EWTN Press Release: "Catholicism: The New Evangelization"

EWTN Presents The World Television
Premiere Of Fr. Robert Barron’s
‘Catholicism: The New Evangelization’

Preceded By a Special ‘EWTN Live’ Featuring Fr. Barron

Irondale, AL – When someone tells you the Catholic Church’s stance on abortion, homosexuality or euthanasia is wrong, when someone makes fun of your religion, when someone mocks a religious practice you hold dear, how do you respond? How should you respond? Can you really challenge someone’s deeply held beliefs or will you just make them mad? These questions are at the heart of an intelligent and engaging new documentary by Father Robert Barron entitled, “Catholicism: The New Evangelization.” (Not to be confused with Father’s popular 10-part epic, “Catholicism.”)

Most Catholics have heard of “the New Evangelization.” But few actually know what it means, how to do it effectively, or why it’s so critical.  Get the answers you want and need when this program premieres at 9:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 18 – exclusively on EWTN. The program will encore at 1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 21. (Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.)

Travel around the world in 90-minutes, beginning in Melbourne, Australia, and meet many people who are engaging our increasingly secular culture the right way; that is, they are not just making people mad, they are actually changing hearts and minds and making a difference. Learn how they do it and how you can too!

The documentary is preceded by a special “EWTN Live” with special guest, Fr. Barron! The program airs at 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 18.

You will want to enjoy this program, a not-to-be-missed EWTN Event, again and again. Watch it, learn from it, and then purchase it from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/1kgbZ3Q, so you can share it with family and friends – it’s that good!

Also look for Fr. Barron to be the keynote speaker, along with Father Larry Richards and Father Timothy Gallagher, at EWTN’s Family Celebration Aug. 16-17 in Birmingham, Ala.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 32^nd year, is available in over 230 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. 

"Hot" Roman Catholic Priests Calendar

Yeah, I know, that title is disturbing, but that is how it showed up in my email.

The new 2014 "Calendario Roman" by Piero Pazzo is now available.  This calendar in Italy is known at the "Hot priest" calendar according to one source (warning: some of the other content maybe offensive)

    "While photographer Piero Pazzi's "Roman Priest Calendar" isn't serving up the salaciousness of the Orthodox Priest calendar, it does have one thing going for it:
Pazzi assures us his priests are real! And they are GORGEOUS. So what's got these sexy holy men stepping in front of Pazzi's lens?"

The reason for the calendar?  Roman Catholic and Vatican trivia apparently.  

The Roman Catholic priests allow themselves to be photographed and placed in the calendar to share Vatican facts according to the photographer.  

But the trivia isn't want people on the streets are talking about.  Nope, the local media and people are caught up in how 'sexy' and 'gorgeous' the holy men are.  Nothing mentioned by buyers about chastity or celibacy of the priests. Nope, just how 'sexy' these men of the Church are. I'm guessing Pope Francis didn't make it to 2014 calendar.  If the reason for the calendar was to promote information about the Vatican wouldn't a few snap shots of the Pope be more in keeping with the stated reason for the calendar?

I hope the priests don't encourage anyone to refer to them as "sexy holy men" or "strapping young men of the cloth" (as stated below).  It's just wrong in my personal opinion.  Sends an entirely WRONG message of "holy men" and God's Roman Catholic priests.

It's never right to make a human being into an object- certainly not "holy men of the cloth".

I've got nothing against a good cause or informing people about the Vatican. I do have a problem with USING priests as objects.  Let's face it, the calendar is NOT to educate people, it's to make objects out of "holy men of the cloth" so people can gawk at them. 

The photographer's website states:

WHAT IS IT?The CALENDARIO ROMANO 2014 joint to pictures it also contains generical informations about the Vaticano State
WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT ?in all kioscos and souvenir store of Rome and Venice or ordering it by e-mail: info@calendarioromano.org

 According to "The Local: Italy's News in English"...

"It is officially called the Calendario Romano, or Roman Calendar. But on the streets of Rome, the annual line-up of strapping young men of the cloth is better known as the "hot priest calendar".

Anyone else offended by "strapping young men of the cloth" description?

See last year's 2013 Roman Catholic priest calendar: HERE
  
I truly have no idea what this 2013 priest (right image) is being fed during what looks like mass but it doesn't look like the Eucharist to me.

The Roman Catholic priests do not give their names to the photographer, just their permission to photograph them and use the photos for the calendar.  This photographer has been publishing these priest calendars since 2003 and they seem to be quite the item in Italy.

In this Catholics opinion this is wrong and I would hope SOMEONE at the Vatican would at the very least use this to TEACH that people are not objects and Roman Catholic priests are not to be used at "sexy" objects.

According to Jesus, merely looking with lust at someone causes you to sin (Matt.5:28), so WHY on earth would any KNOWING (assuming they know about this since its been going on for a decade) clergy member allow themselves to be part of such a thing?

Call me a prude, I don't care.  I don't like and I think it's wrong.

In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner


link: http://instinctmagazine.com/post/vaticans-hottest-real-priests-are-display-2014-roman-priest-calendar

link: http://www.calendarioromano.org/03.html
link: http://www.calendarioromano.org/
link: http://www.thelocal.it/20131120/hot-priests-grace-romes-calendar

The Gay Christmas Lights of Rome

Is nothing sacred any more?

Christmas lights in Rome normally used to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, have been hijacked by the perverted.

The Christmas Lights normally seen in Rome this time of year have been replaced with "Gay Lights"- a rainbow flag of lights cloaking the streets.  The lights are meant to make people forget about Christ's birth and instead focus on gays and the made up nonsense of people fearing homosexuals (homophobia).  

"City assemblywoman Imma Battaglia says she and mayor Ignazio Marino had decided to send a message with the multi-coloured lights, which lit up on Friday and ripple for a kilometre and a half of the bustling Via del Corso.
Ms Battaglia, who also leads a gay rights campaign group, said the lights were intended to be against homophobia following the suicide of a gay teenager in the city."

Source: http://www.news.com.au/world/gay-christmas-lights-spark-row-in-rome/story-fndir2ev-1226777600199

In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

Vatican Apartment offered on Craig's List

You don't see this everyday on Craig's List... a Vatican apartment up for grabs. :) 

vatican apt (via nicolo III,8 )
0BR apartmentapt basement floor,very lighty,3 rooms bathroom,completely restored 58mq,condominum exp 23€ monthly.for renting for short longer period 1000€ deposit required.available from jan 2014,pls no waste time,deposit required,yuo must demonstrate you can pay the montly charges.

• Location: via nicolo III,8

• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Posting ID: 4230067935
Posted: a day ago

Source: http://rome.en.craigslist.it/apa/4230067935.html

Connecticut Catholic Events

Holy Family Retreat Center, Matt Talbot Men’s Recovery Retreat

Friday-Sunday, Dec 6-8, Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford; Matt Talbot Men’s Recovery Retreat: Step 11: The Spiritual Practice, with Ed Stevens.  Men in recovery are invited into a peaceful atmosphere where they can rest, renew their spiritual life, and deepen their sobriety.  Hear an inspiring lecture, take a yoga class, get a massage, catch up on some rest, and care for yourself.  Open to all people from all backgrounds.  $200, includes Matt Talbot dues.  Scholarships available first come, first served, to those experiencing financial hardship.  860-347-0644. www.holyfamilyretreat.org

Holy Family Retreat Center, Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina Retreat: Listening with the Ear of Your Heart

Friday-Sunday, Dec 6-8, Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford; Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina Retreat: Listening with the Ear of Your Heart, with Therese Saulnier.  Learn and experience the method of Lectio Divina, a traditional way of praying the Scriptures rooted in 6th century monastic practice.  Begins with dinner at 6 p.m. Friday evening and concludes with brunch at noon on Sunday.  $325. 860-760-9705. www.holyfamilyretreat.org

Holy Family Retreat Center, Advent Family Retreat Day: Creating Snowflake Mobiles

Sunday, Dec 8, 3-7 p.m., optional Mass at 7 p.m.  Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford; Advent Family Retreat Day: Creating Snowflake Mobiles, with Kathy Parulski.  Skip the mall and the craziness of the season’s rush for a few hours and join with others in creating light, beautiful, airy works of art using simple origami methods, while reflecting on the deep meaning of Christmas.  $35 per person or $95 per family, includes dinner.  860-760-9705.www.holyfamilyretreat.org

Holy Family Retreat Center, Day or Evening Retreat:  Beauty Ever Ancient, Ever New:  The Antiphons of Advent

Wednesday, Dec 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford; Advent Day or Evening Retreat:  Beauty Ever Ancient, Ever New:  The Antiphons of Advent, with Sr. Elissa Rinere, C.P.  In the final days of Advent, the Church prays with greater intensity, “Come, O Wisdom, O Root of Jesse, O Emmanuel ...”  The “O Antiphons” are treasures of imagery, history, music and prayer.  This presentation will reflect on these ancient prayers and their richness for our own Advent journey.  $40, includes lunch or dinner. 860-760-9705.www.holyfamilyretreat.org

Holy Family Retreat Center, Matt Talbot Men’s Recovery Retreat

Friday-Sunday, Dec 13-15, Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford; Matt Talbot Men’s Recovery Retreat: The Twelve Steps and the Journey Toward God, with Fr. Gerard O’Brien, S.J.  Men in recovery are invited into a peaceful atmosphere where they can rest, renew their spiritual life, and deepen their sobriety.  Hear an inspiring lecture, take a yoga class, get a massage, catch up on some rest, and care for yourself.  Open to all people from all backgrounds.  $200, includes Matt Talbot dues.  Scholarships available first come, first served, to those experiencing financial hardship.  860-347-0644. www.holyfamilyretreat.org

Holy Family Retreat Center, Music for Advent and Christmas

Sunday, Dec 22, 2 and 7 p.m. Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford; Music for Advent and Christmas.  Celebrate the joy and beauty of this sacred season with the joyful and beautiful music for which the Retreat Center has become known.   Adult, chamber, children, and handbell choirs featured, along with instrumentalists, soloists, and liturgical dance.  Reception follows each concert.  $35.  860-760-9705. www.holyfamilyretreat.org

Holy Family Retreat Center, Christmas Eve Masses

Tuesday, Dec 24, 4 and 5:30 p.m. Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford; Christmas Eve Masses.  All are welcome.  Free-will offering.  860-760-9705. www.holyfamilyretreat.org

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Saint Mary Catholic Church of Norwalk is proud to present the movie:

MARY OF NAZARETH

The film vividly captures the essence of Mary’s profound faith and trust in God amidst the great mysteries that she lived with as the Mother of the Messiah, her compassionate humanity and concern for others, and the deep love that she and Jesus shared for one another.

One performance on Sat. Dec. 7, at 11:30AM

At Royale Theater, 542 Westport Ave. in Norwalk.

Tickets are $10 at Saint Mary's Rectory & St. Mary's Bookstore, 669 West Ave. Norwalk, CT 06850,

Note:  Recommended for 11 and older

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Information Catholics should know...

“The Pope from the New World” NOW available from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Francis-The-Pope-New-World/dp/B00GHNL0QC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1383769382&sr=8-4&keywords=pope+francis+documentary

The film Francis: “The Pope from the New World” is now available on DVD through Amazon.com.

Thanks to the great work of the Knights of Columbus!!!!

The production features interviews with Pope Francis' friends and associates in Argentina, as well as with American commentators such as Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and members of the hierarchy, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop Charles Chaput and Archbishop Jose Gomez.

The world has been fascinated by our new Holy Father, but many people still do not fully know the man who is now our pope. This film introduces viewers to Jorge Mario Bergoglio — the man who became Pope Francis — and his life story, from his childhood and the patronage of his local soccer team to his vocation and time as a priest, bishop and then cardinal-archbishop of Buenos Aires.

For more information on the film, visit PopeFrancisDocumentary.com

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This year, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 8 December, falls on a Sunday.  For this reason, according to the Ordo, the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception has been transferred to Monday, 9 December.

The US bishops conference typically waives obligations of Holy Days which fall on Monday or a Friday;  Sunday is always a day of Obligation.

Hence, in 2013, 9 December is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation in most dioceses (unless a bishop says differently). BUT, just because it is not a holy day, it doesn't mean that we ought not observe this feast day by going to Mass and doing a charitable act. We are in relationship with Jesus Christ, as Pope Francis reminds!

Remember, Mary of the Immaculate Conception is our national patronal feast. Say a prayer for our great nation.

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Any questions about these events please contact them directly.


In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

**If you have a Catholic event in Connecticut (or nearby) and would like it posted here please drop me an email (see sidebar).

EWTN Press Release: Bilbo's Journey: A Catholic Guide to 'The Hobbit'

An EWTN Exclusive:
'Bilbo’s Journey:'
A Catholic Guide to 'The Hobbit'

Irondale, AL – Before you visit theatres for the second installment of the film based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved “The Hobbit,” brush up on your elvish and pack your “Baggins,” because Tolkien Scholar Joseph Pearce is taking you on an extensive tour of the Catholic themes found in “the Hobbit” in a new hour-long special, “Bilbo’s Journey.” The special airs at 11 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 5 – exclusively on the EWTN Global Catholic Network.

The program, based on Pearce’s popular book, takes you far beyond the surface of this classic tale’s plot, and delves deep into a symbolic journey that truly finds the middle ground between Middle Earth and the Catholic Faith.

 

Begin your journey through Tolkien’s fantastical world with EWTN’s Fr. Mark and Doug Barry as they host an exclusive interview with Pearce on a special live “Life on the Rock” at 10 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 5. Then, stay tuned as Pearce takes the “sting” out of the bumps and blisters along the road of “Bilbo’s Journey” at 11 p.m. ET.

 

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 32^nd year, is available in over 230 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.

Wonderful Catholic men who would not be bullied

On November 24, 2013 in San Juan, Argentina a crazed feminist pro-abortion and lesbian mob burned an effigy of Pope Francis. I had seen the disgusting video and was sickened by it.

Today I saw another video of that same day, showing WONDERFUL Catholic men surrounding a Catholic Church to protect it from the vile and perverted mob.  The mob was vandalizing this Catholic parish and the men were doing their best to protect their Church.

These men were praying the rosary non-stop while the feminist mob SPIT on them, colored markers on their faces, spray painted the men's crotch area, shouted at them and some of the women took off their underwear and placed them on the men's heads while the men continued to pray the rosary. Gay pride rainbow flags were wrapped around the praying men and still they would not stop praying even under such vile and perverse attacks.

These are amazing wonderful Catholic men and I thank God for them.

The video IS difficult to watch, but at the same time the men are inspiring in that NOTHING the mob does will stop them from praying the rosary even when they are bloodied from the attacking mob.

The nudity is blurted out of the violent half dressed feminists.




May God have mercy on the mob and pour His Grace on those wonderful inspiring Catholic men.  The Church needs more men (and women) like these. 



In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

Connecticut Catholic Events

There's Advent Retreat morning for women December 7, 9am-Noon, St Mary's Church, 5 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven. The retreat morning will include time for personal prayer and reflection, time for sharing. The retreat conclude with Mass at Noon. Betsy Redgate, the DRE at St James Church, Stratford will lead.

Cost: $20.00 (a light breakfast, and coffee/tea break)

Info & registeration: Elizabeth Feeney: elizabethvfeeney@gmail.com

++++

Apologetics Book Club meeting Wednesday, December 11, at the Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St,  Middletown,  at 6:30 - 8:30 PM.

The group will be discussing the concept of Hell, and common objections to Christianity related thereto.  We will research responses  to those objections and discuss them.  What is Hell?  A recent book by Rob Bell and an ancient heretic (Origen) argued that love will ultimately prevail, and therefore all people will ultimately be won over to God (Origen additionally  posited that Satan and his angels would also be ultimately converted) -- why is that wrong?  Critics argue that an all-loving God could not send a "good" person to eternal punishment.  How does Christianity respond?  How does a perfectly just God comport with a God who is love and who is supremely merciful?  Please research these issues and be prepared to answer these questions.

We will also be reviewing Chapters 3-4 of the book Unsilenced.  This is a book focused on evangelism. An interview with the author can be heard here: 

http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/b/a/7/ba7259d26ed6f859/PCM_Podcast_194_-_How_to_Voice_the_Gospel_-_LQ.mp3?c_id=3112348&expiration=1381375116&hwt=730e56b8788a4f2077111f16c810f06d 

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There is a Pro Life Holy Hour on December 12, 7pm, St Mary's Church, 5 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven. The Holy Hour is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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December has arrived and that means we are gearing up for the 41^st Annual March for Life in Washington, DC.  As you know, this year the March for Life takes place on Wednesday, January 22nd.

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If you had not seen Pope Francis’ homily from October 13^th I refer you to it here http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20131013_omelia-giornata-mariana_en.htmland in particular to his wonderful reminder to all of us and our families to be people of thanks giving!

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Bishop Rosazza Social Justice Conference

June 14, 2014

Featuring Brother Michael O’Neil McGrath, OSFS

http://www.beestill.org/meettheartist.html