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Monday, December 17, 2012

Seeing the worth of every human life. Reflecting on the Newtown Tragedy.

As so many others in Connecticut and around the world, my heart is broken and I feel shattered by the tragedy in Newtown, Ct on Friday.  The stunned glassy-eyed expressions at mass on Sunday said it all.  Such evil shocks us to the core and destroys any sense of ‘safe’ we may have had. 

If our precious children are not safe in our schools, how can we ever kiss them goodbye and wave to them getting on the bus again?  How can we drop them off at school and drive away knowing that it might be the last time?  Those are the things parents (myself included) are thinking after Friday’s tragedy.

Others are thinking we must have stricter gun laws.  I understand that people want action NOW!  Enough is enough…but the reality of it (sadly) is guns don’t kill people, people kill people.  If every gun in the nation were removed, does anyone think murder would stop?  Murder has been the violent answer to man’s selfishness since the beginning…be it by clubbing, hanging, strangling, knives, stoning, bombs, chemicals, guns and even airplanes as we all learned on September 11th.  Murder is murder…the weapon doesn’t really matter when the end result is the same.

Genesis 4:8-12
8And Cain said to Abel his brother: Let us go forth abroad. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and slew him.  9And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered, I know not: am I my brother's keeper?   10And he said to him: What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth to me from the earth.  11Now, therefore, cursed shalt thou be upon the earth, which hath opened her mouth and received the blood of thy brother at thy hand,   12When thou shalt till it, it shall not yield to thee its fruit: a fugitive and vagabond shalt thou be upon the earth.”
Cain murdered his brother because he was jealous. 
Herod killed untold numbers of babies and toddlers out of fury…
Matt. 2:16
16Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.”
The Roman’s killed thousands of people, namely Christians by feeding them to wild beasts for pure entertainment, as did Nero.
We are perhaps more familiar with recent history and Adolf Hitler’s killing millions of people with gas chambers for world power- greed.  Or terrorists using airplanes as their weapon of mass murder.
We’ve had far too many (one is too many) school shootings…movie and mall massacres…and drive-by killings.  The list goes on.  Whether mentally disabled or simply evil incarnate, what they all have in common is a complete and utter lack of seeing the worth of every human life.  We are a disposable society.  Unwanted pregnancy?  Kill the preborn legally with abortion.  Too old and feeble?  Kill the elderly and infirm with euthanasia. 
Our society is entertained with movies full of weapons, fighting, killing, blowing things up, adultery, fornication, incest, and sexual depravity, violence upon violence of the human body, human intellect and human spirit.  People grab some popcorn and soda then sit back to watch human beings on screen being shot, mutilated, tortured and killed for ENTERTAINMENT.  Does this not register with people as sick and twisted? We are breeding killers by the very society we create daily to raise our children in.  A warped society that glorifies violence on television and in movies is where (sadly) we all live today.  In video games our children, teens and adults play at shooting others, racking up points for the number of dead they accumulate.  This “entertainment” and disposable secular society of killing our pre-born and elderly is desensitizing humans to the value of each human life.
What is surprising is that we are still able to be shocked at all when a horrible tragedy like that at Sandy Hook in Newtown, Ct takes place or that of the movie massacre this past summer or Columbine years ago.  We are creating generations of people who think other people are disposable and watching them be killed (in movies, video games and life) is entertainment.  That is the sad reality of our secular society today.
My heart goes out to ALL the families who are victims of violent crime- murder in or out of the womb is a horrendous tragedy as all life is precious and until we all learn that fact and fight to save all life, we are doomed to the disposable violent society we’ve created for ourselves and our children.
When we ALL begin to place value in ALL human life, from conception to natural death, then and only then will we see a real change in our world.  When we shun violence as 'entertainment' in all its forms and stand up for the life of all human beings... then we will change the tides of our society.  We must love each other and value each other because life has value at any and all ages.  God bless and have mercy on us all.
Julie
Connecticut Catholic Corner 

The Score So Far: Evil, 2; Good, 0

Written by Doug Wrenn
Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor

I cannot recall any previous time in which I felt so sensitive to the need to ever so carefully craft my words. Right now, I feel like I’m walking a precarious literary tightrope, but the message still needs to be conveyed, even more so now, because someone else who should have conveyed it abysmally failed to clearly do so.

I have previously worked in every facet of public safety, as well as in public health, and in the criminal justice system. I have admittedly developed a pretty tough skin and even a pretty sharp cynical edge over the years from those days. Being immersed in the sordid side of the human condition easily jades a person, or at least toughens them. It’s a defense mechanism I guess. And in my current capacity, I have recently worked quite a bit in Newtown, Connecticut, and in the village of Sandy Hook within it within the past couple years, and as recently as just a couple months ago. I know the village, the town, and the area. And while my waistline has expanded and my hair has grayed over the years, age also has had an effect of thinning some of that skin and dulling some of that edge. But none of that really matters, because what happened in that otherwise sleepy, bucolic little hamlet has shook even the most seasoned and hardened first responder to the core. No human being, let alone children, should ever have to endure the atrocity that occurred there, and no one should ever have to witness it, or ever have to deal with it or its aftermath, nor is any thinking, feeling human being probably even ever fully prepared to deal with it.

Like the rest of America, my anguishing heart aches, and my prayers have scarcely ceased in the moments since I first learned of a tragedy that has now trumped Columbine and stands second in bloodshed only to Virginia Tech, but this time, this one, as Gov. Malloy has cited, was close to home.

Suffice to say that I get it. But especially in tough times, truth needs to be heard. Honesty is still the best policy, but that also doesn’t mean that you take diplomacy and throw it out the window, either. A good surgeon knows he must take a sharp instrument and cut open the skin to save his patient. But he also knows enough to first administer a pain reliever or anesthetic. Both are important for the success of the operation. In that sense, priests have the same type of obligation as surgeons, but with priests, in dealing with souls, as well as lives, the stakes are even higher.

Specifically, I am referring to a Saturday afternoon mass I attended after the Sandy Hook shooting in the parish of family members, and with those family members, as we were gathering later that evening after mass for dinner with some of our family who had flown in from other states for a visit during this holiday season.

The location of the church nor the identity of the priest celebrating the mass is relevant to this piece, but I took profound umbrage to the priest’s decision and subsequent explanation, as well as his cowardly hypocrisy, erroneously, if not falsely cloaked in what he apparently deemed to be compassion.

I am acquainted with this priest. He buried my father. I also have a lifelong friend who was a former parishioner of his from another parish in another city years back. This priest has a huge following and is widely liked, and I earnestly believe him to be a good man, and a good priest, but he dropped the ball on Saturday.

At the beginning of mass, he announced that he changed the readings, which in this season of Advent, spoke of rejoicing, because he felt that in the current national mood in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre, no one really felt like rejoicing. Indeed, he was right about that, and on the news just before I left my home for mass, it was reported that many families in Newtown were taking down their Christmas decorations in the wake of the atrocity.

After making that announcement, the priest then rambled on about how the light of Christ will lead us all out of evil and out of the darkness. Well, right on that point too, there, Padre, but now you’re giving us mixed messages. So, which is it? Should we rejoice and take hope in the light of Christ, or hunker down and wallow, like you just did, and capitulate to the evil one? His words rung shallow, juxtaposed against his contradictory actions. In a very dark time in my own life some years back, I spoke with my pastor and confessed to him that I was succumbing to despair. He told me by doing so, I was letting Satan win, because that was exactly what he wanted me to do. My pastor was right, and in fact, #2091 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines despair as a loss of hope in God‘s mercy, and thus, a violation of the First Commandment.

EWTN’s Father John Corapi often spoke about a sad, spiritually dangerous, and growing trend of priests in America today more consumed with being popular than saying what needs to be said, teaching what needs to be taught, and bringing up hot button topics rather than avoiding them, and in so doing, these shepherds, in fact, from apostolic succession, are ironically leading their sheep straight into perdition. I witnessed one of those shepherds doing the very same on Saturday. (Although, not me! And while certainly no saint by any means, I’m leaving this earth still fighting before I ever “head south”!) Priests are indeed, “shepherds,” in the model of Christ. With the laity, as with sheep, they are there for these leaders and caretakers to be cared for, and to be led, not corralled and suppressed.

Popularity and truth are not at all necessarily synonymous, and in fact, Archbishop Fulton Sheen once noted that truth is still the truth no matter how few or how many people believe it. Hitler’s Propaganda Minister, Joseph Goebbels, obviously as keen as he was evil, once observed that “A lie told often enough soon becomes truth.” Indeed, we have witnessed that fact repeatedly throughout history. But taught often enough, and in such an appropriate way as people can more easily digest it, I find it hard to believe that the truth, told often enough, can also be more widely recognized as the truth.

I once asked a priest why it is that the Catholic Church so barely encourages the laity to read the Bible as much as some of the Protestant Churches do among their flocks. He said that while contrary to popular belief, there are not contradictions in the Bible, but rather, paradoxes, and given the fact that so much of the Bible is written in symbolism and in interpretations from so many languages from so many people from so many ancient civilizations, it can easily be misinterpreted, and thus the Church believes while there is certainly nothing wrong with the laity reading the Bible, it also believes the highly educated and specially trained priests are better at explaining it. OK, that makes sense to me. So again, this priest dropped the ball. Sometimes how you say something is as significant as what is being said. A well thought out and carefully crafted Homily would have better explained those Epistles of rejoicing and turned them from a bitter pill to swallow to words of comfort and hope for clearly broken and hurting people during this dark time, and indeed, many people broke down and openly sobbed throughout the mass. This priest missed a golden opportunity to help and comfort them. Where now is their hope? What have they to hold onto in this increasingly secular and barbaric world? What’s left?

If Christ calls us to be the “salt” of the earth and to season it, would He not expect that even more of His priests? The Sandy Hook school shooting is national news, and scarcely nothing else is being broadcast or reported right now. And on so many local and national stations and networks, I continually hear people rhetorically and painfully ask aloud, “How could God allow this to happen?” God gives us free choice, so that we may choose the salvation of our souls to turn to good rather than evil. What have we earned if God forced it upon us or did it for us? The same argument has been made against Government overstepping its bounds and using tax revenue for charitable (and unconstitutional) purposes. When it is mandated, or (technically) embezzled, what motivation exists for (some) people to donate to charity? And, in fact, often, I have heard people say “that’s the government’s job.” Reward does not come without choice. And the clergy needs to be strong and vigilant about driving that point home. Out of evil comes good, as we have seen through so many previous disasters in people coming together. And despite whatever unspeakable anguish we may endure in this world, if we cling to Christ and His light, we will be healed, we will be comforted, we will be saved, but it is especially during the dark times that that light needs to be illuminated, and not hidden for the sake of short term, shallow, and virtually fruitless so-called compassion. And all this time, I thought I was one who was sometimes lacking in, as the cliché says, “shielding his candle flame under the haystack.” A student, or a sheep, is only is good as his teacher, or shepherd, allows him to be.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1868 describes the way we may either directly, and yes, even indirectly commit sin. Two such ways are by not hindering sin, and by protecting evil-doers. I would argue, that while I do not believe it was an intentional act on the part of the priest, but rather by poor judgment, he protected the evil-doer by giving conflicting messages, to the extent he gave any, about the light of Christ, and thus failed to hinder the presumably intentional ugly after-effects of the sin committed. And again, my purpose here is not to bash this priest, but to illustrate a message that needs to be conveyed, and one in which he not just failed, but chose to disregard the necessary opportunity, and his duty, to convey it to hurting lay members seeking both answers and solace during and for their anguish, agonizing befuddlement and cavernous grief. Evil won on Friday in Sandy Hook. And it won again in this church on Saturday afternoon elsewhere in Connecticut. A hungry flock came to this priest, desperately seeking a substantive meal. He fed them junk food, and sadly, they departed in the same pathetic condition as with which they had entered.

Many people are flailing in the dark of anguish right now and yearning for something to grab onto to lead them out. Keeping the darkness dark, while perhaps seemingly “compassionate” on the surface, is not the answer, nor is it true compassion. Perhaps the priest might wish to reflect on the sage words of our first Pope, St. Peter, in John: 6, 68: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Or perhaps, on those of our Savior, Himself, in Matthew, 11; 28-30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” I can’t get the lyrics out of my head from the Beatles song, “All The Lonely People.” One part of the song in particular gnaws at me, and perhaps the priest in question should ponder it, “Father Mackenzie, wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from her grave. No one was saved. All the lonely people, where do they all come from? All the lonely people, where do they all belong?” You didn’t save anyone on Saturday, Father. You merely wiped the dirt from your hands. And by the way…they belong TO YOU!

As someone who once lost a child himself, albeit under far less heinous circumstances, I know a little something about what that feels like, and what follows, and thus, I have no illusions that anything said by anyone (including me) will ever bring any of those lost children back. But like it or not, their survivors are still very much alive, and the fact that they will move forward is not, itself, the question, but rather, how. Make no mistake about it, the departed innocent now already enjoy peace, as well they should. It is the living, who need it now.

And to all those impacted by this horrible tragedy, my fervent hope, as well as my prayers for you all, continue.

Doug Wrenn
Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Leadership Or Idolatry? An Election Choice

"For false Christs and false prophets will appear..." -- Mark 13:6

As we who follow the Faith well know, the Catholic Church traditionally does not take sides in partisan politics. That restriction, however, does not apply to commentators who happen to be Catholic. Let it therefore be known that the following opinions do not speak for the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, but merely for a concerned writer with the interests of the faithful in mind.

We have an election coming up, and were this a traditional choice between Democratic and Republican candidates, I would remain silent on this particular medium. But it is not. This particular election puts America at the Rubicon. As is the usual situation, neither candidate is of our Faith. This in itself, however, poses no threat to either American Catholics or to the Catholic Church in America or elsewhere. What puts our country at the crossroads is that one of those candidates threatens, if reelected, to put an end not only to our religious freedom, but to freedom itself in America. That candidate is the incumbent president, Barack Obama.

By now, all Catholics in Connecticut are well aware that the so-called Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act would force Catholic health care providers to fund artificial contraception and abortion-inducing measures that violate Catholic teachings on such matters. Within the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Henry Mansell has been particularly vocal on this issue. This, however, is only the most blatant of a number of issues concerning the incumbent president which many, if not most Catholics, tend to find disturbing.

That Mr. Obama occupies the White House at all is largely the doing of biased and partisan news media who, during the 2008 presidential campaign, purposely ginned up hatred for the outgoing president, George W. Bush, and purposely promoted the Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Obama. In doing so, they also purposely withheld vital information about their chosen candidate which, if generally known, probably would have allowed cooler heads to prevail in the last election. Instead, Mr. Obama rode a tide of emotionalism to rise from general obscurity to the doors of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The first red flag came from popular television personality Oprah Winfrey, who, in a direct turnaround from her previous policy of not endorsing political candidates, rhetorically asked, "Is Obama The One?" This question should have been answered with an emphatic "NO!" "The One" is a title that rightfully belongs to Jesus Christ, and no one else.

Then, after Obama was elected, began a period of general hysteria almost eerily supernatural in its implications that became known as "Obamamania." Books by and about Obama flooded the newsstands. Episodes of fainting in the stands during Obama speeches (in all likelihood staged) were gleefully reported by ecstatic news media. Far-left commentator Chris Matthews of MSNBC, the broadcast news network most openly partisan to the left, claimed to have felt a tingle go up his leg at the sound of Obama's voice. Terms such as "messianic" and "messiah" were openly applied to Obama.

As we all know, or rather, should know, there is only one Messiah.

But it didn't end there. In a New Jersey township, in a scenario eerily reminiscent of Nazi Germany, school children were forced by a partisan teacher to sing hymns of praise to Barack Obama. Before Obama, no president ever would have condoned such idolization. Obama, however, made no effort to discourage such activity on his behalf. On the contrary, like the Roman emperors of old, he seemed to enjoy such implications of divinity. Certain celebrities, with whom Obama was an overwhelming favorite, took pledges "to serve the President of the United States." Excuse me. In a supposedly free country, we do not serve our president. He is elected to serve us! Neither do we sing hymns of praise to anyone but our Creator.

The most ridiculous expression of Obamamania came in 2009, not from any American source, but from the Nobel Committee in Stockholm, Sweden, who awarded that year's Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama, for essentially nothing more than simply being Barack Obama. He was given the prize not for anything he had actually done, but simply for his announced intentions -- none of which, incidentally, ever came to pass.
In the ensuing years, Obama proved that he was in fact none of what he had been hyped up to be. He was not a god. He did not have superhuman powers. He could not bring peace and kumbaya to the entire world with his physical presence alone. In short, the man was not the myth -- a myth which even he himself not only promoted, but apparently had come to believe himself.

When faced with a disaster having national consequences in the form of an oil rig rupture off the coast of Louisiana, he dithered and went off to play golf. Instead of reducing our national debt, he increased it by $6 trillion. His Cash For Clunkers program clunked. His expenditures of tax money for "green jobs," most notably Solyndra in California, ended up in dismal failure. His "stimulus" infusion of tax money into the economy stimulated nothing except an already bloated federal government. Plus, in the meantime, his government takeovers of substantial portions of the insurance, banking, and automotive industries, as well as a health care industry representing one-sixth of the total economy, resurrected echos of the former Soviet Union.

The recent campaign debates further accentuated a man cast into the role of President of the United States who in fact had no business occupying that office. Prior to these debates, his speeches had been made, with the aid of teleprompters, to selected audiences of those sympathetic to his viewpoint. Dissenters were never allowed to these events. Interviewers were careful to ask the president only those questions he wanted asked and was prepared to answer. Now he was forced to face a real challenge, and despite the fact that the moderators of these debates were all clearly in his camp, he was at a loss as to how to confront his challenger. Obama's belligerent bluster could not conceal his record, which was one of abject failure.

His most dismal moment came when once again he was put to the test of leadership, and failed that test most miserably. On Sept. 11, 2012, the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was attacked by forces representing the international terrorist organization al Qaeda. It was an attack specifically planned for the anniversary of 9/11, the date of a three-pronged attack on the United States by Osama bin Laden, the former al Qaeda leader. Despite being informed by intelligence sources that this was, in fact, an attack of terrorism, Obama and his minions in the administration denied this, claiming it to rather be a spontaneous riot in response to an anti-Islamic video produced in California. Most egregiously, requests for help from Benghazi were denied by the State Department, and four Americans -- including Ambassador Christopher Stevens -- were needlessly killed.

Obama's response? He flew to Las Vegas to attend a fundraiser!

As of this writing, polls have Obama and his challenger, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, in a dead heat. Mr. Romney, though not a Catholic, has shown himself to be a sincere man of proven ability, and one who has the nation's interests at heart, rather than merely his own. Mr. Obama, on the other hand, has clearly demonstrated that while he likes the perks and the glory of being president, he shrinks from the responsibility. He likes living in the White House, flying on Air Force One, the lavish dinners, and the seemingly never-ending adulation of the press and fawning celebrities. But he does not like actually doing the job.

While Obamamania has clearly ebbed, with increasing numbers of Americans coming to the realization that we as a nation have followed a false Christ to the brink of possible extinction of the free country we have traditionally known, it is not yet over. America now stands at the crossroads, and for Catholics and other people of conscience our religious freedom is at stake. Our sacred beliefs should not be dictated to us by the federal government. Barack Obama would have it otherwise.

Let each and every one of us seriously keep these things in mind when we go to the polls on November 6.

Written by Tim Siggia
A Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor

Thursday, October 4, 2012

NBC dumps Debate for Russian smugglers

I don't usually get political on my blog... nor do I usually call out media bias, but this was too much even for me to hold back.  I watched the Presidential Debate last night, as did millions of other Americans.  This morning I was very interested to see how others felt after mulling things over.  What I was not expecting was one news source to be SO biased they couldn't even bring themselves to make the Debate the "Top Story" this morning.  I looked at CNN, Fox News and NBC news... guess which one thinks Russian smugglers tops the United States Presidential Debate?
CNN news put the United States Presidential Debate as "Top News" on their website.

Fox News also found the United States Presidential Debate worthy of "Top Story" on their website.
Now lets look at where NBC puts the United States Presidential Debate in importance on their website...
President Obama's lap dog  AKA NBC News is doing all they can to pretend last night's Presidential Debate never happened.  NBC has declared the "Top Story" this morning is Russian spies smuggling electronics above the first United States Presidential Debate of this election year. 

EWTN Press Release: October 4, 2012

EWTN 'Year of Faith' Facebook Posts: From the Opening Mass to Shows on the Documents of Vatican II, We've Got You Covered!




Irondale, AL – Don’t miss the Opening Mass of the “Year of Faith,” where Pope Benedict XVI is expected to deliver a stirring homily to help the faithful live it fully! Airs live on EWTN at 4 a.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 11 from St. Peter’s Square in Rome, with an encore at 6:30 p.m. ET. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.
What two saints are being named new doctors of the Church? Tune in to the Opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops and find out. Airs live at 3:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 7, with an encore at noon ET on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.
What exactly is a Synod of Bishops and why is Pope Benedict convening one? Find out in this week’s “Vaticano,” EWTN’s weekly news magazine. The 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome is "aimed primarily at Europe and North America, concentrating on the societies where Christianity was once dominant but has seen a dramatic drop in influence in recent decades." Airs 10 a.m. ET, Sundays, 11 p.m. ET Mondays, and 5:30 p.m. ET Tuesdays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.
The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal World are special to our EWTN viewers. During the Year of Faith, we will air weekly reflections by Fathers Patrick, Leonard and Mark and Deacons John Paul and Pascal. These two-minute television spots – a new one each week – which will be shown throughout the day as well as on our soon-to-be-unveiled Year of Faith website. Watch for them; they will help you live the faith more deeply! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.
Concerned about countries – including the United States --where Christianity was once dominant but has seen a dramatic drop? Then tune into “Vaticano,” EWTN’s weekly news magazine. The show will kick off the year with special interviews with various bishops attending the 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome. The Synod is "aimed primarily at Europe and North America,” where the influence of Christianity has waned. Airs 10 a.m. ET, Sundays, 11 p.m. ET Mondays, and 5:30 p.m. ET Tuesdays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.
During the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict is asking us to read the documents of Vatican II. Intimidated? Think it’s either too hard or too boring to be bothered? Then, tune in to “Council of Faith,” an EWTN Original Series. We’ll spoon feed you all you need to know – and it won’t be boring! Each program in the series features a different document. Airs 6 a.m. ET, Monday through Saturday (except Thursday, Oct. 11), beginning Saturday, Oct. 6 and ending Wednesday, Oct. 24. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Why does Pope Benedict want the faithful to read the documents of Vatican II during the Year of Faith? What’s so important about them? Find out in the EWTN special, “A Day at the Council.” Airs at 5:30 a.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 11 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.
EWTN Rome Bureau Chief posts a new blog every day with the most inside information available. During the “Year of Faith,” you will not want to miss her insightful reporting!

Find “Joan’s Rome” at http://www.ewtn.com/news/blog.asp?blog_ID=1. You also don’t want to miss Joan’s radio program, “Vatican Insider,” which airs at 9:30 a.m. ET, Saturdays on the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network. (Find an EWTN affiliate near you at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp, listen to EWTN’s Sirius Satellite Channel #130, or listen live online – just go to http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp, click on “Radio” at the top of the web page, and then “Listen Live” in the drop down menu, and “EWTN Radio” (English) in the sub-menu.)
It’s sensational! The Trial of Pope Benedict’s former butler, Paolo Gabriele, has begun and no one is covering it better than EWTN Bureau Chief Joan Lewis. Read her blog, “Joan’s Rome,” now at http://www.ewtn.com/news/blog.asp?blog_ID=1, with the headline: “Gabrielle: ‘I’m Guilty Only of Betraying the Holy Father’s Trust.’”
Listen for Year of Faith updates wherever you are on EWTN Global Catholic Radio. For a schedule of the many radio shows that will cover the Year of Faith, click on http://www.ewtn.com/radio/index.asp. These include “Women of Grace” with Johnnette Benkovic, “Catholic Connection” with Teresa Tomeo, “Son Rise Morning Show with Brian Patrick,” “EWTN Open Line,” “At Home with Jim & Joy,” and many others. Find an EWTN affiliate near you at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp, listen to EWTN’s Sirius Satellite Channel #130, or listen live online – just go to http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp, click on “Radio” at the top of the web page, and then “Listen Live” in the drop down menu, and “EWTN Radio” (English) or Radio Católica Mundial (Spanish) in the sub-menu.
Coming soon! Two new EWTN websites: Our Online Services Department is hard at work building two new websites with everything you need to know about the Year of Faith and Vatican II. We will let you know when they go live!
Concerned about the rise of militant secularism? So is Pope Benedict XVI. But, as EWTN Blogger Joanna Bogle notes in her latest blog, “A Catholic Journalist in London,” there is hope. “Across Europe, the tide of militant secularism is rising, and we will have to be strong to withstand it. But the Church will be there when the waters surge and swirl and people get caught up in them, and lives are wrecked and misery caused. The Church will be the place of hope, the voice of sanity, the bashed and battered but surviving raft of safety. People are going to be – as Pope Benedict has noted – terribly, terribly lonely. In a culture without strong families, with transient relationships that end up going nowhere, in consumerism almost sickening in its intensity, there will be a deadly sense of hopelessness. Without drama, without great announcements, without armies and flags and trumpets, the Christian presence and message of love will be the thing that saves...and whether that presence will be there depends on our courage and faith every day.” Read more here: http://www.ewtn.com/news/blog.asp?blog_ID=4.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Homily against Obamacare - Obama's war on Catholics


Fantastic homily by the Archbishop of Kansas (Most Rev. Joseph Naumann) on EWTN.
God bless you for speaking out and telling the TRUTH.  Listen up Catholics!

The website mentioned in the homily:  WomenSpeakForThemselves.com
http://www.womenspeakforthemselves.com/
Tell Obama he does NOT speak for women!  Let them hear YOUR voice!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

EWTN Press Release: 9/26/12

EWTN: Attention Philadelphia; Kansas City, Kan.; Lincoln, Neb.; Birmingham & Mobile, Ala.; Phoenix & Steubenville, Ohio

Don't Miss Your Bishops on EWTN This Week: Leading the Novena, Heading a Religious Liberties Panel, Being Newly Installed


Irondale, AL – The requests have been coming in fast and furious! You’ve requested a re-air of the EWTN Special Religious Liberty All-Star Roundtable Discussion featuring Phoenix bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw, and many others. You got it! Tune in at 10 a.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 29 for this EWTN exclusive. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

In the upcoming Year of Faith, the Holy Father is calling on all of us to evangelize our brothers and sisters. Do you get tongue-tied when you try to do this? Help is available! Tune in to “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck’s interview with Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. at 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 26 – exclusively on EWTN. Find out about the wealth of resources the Magis Institute has assembled from Nobel Prize-winning physicists that prove you can have an IQ of 170 and still believe passionately in God. This is an exciting, not-to-be-missed interview. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

She’ll soon be the first Native American saint! Find out more about the life of Blessed Kateri Tekawitha when Beth Lynch, pilgrim coordinator for the Shrine of Martyrs visits Fr. Mitch Pacwa on the set of “EWTN Live.” Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 26 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Get your own copy of the 2012 EWTN Family Celebration, which includes the Special Religious Liberty All-Star Roundtable Discussion featuring Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw, and many others. You’ll also hear talks by EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo, Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God (formerly Rosalind Moss), and Fr. Mitch Pacwa, see a special “Life on the Rock on the Road” with Fr. Mark and Doug Barry, and much more! Get it here: http://bit.ly/PSDGm8.

Did you miss any of the EWTN Family Celebration talks? Then tune into EWTN on Saturday, Sept. 29. Talks will be aired throughout the day – along with our “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation.” It will be a great day on EWTN! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

What inspired Rick Eckstein, hitting coach for Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, to give one of his kidneys to his brother? Find out this week on EWTN Radio’s “Blessed to Play.” Airs 2:30 p.m. ET, Fridays. Find an EWTN radio affiliate near you at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp or tune into EWTN’s Sirius Channel #130.

See the Mass of Ordination and Installation of Msgr. Jeffrey M. Monforton as the 5th Bishop of Steubenville! Airs 2 p.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 28 with an encore at midnight ET on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

What happens in Irondale, Ala. goes out to the world -- via EWTN! Don’t miss the “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation.” The event begins at 8 a.m. ET, Saturday, Sept 29, the Feast of the Archangels, and ends on Sunday, Oct. 7, the Feast of the Most HolyRosary. See the Mass, hear an extended homily on religious liberty, and then say the beautiful prayers of this new novena for our country. Download your free copy at http://www.religiousliberties.org/novena (English) or http://www.religiousliberties.org/espanol/novena/index.asp (Spanish).

EWTN’s “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation” begins Saturday, Sept. 29! Don’t miss this event. Day 1 will be led by Lincoln (Neb.) Bishop-Designate James D. Conley, who will celebrate Mass, deliver an extended homily on religious liberty, and then lead us in the special novena prayers. The Mass and novena air 8 a.m. ET (live), with encores at noon ET, 6:30 p.m. ET, and midnight ET – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/novena.

Have you downloaded your free copy of the “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation?” Get it here in English, http://www.religiousliberties.org/novena, or in Spanish at (http://www.religiousliberties.org/espanol/novena/index.asp).

What do Denver and Lincoln, Nebraska have in common? Denver Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley, now Bishop-Designate of Lincoln. See your bishop in action! He will kick off Day 1 of EWTN’s “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation.” Airs at 8 a.m. ET (live), Saturday, Sept. 29, with encores at noon ET, 6:30 p.m. ET, and midnight ET – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/novena.

Attention Kansas City, Kansas! See your bishop live on EWTN in the coming week! Kansas City Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will lead Day 3 of EWTN’s “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation.” The Mass and novena air at 8 a.m. ET (live), Monday, Oct. 1, with encores at noon ET, 6:30 p.m. ET, and midnight ET – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/novena.

Attention Mobile, Alabama! See your bishop live on EWTN in the coming week! Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi will lead Day 4 of EWTN’s “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation.” The Mass and novena air at 8 a.m. ET (live), Monday, Oct. 2, with encores at noon ET, 6:30 p.m. ET, and midnight ET – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/novena.

Attention Philadelphians! See your bishop live on EWTN in the coming week! Archbishop Charles J. Chaput will lead Day 7 of EWTN’s “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation.” The Mass and novena air at 8 a.m. ET (live), Friday, Oct. 5, with encores at noon ET, 6:30 p.m. ET, and midnight ET – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/novena.

Attention Birmingham! Don’t miss your bishop live on EWTN in the coming week! Watch Birmingham Bishop Robert J. Baker lead Day 9 of EWTN’s “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation.” The Mass and novena air at 8 a.m. ET (live), Friday, Oct. 5, with encores at noon ET, 6:30 p.m. ET, and midnight ET – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/novena.

And...

Catholic Writers Guild Honors EWTN Executive, Doug Keck, With Catholic Arts and Letters Award


Indianapolis, IN – The Catholic Writers Guild (CWG), an organization founded to promote and nurture Catholic writers and their work, recently recognized Doug Keck, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of EWTN, for his support and contribution to the world of Catholic literature through EWTN Global Catholic Network’s “Bookmark” series.

The Catholic Arts and Letters Award (CALA) for Excellence in Achievement is awarded to individuals who have spent a good portion of their lives using their God-given talents to foster the creation and dissemination of great Catholic literature, or who have helped evangelize the culture through the life-long use of good Catholic writing. Honorees are presented with a lifetime membership in the CWG. The CWG chose to honor Mr. Keck for developing and hosting “EWTN Bookmark,” a series spotlighting Catholic books and authors.

The show, which has been running for fourteen years has been a showcase of Catholic literature, highlighting the creation of new, great works of Catholic writing that inspire and encourage the faithful. The producer of “EWTN Bookmark,” Lee South, was also recognized by the CWG for her contribution to Doug’s commitment to promoting Catholic literature and authors.

The Eternal World Television Global Catholic Network (EWTN) is the largest religious media network in the world and is available in over 200 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. “I appreciate all the great Catholic authors that are here,” said Doug Keck, upon receiving the award. “They make us look good at EWTN. They give us material we can really talk about.

It’s a great joy for all of us at ETWN, led by Mother Angelica, that our mission can be fulfilled through ETWN’s ‘Bookmark’ series.” In 2010, the CWG awarded the first CALA Award for Excellence, and in 2011 it presented the first CALAs for Fiction.

While the Award for Excellence is selected by the CWG’s leadership, there are three submission categories for the 2013 CALA for Fiction: children’s, young adult, and adult. Submission deadlines are typically at the end of April of each year. Authors can learn more at www.catholicwritersguild.com.

The CWG was founded in 2007 by a core group of five Catholic authors who saw a need for a Catholic professional writers’ organization. “The Catholic Writers Guild’s mission is to lift up Catholic writers,” says CWG President Ann Margaret Lewis. “It hopes to encourage them and embolden them to create great art and compete in the world of ideas.

By promoting the work of Catholic authors, Mr. Keck has, for fourteen years, furthered the mission of our organization.” The organization currently has more than 250 members and hosts two conferences for Catholic writers each year. The Catholic Writers Conference LIVE! is held in conjunction with the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show, and an on-line conference takes place each Spring at http://catholicwritersconference.com.

These conferences offer Catholic writers opportunities to meet and share their faith with fellow writers from across the globe. Both events include “pitch sessions,” which provide authors an opportunity to meet one-on-one with publishing professionals and pitch their writing projects, as well as educational workshops on the art of writing, book promotion, and the business side of writing.

For more information about the CWG, their conferences, the CALA Award winners and submission guidelines, visit www.catholicwritersguild.com.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

EWTN Press Release: Sept. 19, 2012


EWTN: From a Powerful Religious Liberties Panel With Bishop Olmsted in Phoenix to An Online Chat With "The Catholic View for Women"


Irondale, AL – Do NOT miss the outstanding panel on Religious Liberty held at the EWTN Family Celebration in Phoenix! Features Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmsted, EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw, and many more! Airs 1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 22, with an encore at 10 a.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 29 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

You’ve seen their powerful video! Now meet the people behind it when Dr. Manuel Gonzalez, president of “Catholics Called to Witness,” and his wife Adriana visit Fr. Mitch Pacwa on the set of the “EWTN Live.” Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 19 – exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Ever said to yourself (or heard someone else say), “I have a relationship with God; I don’t need a religion….”? If so, don’t miss Author Bert Ghezzi’sinterview with EWTN “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 19 – exclusivelyonEWTN. He also talks about his book, “Adventures in Daily Prayer,” which covers how to pray, praying for and with others, persevering in prayer, and much more. Get it here: http://bit.ly/PnZhCZ

Chat online with the hosts of “The Catholic View for Women!” This week’s topic is the single life and we hear from EWTN's Rome Bureau Chief, Joan Lewis! To join in the fun, log on to www.ewtn.com/catholicviewforwomen (just after the Friday morning airing of the show), which ends at 11 a.m. Eastern Time, 10 a.m. CT, and 8 a.m. at PT. Can't watch at 10:30 a.m. ET? The show also airs weekly at 11 p.m. ET, Wednesdays.

Joan Lewis is back in Rome after her journey to Beirut! Log onto her blog to get the latest videos, photos and more from coverage of the papal trip to Lebanon. Find it here: http://www.ewtn.com/news/blog.asp?blog_ID=1.

Men! Watch the new episodes of “Crossing the Goal,” with former NFL wide receiver Danny Abramowicz and his team! Next up: Christian Life in the Military. Tune in at 6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 23; 6:30 a.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 24, and 9 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 27 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Did you miss the guest appearance of Blessed Mother Teresa’s spiritual advisor on “EWTN Live?” Watch the video here: http://www.ewtn.com/tv/live/ewtnlive.asp.

Couldn’tmake the Family Celebration in Phoenix? Then do the next best thing and watch the major talks this weekend on EWTN! Learn more at http://www.ewtn.com/tv/index.asp.

See EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo speak at the EWTN Family Celebration in Pheonix! His talk will air at10 a.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 22, with an encore at 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 29 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

It’s a special “Life on the Rock on the Road” filmed LIVE at the EWTN Family Celebration in Phoenix. Watch it at 4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 22, with an encore at 11 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 29 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God -- formerly the apologist known as RosalindMoss! – appeared live at the EWTN Family Celebration in Phoenix. Watch her inspirig talk at 5 a.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 23, with an encore at 4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 29 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Watch Fr. Mitch Pacwa wow the crowd during his talk at the EWTN Family Celebration in Phoenix! Airs 9 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 23, with an encore at 5 .m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 29 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Friday, September 14, 2012

EWTN Press Release: September 14, 2012


EWTN: From the Pope in Lebanon to the
New Season of 'The Catholic View for Women'
And the Ladies' Online Chat!


Irondale, AL – This may be your only opportunity to visit the magnificent Basilica of St. Paul in Lebanon! Tune into EWTN at 11 a.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 14, to see our exclusive LIVE presentation of Pope Benedict touring the Basilica– or enjoy the encore at 10 p.m. ET. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Many people have tried to prevent Pope Benedict from visiting Lebanon because the flood of refugees pouring in from Syria could be a danger to him – but he will have none of it! Watch the Holy Father meet the Lebanese President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament as well as his historic address to political and cultural leaders. Airs live at 4 a.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 15 exclusively on EWTN, with an encore at 5 a.m. ET. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Pope Benedict XVI is following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II in meeting with youth whenever possible. Watch his meeting with Lebanese youth in the square across from the Maronite Patriarchate of Bkerke. Airs live at 11 a.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 15 exclusively on EWTN, with an encore at 10 p.m. ET. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

With so many refugees pouring into Lebanon, why is Pope Benedict making a three-day pilgrimage to this site in the Middle East? Our Holy Father says he wants to show solidarity with Middle Eastern Christians, to send a positive message of peace, and to sign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in the Middle East, a direct response to the deliberations of the Synod of Bishops of the Middle East held October 2012 at the Vatican. See this happen after the Mass and Angelus. Airs live exclusively on EWTN at 2:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 16, with an encore at 11 a.m. ET, from the Beirut City Centre Waterfront. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Does the Pope’s visit to Lebanon make you want to know more about the plight of Middle Eastern Christians? Then, tune in to the half-hour documentary “Lebanon: Island of Christianity” to learn about the rise and present status of Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. Airs 12:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 15, with an encore at 11:30 p.m. ET – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Pope Benedict’s visit to Lebanon is sure to put the spotlight on the Maronite rite of the Catholic Church. What’s it all about? Watch “Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon: Ancient Roots…New Soil,” an introduction to the Maronite rite of the Church in America featuring interviews with pastors and parishioners from various Maronite parishes throughout the Midwestern U.S Airs 2 a.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 16 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Listen up Moms! Fans of “The Catholic View for Women” – now a weekly series – won’t want to miss the chance to chat online with our hosts – Teresa Tomeo, Janet Morana, and Astrid Bennett Gutierrez. This season, the online chat will take place at 11 a.m. ET every Friday (directly following the 10:30 a.m. ET Friday morning airing of the show). Find it at http://www.ewtn.com/series/shows/catholic-view-for-women. Our hosts look forward to talking with YOU!

Do you understand the liturgical reforms of the Mass that have occurred since the close of the Second Vatican Council? If not, tune in as “EWTN On Location” takes you to see Father Brian Austin of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter discuss the liturgical reform of Pope Benedict XVI. Airs 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 15 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Padre Pio bore the wounds of Christ for 50 years. Watch the stirring documentary of his life in “50 Years of Thorns and Roses.” Airs 2 a.m. ET, Sunday, September 16 and 10 p.m. ET, Friday, September 22 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Loretta Young is still an EWTN favorite! Watch her as Sister Ann, a nun whose nursing care encourages a frustrated and discouraged patient. Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6;30 p.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 14 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

EWTN Press Release: September 13, 2012


EWTN Announces New
“Novena to the Mother Of God for the Nation”
Bishops to Lead Novena Prayers on Network


Irondale, AL – EWTN Global Catholic Network has collaborated with one of the pre-eminent Marian theologians in the U.S. on the creation of a new “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation.” Fr. Frederick Miller, Chair of the Department of Systematic Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., composed the meditations and prayers which invoke Mary’s intercession for our nation. The Novena will be prayed publicly beginning on the Feast of the Archangels, Saturday, September 29 through October 7, the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary.

“Catholics have always turned instinctively for help to the Mother of God in times of need,” says Fr. Miller. “And so, in 2012, we turn to Our Lady for help. Many of the values that have shaped our country from the beginning seem to be at risk. Pope Benedict XVI and the American Bishops have noted the erosion of religious freedom, the first value guaranteed by the Constitution. This novena challenges all of us to a deeper conversion to Christ and a more generous life of charity. The proximity of this novena to the 2012 Presidential Election also offers an opportunity to pray for all of our government officials and to seek Divine assistance in the election.”

The Novena is available in both English and Spanish and can be downloaded for free from EWTN’s Novena website at www.religiousliberties.org/novena.

“This is a critical time for our nation,” said Michael P. Warsaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of EWTN. “My hope is that as many people as possible will spread the word about this important devotion to their friends and neighbors, prayer groups and parishes and in every way possible.”

During the Novena, leading bishops from across the nation will be celebrating the televised Mass from Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Irondale, Alabama at 8 a.m. ET each day. Each bishop will deliver a homily highlighting the importance of prayer in the fight for religious liberty and will lead the novena prayers for that day. Celebrants will include Denver Auxiliary Bishop James Conley, who will open the novena; Kansas City Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann; Mobile (Ala.) Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi; Allentown (Pa.) Bishop John Barres; Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput; and Birmingham (Ala.) Bishop Robert J. Baker, who will close the novena.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 32th year, is available in over 200 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.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Door

By Contributor Tim Siggia

I had a vision of myself standing in front of a large Door. It was a solid Door, with no windows, no way for me to see inside. There was only one way for me to know what lay on the other side of the Door, and that was to open it and walk inside.

Without anyone telling me, I knew that the Door was unlocked, and I could walk inside whenever I wished. Nobody would stand in my way or try to stop me. But I also knew that once I opened the door and walked inside, there would be no turning back, no changing of the mind, no reneging on my decision. My commitment would be total, permanent, and without reservation.

Nobody had to tell me that everything I had ever been taught, everything I had ever learned, everything I had ever experienced, had brought me to this Door.

The issue of my entire existence -- and of my Eternity -- now came down to a single Question. It was a Question only I could answer, and I must answer it now:

Would I go through the Door?

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Coming to EWTN this fall!!


Coming To EWTN This Fall: Seven New Series
Over 30 Hours of Exclusive Original Programming
Designed to Enrich Your Faith


Irondale, AL – He was the happy husband of four children, until one day everyone he loved was taken away from him. How do people not only survive but thrive when faced with unimaginable tragedy or other difficult circumstances? Find out in “Portraits of Faith.” It’s just one of seven new shows – more than 30 hours of original programming – premiering in September exclusively on EWTN.

You’ll also find a show on what the Church really teaches about caring for the environment, a show that tackles all aspects of married life; a show featuring two priests who field questions viewer questions about the Faith, and much more – plus new episodes of your favorite shows! Here’s a sneak peek:

· Authentically Free At Last: Gloria Purvis, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and Damon Owens examine important issues in today's society which affect our Catholic faith, such as marriage, abortion, contraception, and the forming of a good conscience. Airs 5 a.m. ET Sundays and 6 p.m. ET Mondays beginning Sept. 12. 30 min.
· The Catholic View for Women: Due to popular demand, this show is going weekly! Teresa Tomeo, Janet Morana, and Astrid Bennett Gutierrez host an engaging and informative series just for women, to help them live out their faith in every sort of circumstance. Join the fun! Airs 11 p.m. ET Wednesdays; 10:30 a.m. ET Fridays; 4 p.m. ET, Sundays; 2 a.m. ET, Wednesdays; and 11 p.m. ET, Saturdays beginning Sept. 12. 30 min.
· The Fourth Rupture: A Path To Reconciliation: A focus on the Catholic Church’s teachings on the environment, and man’s responsibility as custodian of God’s creation. Airs 5:30 a.m. ET Sundays and 2:30 a.m. ET Thursdays beginning Sept. 12. 30 min.
· Marriage Works in Christ: Enriching Your Marriage: Father Justin Damien Dean, O.S.B., and Greg and Julie Alexander talk with couples about all aspects of married life. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET Tuesdays and 6:30 p.m. ET Saturdays beginning Sept. 12. 30 min.
· Miracles From Mark: Host Frances Hogan focuses on the Gospel of St. Mark, and its insightful descriptions of Our Lord's three-year ministry on earth and the people touched by His earthly labors. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET Wednesdays and 1 p.m. ET Saturdays beginning Sept. 12. 30 min.
· Portraits in Faith: Barbara McGuiganand her guests dialogue on the strengthwhich Faith gives them, to walk through shadows into light, to embrace the meaning and redemption of suffering, and to defend the fatherless, the widow, and the friendless. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET Mondays and 4:30 a.m. ET Saturdays beginning Sept. 12. 30 min.
· Web of Faith 2.0: Father John Trigilio and Fr. Ken Brighenticall on top Internet resources to field questions about the Faith. Airs 2 p.m. ET Thursdays and 4 p.m. ET Saturdays beginning Sept. 12. 1 hr.

Also, enjoy new episodes of:
· Catholicism: New 1 hour version. Journey with Fr. Robert Barron to more than 50 locations throughout 16 countries. Be illuminated by the spiritual and artistic treasures of this global culture that claims more than one billion of the earth’s people. Airs 4 p.m. ET Sundays; 2 a.m. ET, Wednesdays; and 11 p.m. ET Saturdays beginning Sept. 2.
· Crossing the Goal: Former NFL All -Pro Receiver, Danny Abramowicz and his team - Brian Patrick, Curtis Martin and Peter Herbeck - tackle a variety of issues relating to men and their faith. Airs 6:30 p.m. ET, Sundays; 6:30 a.m. ET Mondays; and 9 p.m. ET Thursdays. 30 min.
· The Choices We Face: Ralph Martin and Peter Herbeck of Renewal Ministries interview a wide-range of guests about the issues facing the Church today. Airs 6 p.m. ET Tuesdays and 6:30 a.m. ET Fridays. 30 min.

See you in September!
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 32th year, is available in over 200 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.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Gay Catholic Clergy




Well said Michael Voris. When a Catholic priest goes against official Catholic teaching, they should be REMOVED at once, before they lead others down their road away from the Church. Too many Catholics today do not PROPERLY know their Catholic faith because their priests aren't teaching official catholicism, they are teaching social liberalism. God help them all.

EWTN Press Release: August 23, 2012


EWTN Exclusive:
Mitt Romney Talks To Raymond Arroyo About Religious Liberty, President Obama’s Charges, & What To Expect at the RNC


Irondale, AL – GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney sits down for an exclusive interview with EWTN News Director and Anchor Raymond Arroyo at 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 23 on EWTN’s news and opinion program, “The World Over.” (Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.)

“During this interview, Gov. Romney breaks news about what we can expect at the Republican National Convention and reacts to charges by President Obama that he chose Paul Ryan as his running mate to lower his personal tax burden,” Arroyo said. “He also talks about the hot issue of religious liberty, the role of prayer in his life, and how being a bishop in the Mormon Church prepared him for the presidency.”

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 32th year, is available in over 200 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.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

EWTN Press Release: August 21, 2012


Watch the Late Nellie Gray's 1994
Interview with EWTN's Mother Angelica


Irondale, AL – Nellie Gray fans! The iconic founder of the March for Life has died, but her legacy lives on. Watch her wonderful Sept. 14, 1994 interview with another icon, EWTN’s Mother Angelica, at your convenience. Find it on EWTN’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gbtosyfMTw or on the “Mother Angelica Live Classics” page of EWTN’s website at http://www.ewtn.com/tv/prime/motherangelica.asp.

Monday, August 20, 2012

EWTN Press Release: August 20, 2012


EWTN: Hear From Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney, a Priest Helping Catholic High Schools Reach Urban Youth, Marines Saved By a Priest While Fighting in Vietnam, & Much More
Free! Download Fr. Thomas Dubay's Series on Contemplation


Irondale, AL – EWTN EXCLUSIVE! Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney guests this week on "The World Over" with Host Raymond Arroyo. The former Governor of Massachusetts recently selected pro-life Catholic Paul Ryan as his running mate. In this interview, he discusses his faith, family, and the important issues in the 2012 campaign. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, August 23 -- exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Insightful and surprising! That's what many people are saying about "Bookmark" Host Doug Keck's interview with Author Michael Novak on the faith, hope, and love which sustained the leaders of 13 American colonies on their daunting road to establishing on nation under God. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Aug. 23 -- exclusively on EWTN. See the interview, buy the book at http://bit.ly/NXmcCC.

Your EWTN family is coming to Phoenix! We invite you to visit with us up close and in person Sept. 8-9 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Get all the details at www.ewtn.com/familycelebration. Can't get to Phoenix? Make a pilgrimage to our Birmingham headquarters. Find out how at http://www.ewtn.com/pilgrimage/index.asp.

He gave up his life in the service of the U.S. Marines fighting in Vietnam. Be inspired by courage and heroism exemplified by Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM in this stirring documentary. Fire up your DVR/VCR and record "The Grunt Padre in Vietnam." Airs 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 23 -- exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

How can Catholic high schools better reach urban youth? That's the mission of the Christo Rey Network, an association of Catholic high schools that serve urban youth. Hear Fr. John P. Foley, S.J., President of the Network talk about bringing this Peruvian movement to the U.S. on "EWTN Live." Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Aug. 22 -- exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Get Fr. Thomas Dubay's 13-part series, "Contemplation" FREE. It's this month's free podcast from EWTN. If you've always wanted to really understand contemplative prayer, but aren't quite there yet, you'll want to download this series. Find it at http://bit.ly/9ck3Uu.

"What Every Catholic Needs To Know About Hell." That's the provocative title of a one-hour program that presents Church doctrine on the one place nobody wants to go. Airs 2 a.m. ET, Sunday, Aug. 26; 10 p.m. ET, Friday, Aug. 31; and 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 1 -- exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Take a "Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Eastern Europe" with EWTN Favorite Fr. Benedict Groeschel! Airs 3 a.m. ET, Sunday, Aug. 26 -- exclusively on EWTN. This week's half-hour tour takes you to Our Lady of Czestochowa in Poland. It's gorgeous -- and its meaning will touch your heart. It's a half-hour well spent!

He's the founder of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and is at the forefront of the battle over the HHS mandate. Don't miss "World Over" Host Raymond Arroyo's encore interview with Seamus Hasson, who has also authored the book, "The Right to Be Wrong: Ending the Culture War Over Religion in America," now out in paperback and available through the EWTN Religious Catalogue . Airs 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 23 -- exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Ed Feulner is president of The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that celebrates the vision of America's Founders. "World Over" Host Raymond Arroyo interviews Feulner about his organization and they discuss his new book, "The American Spirit: Celebrating the Virtues and Values That Make Us Great." Airs 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 23 -- exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

EWTN Press Release: August 14, 2012


EWTN's New Season Preview Includes Monsi the Dog, Plus Reasons To Be A Proud Catholic, A Heroic Priest, and Third World Missionaries

Irondale, AL – What does “Monsi,” a nine-year-old shepherd mix, have to do with EWTN’s fall season? Get the answer to this and much more by watching the “EWTN Season Preview.” Airs 4 a.m. ET, Wednesday, Aug. 15; 3:30 a.m. ET, Tuesday, Aug. 21; and 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 23. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Hear Catholic League President Bill Donahue, a lion of the Catholic Faith, roar on “EWTN Live!” He’ll discuss new challenges to religious and civil rights and freedoms and how they affect the Catholic Church in America. You’ll also learn about his new book, “Why Catholicism Matters.” Airs 8 p.m.ET, Wednesday, Aug. 15 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Are you proud to be Catholic? If not, you won’t want to miss EWTN’s “Bookmark” this week when Author Thomas Woods visits Host Doug Deck to discuss his landmark book, “How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization.” Learn why modern science was born in the Church, how the Church invented the university, the truth about the Galileo affair, and a lot more. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Aug. 15 – exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

EWTN’s 2012 Family Celebration in Phoenix has it all! There are talks by Raymond Arroyo, Marcus Grodi, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, the former Rosalind Moss, and more! There’s a special Religious Liberty Roundtable Discussion with a host of luminaries including Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw, Arizona Catholic Conference Executive Director Ron Johnson, Alliance Defending Freedom CEO & General Counsel Alan Sears; Phoenix Physician and Catholic Medical Association President Dr. Marci Moffit, and EWTN News Anchor and Panel Moderator Raymond Arroyo. There’s meet-the-author signings, children’s programs, a Family talk and so much more! Find out more at http://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration.

Courage, honor and heroism! These exemplified the life of “The Grunt Padre in Vietnam.” Don’t miss this inspiring documentary about a military chaplain who gave up his life in service of the U.S. Marines fighting in Vietnam. Airs 10 p.m. ET, Sunday, Aug. 19; 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Aug. 21; and 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 23 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

What’s really involved in the decision to become a nun? Find out in “The Nun,” a unique documentary that follows the life of a young Swedish girl as she discerns her vocation. It’s reality TV at its finest! Airs 2 a.m. ET, Sunday, Aug. 19; 10 p.m. ET, Friday, Aug. 24; and 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 25 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Take a tour of the shrine the Child Jesus asked EWTN’s Mother Angelica to build in Hanceville, Alabama! Watch “Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Tour Video.” Airs 2 p.m .ET, Wednesday, Aug. 15 on – where else? – EWTN! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Aid the poor, care for the disabled! Be inspired by a community of religious and lay people in Peru who do all this and more! Watch “Missionary Servants of the Poor of the Third World.” Airs 1 p.m. ET, Friday, Aug. 17 and 5 a.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 18 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Persecuted and poor, the Ukraine nonetheless declared its independence! “Ukraine – Forgotten Generation” is the story of what happened next. Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 16 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Pope Paul VI is considered to be one of the most important Popes of the modern era. Find out why in Part 1 of “Paul VI.” Airs 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 18 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Knock, Ireland has developed into one of the major Marian shrines in the world! How did this happen? Why have pilgrims, including Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa, continued to flock to this out-of-the-way site? Don’t miss the half-hour documentary, “The Story of Knock.” Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Aug. 21 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Enrich your marriage, learn how to find meaning in suffering, care for the environment – EWTN’s new fall season is packed with great new shows! Get the low down on the new fall season in “EWTN Season Preview.” Airs 4 a.m. ET, Wednesday, Aug. 15; 3:30 a.m. ET, Tuesday, Aug. 21; and 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 23. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

EWTN Press Release: August 8, 2012


EWTN Global Catholic Network’s
Family Celebration Comes to Phoenix
Highlights include a ‘Don’t Miss’ Panel Discussion on Religious Liberty with Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmstead, EWTN President Michael Warsaw & Others, Moderated by EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo, & a Special Q&A


Irondale, AL – It’s fun, it’s free, and it could change your life! The EWTN Global Catholic Network comes to the Phoenix Convention Center Sept. 8-9 for its annual Family Celebration – and this year, one of the highlights will be a special panel on religious liberty, which will include a Question and Answer session for the audience and media who attend.

Panelists on the Religious Liberties Panel will include Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw, Arizona Catholic Conference Executive Director Ron Johnson, Alliance Defending Freedom CEO & General Counsel Alan Sears; Phoenix Physician and Catholic Medical Association President Dr. Marci Moffit, and EWTN News Anchor and Panel Moderator Raymond Arroyo. The program will begin at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time, Saturday, Sept. 8.

EWTN was the first religious entity to file suit against the federal government after the HHS mandate was finalized (see www.religiousliberties.org for more information). The mandate requires religious employers and people of faith to provide coverage for abortions, contraception, and sterilization, which is against their faith – or face crippling fines. Hear more about pending lawsuits and learn about all the ways that religious freedom is being threatened in our own country.

But that’s definitely not all. The two-day celebration will include a roster of well-loved speakers, including “World Over” Anchor (and Mother Angelica biographer) Raymond Arroyo; “Journey Home” Host Marcus Grodi, “EWTN Live” Host Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and the former Rosalind Moss, now Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God.

In addition to this stellar lineup, Saturday night attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the live taping of a special “Life on the Rock.”

Warsaw will provide the welcome and will join the Friars for the always popular “Family Talk.” Bookmark Host Doug Keck will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Mass will be celebrated by the Friars on Saturday and, on Sunday, EWTN is honored to announce that Bishop Olmsted has agreed to serve as our celebrant.

Throughout the weekend, fans will have opportunities to get books signed at the “Meet the Author” booth, meet EWTN’s hosts and the Friars at the “Family Corner” booth, and browse the EWTN Religious Catalogue shop.

Doors will open at 8 a.m. As always, there will be plenty of opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation 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 30th year, is available in over 200 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.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

EWTN Press Release: August 7, 2012


Sneak Preview of EWTN’s New Fall Series and Specials
Plus The Girl Scout Controversy, Catholic Actors Share Their Entertainment Industry Experiences & More

Irondale, AL – Fall in love with EWTN’s Fall Lineup! Host Doug Keck invites viewers to take a sneak peek at what new episodes, series and specials are in store for them in the Fall! Don’t miss this exclusive “Season Preview,” which airs 11 p.m. ET, Friday, August 10—only on EWTN! Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

Why are the values of the Girl Scouts organization raising some concerns? Hear Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-FAM) President Austin Ruse and his wife, Family Research Council (FRC) Senior Fellow Cathy Cleaver Ruse discuss what the Girl Scouts’ connections with Family Planning groups means for young girls. Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s must-see interview with this couple airs 7 p.m. ET, Sunday, August 12 on “Sunday Night Prime” — and you can only watch it on EWTN! Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

“Can You Be a Great Actor and still Follow Christ?” That’s the question Actors Joseph Griffin and Marta DuBois try to answer by sharing their own experiences as Catholics in the entertainment industry. The “Holywood Acting Studio Discussion” begins at 6:30 p.m. ET, Monday, August 13—exclusviely on EWTN Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/
Is “fame,” as the song says, really a way for you to live forever? Actors Joseph Griffin and Marta DuBois talk about how achieving fame has the potential to either corrupt or bring a person closer to God. Watch “Holywood
Acting Studio Discussion,” which spotlights the question “Is Fame Bad or a Gift from God?” Airs 6:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, August 14—exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

These Catholics come from all “walks of life!” Hear the musicians from “Cake for Dinner” and Chaplain Fr. Dan Pattee discuss “Crossroads,” a Catholic organization that coordinates four simultaneous pro-life walks across the country on EWTN’s “Life on the Rock” with LOTR Co-Hosts Fr. Mark and Doug Barry. Airs 10 p.m. ET, Thursday, August 9—exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

Meet EWTN’s “All Star” Team! Watch Danny Abromowicz, Peter Herbeck, Curtis Martin & Brian Patrick, detail their game plan for the upcoming new season of their popular series, “Crossing the Goal!” Kickoff “EWTN Live” with Host Fr. Mitch Pacwa at 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, August 8—exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

Does crossing the border cross ethical boundaries? EWTN Vice President of Theology Colin Donovan gathers his roundtable together to discuss the moral principles involved in the issue of immigration. Join the discussion and sit in on the “Theology Round Table!” Airs 10 p.m. ET, Sunday, August 12—exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

Western civilization was built upon “The Rock!”“EWTN Bookmark Host” Doug Keck discuss Professor Thomas Wood’s book, which details the Catholic Church’s influence on Western civilization economically, socially, and educationally. If you’re curious about “How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization,” (http://bit.ly/TbmLN6) mark your place for “EWTN’s Bookmark,” at 9:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, August 12—exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

Relive the devout life of Saint Dominic. Check out “Lives of the Saints: St. Dominic,” which follows the life of this great saint, and see how his zeal for proclaiming the Word of God is still echoed today in the Dominican Order of Preachers he founded. Airs 5:30 a.m. ET, Wednesday, August 8—exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

Christians are finding their way home! Chad Gerber, a former Mennonite, Presbyterian and Anglican, recalls the trials in his life that led him to the Catholic Church! Join host Marcus Grodi as he interviews this Catholic convert about his “Journey Home” at 8 p.m. ET, Monday, August 14—exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/