners. In Burma, a democratically-elected leader is imprisoned simply because she was freely elected by the people; in China, the bishop of Shanghai spent 30 years in Chinese prisons just for being Catholic; in Pakistan, “blasphemy laws” are often used by Muslims to justify violent and murderous acts of intolerance; in Sudan, non-Muslims are beaten, jailed, kidnapped and killed for meeting with people interested in coming to Christ; in Iraq, Christians are persecuted in the hopes of getting them to emigrate, but in Eritrea in Africa, Christians who are brutally treated are not allowed to leave.

These are just a few of the facts you will learn in this must-see series.

If you care about your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, and want to help them, you will not want to miss, “The Suffering Church,” airing in September, exclusively on EWTN. Dates and times will be posted at www.ewtn.com by the end of August. For channel information, please go to www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Media: Please go to www.ewtn.com/media/SufferingChurch for dramatic, high-resolution photos.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 150 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, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

EWTN Press Release 7/28/10

2010-07-28T18:26:00.003-04:00

EWTN to Air Episcopal Ordination of
The Very Rev. David O’Connell
As Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton, N.J.

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will air the Episcopal ordination of the Very Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., as Coadjutor bishop of Trenton, N.J. The two-and-a-half-hour event will air live from St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton, N.J., beginning at 2 p.m. ET, Fri., July 30.

EWTN will carry the event in English in the U.S. and Canada and EWTN Español will carry the event in Spanish in the U.S. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder or watch the event streaming live on our website at www.ewtn.com.

The event can also be heard at 9 p.m. ET, Fri., July 30 on the EWTN Radio Network’s AM & FM radio affiliates as well as on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 160. Find our radio affiliates at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th 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 and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

**Press Release from EWTN**

"Other People Are Worse Sinners Than Me!"

2010-07-27T20:35:00.003-04:00

Post by Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor: Doug

Have you ever heard, or perhaps even argued this dusty and worn out proclamation, “Other people are worse sinners than me!”? Ironically, whoever says it is right. We are all sinners, yet some are worse or better in resisting sin than others. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle to varying degrees. What is (possibly) wrong, however, is the inference drawn from that statement, that “Others are worse so I’m going to Heaven some day and they aren’t!“ Such “logic” is beyond naiveté; it’s a trap, and with potentially serious and eternal consequences, above and beyond the fact that we are supposed to judge acts, and not people.

Consider Jesus’s words in Luke: 13, 1-5:”There were some present at that very time who told Him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered them, ‘Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo’am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” ( Emphasis added.)

Most of us aren’t serial killers, or even necessarily bad people, but we are all sinners, and sin is an equal opportunity killer. It does not discriminate. It welcomes all. Grave or mortal sin in particular, even if committed only once, can cause our eternal doom, right along with the gruesome and repugnant serial killer you saw on the 6pm news.

A mortal sin is basically a violation of the 10 Commandments. On it’s web site, the National Catholic Register (www.ncregister.com) has a “Resources” link to a confession guide, for children and adults. When you see this guide, you realize that the range of each of the 10 Commandments by definition is broader than we typically assume. For example, abusing alcohol or drugs falls under the 5th Commandment of “thou shalt not kill,” because of the harm they cause to our bodies. Masturbation, the use of contraception, or even lustful thoughts violate the 6th Commandment of “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and regardless if the sinner is single or married because such practices abuse the intent of our bodies (actually, “temples”) or denigrates the dignity of someone else’s body.

Last but not least, 1857 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that three conditions must first be present for a sin to be considered “mortal,” or “grave”: 1.) The object of the sin itself must be grave matter. 2.) The sin must be committed with full knowledge. 3.) The sin must be committed with deliberate consent.

It is noteworthy, however, that 1735 of the Catechism lists the exceptions for imputability and responsibility of actions which can be “diminished or “even nullified“: “ignorance, inadvertence, duress, fear, habit, inordinate attachments, and other psychological or social factors.”

I learned long ago to ideally never offer a dissenting opinion without an alternative or helpful suggestion, and Jesus has already supplied such an escape from eternal damnation for us: the Sacrament of Reconciliation, A.K.A.: “Confession.”

Consider the following passages from the book “The Life Of Faustina Kowalska,” the authorized biography of the now canonized Patroness of Divine Mercy, written by Sister Sophia Michalenko, in which Jesus told the following instructions to then Sister Faustina:

“Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of Mercy are burning Me-clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out on these souls. Distrust on the part of souls is tearing at My insides,. The distrust of a chosen soul causes Me even greater pain; despite my inexhaustible love for them they do not trust Me. Even My death is not enough for them. Woe to the soul that abuses these [gifts].” (Page 45)

“I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in my fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all will be drowned in the immeasurable depths of My mercy.” (Page 172)

-“The flames of mercy are burning Me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them!”
-“At that last hour, a soul has nothing with which to defend itself except My mercy. Happy is the soul that during its lifetime immersed itself in the Fountain of Mercy, because justice will have no hold on it.”
-“Write this: Everything that exists is enclosed in the depths of My mercy, more deeply than an infant in its mother’s womb. How painfully distrust of My goodness wounds Me! Sins of distrust wound me most painfully.”
(Page 175)

"{Let} the greatest sinners {place} their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in My bottomless mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy toward tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: Before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice…” (Emphasis added) (Page 180)

Notice how Jesus discerns the terms “justice” and “mercy.” As I once heard a priest wryly explain in a Homily, “Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is getting what we don’t deserve!”
And where do we attain that mercy?

“Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy [The Sacrament Of Reconciliation].” (Page 214)

Jesus also admonished that we should recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet (done on Rosary Beads) daily and that great graces will be granted to even the most hardened sinner, if he recites the Chaplet even once, and likewise if it is read in the presence of, and on behalf of a dying person. Both Jesus and The Blessed Mother in their appearances to Saint Faustina also emphasized three Christian virtues: humility, love and purity. Without the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which grants as much healing and Grace as it does forgiveness, we cannot realistically hope to attain such Mercy.

That is where the humility comes in, as Saint Bernard once sagely noted, “Humility is the mother of all salvation.” Purity is important, because as our Blessed Mother has said, sexual sin is so common that many souls drop like “snowflakes” into Hell. As for love, for God and for each other, it is the most vital virtue because by definition, any sin violates love, as so noted in 1 Corinthians, 13, 13: “So faith, hope, love abide these three, but the greatest of these is love.”

So while some may be worse sinners than us, the wages of sin are indeed potentially death for any sinner who does not seek mercy through repentance and reconciliation. Even venial, or lesser sin, weakens us and makes us more prone to commit more serious sin. And to that aim, we must always be on guard, as Jesus warned us in Luke: 12, 35-41: “Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You must also be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

Given our human frailty, actually caused by original sin, this all can seem overwhelming, which is why we need to be mindful that each of us is a work in progress, and that is why Scripture is so plentiful with words of encouragement, advising us not to be afraid, because God is merciful, patient and loving, so long as we are faithful and diligent, in spite of our seemingly endless failures, and trusting in His Son, Jesus as our Savior. Saint Padre Pio, a man of reputed good cheer, put it thus succinctly, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Saint Augustine gave us yet even more perspective, and hope: “God does not impose impossible things, but by giving His command, He admonishes you to do what you can and pray for what you cannot do (yet).”

From this fellow sinner, I wish you God’s loving peace, and above all, His mercy.

Doug
　

EWTN Press Release: Celebrate Mother Angelica's Life & Legacy

2010-06-19T07:23:00.005-04:00

Celebrate Mother Angelica’s Life & Legacy at

EWTN’s 2010 Family Celebration in Canton, Ohio

Meet Raymond Arroyo, Marcus Grodi,

Dr. Ray Guarendi, Mother Assumpta Long, & More!

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will host its 2010 Family Celebration Oct. 9-10 at the Canton Civic and Cultural Center in Canton, Ohio – Mother Angelica’s hometown.

Come enjoy a roster of well-loved speakers, including EWTN’s “World Over” Anchor (and Mother Angelica’s best-selling biographer) Raymond Arroyo; “Journey Home” Host Marcus Grodi; Dr. Ray Guarendi, host of EWTN Radio Network’s “The Doctor Is In,” and Mother Assumpta Long of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, whose order hosts the EWTN children’s catechetical series, “Truth in the Heart.” “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck will emcee the event.

As a special bonus, those attending on Saturday night will have the opportunity to participate in a special live show celebrating Mother Angelica’s life and legacy, which will feature all our speakers as well as select members of the audience!

EWTN President &CEO Michael P. Warsaw, Deacon Bill Steltemeier, Father Anthony and Father Joseph Mary Wolfe will also be on hand for the always popular “Family Talk.”

In addition, children will be entertained by “Roamin Catholic” Host Rob Wahl and his sidekick, Pete the Penguin, as well as Brother Leo of “Hey Brother Leo” fame. All will appear at the “EWTN Faith Factory” booth throughout the weekend.

“Older kids” can browse the EWTN Religious Catalogue shop, line up to “Meet the Author,’ and maybe even get a signed copy of Arroyo’s new book, “The Prayers & Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica.” Can’t wait? Order the book now from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com and bring it to the signing.

Doors will open at 8 a.m. As always, there will be plenty of opportunities for confession as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It’s a day no fan of EWTN will want to miss – and, best of all, it’s free!

For more information, please visit: http://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration/

We also invite you to tell you friends about this event on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more – and to tweet about this event using the hashtag #EWTN.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th 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 and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

*Press Release issued from EWTN to Connecticut Catholic Corner*

EWTN Press Releases

2010-04-06T16:56:00.003-04:00

Exclusive: EWTN Airs Divine Mercy Mass Live

From Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Mass.

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – More than 15,000 pilgrims will descend on the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass. April 11 for the Feast of Divine Mercy – and only EWTN Global Catholic Network will be there to broadcast the Solemn Liturgy as well as an educational and inspiring Divine Mercy Preview Show.

The Divine Mercy Mass airs live at 1 p.m. ET, Sun., April 11, with an encore at 9 p.m. ET. The Mass will be celebrated by Springfield, Mass. Bishop Timothy McDonnell, with a homily by Father Dan Cambra, MIC, provincial superior of the Marians in the U.S.

The Marians are the authentic promoters of the Divine Mercy devotion, which was given to mankind through the Apostle of Divine Mercy, St. Faustina, and which was championed by the late Pope John Paul II.

The liturgy will be preceded at noon ET by a one-hour “Divine Mercy Preview Show,” where you can learn all about the Divine Mercy devotion. As Our Lord told St. Faustina: “The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy” (Diary 699).

The festivities will air on both EWTN Television and Radio Networks. To find EWTN Television in your area, please go to www.ewtn.com/channelfinder. To find an EWTN Radio affiliate in your area, go to http://bit.ly/5zLbJk. To find out how to get EWTN on satellite radio, click on http://bit.ly/8YhGKK.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 150 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 and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

***

Mother Angelica and Biographer Raymond Arroyo

Make Bestseller List for Fourth Time

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN Global Catholic Network, and Raymond Arroyo, her biographer and editor, have just landed on the New York Times bestseller list for the fourth time.

“We are extremely pleased that Mother’s life and work has been preserved and, in some cases, found a new audience through the creation of these bestselling books,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw.

In their latest collaboration, “The Prayers and Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica,” readers will find a prayer journal composed during Mother’s personal “dark night of the soul,” handwritten meditations offered to her sisters, devotions and petitions from her early religious life, and – just in time for Holy Week -- two moving versions of the Stations of the Cross composed for her community. (The book is available at http://bit.ly/decslG.)

In writing Mother’s biography, Arroyo discovered the wealth of material available in the archives at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery. He described his motivation for gathering the material in his most recent bestseller to Father Mitch Pacwa on a recent episode of “EWTN Live.”

”Though I had seen other bits and pieces of Mother’s written works, the little mini-books and other things, there was nothing that I thought communicated her essence in that voice that is so Mother’s,” he said. “In listening to these audio lessons, it, to me, really preserved and captured her voice.”

The duo’s other bestselling books are “Mother Angelica’s Private and Pithy Lessons from the Scriptures, “Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality” and “Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles.” All are available at http://bit.ly/bKX2z6.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 150 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 and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

***
EWTN Launches News Service

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network has entered into an agreement with Catholic News Agency to share news and resources from around the world to Catholics and those interested in the Catholic faith, Catholic news and Catholic perspectives.

To showcase this expanded news service, EWTN has launched a new website, www.ewtnnews.com.

“EWTN is proud of the many ways it continues to provide news to Catholics around the world,” said EWTN Executive Vice President Doug Keck. “Our news outreach already includes exclusive television programs such as ‘The World Over’ with EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo and radio’s ‘Vatican Insider’ with Rome Bureau Chief Joan Lewis, plus daily television and radio “news links,” and now we’ve added a full –blown Internet news service.”

Alejandro Bermúdez, who serves as CNA’s editor-in-chief, said that this new agreement is a major expansion of a partnership that began years ago.

“The agreement gives each organization an avenue to use its strengths to provide high quality, accurate reporting on matters of interest to the Catholic community and beyond,” he said.

EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw noted that EWTN launched its online service in 1996, making it a pioneer in the use of the worldwide web to deliver Catholic News and information. He encouraged viewers to log onto the new website and enjoy its greatly expanded content.

“This new project with CNA continues our history of using every means of technology to share the faith with people around the globe,” he said. “I believe this is an important step forward for EWTN, CNA and for the delivery of Catholic news around the globe.”

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 150 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, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

***Press releases from EWTN***

Inspiring Youtube Videos

2010-02-03T19:15:00.008-05:00

The Silent Monks

2009-12-22T09:44:00.005-05:00

This video was shared with me by a dear Catholic friend. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

What a creative bunch of high schoolers!

EWTN Press Release

2009-12-16T19:18:00.004-05:00

EWTN’s 2009 Christmas Specials

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Christmas is for the young, the young-at-heart, as well as those whose battle-weary hearts need renewal. Whatever your age, give yourself a lift this season with EWTN’s Christmas specials, including children’s programming, original documentaries, movies, musical specials and much more. (For a complete list of EWTN’s Christmas programs, please go to http://bit.ly/8Y7QY9.)

Highlights include:
MUSICAL SPECIALS
Catholic University of America’s Christmas Concert (2009)
The Catholic University of America presents their annual Christmas concert from the magnificent Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. (Airs 1:30 p.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 20; and 6 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25.)

Dana: Our Family Christmas
Join Dana, her family and friends as they present an old-fashioned family Christmas. Hear the meaning of many traditional customs, and gather new ideas for you and your family. (Airs 10 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; and 5 a.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

San Juan Children’s Choir Presents: Siempre Navidad
The San Juan Children’s Choir celebrates Christmas with music from around the world; a unique concert expressing the joyful spirit of the holidays in Puerto Rico. (Airs 11 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; 4:30 p.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; and 1 a.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24.)

The Word is Born: Christmas with the Louisville Chorus
The Louisville Chorus celebrates the sounds of the season in this special presentation of Christmas favorites performed in historic Saint Martin of Tours Church in Louisville, Ky. (Airs 9 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; 11 a.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24; and 4 a.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

Candles and Carols
Anderson University presents their annual candle lighting ceremony with sacred music and scriptural meditations. The program features more than 200 participants performing a wide variety of choral and instrumental pieces. (Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23.)

Fowler Sisters: Christmas Gift
The Fowler Sisters usher in the Christmas season with moving renditions of favorite Christmas classics including "Carol of the Bells," "Mary Did You Know," and "O Holy Night." (Airs 2:30 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 20; 10:30 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; and 10:30 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

Cousins in Christ: Family Christmas
Let the “Cousins in Christ” fill your home with songs celebrating the birth of our Savior, as they share with you a collection of favorite Christmas songs, including “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger,” “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World,” and many others. (Airs 2 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 24; and 4 p.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 26.)

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING:
“We are Catholic” Christmas Special
In this EWTN original production, the town of St. Claire is preparing to celebrate Christmas. The mayor wants to have a taller Christmas tree while Manuel and Phillip leave to find moss for the Nativity set. When the owner of the factory surprises everyone by shipping the largest Christmas tree in a helicopter, he is informed that Manuel and Phillip are lost in the forest. In a generous way, he uses the helicopter to rescue them. (Airs 5 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; 10 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 26; and 10 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 27.)

Hermie & Friends: A Fruitcake Christmas
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 5:30 p.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; and 5:30 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

Kingdom Under the Sea: The Gift
It’s Christmas time in the Kingdom, but somewhere between the presents and decorations, everyone has forgotten what Christmas is really all about; that is, until the town’s arch enemy, Professor Pinch, tries to destroy it. (Airs 5 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 21; 9 a.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24; and 6:30 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

The Story of the Selfish Giant
A grandfather uses Oscar Wilde's timeless tale, “The Story of the Selfish Giant,” to unlock the true meaning of Christmas for his granddaughter. As the selfish giant learns in this story of love and sacrifice, God's unselfish gift of His Son fills us with joy. This charming story and its strong Christian message is bound to be a great holiday favorite. (Airs 9:30 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19; 6 p.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24; and 9:30 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 27.)

The Legend of the Christmas Flower
This Yuletide tale traces the holiday tradition of the poinsettia plant to its roots in the heart of Mexico, where it is known as “la Flor de Navidad,” the Christmas Eve flower. Watch as young Juanito’s cherished dream of a sombrero to call his own blossoms into understanding of the true meaning of Christmas. (Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; 9 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 26; and 4 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

· Go Look in the Manger
Eight year-old Ricky Meyer has a misadventure that threatens to darken his Christmas joy, but he soon finds the true meaning of Christmas is in the manger. (Airs 9 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19; 4:30 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 21; and 11 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23.)
· We Celebrate Christmas: The Birth of Jesus
Lammy, the loveable puppet, guides children through the nativity story, and helps them to understand the true meaning of Christmas through lots of singing, dancing, and old-fashioned fun. (Airs 10 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19; and 4 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22.)
· The First Christmas
The timeless Nativity story is narrated by Christopher Plummer with a musical background of familiar carols. (Airs 10:30 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19, 4:30 a.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22, 6 p.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; and 6 p.m., Tues., Dec. 28.)
· A Time to Remember
This Christmas favorite tells the story of a young boy who develops his gift of song, with the help of a beloved priest. It’s a journey that requires faith, perseverance, and a Christmas miracle. (Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19; 9 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; 1:30 p.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 27.)
ORIGINAL EWTN DOCUMENTARY
· Path of the Messiah, Part One
An EWTN original documentary follows Raymond Arroyo and Jeff Cavins as they travel to the Holy Land to retrace the footsteps of Our Lord. Part One begins this dramatic and beautiful journey into Christ's homeland, fittingly accompanied by Jeff and Raymond's reflections on the Messiah’s mission and ministry. (Airs 1 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22. and 2 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23.)
COOKING SHOW
· Feasts & Seasons: Ep. 5
During this episode, Joanna Bogle explains why we celebrate Christmas on the 25th, and why for many of us, it is truly the “happiest feast of the year.” (Airs 5 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 20; and 6:30 p.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24.)
DRAMA
The Chimes
Written by Charles Dickens and narrated by Derek Jacobi, this is the story of a poor and discouraged 19th century porter. Chiming church bells magically transport him to the future where his hope is renewed. (Airs 4 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 21, 4 p.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 1, and 9:30 a.m. ET, Sat., Jan. 2.)
Michael The Visitor
Narrated by Stockard Channing, this charming fable is an adaptation of Tolstoy’s classic tale about a lost young man with an amazing secret. (Airs 6 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 21; 11 a.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25, and 10:30 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 27.)

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EWTN’s 2009 Christmas Masses & Devotionals

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Over the years, Catholics around the world have come to depend on EWTN’s coverage of Christmas Mass, Christmas Chorals, the Holy Father’s Christmas message to the world, and more. This year’s schedule is as follows:

Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve with Pope Benedict XVI
Mass with the Holy Father from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. (Airs live at 4 p.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24, and encores at 8 a.m. ET and 4 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25.)

Choral Meditations on the Nativity (Live)
Live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. (Airs 10 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 24.)

Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
(Airs live 10:30 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 24.)

Solemn Mass of Christmas from EWTN
(Airs live 1 a.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25, and encores at 12 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25 and 12 a.m. ET, Dec. 26.)

Urbi Et Orbi: Benedict XVI’s Christmas Message to the World
(Airs live 6 a.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25, and encores at 11 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25, and 1:30 a.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 26.)

Vespers of Thanksgiving 2009
Live from St. Peter’s Basilica. (Airs 12 p.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 31.)

Solemn Mass of Reparation
(Airs from EWTN live at 12 a.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 1 and encores at 8 a.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 1 and 12 a.m. ET, Sat., Jan. 2.)

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
(Airs live from EWTN at 4 a.m. ET, Friday, Jan. 1 and encores at 12 p.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 1.)

EWTN Press Release: Archbishop Fulton Sheen

2009-12-08T22:14:00.003-05:00

EWTN To Air Special Mass in Remembrance of
30th Anniversary of Death of Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will air a special Mass in remembrance of the 30th anniversary of the death of Archbishop Fulton Sheen live from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York at 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 9. The two-hour event will encore at midnight ET.
In an outpouring of support for the canonization of the late Archbishop, dioceses worldwide will join together on this day to offer Masses for this intention. Masses will be celebrated in 35 countries on six continents.
In New York, Archbishop Timothy Dolan will be the main celebrant and homilist. Archbishop Dolan recently told Raymond Arroyo, host of EWTN’s “The World Over,” that he had the opportunity to meet Archbishop Sheen several times, but he really became interested in him while doing graduate work on the history of the Church in the U.S.
“My professor, John Tracy Ellis, used to say: ‘There’s never been anybody who’s been able to communicate the timeless truths of the Catholic religion to a very timely culture, namely the United States, like Fulton Sheen – without diluting any of the essentials of our Catholic Faith. He was able to present it in an eminently attractive way and that has always inspired me. …
“I would never pretend to be like him. …I would never pretend to have his culture and bearing, but I would have to say that he’s an inspiration to me… to bring the immutable truths of the Catholic Faith to a very changing culture and society.”
To hear Archbishop Dolan’s interview in its entirety, go to http://bit.ly/77VvDQ. To purchase a DVD or CD, go to http://bit.ly/52NlBq.
If you are interested in learning more about Archbishop Sheen, EWTN Religious Catalogue has a large selection of books and tapes by this master of Catholicism and communications at http://bit.ly/8t71Jz.
And be on the lookout for a new EWTN series on Fulton Sheen, hosted by Fr. Charles Connor, which will air in February.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 150 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 and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

Two EWTN Press Releases

2009-11-04T13:43:00.004-05:00

EWTN To Be Made Available in HD
A Christmas Present for Viewers

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will become available to all U.S. affiliates in HD beginning Dec. 8. The Faith never looked so good!

“EWTN is the only Catholic television network available in this format,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “We chose to launch HD in December so we could bring our viewers all the beautiful images of the Christmas season using the most advanced technology. We chose December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, to honor Our Lady, who has conveyed so many blessing upon this Network.”

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 150 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 http://www.ewtn.com/ and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

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Marion Mulhall was promoting priests, through Worldpriest, Inc. and www.worldpriestday.com, long before the Year for Priests made it cool! Mulhall started this international movement, which now boasts offices in Dublin and New York, after becoming a lay Carmelite and discerning, through prayer, that it was her mission to do everything she could to promote the priesthood. Hear about her journey at 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, on “EWTN Live” with Host Fr. Mitch Pacwa.

As we emerge from Halloween weekend, EWTN will feature the “real deal” as Fr. Thomas Euteneuer discusses the devil and exorcism with “Life on the Rock” Hosts Fr. Mark and Doug Barry. Fr. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International and author of “Exorcism and the Church Militant,” will appear at 8 p.m. ET, Thursday. You do not want to miss this one!

EWTN Press Release

2009-10-14T11:23:00.001-04:00

French Priest Traveling in U.S.A.
With St. Mary Magdalene’s Relic
To Appear on Special “EWTN Live” Oct. 27

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Father Thomas Michelet will appear 10 p.m. ET Tuesday, Oct. 27 on a special “EWTN Live” with Father Mitch Pacwa to discuss the story of St. Mary Magdalene and the relic, which is coming to the U.S. from France for the first time.

Fr. Michelet, a Dominican priest, will be touring with the permission of Bishop Dominique Rey of the Diocese of Frejus-Toulon, where the relic is normally housed.

Mary Magdalene is recorded in the Gospels as the first witness of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Chris.

“The relics, hidden at the time of the Saracen invasions (Early Middle Ages), were found in 1279, the date from which they have been venerated without interruption,” said Bishop Rey in a letter certifying the authenticity of the relics. “They are presently kept by the Dominican priests in the cave of St. Baume, a part of my diocese. A new reliquary has been constructed to allow one of the relics, a piece of the tibia, to travel to different countries for veneration by the entire Church.”

EWTN Executive Vice President Doug Keck said: “EWTN is honored that the relic will be coming to the Network and that viewers will be able to not only see one of the relics, but to listen to Fr. Michelet discuss its storied history.”

Editors: For photos, please go to www.ewtn.com/media/marymagdalene.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 150 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 and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

EWTN Press Release

2009-10-05T10:22:00.003-04:00

EWTN Foundress Mother Angelica and
Deacon Bill Steltemeier Receive Papal Honor

Irondale, AL (EWTN) –Pope Benedict XVI has awarded EWTN foundress, Mother Mary Angelica, and Deacon Bill Steltemeier, Chairman of EWTN’s Board of Governors, the Cross of Honor for distinguished service to the Church. The medal, officially known as “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” (literally “For the Church and the Pope”), is the highest honor that the Pope can bestow upon laity and religious.
Bishop Robert J. Baker of Birmingham conferred the awards in a brief ceremony following Sunday benediction at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama.
“The Holy Father’s recognition of Mother Angelica and Deacon Bill Steltemeier is a much-deserved honor. It acknowledges the tremendous faith, hard work and incredible sacrifices that each of them have made throughout the years in founding and building up the Network,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “Their recognition is also a great honor for EWTN and is a clear sign of the importance of the Network’s mission for the Church and the Pope. We are grateful to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and to Bishop Baker for this honor.”
Mother Mary Angelica, 86, is a Poor Clare Nun of Perpetual Adoration. She came to Alabama in 1961 to found Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale. In 1981, she began Eternal Word Television Network in a garage on the monastery property. In 1999, Mother Angelica relocated the Monastery to the grounds of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. She continues to reside there with her community of Nuns.
Deacon R. William Steltemeier, 80, was a successful Nashville attorney who left his law practice to join Mother Angelica with her fledgling television network. He served as EWTN’s President for many years and continues to serve as Chairman of the Network’s Board of Governors.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 150 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 and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

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Crucifix in Store 'offends' Jewish Woman

2009-09-24T08:56:00.005-04:00

While reading some religious news articles online I came across an Associated Press story about a St. Louis grocery store where the store manager had put up a crucifix near the front counter. Apparently, it has offended a few people, including one Jewish woman who felt the need to complain to the Jewish Light newspaper.
After listening to some complaints, the grocery store company sided with the store manager and allowed the crucifix to stay stating;

"Company leaders made a decision to honor that request out of respect for Tom and his faith," Willis said. "In fact, that's part of the reason they put him in charge of Culinaria. He's a man of such strong faith; who better to put in a store where so many faiths come together?" -AP-

I think this is wonderful. Why must everyone get so "offended" by seeing someone else display their religious faith? When I occasionally shop in an Asian store that sells everything from food items to greeting cards and holiday decorations, I am not offended by their Buddha sitting on the counter near the register. When I visit a small gift shop owned by a fundamental evangelical couple I am not offended by the cross hanging on the wall or the assorted faith items displayed around the check out counter. Looking at the Star of David, or a cross or a Buddha statue does not offend me. Why should it? What is so offensive about viewing someone else's symbol of faith? Have we all become so intolerant of religious freedom that we actually feel offended when looking at a faith other than our own?
Look around you. There are things to truly be offended by in this world, a crucifix on a wall is not one of them in my opinion.

EWTN Tonight!

2009-09-24T08:55:00.000-04:00

Learn about the fabulous Susan B. Anthony List – which is dedicated to advancing, mobilizing and representing pro-life women in Congress – (and its many successes!) at 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 24 on EWTN’s “Life on the Rock.”

EWTN Press Release

2009-09-22T07:24:00.002-04:00

EWTN’s “The World Over Live With Raymond Arroyo” Wins Industry Award For ‘Best Religious Program’

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN’s long-running news show, “The World Over Live with Raymond Arroyo” was named the winner of CableFAX Magazine’s 2009 award for “Best Religious Program.” Host Raymond Arroyo accepted the award during a Sept. 16 ceremony in New York City.

Here’s what CableFax had to say about the show:
“Since its 1996 debut, “The World Over Live” has become one of EWTN’s most popular shows. News Anchor Raymond Arroyo has interviewed everyone from former President George W. Bush to the Pope (before he was Pope...way to predict that one) to Mel Gibson to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. In all instances, his probing questions always remain relevant to the Catholic concerns of EWTN’s dedicated audience. The show, which emanates appropriately enough from the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., features news, interviews, a call-in segment and interaction with a studio audience. Meanwhile, Arroyo has become a staple on mainstream cable news nets like CNN and Fox News. Bravo to EWTN for winning "the world over."

Learn more about the award at the following links: http://bit.ly/VLFOx and http://bit.ly/c5zc7.

EWTN Tonight!

2009-09-17T19:04:00.000-04:00

If you think evolution and Darwinism are the same thing, then you won’t want to miss Dr. Benjamin Wiker, author of “The Darwin Myth,” as he unmasks the real Darwin at 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 17 on EWTN’s “Life on the Rock.”

Passion of the Christ video

2009-09-13T23:08:00.001-04:00

Two EWTN Press Releases

2009-06-27T19:27:00.002-04:00

EWTN To Air Papal Celebrations Closing Pauline Year, Honoring Sts. Peter & Paul & Imposing Pallium

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will air Pope Benedict XVI’s celebration of Vespers for the Conclusion of the Year of St. Paul live from Rome at noon ET June 28.
The following day, don’t miss the Pope’s celebration of the Mass for the Solemnity of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, which includes the imposition of the pallium on new archbishops. The Mass will air live from Rome at 4 a.m. ET June 29 and will re-air at 11 a.m. ET June 29.
Archbishops who will receive the pallium include New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron, St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson, Omaha Archbishop-designate George Lucas, and New Orleans Archbishop-designate Gregory Aymond.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 148 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 and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

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EWTN to Air a Pontifical High Mass July 1
Live from Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
On Solemnity of the Most Precious Blood

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will air a Pontifical High Mass of the Extraordinary Form live from the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama at 8 a.m. ET Wednesday, July 1. The date was chosen because it is the Solemnity of the Most Precious Blood.
The two-hour liturgy will be celebrated by Bishop Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Bishop Perry will also appear at 8 p.m. ET July 1 on “EWTN Live.”
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 148 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 and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

EWTN Press Release

2009-06-06T11:09:00.002-04:00

EWTN to Air Installation of St. Louis Archbishop
Robert J. Carlson Live from City’s Cathedral Basilica

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will air the installation of the Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson, as the ninth Archbishop of St. Louis. The three-hour event will air live from the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, beginning at 3 p.m. ET June 10, with a re-broadcast at 12 a.m. ET June 11.
The St. Louis installation will be carried in its entirety by EWTN on both its English and Spanish language Television Networks here in the USA.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 148 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 http://www.ewtn.com/ and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

**Press release directly from EWTN**

Michelle Johnson
Director of Communications
EWTN Global Catholic Network
5817 Old Leeds Road
Irondale, Alabama 35210-2198 USA
(205) 795-5769 – Office
(205) 441-6248 – Cell
(205) 795-5781 – Fax
-----------------------------------------------

Catholic Products

2009-06-04T21:58:00.002-04:00

make custom gifts at Zazzle
*this will also be located at the bottom of this blog*

EWTN Press Release

2009-05-11T15:28:00.002-04:00

PRESS RELEASE

EWTN To Host Family Celebration in Birmingham, AL
Meet Raymond Arroyo, Danny Abramowicz and the “Crossing the Goal” team,
Marcus Grodi, Fr. Wade Menezes, Barbara McGuigan and many more!

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will host its 10th free Family Celebration Aug. 8-9 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Ala.
This year’s theme, “Rejoice in Hope,” comes from Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” and echoes the theme of Pope Benedict’s encyclical: “Saved by Hope.”
Those who attend can expect to rejoice in the roster of well-loved speakers. They include EWTN News Director and Mother Angelica Biographer Raymond Arroyo; Danny Abramowicz and his “Crossing the Goal” team; “Journey Home” Host Marcus Grodi, “Open Line” Host Barbara McGuigan, and Father of Mercy Wade Menezes, CPM, a network regular.
EWTN CEO and President Michael Warsaw will provide the welcome with “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck emceeing. Deacon Bill Steltemeier and Father Joseph Mary Wolfe will also be on hand for the always popular and insightful “Family Talk.”
In addition to this stellar lineup, Saturday night attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a live taping of a special edition of “Crossing the Goal” with its four co-hosts: Abramowicz, former NFL all-pro wide receiver and coach; Brain Patrick, whose “Son Rise Morning Show” airs on EWTN radio network; Curtin Martin, President and Founder of FOCUS; and Peter Herbeck, co-host of “The Choices We Face,” which airs on EWTN television.
Throughout the weekend, children will be entranced by special guest Rob Evans, a.k.a. “The Donut Man,” who, along with Brother Leo of “Hey Brother Leo” fame, will appear at the “EWTN Faith Factory” booth. In addition, “older kids” can line up to “Meet the Author” while browsing the EWTN Religious Catalogue shop.
Doors will open at 8 a.m. As always, there will be plenty of opportunities for confession as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It’s a day no fan of EWTN will want to miss – and, best of all, it’s free!
For more information, please visit: http://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration/
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 148 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 http://www.ewtn.com/ and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

EWTN Press Release

2009-04-30T15:24:00.003-04:00

EWTN to Air Complete Coverage of Pope Benedict’s
Historic Trip to the Holy Land May 8 -15

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will air complete coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to Jordan and Israel May 8-15, 2009.
EWTN will follow the Holy Father across the region as he visits such sites as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus Christ was baptized; the Grotto of the Annunciation, where Mary learned she would carry the Messiah; the presidential palace in Jerusalem, where the Holy Father will meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres; the Caritas Baby Hospital, the only pediatric hospital in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip that cares for poor children; the Aida Refugee Camp near Bethlehem, where the Holy Father will deliver an address, and much more.
Coverage will also include Pope Benedict’s meetings with numerous other heads of state, including the King and Queen of Jordan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and with other religious leaders, including the Greek Orthodox, Latin and Armenian Catholic patriarchs, the grand mufti of Jerusalem, the chief rabbis of Israel, and many others.
EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo will anchor the English coverage. Spanish coverage will be anchored by Alejandro Bermúdez, director of EWTN Noticias, EWTN’s Spanish news service, as well as director of the Catholic News Agency, and by Father Daniel Cardó Soria, chaplain of St. Malo Retreat Center in Lyons, Colorado, and an expert on the life and papacy of Pope Benedict.
For a complete television itinerary, with air times, please go to http://www.ewtn.com/tv/index2.htm. The event will be carried worldwide in English and Spanish on the EWTN television network, which is carried by EWTN’s cable affiliates, DirecTV, Dish Network, and AT&T U-verse. For a complete radio itinerary, please go to http://www.ewtn.com/radio/index.asp. The event will be carried on EWTN through Sirius Satellite Radio and EWTN AM & FM radio affiliates. In addition, the event will be streamed live on EWTN’s website (www.ewtn.com).
Media: For expert commentary on the Pope’s trip, or for a Catholic perspective on the most important news stories of the day, please contact EWTN at the numbers listed above.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 148 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 and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

Update: "Frozen Embryo Adoption: Why Not?"

2009-04-29T09:16:00.004-04:00

I received the following email response from my recent post "Frozen Embryo Adoption: Why Not?".

This is posted with permission from Edward J. Furton, M.A., Ph.D., Ethicist and Director of Publications at the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

Dear Julie:

Thank you for your comments about embryo adoption. The posting to which you were directed by Priests for Life was an initial response of The National Catholic Bioethics Center following the publication of Dignitas Personae. We initially thought that the Vatican had ruled against embryo adoption. We have since learned that this was not the case. The issue remains open for debate.

The press release of the Vatican and the talking points of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops both indicated that this remains an unsettled question. We will be adding further reflections on this topic at a later date.

Edward J. Furton, M.A., Ph.D.
Ethicist and Director of Publications
The National Catholic Bioethics Center
http://www.ncbcenter.org/
6399 Drexel Road
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19151
215-877-2660 (v)
215-877-2688 (f)
blocked::mailto:efurton@ncbcenter.org
Editor of Ethics & Medics
http://www.ncbcenter.org/em/
Editor-in-Chief of The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly
http://www.ncbcenter.org/ncbq.asp

The National Catholic Bioethics Center is a non-profit research and educational institute committed to applying the moral teachings of the Catholic Church to ethical issues arising in health care and the life sciences. The Center provides consultations to institutions and individuals seeking its opinion on the appropriate application of Catholic moral teachings to these ethical issues. Neither the Center's moral analyses nor any other project of the Center should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal or medical opinion or otherwise to engage in the practice of law or medicine, or other health care disciplines.

-end email response-

My thanks to Dr. Furton for taking the time to respond and share that information with myself and Connecticut Catholic Corner readers. It's much appreciated.

Frozen Embryo Adoption: Why not?

2009-04-27T18:25:00.009-04:00

Have you wondered why the Catholic Church (which is completely 100% Pro-life) has put its foot down on frozen embryo adoptions? This isn't about creating more embryos with IVF, but about those already created - already conceived human beings frozen at the earliest stages of human development. What happens to them depends on how people view them. Are they human beings to be adopted or just a bunch of cells to be destroyed or used for scientific experiments?

As a Catholic, I accept all the teachings of my faith and trust that the Holy Spirit is guiding my Church in all it's teachings, thus doing God's Will and not mans will. While I accept all its teachings, I sometimes fail to understand them. This is my failing and not the Church's. It's OK to question things and admit not understanding something. I know that doesn't make anyone a "bad Catholic". I accept Church authority that it must know better than I do, but wish I could better understand it when it comes to one particular issue.

The one issue that has caused me confusion is frozen embryo adoptions. I totally understand and accept the Church's teaching on in vitro fertilization (IVF), that it isn't as God planned natural conception to be (to put it simply). I get that. My confusion comes with the fact that people (regardless of their faith) have already created these embryos - frozen conceived human beings - that have two options: 1) adoption which leads to life or 2) destruction which leads to their death.

I see Catholics and other pro-lifers marching with signs that say "Abortion Kills"- well so does letting these embryos be destroyed when they could be adopted and given life. So far, hundreds of thousands of frozen embryo human beings have been given life...my Church tells me this is wrong, but I can't help but feel happy those babies were born and not destroyed. Am I wrong? How am I wrong to celebrate a life saved from destruction? I just don't understand, I really don't. I have my own wonderful children that I thank God for daily, and I am not looking to adopt any embryos...so this isn't about me personally. It's about my struggle to understand the issue as a Pro-life Catholic woman who loves her Catholic faith.

I guess I am a person who looks at things in their most basic and simplest forms. This to me, is a case of life vs death. Two options, only one gives life. But the option in this case that allows for life, is the very option my Catholic faith forbids. This is something I have a hard time with.

Recently, I emailed Priests for Life to see if they could help me understand my Catholic faith's position on this issue. Here is my email to them and the response. (I have left out the person's name who emailed me).

My Comment: I understand the Church's position on Inv. Fertilization being wrong for Catholics, but I am having a hard time understanding it in light of embryo adoption. I see in the news that frozen embryos are available for adoption (thus giving them life and also making our courts view the embryos as adoptable human beings). My thought is that the life of the child outweighs the medical process as a moral issue. If frozen embryos are in need of adoption to give them life and save them from being destroyed why doesn't the Church allow this 'exception' (if you will) based on the life of the unborn child being the most important issue here. Seems like a life vs death issue. One option allows for life, the other is certain death to the conceived human being. Can you please explain this to me? Thank you and God bless all the work you do. -end-

The response from Priests for Life:

Thank you for writing to us at Priests for Life.

For more information on embryo adoption, please read the National Catholic Bioethics Center’s reflections on Dignitas Personae at http://www.ncbcenter.org/details_news.asp?idOfEvent=421.

Please continue to keep in contact with us so that we may work together for an end to abortion. Be assured of our prayers.

Sincerely,

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Priests for Life
Outreach Associate

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First my thanks to Priest for Life for responding to me so quickly and for the work they do for the unborn every day. I appreciate the link and the information it provided, but I am still hoping a Catholic priest who happens to read this post will comment and tell me in plain simple terms why its better for these embryos to be destroyed rather than given life. I want to understand and I want to be at peace with this issue, but right now I am not.

I look forward to hearing any and all thoughts on this issue, whether they agree with me or not. Thanks and may God bless you all.

~Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner~