"Other People Are Worse Sinners Than Me!"

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

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

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.




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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.


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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

The Silent Monks

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

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

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

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!