EWTN's Spring Television Lineup!

Grab Your Remote!
EWTN’s Spring Season Debuts March 1

Irondale, AL – Learn amazing things about your Catholic Faith without leaving home! Tune in to the EWTN Global Catholic Network this Spring as we debut eight new series, perfect for anyone who wants to better understand their Catholic Faith and how to defend it!

 

“Each year, our lineup gets stronger,” said EWTN Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw. “We believe there is something on the EWTN schedule of interest to everyone!”

 

“We are especially excited about Father Charles Conner’s new series, “Grab Your Catechism,” said EWTN President Doug Keck. “This half-hour series, which airs at 4 p.m. ET, will have Fr. Conner beginning on page one of the Catechism and taking you through it chapter by chapter. It’s the beginning of a powerful new series that will ultimately cover the whole Catechism literally cover to cover, and a great way to learn about every facet of your Faith!”

 

For a sneak peak at all the new shows, please tune in to the “EWTN Season Preview” with Host Doug Keck. (Airs 3 a.m. ET, Sunday, Feb. 16; 9 p.m. ET, Monday, Feb. 17; 2:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Feb. 19; 6 p.m. ET, Friday, Feb. 21; and 11 p.m. ET, Saturday, Feb. 22.). Below is a summary of the eight series and their air times, which will begin airing on EWTN in March:

• "Cross Training": The host of “Dogmatic Theology,” Father James Mallon, explores the healthy convergence of body, mind, and soul through prayer, nutrition, and fitness advice. Airs 2 p.m. ET, Thursdays, 10 p.m. ET Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. ET, Saturdays.
• "My Time With Jesus": This EWTN original, animated, Gabriel award-winning children’s program features four kids who travel back in time to experience Gospel stories first-hand, and to better understand the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Faith. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Mondays, and 9:30 a.m. ET, Saturdays.
• "How To Pray for Sons and Daughters and Loved Ones": Host Vernon Robertson presents insights on how to pray for family members, particularly those who have strayed from the Faith. Airs 4 a.m. ET, Mondays, and 5:30 p.m. ET, Saturdays.
• "In Defense of God’s Likeness": Host Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D., exposes the darkness of today’s destructive culture and proposes a strategy for creating a culture of life. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Mondays, and 2:30 p.m. ET, Wednesdays.
• "Eucharistic Journey and the New Evangelization": Sister Joan Noreen reflects on the significance of the Eucharist and how it plays a major role in evangelization. Airs 4:30 a.m. ET and 5 p.m. ET, Saturdays.
• "St. Luke’s Gospel Season II": Irish scripture scholar, lay missionary and educator Frances Hogan journeys through the Gospel of St. Luke, sharing its thematic elements, powerful infancy narrative and parables. Airs 6:30 am. ET, Sundays, and 3:30 a.m. ET, Wednesdays.
• "Priests and Deacons: Ministers of Mercy": Fr. Brian Mullady, O.P. and Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers examine the ministry of the priesthood and diaconate in the Catholic Church. Learn to understand the complementary roles involved in the ministerial life of priests and deacons. Airs 5 p.m. ET, Sundays, 11 p.m. ET, Mondays, and 6:30 a.m. ET, Tuesdays.
• "Grab Your Catechism": Host Fr. Charles Connor explores the first two parts of the Catholic Catechism. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Sundays, 11 p.m. ET, Tuesdays, and 3:30 a.m. ET Thursdays.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 33^rd 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.

New EWTN Show: "Cross Training"

On the set of EWTN's new show, "Cross Training," in which Father James Mallon explores the healthy convergence of body, mind, and soul through prayer, nutrition, and fitness advice.. Airs 2 p.m. ET, Thursdays, 10 p.m. ET Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. ET, Saturdays beginning March 1.

The salt of the earth...

My thoughts and reflections on today's Mass readings...

The first reading today… [Is.58:7-10]

"Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday."

…reminded me of the “Pastor Email” that has been floating around the Internet for some times with mixed versions and claims to whether or not it’s a true story 

[See SNOPES:http://www.snopes.com/glurge/homelesspastor.asp ]

Pastor Jeremiah Steepek transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food... NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit in the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation...."We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"... The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up... and started walking down the aisle... the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him.... he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment.... then he recited

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning... many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame... he then said... Today I see a gathering of people... not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples... when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week... Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It's something you live by and share with others. -end-

The story is a good one (even if it turns out untrue) because it is a wonderful reminder of how we are to live.  Being the “light” in the world or the “salt” of the earth are really the same thing.  If we cast no light in the world we bring no glory to God. 

The people in the Pastor Email story did not share their light with the homeless man.  They gave him no money for food, no kind words and showed him NONE of the love of Jesus Christ.  If the people in that congregation had any love of Jesus in them, they hid it well and completely failed to live today’s first reading about caring for others and showing them love and in doing so bringing the light and glory of God to them.  

What a contrast that story is to our own Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta's story and the light she brought to the world after hearing Jesus' plea to her saying "Come be my light!"- she couldn't resist his call to be a light in the world.

And the Gospel Reading…[Matt. 5:13-16]
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

If we have no salt…we are tasteless, useless unneeded things rather than the flavor we are supposed to be in the world.  Do we need light in the dead of night to see? Of course!  If non-Christians are stumbling around in the dark of today's secular society who will be a light for them?  Who will bring them God's Truth and Love?  If we Christians are not a light for others they will live their entire lives in pitch black.  And what about the Catholics sitting in the pews who are hungry for the taste of salt yet are being deprived by their own clergy?

Oh yes, there are far too many salt-less clergy in the Catholic Church- like THIS GUY or THIS GUY or THIS STUFF.  At one time they might have preached the Word of God and filled the earth with their salt…but then the world and it’s secular demands pushed the Salt of God from them and left them void of salt.  The salt that lost its taste.

These are the clergy (priest and Bishop alike) who now talk about the desire for the Church to changes its stand on birth control, abortion, gay ‘marriage’ and a female priesthood.  These clergy have NO salt or light in them any more.  They have become useless to the people of God and worse…a stumbling block for many as they lead entire flocks of God’s sheep away from God and on the road to Hell.  This is what happens when our salt becomes tasteless.  

Who would season their meals with salt that has no flavor?  It would be a complete waste of time - so it is listening to these wayward tasteless-salt clergy.

As the scripture states “But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?  It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot”.  It is good for nothing.  Some of our clergy as well as our Church members have no light or salt in them and they have become ‘good for nothing’.  One wonders when the Church will follow the scripture teaching and have these clergy “thrown out” for the useless lumps of dark tasteless salt they are.  We need clergy who are full of light and haven’t lost their salt.

Pray for more salt and light in our wonderful Holy Catholic Church.

In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

Connecticut Catholic Events

Some Catholic things:

Talks on Dominican Spirituality

Members of the Lay Fraternity of St Dominic will present the pillars of Dominican Spirituality.

Sunday, February 9, 1:30pm

Sunday, March 9, 1:30pm

Following the presentations there will be a Eucharistic Holy Hour with the Rosary and Mid-Afternoon Prayer.

St Mary's Church, 5 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven

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A poll on Assisted Suicide in Connecticut in the Courant:

Poll (direct link):  https://polldaddy.com/poll/7770709/

Article:  http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/hc-should-connecticut-allow-assisted-suicide-20140203,0,5535896.story

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Monday evening Eucharistic Holy Hour, 6-7pm

The Holy Hour is co-sponsored with the State's Knights of Columbus and St Mary's Parish asking God to advance the cause of canonization of the Venerable Servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney.

St Mary's Church, 5 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven

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Theology of the Body Conference

"The human body... includes, right from the beginning... the capacity of expressing love, that love in which the person becomes a gift and - by means of this gift - fulfills the meaning of his being and existence.”  

Blessed John Paul II, General Audience of January 16, 1980

Pope John Paul II devoted five years at the beginning of his pontificate to in-depth Scriptural reflections on the meaning of human love and sexuality in light of the mystery of Christ.  He applies this magnificent vision of the human person and the concept of total self-giving to the vocations of marriage, single and consecrated celibate life.

Friday, March 28, 7-9pm

Saturday, March 29, 9-5

$20.00 per person (lunch & refreshments provided)

Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield

Info: Angela Mantero, 203-416-1627; amantero@diobpt.org

REGISTATION 

http://www.bridgeportdiocese.com/files/thebridge/THEOLOGY_OF_BODY_REGISTRATION.pdf

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From:

Paul A. Zalonski

Catholic Connecticut

255 Foxon Hill Road

East Haven, CT 06513-1216 USA

To email Paul directly: CatholicCT@gmail.com

Follow Paul on Twitter @CatholicCT

Connect on Facebook "Catholic Connecticut CatholicCT"

****Paul is a Catholic Events Contributor for Connecticut Catholic Corner****

When a Cardinal Betrays a Pope

Upon the death of Pope John Paul II, his secretary, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz was entrusted with the duty of burning ALL Pope John Paul II’s personal notes.  This was JPII’s final request and written in his will that the writings be burned upon his death.

Unfortunately, Cardinal Dziwisz (now Archbishop of Krakow) decided he would not honor the late Pope’s final Will and Testament and instead has decided on his own to publish a book (“I Am Very Much In God’s Hands”) using the beloved late Pope’s personal and private notes. The book was published this week (Feb.5, 2014) in Poland.  

The Cardinal seems to have no qualms about denying Pope John Paul II’s final wishes and excuses his actions by saying “he didn’t have the courage” to follow the Pope’s final request of him.

Cardinal Dziwisz has taken it upon himself to decide that he knows better than the author of the notes, deciding that the world should witness the thoughts and private journal writings of Pope John Paul II.

“In writing his will, the Holy Father knew he was entrusting these notebooks to someone who would treat them responsibly,” Cardinal Dziwisz said at a news conference in Krakow on Jan. 22. “I had no doubt these were such important items, testifying to the spirituality of a great pope, that it would be a crime to destroy them.”

Wrong Cardinal!  The Holy Father was entrusting YOU to BURN the items, not publish them.  His will was specific and you betrayed him his dying wishes.

It would be “crime” in his opinion, but in Pope John Paul II’s opinion it would be a betrayal NOT to burn them as he (JPII) requested.  The Pope did NOT want these writings published and his request SHOULD be honored, not published and made a profit off of.

I understand the DESIRE to keep something the Cardinal (and others) would view as “important items” from the late Pope, but when does their desire trump a Pope’s final death wishes?

Personally, I think this is wrong, even though I myself would love to know what Pope John Paul II had to say. I would put aside MY desire to honor HIS desire, as I think this Cardinal SHOULD have done.

Why didn’t the Vatican step in and put a stop to this?

Will ANY Pope’s final requests in the future be honored if we have Cardinals betraying them like Cardinal Dziwisz is betraying JPII now?

How can ANY Pope trust that his final wishes will be carried out if the Vatican allows this book to be published?

Other Catholic clergy have voiced their displeasure in this Cardinal’s actions…

“In European culture, a final will is always binding, as long as its realization isn’t against the law and morality,” Father Isakowicz-Zaleski told TVN, a Polish television broadcaster. “This is required not just by legal statutes and good manners, but also by respect for the dead. This public act of disobedience is a form of anti-witness, and can’t be justified by any explanation that it’s for the good of the church. Does a clergyman serving as a secretary know better than St. Peter’s successor?”

As the grossly overused term “slippery slope” comes to mind I really have to again wonder WHY the Vatican would allow this to happen.  I think it’s sad.

What do you think?  Should the Cardinal have written this book and betrayed the Pope’s final wishes or is it too much a “treasure” to be burned as the Pope requested?  And should the Vatican have stepped in and stopped this book from being published?

What are your thoughts?  Would/will YOU read the book?

In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/world/europe/entrusted-to-burn-john-paul-iis-notes-cardinal-publishes-them-instead.html?_r=0

Living on a prayer...

I will miss moments like this when Jay Leno leaves the Tonight Show...


 

What a fantastically fun couple these two are!  Love them!


In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

Connecticut Catholic Events

The Order of Malta of CT has organized an annual observance for this Marian feast and ecclesial recognition and exhortation to assist the sick. It is an exceptional experience prayer, healing, and friendship. I have been present for this Mass several times. Our baptismal call invites us to love and care for sick persons.

The witness of the Order of Malta calls us to care for the sick reminding us of the gospel mandate (a corporal work of mercy). Please come and pray for our ill brothers and sisters, and if possible, assist an ill person to come to Mass and to receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

There are two other opportunities to pray for the sick:

Saturday, February 8, 3pm Mass, St Aloysius Church, Cherry Street, New Canaan

Sunday, February 9, 3pm Mass, Blessed Sacrament Church, 275 Union Avenue, Bridgeport.

The other day I mentioned a New Haven observance of the World Day of Sick with Mass & the sacrament of the Sick, St Mary's Church, New Haven, Saturday, February, 15, 12Noon. This Mass is organized by the Third Order Dominicans. Recall that Saint Catherine of Siena is a patroness of sick persons.

You may be interested to read and pray with the text of Pope Francis’ message for the 22nd World Day of Prayer for the Sick: 

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/messages/sick/documents/papa-francesco_20131206_giornata-malato_en.html

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AND...

A Two-day Educational and Spiritual Enrichment Seminar

 on Love and Responsibility Based on Humanae Vitae

Theology of the Body and Human Relationships 

March 15 and 16, 2014

Sponsored by the Franciscan Life Center

271 Finch Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451

Cost:  $65.00/person 

Includes two lunches, coffee and rolls

Visit www.flcenter.org for more information or 

Call: 203-237-8084

PAX!

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Contributor:

Paul A. Zalonski

Catholic Connecticut

255 Foxon Hill Road

East Haven, CT 06513-1216 USA

To email Paul directly: CatholicCT@gmail.com

Follow Paul on Twitter @CatholicCT

Connect with Paul on Facebook "Catholic Connecticut CatholicCT"

****Paul is a Connecticut Events Contributor to Connecticut Catholic Corner****

The Crucifix Dress

What in the world...?


The website "Steal Her Style" recently posted a photo of Willow Smith wearing a "Crucifix dress" and holy socks.  

The "Crucifix dress" is made by MSFTStrep and goes for just under $95.00, the holy socks are available from Stance Socks.

Willow apparently shared the photo on Instagram.

The image on the dress (as far as I can tell) is not of a crucified Jesus Christ... but rather some other nude form - am I wrong?

Personally, I don't like it... I don't like the image or the degrading (in my opinion) of our crucified Savior.

I think for many people wearing things like this as clothes is about as popular as people wearing American flag pants - not a great idea.

What do you think?


In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner


Sources:
Link: http://stealherstyle.net/2014/02/03/willow-smith-crucifix-sweatshirt-dress/
Link: http://instagram.com/p/j-LZbmQlUi/
Link: http://shp.msftsrep.com/item/22712
Link: http://www.karmaloop.com/product/The-Jason-Jessee-Artist-Series-Socks-in-White/222263?siteID=TnL5HPStwNw-1fA0SHgBM.MIc1ySQ3KlUQ&refid=linkshare

The Catholic Survey Results are in...

Last October, the National Catholic Reporter erroneously reported that the Vatican was sending out a survey asking "grass-roots" Catholics for their opinions on Church teachings.  The world erupted upon hearing that report because they thought the Pope would change Church doctrine on things like gay marriage, women priests, divorce and remarriage etc.  The National Catholic Reporter was wrong and misled Catholics around the world.

Fr. Lombardi of the Vatican Press Office quickly stepped up and clarified that the questionnaire was directed NOT at the Catholic laity for their opinions, but rather to Bishops.  And that these questions were NOT about ANY doctrines of the faith.

Fr. Lombardi (CNA quote): “the questions “are not regarding the doctrinal position of the Church,” explaining that the document has solely an advisory character, forming part of the habitual “praxis” of the synod of bishops.  The questions were given to the bishops of all the world's dioceses on how to address pastoral questions and how to give assistance to persons in irregular family situations, among other things.”

But the damage was done.  The National Catholic Reporter's false statements spread and now confused Catholics are even more confused because they think their opinions can change Catholic doctrine.

Soon following the NCR’s damage, the Association of Catholics Priests (Ireland) decided the Vatican survey was too difficult and they made up their own survey, put it online and asked Catholic priests, religious and laity to share their personal opinions.

The results of THAT survey are in and it’s not pretty.

According to the Association of Catholic Priests Family Life Synod survey…(remember this is NOT from the Vatican and has no effect on anything at the Vatican)

[assorted questions from the survey in no particular order]

Question: What influence of “natural law” as defined by the Magisterium have in areas of society?

Answers: In politics, 44.67% said NO INFLUENCE in politics at all.
In your parish, 22.87% said NO INFLUENCE in their own parish at all.
In society at large, 35.07% said NO INFLUENCE at all in society at large.

It gets worse…

Question: Is cohabitation (couples living together before getting married) a pastoral reality in your particular church?

Answer: 98% said people living together outside of marriage was a ‘reality’ in their particular parish church. **13% of these cohabiting households have at least one child under the age of 15 living in this situation.

One wonders if any Catholics in Ireland are married at all anymore!

Now the topic of “marriage equality” is asked… I find this strange right off the bat because according to the Catholic Faith there is only ONE type of marriage that can ever be accepted (1 man/1 woman).  To use the term “marriage equality” seems misleading coming from Catholic priests.  Especially since THIS question is NOT asked in the official Vatican questionnaire.  It’s useless but sadly telling just the same.

Question: How important is ‘marriage equality’ to you?

47% of Catholics said ‘marriage equality’ was EXTREMELY or VERY IMPORTANT to them.
23% of Catholics said ‘marriage equality’ was ‘somewhat important’ to them.
18% of Catholics said it was “not at all important” to them, and 11% said they either ‘did not know’ or ‘did not wish to answer’

Question: Is the moral teaching of Humanae Vitae accepted?

69% - NOT accepted
31% - accepted IN PART
LESS than 5% - accepted it completely

Question: How important is the availability of contraception to you and your community?

76% of Catholics said it was EXTREMELY to SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT to them and their community to have contraception available to them.

On the subject of USING birth control and going to Confession and receiving the Eucharist people clearly showed they either do not know or understand their faith, OR they simply do not care and do what they want anyway.

67.21% of Catholics said “I follow my conscience about family planning. I do not believe it to be morally wrong for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I participate fully in the Eucharist.”

9.02% of Catholics said “I fully support the Church’s teaching on family planning and only use methods approved by the Church.”

To read the full ACP survey click on the link below.

In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

Sources:

Link: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/documents/rc_synod_doc_20131105_iii-assemblea-sinodo-vescovi_en.html

Link: http://www.associationofcatholicpriests.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ACP-Family-Life-Synod-survey-analysis-edited.pdf

Link: http://www.associationofcatholicpriests.ie/2014/01/acp-family-life-synod-survey-analysis/

Link: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-counters-claims-of-pope-polling-catholics-on-gay-marriage/

Link:  http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/vatican-asks-parish-level-input-synod-document