Look around …everywhere you go, people are on their cell phones, chatting with others, playing video games and texting their friends.
In fact, texting is now one of the most common ways to communicate. In the U.S. alone, people send around 530 million text messages every single day.
Faith Comes By Hearing, the world's foremost Audio Bible ministry, is now using text messaging to deliver God's Word in audio.
By texting "BIBLE" to 80672, people can have the encouraging Word of God sent directly to their mobile phone. Once subscribed, people will receive a chapter a day of the Audio Drama Bible. In less than a year, people can listen through the entire New Testament.
"The cell phone is a perfect way to deliver God's Word," said Troy Carl, national director for Faith Comes By Hearing. "What do you do with a phone? You put it to your ear and listen. Phones are inherently made for listening, so it just makes sense."
Carl said people can easily get into God's Word wherever they are.
"Now you can listen to God's Word while getting ready for your day, while commuting to work or walking to class," Carl said. "Every day you get a text message containing a link that contains a chapter of the Audio Drama New Testament."
Faith Comes By Hearing launched this outreach effort because of the potential number of people that can only be reached through mobile devices.
"Mobile phone distribution is a critical element to spreading the gospel," said Carl. "Here in the U.S., and worldwide, cell phones are actually growing at a more rapid rate than internet access and capability."
"Research shows more than 298 million people in the U.S. own cell phones," he said. "That's not the future; that's right now. We can reach millions of people with the Word of God right now."
In 2009, the ministry will add over 300 languages to this new text messaging outreach.
Standard text messaging and data transfer rates apply as provided in your wireless plan (contact your carrier for pricing plans and details). For more information, please contact Faith Comes By Hearing at 800-545-6552 or info@fcbhmail.org
Text BIBLE (80672) for Daily Audio Gospel
New Website Promotes Vocations through the Internet
BERWYN, IL (NOVEMBER 6, 2008) - Carrying out Vatican II’s request that the Church use the modern means of communication, a website has been launched that helps religious communities and dioceses use the internet to promote vocations.
“My information covers the importance of blogs, newsletters and search engine ranking without sounding too technical,” states Kevin Banet, president of TreeFrogClick, Inc., which built the website. “I find that many religious communities are intimidated by the technology, and I want to change that.”
Banet, who founded TreeFrogClick in 2003 mainly to put religious communities on the web, says that there is a tremendous opportunity for those promoting vocations to the priesthood, religious and consecrated life to use the internet to their benefit. “Rather than shy away from it, religious should know that youth grow up with the web and are heavily influenced by it,” Banet said.
“A community’s website is very important — second in importance behind personal contact,” Banet said, citing a recent study by a vocation organization. “Many religious communities are stuck in a print mode and spend thousands on brochures and print ads, but what do they get for it?”
Pope John Paul II urged Catholics to use the internet in 2002, when he issued a Church document, “Internet: A New Forum for Proclaiming the Gospel.” He said, “We must enter into this modern and ever more replete communications network with realism and confidence.”
The new vocation website, at www.vocationpromotion.com, contains regular entries and covers topics such as blogs, enewsletters, tips on search engine ranking, and videos.
TreeFrogClick, at www.treefrogclick.com, located in the Chicago area, offers web-building and search-ranking services to religious communities, dioceses and small businesses.
“My information covers the importance of blogs, newsletters and search engine ranking without sounding too technical,” states Kevin Banet, president of TreeFrogClick, Inc., which built the website. “I find that many religious communities are intimidated by the technology, and I want to change that.”
Banet, who founded TreeFrogClick in 2003 mainly to put religious communities on the web, says that there is a tremendous opportunity for those promoting vocations to the priesthood, religious and consecrated life to use the internet to their benefit. “Rather than shy away from it, religious should know that youth grow up with the web and are heavily influenced by it,” Banet said.
“A community’s website is very important — second in importance behind personal contact,” Banet said, citing a recent study by a vocation organization. “Many religious communities are stuck in a print mode and spend thousands on brochures and print ads, but what do they get for it?”
Pope John Paul II urged Catholics to use the internet in 2002, when he issued a Church document, “Internet: A New Forum for Proclaiming the Gospel.” He said, “We must enter into this modern and ever more replete communications network with realism and confidence.”
The new vocation website, at www.vocationpromotion.com, contains regular entries and covers topics such as blogs, enewsletters, tips on search engine ranking, and videos.
TreeFrogClick, at www.treefrogclick.com, located in the Chicago area, offers web-building and search-ranking services to religious communities, dioceses and small businesses.
Bishops Congratulate Barack Obama on Historic Election
Urge Him to Defend the Weak, Heal Divisions
WASHINGTON—The U.S. bishops congratulated President-elect Barack Obama, the first African-American elected President of the United States, and called the event "historic" and coming at a difficult time.
"Our country is confronting many uncertainties," the bishops said. "We pray that you will use the powers of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among us and heal the divisions in our country and our world. We stand ready to work with you in defense and support of the life and dignity of every human person."
The bishops offered their remarks in a November 4 letter to President-elect Obama from Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The letter follows.
Dear President-elect Obama,
I write to you, in my capacity as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to express our congratulations on your historic election as President of the United States. The people of our country have entrusted you with a great responsibility. As Catholic Bishops, we offer our prayers that God give you strength and wisdom to meet the coming challenges.
Our country is confronting many uncertainties. We pray that you will use the powers of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among us and heal the divisions in our country and our world. We stand ready to work with you in defense and support of the life and dignity of every human person.
May God bless you and Vice President-elect Biden as you prepare to assume your duties in service to our country and its citizens.
Sincerely yours,
Francis Cardinal George, OMI
Archbishop of Chicago
President
WASHINGTON—The U.S. bishops congratulated President-elect Barack Obama, the first African-American elected President of the United States, and called the event "historic" and coming at a difficult time.
"Our country is confronting many uncertainties," the bishops said. "We pray that you will use the powers of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among us and heal the divisions in our country and our world. We stand ready to work with you in defense and support of the life and dignity of every human person."
The bishops offered their remarks in a November 4 letter to President-elect Obama from Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The letter follows.
Dear President-elect Obama,
I write to you, in my capacity as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to express our congratulations on your historic election as President of the United States. The people of our country have entrusted you with a great responsibility. As Catholic Bishops, we offer our prayers that God give you strength and wisdom to meet the coming challenges.
Our country is confronting many uncertainties. We pray that you will use the powers of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among us and heal the divisions in our country and our world. We stand ready to work with you in defense and support of the life and dignity of every human person.
May God bless you and Vice President-elect Biden as you prepare to assume your duties in service to our country and its citizens.
Sincerely yours,
Francis Cardinal George, OMI
Archbishop of Chicago
President
EWTN Presents “Catholic Canvas”: Inside the Vatican Museums
EWTN Presents “Catholic Canvas”: Inside the Vatican Museums
Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network, with the support of the Primavera Fine Art Foundation, was given unprecedented access to the Vatican Museums to film a 10-episode original series called “Catholic Canvas.”
“We were granted four days of filming inside the Sistine Chapel – a privilege that has never been granted to any other network,” said EWTN President Michael Warsaw. “The Sistine Chapel is the backbone for the series because it conveys so beautifully in art the stories of our salvation.”
Rome Producer Mary Shovlain explains the concept behind the series.
“Catholic Canvas is a journey through salvation history as seen in the art of the Vatican Museums,” she said. “We begin with the Angels – the first to be created, the first to fall – which sets the stage for a journey through the Old Testament, from the creation to the fall of man, to our need for redemption and the promise of a redeemer, Christ.”
Entire episodes are dedicated to Mary, to the Epiphany, to Christ’s earthly ministry, His Passion, death and resurrection, St. Peter, and the Saints. “Of course, our journey ends, as will all of our journeys, with a look at the Last Judgment,” Shovlain said.
Primavera Chairman and Co-founder Earnest Bentley is thrilled with the program that resulted with the help of his Foundation’s support.
“Primavera Fine Art Foundation is committed to creating a renaissance of fine theological art in the Church,” Bentley said. “As our Art Advisor has said, ‘Every great work of art is a window between time and eternity. When we learn to contemplate art or come in contact with it, we actually come in contact with God, a little piece of His glory.’
“For this reason, the Foundation believes bringing the treasures of the Vatican Museums into the viewers’ living room is both a privilege and an opportunity to share with EWTN in this work for the Church.”
Episode 1, a visual feast called “The Angels,” will be hosted by Elisabeth Lev, Professor of Christian Art and Architecture at Duquesne University’s Italian campus. Lev’s expert commentary provides viewers with an in-depth explanation of the artistic genius behind the representation of the Cherubim and Seraphim as represented in Costanza’s Sarcophagus, Rafael’s Madonna of Foligno, and many other masterpieces.
At the conclusion of each show, viewers also have the opportunity to see Father Mark Haydu, L.C., International Director of the Vatican Museums’ Patrons of the Arts who gives a short presentation about one of the many gorgeous restoration projects being financed by the Patrons.
Episode 1 of “Catholic Canvas” will air 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Nov. 6 and 11 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network, with the support of the Primavera Fine Art Foundation, was given unprecedented access to the Vatican Museums to film a 10-episode original series called “Catholic Canvas.”
“We were granted four days of filming inside the Sistine Chapel – a privilege that has never been granted to any other network,” said EWTN President Michael Warsaw. “The Sistine Chapel is the backbone for the series because it conveys so beautifully in art the stories of our salvation.”
Rome Producer Mary Shovlain explains the concept behind the series.
“Catholic Canvas is a journey through salvation history as seen in the art of the Vatican Museums,” she said. “We begin with the Angels – the first to be created, the first to fall – which sets the stage for a journey through the Old Testament, from the creation to the fall of man, to our need for redemption and the promise of a redeemer, Christ.”
Entire episodes are dedicated to Mary, to the Epiphany, to Christ’s earthly ministry, His Passion, death and resurrection, St. Peter, and the Saints. “Of course, our journey ends, as will all of our journeys, with a look at the Last Judgment,” Shovlain said.
Primavera Chairman and Co-founder Earnest Bentley is thrilled with the program that resulted with the help of his Foundation’s support.
“Primavera Fine Art Foundation is committed to creating a renaissance of fine theological art in the Church,” Bentley said. “As our Art Advisor has said, ‘Every great work of art is a window between time and eternity. When we learn to contemplate art or come in contact with it, we actually come in contact with God, a little piece of His glory.’
“For this reason, the Foundation believes bringing the treasures of the Vatican Museums into the viewers’ living room is both a privilege and an opportunity to share with EWTN in this work for the Church.”
Episode 1, a visual feast called “The Angels,” will be hosted by Elisabeth Lev, Professor of Christian Art and Architecture at Duquesne University’s Italian campus. Lev’s expert commentary provides viewers with an in-depth explanation of the artistic genius behind the representation of the Cherubim and Seraphim as represented in Costanza’s Sarcophagus, Rafael’s Madonna of Foligno, and many other masterpieces.
At the conclusion of each show, viewers also have the opportunity to see Father Mark Haydu, L.C., International Director of the Vatican Museums’ Patrons of the Arts who gives a short presentation about one of the many gorgeous restoration projects being financed by the Patrons.
Episode 1 of “Catholic Canvas” will air 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Nov. 6 and 11 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 11.
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