Catholic World Mission has been working over the past few months to develop a greater internet presence. As a tool for evangelization, the internet is one of the fastest growing technological advances of our day, and CWM is aiming to take advantage of that fact.
Following in the footsteps of the Holy Father who now has his own channel on You Tube, Catholic World Mission is happy to announce a recent web site upgrade to our site: www.catholicworldmission.org. With these new changes, we will be better able to give you more timely information regarding our projects and programs as we continue to serve the poor around the world and share the saving message of Christ at the same time.
Phase I web site upgrades include:
Maps showing the regions around the world where we are actively working
Summaries of core programs and current on-going projects
Progress reports to track each project individually
More critical enhancements to create a more interactive environment on the web
CWM has also expanded our web presence by developing a new fan page on the social networking site, Facebook. We will also soon be seen on Catholic Online and Catholic Exchange. Finally, our HELPING HANDS Medical Missions can also be seen via this You Tube Channel.
CatholicsComeHome.org Ads during Lent
Corpus Christi will participate as a regional media market for the Catholics Come Home.org television outreach, beginning Monday February 23, and airing through the six weeks of Lent, leading up to Easter Sunday.
CatholicsComeHome.org is a successful initiative of Catholics Come Home, Inc. (a 501(C)3 not for profit, independent charity), designed to invite inactive Catholics and others searching for a faith home to the Catholic faith, through television commercials and an informational website. Beginning Feb 23rd, Catholics Come Home, Inc., will air approximately 2,500 television commercials on local and cable networks, in both English and Spanish. These commercials will be seen on all major network affiliates and many cable outlets. The list includes: KIII (ABC), KRIS (NBC), KZTV (CBS), KORO (Univision) and Time Warner Cable Media.
The commercials lead viewers to the interactive CatholicsComeHome.org web sites, found at www.catholicscomehome.org and www.catolicosregresen.org According to Catholics Come Home’s president and founder, Tom Peterson, “The web site provides answers to questions about Church teachings, and why strong faith in God is important in today’s busy and confusing world. The site also offers an overview of the faith, with additional resources and a local parish finder.” When these ads aired in the Diocese of Phoenix, nearly 6,500 inactive Catholics and potential converts found their way home to the Catholic Church. Most returnees say they didn’t have a reason for leaving. About 90% say that they just drifted away due to distractions in life. Those who returned found it easy and comforting, and say that they are glad to be “home.”
CatholicsComeHome.org is partnering with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi on this welcoming initiative. With the assistance of pastors and catechetical leaders, the diocese hopes to leverage existing programs other resources to help parishes respond to those who seek to return to the Catholic faith. The Most Rev. Edmond Carmody, Bishop of Corpus Christi, has fully endorsed the efforts of this new initiative.
“Many people have unfortunately been overwhelmed by a busy culture. We need to let them know that they are missed, welcome them back, and show them that the Catholic Church is their home, their extended family,” noted Peterson. “Catholics Come Home.org (and CatolicosRegresen.org) invite people searching for meaning in their lives, to learn more about their family in faith: a Church filled with beauty, miracles, heroes, history, love, and peace. Catholics Come Home hopes that web visitors will not shy away from a careful examination of the Biblical and historical facts presented, and that people will sincerely consider that there may be much more to the case for Jesus Christ and Catholicism than they may have ever realized.”
Catholics Come Home.org in an independent non-profit charity, started by a number of Catholic families and individuals, and is not directly affiliated with, nor funded by the Diocese of Corpus Christi or the Vatican. Some of its founders and supporters recently returned to the Catholic faith and want to share their positive experiences with others. Many never left the Church, but recently grew to understand and appreciate their Catholic faith more deeply. All feel part of a big Catholic family, who sincerely hope others will also find more peace, real answers, and true happiness through the gift of faith.
The Catholic faith is the largest single Christian family in the United States (and the world), accounting for 25% of the U.S. population, and a growth rate of 11% in the past decade. The Catholic Church continues to be a vibrant and growing family, but misses those members who have not been to Mass lately.
Sixteen other Archdiocese and Diocese across the United States have plans to launch CatholicComeHome.org television and web campaigns in 2009.
CatholicsComeHome.org is a successful initiative of Catholics Come Home, Inc. (a 501(C)3 not for profit, independent charity), designed to invite inactive Catholics and others searching for a faith home to the Catholic faith, through television commercials and an informational website. Beginning Feb 23rd, Catholics Come Home, Inc., will air approximately 2,500 television commercials on local and cable networks, in both English and Spanish. These commercials will be seen on all major network affiliates and many cable outlets. The list includes: KIII (ABC), KRIS (NBC), KZTV (CBS), KORO (Univision) and Time Warner Cable Media.
The commercials lead viewers to the interactive CatholicsComeHome.org web sites, found at www.catholicscomehome.org and www.catolicosregresen.org According to Catholics Come Home’s president and founder, Tom Peterson, “The web site provides answers to questions about Church teachings, and why strong faith in God is important in today’s busy and confusing world. The site also offers an overview of the faith, with additional resources and a local parish finder.” When these ads aired in the Diocese of Phoenix, nearly 6,500 inactive Catholics and potential converts found their way home to the Catholic Church. Most returnees say they didn’t have a reason for leaving. About 90% say that they just drifted away due to distractions in life. Those who returned found it easy and comforting, and say that they are glad to be “home.”
CatholicsComeHome.org is partnering with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi on this welcoming initiative. With the assistance of pastors and catechetical leaders, the diocese hopes to leverage existing programs other resources to help parishes respond to those who seek to return to the Catholic faith. The Most Rev. Edmond Carmody, Bishop of Corpus Christi, has fully endorsed the efforts of this new initiative.
“Many people have unfortunately been overwhelmed by a busy culture. We need to let them know that they are missed, welcome them back, and show them that the Catholic Church is their home, their extended family,” noted Peterson. “Catholics Come Home.org (and CatolicosRegresen.org) invite people searching for meaning in their lives, to learn more about their family in faith: a Church filled with beauty, miracles, heroes, history, love, and peace. Catholics Come Home hopes that web visitors will not shy away from a careful examination of the Biblical and historical facts presented, and that people will sincerely consider that there may be much more to the case for Jesus Christ and Catholicism than they may have ever realized.”
Catholics Come Home.org in an independent non-profit charity, started by a number of Catholic families and individuals, and is not directly affiliated with, nor funded by the Diocese of Corpus Christi or the Vatican. Some of its founders and supporters recently returned to the Catholic faith and want to share their positive experiences with others. Many never left the Church, but recently grew to understand and appreciate their Catholic faith more deeply. All feel part of a big Catholic family, who sincerely hope others will also find more peace, real answers, and true happiness through the gift of faith.
The Catholic faith is the largest single Christian family in the United States (and the world), accounting for 25% of the U.S. population, and a growth rate of 11% in the past decade. The Catholic Church continues to be a vibrant and growing family, but misses those members who have not been to Mass lately.
Sixteen other Archdiocese and Diocese across the United States have plans to launch CatholicComeHome.org television and web campaigns in 2009.
5 Minute Daily Lenten Devotions
As part of her prayer chapel blog, Catholic recording artist, author and blogger Susan Bailey has released “Lenten Devotions for Busy People,” a blog containing a daily podcast, a weekly Friday video on the Stations of the Cross, music and reflections. The blog can be found at www.prayerchapel.info.
What makes this blog different? The vast majority of devotions lasts no more than 5-7 minutes, making it a perfect place to pause for busy people. It also explores Lent from the Eastern Catholic perspective.
The idea for the blog came to Susan because of a little-known podcast she heard back in 2006. “I first discovered podcasting during Lent in 2006, and I found this wonderful podcast called “Theosis,” hosted by Fr. Seraphim Beshoner, T.O.R., a history professor at Franciscan University. This little 5 minute per day podcast transformed my Lent.”
“Theosis” is based on the Eastern Church’s tradition of Lent (known to them as Great Lent). The Eastern Catholic Church, which is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, has 14 liturgical traditions (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Catholic_Churches for a complete list) including Melkite and Maronite. Susan was initially interested in “Theosis” because her husband is studying to be a deacon in the Melkite Church.
Pope John Paul II was keenly aware of the Eastern Church and its beautiful traditions and repeatedly challenged the Church as a whole to “breathe with both lungs,” bringing together the West and the East. Fr. Beshoner does a wonderful job of explaining Eastern traditions for Western listeners.
“Lenten Devotions for Busy People” also includes a weekly 5 minute video on the Stations of the Cross, posted each Friday.
Music, other reflections and future surprises will be included.
For more information on the blog, visit www.prayerchapel.info. You can listen to Fr. Seraphim Beshoner’s other podcast, “Catholic: Under the Hood” at www.sqpn.com.
What makes this blog different? The vast majority of devotions lasts no more than 5-7 minutes, making it a perfect place to pause for busy people. It also explores Lent from the Eastern Catholic perspective.
The idea for the blog came to Susan because of a little-known podcast she heard back in 2006. “I first discovered podcasting during Lent in 2006, and I found this wonderful podcast called “Theosis,” hosted by Fr. Seraphim Beshoner, T.O.R., a history professor at Franciscan University. This little 5 minute per day podcast transformed my Lent.”
“Theosis” is based on the Eastern Church’s tradition of Lent (known to them as Great Lent). The Eastern Catholic Church, which is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, has 14 liturgical traditions (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Catholic_Churches for a complete list) including Melkite and Maronite. Susan was initially interested in “Theosis” because her husband is studying to be a deacon in the Melkite Church.
Pope John Paul II was keenly aware of the Eastern Church and its beautiful traditions and repeatedly challenged the Church as a whole to “breathe with both lungs,” bringing together the West and the East. Fr. Beshoner does a wonderful job of explaining Eastern traditions for Western listeners.
“Lenten Devotions for Busy People” also includes a weekly 5 minute video on the Stations of the Cross, posted each Friday.
Music, other reflections and future surprises will be included.
For more information on the blog, visit www.prayerchapel.info. You can listen to Fr. Seraphim Beshoner’s other podcast, “Catholic: Under the Hood” at www.sqpn.com.
Vocation Discernment DVD to Launch in March
A strong partnership between Catholic Vocations Ministry Australia and Choicez Media – Australia’s largest Catholic media provider, will see the Bishop of Maitland - Newcastle, Bishop Michael Malone, launch a major new vocations DVD initiative in Sydney on March 5.
Entitled, Holding Nothing Back the project is a comprehensive and ultra-modern twodisc package including a documentary style film and seven in-depth interviews with religious and priests from across the nation. Filmed on location during and after World Youth Day, the interviews explore the lives and journeys of some fascinating Australian men and women who have chosen to give all in their radical response to Christ’s invitation to follow Him.
From the stories of a former professional tennis player to builders and hospitality workers the interviews are designed to help young people gain a better understanding of the call to vocation through the stories of those who have wrestled with the very meaning of their existence and the call to serve others in religious life. The short film provides a powerful exploration of the very essence of vocation through narrative and symbolic elements using a top-level production and creative team.
Bishop Malone, commenting on his first review of the program stated, “For the first time I have seen something in the Vocation area which is a balance of wise counsel, best practice and pastoral sensitivity…able to capture the essence of Vocation discernment in provocative and excellent images…well done!”
Choicez Media National Director, Jonathan Doyle states, “Our whole team felt such a sense of privilege to be involved with such an important project with a message we were convinced young people needed to have the chance to hear.”
Entitled, Holding Nothing Back the project is a comprehensive and ultra-modern twodisc package including a documentary style film and seven in-depth interviews with religious and priests from across the nation. Filmed on location during and after World Youth Day, the interviews explore the lives and journeys of some fascinating Australian men and women who have chosen to give all in their radical response to Christ’s invitation to follow Him.
From the stories of a former professional tennis player to builders and hospitality workers the interviews are designed to help young people gain a better understanding of the call to vocation through the stories of those who have wrestled with the very meaning of their existence and the call to serve others in religious life. The short film provides a powerful exploration of the very essence of vocation through narrative and symbolic elements using a top-level production and creative team.
Bishop Malone, commenting on his first review of the program stated, “For the first time I have seen something in the Vocation area which is a balance of wise counsel, best practice and pastoral sensitivity…able to capture the essence of Vocation discernment in provocative and excellent images…well done!”
Choicez Media National Director, Jonathan Doyle states, “Our whole team felt such a sense of privilege to be involved with such an important project with a message we were convinced young people needed to have the chance to hear.”
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)