The Catholic new media network SQPN.com has won four awards in the 2008 People’s Choice Podcast Awards.
Food, music, health and religion
- The video series ‘Grace Before Meals’, hosted by the Catholic priest and chef Fr. Leo Patalinghug won the award in the Food and Drink category.
- George Leite won the award in the Music category for his show ‘Catholic Rockers’.
- Dutch priest Fr. Roderick Vonhogen won the Health/Fitness award for his show ‘Healthy Catholic’, a weekly show about physical and spiritual health.
- Fr. Roderick also won the Religion/Inspiration award for his morning show ‘Daily Breakfast’, a mix of catechesis and popular culture.
The awards will be presented during an international online Awards Ceremony early December.
Evangelization
"This is the fourth year in a row that our Catholic shows have won awards in this predominantly secular contest," says Fr. Roderick Vonhogen, CEO of SQPN. "It is a strong sign that our programs reach a broad audience, not just Catholics. And that is exactly why we started SQPN: to reach out and evangelize the world through new media".
SQPN has a unique approach to new evangelization. By looking for connections between the secular culture and the rich tradition and culture of the Catholic Church, the organization builds communities around certain popular themes like cooking, entertainment, music, health and fitness.
"These communities are like online mini-parishes where people share their faith and their lives," says Fr. Vonhogen. "We see a constant stream of new people joining these communities, many of whom are not Catholic".
Impact
Meeting place for these communities is the forum on the SQPN website (www.sqpn.com), where podcast fans share their experiences. "I have been listening since Januari of this year," says Jon, "I am returning to the Church after 22 years."
"I have been a lapsed Catholic for the past 9 or 10 years," says Eliana, "listening to the Daily Breakfast was has really helped me in my decision to return to the Church."
Another listener recently decided to to lose 200 lbs, and 'Healthy Catholic' helps him to keep on track: "I am continuing to work on eating healthy and exercising, and am motivated by the SQPN community and their support and prayers."
Migli writes how the SQPN podcasts broke negative stereotypes: "I found out how much these Catholic people are just like me. It's been a good ride. Hopefully I will officially be one of them someday."
About SQPN:
SQPN, the Star Quest Production Network, is a non-profit Catholic apostolate dedicated to evangelization and formation through the use of new media.
Just as the star of Bethlehem emerged within the foreign culture of the three magi, and invited them to start an adventurous journey to the newborn Savior, the programs of SQPN tap into popular culture to invite people on a journey of discovery towards an encounter with Christ.
SQPN produces on-demand audio and video programs, also known as podcasts, and offers a portal for a select number of affiliated Catholic podcasters that share the vision and media strategy of SQPN.
More information about SQPN and the Podcast Awards on the following websites:
www.sqpn.com
www.podcastawards.com
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