Catholic New Media brings diverse Catholic news, resources, and mobile apps to one place on the Web. Find up-to-date information about Catholic books, videos, apps, podcasts, and more to help inform and strengthen your faith.
Several excellent Advent resources are just a click away. These resources offer simple ways to participate fully in the Advent season, week by week, as Christmas approaches.
This treasury of prayers, now released on Kindle, will help you go to the Lord with courage and pray to receive God's grace.
Sometimes,
the Pope said of prayers and devotions, one goes to the Lord "to ask
something for someone;" one asks for a favor and then goes away. "But
that," he warned, "is not prayer," because if "you want the Lord to
bestow a grace, you have to go with courage and do what Abraham did,
with that sort of tenacity."
This comprehensive treasury of Catholic prayer includes everyday
prayers, devotionals, how to pray the rosary, litanies, the Stations of
the Cross, Eucharistic prayers, prayers to prepare for confession,
prayers to the saints, Marian prayers, family prayers, and more.
Toronto, Canada (November 22, 2011) - The new English translation of the Catholic Mass? There's an app for that.
On Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent, Roman Catholic parishes around the world will begin using the new English translation.
The New Mass app by Cale Clarke, director of The Faith Explained
Seminars (www.TheFaithExplained.com), for iPhone and Android devices,
explains the changes in an attractive, easy-to-use interface. The New
Mass is available now on the Apple App Store and Android Market.
Archbishop Thomas Collins of Toronto calls the app “Simply
wonderful…great for helping Catholics learn about the new English
translation of the Mass.”
BOSTON, MA (November 16, 2011) - Pauline Books and Media and the
Daughters of St. Paul are pleased to announce the release of their
newest Catholic app: iMassExplained. Emphasizing the people’s parts at
Mass, iMassExplained is a handy app to help you understand and follow
the new translation of the Third Roman Missal.
The latest addition to Pauline Books and Media’s collection of
Catholic apps offers users access to explanations of what is changing
with the revised translation of the Mass, information to deepen their
understanding of what we do at Mass and why, and brief reflections of
the Holy Fathers on the importance of the Mass and what it can mean for
their everyday life. The app—available for download through iTunes for
the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad—features:
* Clear, easy to follow format for learning and understanding the
people’s parts of the new translation, as well as for use during Mass.
* Over 70 clear explanations positioned next to the texts they explain.
* Color-coded and easy to understand explanations for all ages, accessible by tapping on the highlighted words
* New translation changes marked in bold.
* Nine brief reflections on the meaning of the Mass in our lives from John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Leo XIII.
iMassExplained is a great tool for priests, pastoral ministers,
music directors, teachers, catechists, and parents. A great app whether
someone is thinking of becoming a Catholic, participating in RCIA,
attending Mass regularly, or just plain curious.
iMassExplained is available for download on iTunes. For more information visit www.pauline.org/catholicapps.
Have you noticed all the “harmless” curse words on TV and in video
games? If so, it should come as no surprise that studies are showing
children who hear that cursing pick up the profanity themselves – and
tend to exhibit more aggressive behavior than youngsters who don’t watch
profane TV or play video games containing curse words.
“It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that children are
going to emulate what they see and hear on TV, in the movies, and in
video games,” said Teresa Tomeo, the bestselling author and syndicated
radio host whose newest book is EXTREME MAKEOVER. “When we talk about
violence in the media for example, we know that there are a number of
studies that show at least a casual connection to violence in the media
and aggressive behavior in children.”
One of the most recent, from Brigham Young University, revealed that
youngsters who are exposed to profanity in the media tend to use it
themselves, and exhibit more aggressive behavior. After studying a
sample of 223 middle-school students in Missouri and applying
statistical models to the results, the BYU researchers concluded that
exposure to profanity was little different than exposure to violence on
TV or in video games.
“This latest report regarding the impact of children’s exposure to
bad language in media is alarming,” Tomeo said. “Not only are those
children exposed to profanity more likely to use it themselves, but they
are also likely to become more aggressive toward others. This is just
another strong reminder for parents to develop and enforce media
guidelines in the home."
In EXTREME MAKEOVER, Tomeo discusses the pervasiveness of media in
today’s culture and talks about ways that women and their families can
make an “extreme media makeover” to rid themselves of the messages and
toxic images that bombard them daily and seek to destroy their basic
human dignity.
PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 26, 2011) – THE MIGHTY MACS – a G-rated,
inspiring story of finding the courage to chase your dreams – debuted
last weekend, drawing praise from critics and audiences alike. Based on
the true story of Hall of Fame coach Cathy Rush (CARLA GUGINO), THE
MIGHTY MACS charts the rise of a team of over-achieving young women from
Immaculata College as they claimed the first U.S. women’s collegiate
basketball crown. It premieres as the highest-grossing independent film
in the country and the No. 1 film in theaters for the entire
family—perfect for parents and all the kids, regardless of their ages!
Critics from across the spectrum are “Backing the Macs”:
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times and RogerEbert.com
“It has an innocence that today’s movies have almost lost.”
Neil Ganzlinger, The New York Times
“. . . you have to love seeing nuns shouting basketball strategy
from courtside. And the updates on the team’s players that flash by at
the film’s end drive home why this is a sports story that deserved to be
told.”
Joseph Airdo, Examiner.com
“THE MIGHTY MACS truly is a movie of magnificent morals. It is the very definition of wholesome entertainment.”
Bob Waliszewski, Plugged In, Focus on the Family Online
“The family-friendly pic, MIGHTY MACS, transports us back in time to
1972 girls college basketball, reminding all of us that while dreaming
big is important in life, so are passion, perseverance and grind-it-out
hard work and dedication.”
Vanessa Barnes, Gulf Coast Catholic
“Go! Take your family and enjoy a heart-warming film telling a story
filled with good old-fashion life lessons. . . . The writing, directing
and acting are superb. The story refreshing and the time well worth
spending.”
Dick Rolfe, Dove Foundation
"Best inspirational sports film of the year!"
Beyond the critics’ praise, the film’s G rating, exciting basketball
action, touching personal stories and overall entertainment value draw
“thumbs up” from families, school officials and the world of sports.
In Sacramento, 400 students, staff and parents from the local
Catholic diocese attended the opening. "THE MIGHTY MACS was a true
inspiration to all and is a must see for Catholic school students both
former and current,” said Rick Maya, the diocese’s director of Catholic
schools.
The film’s intertwined personal stories of young women playing
without scholarships, in antiquated facilities and often with limited
family support touched Coquese Washington, Penn State’s women’s
basketball coach.
“I can truly say that I was blown away watching this film,”
Washington said. “It touched me in so many ways; but mostly, to watch in
action the sacrifices so many people made in the early ‘70s simply for
the love of the game was quite inspirational."
Audience members shared their enthusiasm in messages to THE MIGHTY MACS’ Facebook page. Just a few examples include:
“Go see this movie if you want to be inspired! . . . We need more movies like this!”
“We need to get the message out there . . . there is a better way to
achieve your goals, there is a better way to fulfill your hopes and
dreams. God will honor you as you honor Him. LOVE IT!”
“I have never been to a movie before where people applauded throughout the whole thing. Amazing!”
THE MIGHTY MACS, playing now, features Carla Gugino (NIGHT AT THE
MUSEUM, SPY KIDS) as Cathy Rush and David Boreanaz (FOX TV’s Bones,
Angel) as Cathy’s husband and NBA referee Ed Rush. Oscar-, Tony- and
Emmy-winner Ellen Burstyn (Academy Awardâ, Best Actress ALICE DOESN’T
LIVE HERE ANYMORE) plays Mother St. John, the mother superior at
Immaculata. Marley Shelton (Eleventh Hour, PLEASANTVILLE) plays Sister
Sunday, a novice who becomes Rush’s assistant coach.
Cardinal George Announces Vatican Approval of New Roman Missal English-Language Translation, Implementation Set for First Sunday of Advent 2011
U.S. Adaptations to Mass Prayers Also Approved Parish Education Efforts Urged To Precede Implementation Resources Available Through USCCB
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Francis George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has announced that the full text of the English-language translation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, has been issued for the dioceses of the United States of America.
The text was approved by the Vatican, and the approval was accompanied by a June 23 letter from Cardinal Llovera Antonio Cañizares, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The Congregation also provided guidelines for publication. More
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Little i Apps, LLC, makers of Confession: A Roman Catholic App, is proud to announce their collaboration with CatholicVote.org in the development of CatholicVote Mobile, an app that helps mobilize and unify the Catholic voting community. Features include mobile access to the CatholicVote.org blogs and videos, and a unique method for contacting federal representatives and senators.
Little i Apps developed a one-touch method that will, for the first time, allow Catholic voters to more easily participate in political activism. Based on a user’s GPS location or zip code, the app generates the contact information for their congressional representative and senators, including name, state and party, phone, fax, website, e-mail, office address, Facebook ID, Twitter ID, and YouTube channel. Users can select to automatically add this information to their contact lists or simply tap to connect.
“It was an incredible opportunity for Little i Apps to be a part of this project. We are excited about the potential impact an app like this could have on American politics” says Patrick Leinen, co-founder of Little i Apps. “Imagine what could happen if every Catholic voter used the Contact My Representative option to contact their congressional representative or senator before a critical vote. With the launch of this app, CatholicVote.org has given voters an incredible tool. We can’t wait to see how they use it!”
CatholicVote.org President Brian Burch said that Little i Apps was the perfect partner to create this new tool for Catholic activism.
“Catholics must engage the political and cultural issues of our day using the best technology available. That’s why we’re excited to launch the CatholicVote.org App. The app is only the first phase of a larger mobile strategy we are implementing to maximize the impact of the Catholic vote nationwide,” said Burch.
CatholicVote Mobile is available for free on the Android Market and the iTunes Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
IRONDALE, AL (October 10, 2011) - St. John Vianney was such a holy priest, he knew a penitent’s sins even before he confessed them, he was attached by the devil almost every night, and he converted every single soul in his parish – so people came to Ars as much to experience his parishioners as the saint himself.
Hear this saint’s life-changing sermons in the EWTN Original Co-Production, “Vianney Speaks” with acclaimed Actor and Filmmaker Leonardo Defilippis. The program will air 1 p.m. ET, Friday, Oct. 14, and 5 a.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 15 – exclusively on EWTN. (Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.)
“The majority of people have never heard any sermons like this from the pulpit,” Defilippis said. “They are very moving. Vianney was known to weep in front of people; he would also be thunderous; he would shake people up! I decided to take some of these sermons and put them into a dramatic format. I could have done it in [an EWTN] studio with a simple set, but we decided to go even further and put it into a cinematic format so you felt as if you were in Ars itself.”
Defilippis calls Vianney one of the most important saints in our Church and in Christianity. “I say that because he is directly connected with the very structure of the Church itself. He’s a priest, pastor, and patron saint of all priests, all bishops, all pastors. The parish is the foundation from which every saint comes. St. Francis, Mother Teresa, all grew up in a parish. They got their sacraments, their vocation, from priests.”
The sermons selected for this program are true masterpieces and include Vianney’s warnings about the enemies of our salvation. “[Satan] said to St. John Vianney himself, ‘I’m with you even in the Mass, as you’re doing the consecration, when you’re in the confessional. When a penitent leaves, I’m with them.’ [The devil] does the same with families; he goes after the mother and the father. He told John Vianney, ‘When the parents are mine, the children are mine.’ Our greatest weapon [against the devil] is the rosary.”
To learn more about the television special and to view movie trailers and videos, visit www.vianneyspeaks.com.
To learn more about the Curé of Ars, check out the many resources available from EWTN Religious Catalogue. There you will find the “Vianney Speaks” DVD, http://bit.ly/nxUGuT; an episode of EWTN’s award-winning “My Catholic Family” animated children’s TV series on St. John Vianney (in both English and Spanish), http://bit.ly/p3tD5T; a classic book by Abbe Francis Trochu entitled “The Cure D’Ars: St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney,” http://bit.ly/pnSTvb; and many other related items. Just go to http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com and search for “Vianney” and “St. John Vianney.”
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 160 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.
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MEDIA ADVISORY
Catholic PRWire
WATERTOWN, MA (August 12, 2011) - Starting August 12th, the CatholicTV Network began offering live streaming on the iPad. Accessing the programs is as simple as going to CatholicTV.com on an iPad or iPhone.
CatholicTV has increased the mobility of its award-winning programs a priority for 2011 in support of Pope Benedict XVI’s invitation to share the Good News through all means. President of the CatholicTV Network, Fr. Robert Reed said "So many people expect their mobile devices to serve them well. I am personally thrilled not only for myself but for so many of our viewers that we can now watch and enjoy CatholicTV.com on an iPhone or iPad or Android device." Executive Vice President Jay Fadden said of the increased availability “It is important to CatholicTV to be available in all social media platforms. The message of Christ cannot be contained and needs to be shared in every available way.”
Over the past twelve months CatholicTV has expanded it’s offerings on the nation-wide Verizon FiOS on-demand platform, increased the number of videos available on CatholicTV.com and established an online interactive community called iCatholic.
About CatholicTV
Founded in 1955, CatholicTV Network is a national broadcast television network streaming a live feed 24 hours a day at CatholicTV.com. Heeding Pope Benedict XVI's call to greater utilize the power of television and new media, CatholicTV Network offers a wide range of programs aimed at children and adults, from uplifting advice shows to international news, game shows to travel, CatholicTV has something for everyone. Based in Watertown, MA, CatholicTV is available in over 10 million homes nationwide.
HOLLYWOOD, CA (September 26, 2011) - Movie to Movement (M2M), in partnership with Dos Corazones Films, is proud to announce the release of a stunning new faith-based film, The Greatest Miracle, which will forever change people's understanding of how the spiritual and temporal worlds interact.
"In our frenetic world, where the average person struggles just to keep their head above water, people seldom take time to consider the spiritual forces that interact in their daily reality," said Jason S. Jones, founder of Movie to Movement. The Greatest Miracle follows the lives of three strangers -- Monica, whose husband has recently died; Chema, whose child is facing a deadly diagnosis; and Cata, an elderly woman seeking peace -- whose lives intersect one morning at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There, each person meets their guardian angel and is given the gift to see the world through spiritual eyes and take full account of their blessings. "It's the finest artistic tool I've ever seen to explain the truth and beauty of the Mass," Jones stated. "You'll never experience the Mass the same way again."
The movie premiers the weekend of Oct. 14, 2011, at select theaters across the nation, and will open for wider release in December 2011. For every ticket sold on www.MovieToMovement.com for this film, HERO (M2M's parent organization) will donate more than 400 days of clean water to one person in the South Sudan through DigDeepWater.org.
"This is a very exciting project. We get to share a beautiful movie about the miracle that is the Mass while providing water -- the fundamental building block of human life -- to those most in need," Jones expressed. "We have some partnerships in place to help bring this film to the marketplace and will be announcing those soon. But we hope to secure more in the coming weeks to ensure the widest release possible."
Organizations, non-profits, parishes and media outlets interested in such partnerships can learn more by visiting www.MovieToMovement.com/TheGreatestMiracle.
ABOUT M2M: Movie to Movement harnesses the appeal and power of the silver screen to help change the culture by producing and promoting films that promote a culture of Life, Love and Beauty.
Contact: Public Relations
http://www.movietomovement.com/thegreatestmiracle VA, 22314 US
Stella Harrison - Consultant, -
This treasury of prayers, now released on Kindle, will help you go to the Lord with courage and pray to receive God's grace.
Sometimes,
the Pope said of prayers and devotions, one goes to the Lord "to ask
something for someone;" one asks for a favor and then goes away. "But
that," he warned, "is not prayer," because if "you want the Lord to
bestow a grace, you have to go with courage and do what Abraham did,
with that sort of tenacity."
This comprehensive treasury of Catholic prayer includes everyday
prayers, devotionals, how to pray the rosary, litanies, the Stations of
the Cross, Eucharistic prayers, prayers to prepare for confession,
prayers to the saints, Marian prayers, family prayers, and more.
WATERTOWN, MA (September 8, 2011) - The CatholicTV Network’s family-friendly, faith-filled programming featuring Catholics from around the world and around the corner begins a new season this month. Beginning September 5, the station’s 24-hour lineup premieres new shows for several returning series and introduces new CatholicTV original series as well as new programming from the universal church’s television providers.
The station’s longest-running series (besides "Daily Mass" and "The Rosary") is Father Dan O’Connell’s "We’ve Got To Talk", featuring inspiring talks based on finding the holy in everyday life and will air all new shows this season. A different guest priest joins Father Chris Hickey and Father Paul Rouse every week on "Going My Way" for a comedic interview followed by musical performances featuring oldies and spiritual songs. Father Chip Hines and Father Bill Kelly return for a new season of “Spotlight” a program of movie reviews.
Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m., CatholicTV’s live talk show "This Is the Day" welcomes prominent Catholics into the CatholicTV living room for interviews about Catholic life. The series is hosted by Father Robert Reed and Jay Fadden with Kevin Nelson providing news and events and rebroadcasts air all week. A favorite segment is a monthly interview with a member of the military. CatholicTV’s "Daily Mass" celebrates its 38th anniversary this month. Celebrated live at 9:30 a.m. weekdays, "Daily Mass" is also rebroadcast at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30p.m.; anytime on CatholciTV.com and CatholicTV’s You Tube channel.
"One Billion Stories" is a new CatholicTV series with Seth J. DeMoor offering his encounters with Catholics on his bike travels from Colorado to Florida. "Waypoints in Church History” is another new series with Dr. Ann Orlando, professor of Patristics and Church History at Saint John Seminary. “Waypoints” serves as an introduction to the history of the Catholic Church using locations along the way to a final destination, to illustrate the development of Catholic, secular, and dogmatic history. These waypoints are where especially important events and people shaped the direction of the Church’s pilgrimage. Rabbi Samuel Chiel begins his fourth original CatholicTV series, "Deuteronomy", examining the first book of the Bible.
CatholicTV continues its mission of bringing viewers the best in Catholic programming from all areas of the US. This season, the station highlights a Catholic production from Nashville, Tennessee called “We Believe” and familiar favorites return with all-new episodes of “Roots of Faith” from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, “Real Faith TV” from Trenton, New Jersey and “Our Daily Bread” from Buffalo, New York. Viewers will see a host of hosts from all over the country and from the universal church. Thanks to national and international programming relationships, CatholicTV brings you to and from dioceses all over the globe, from Vatican City to inner cities.
"Choices We Face" with host Ralph Martin of Renewal Ministries. Each week he leads his guests and viewers on an exploration of some of the most important and inspiring themes of our times. "The CatholicTV Kids Club" features the Saints and Heroes series from CCC of America productions: The Day the Sun Danced – The True Story of Fatima, Francis the Knight of Assisi, Nicholas – The Boy Who Became Santa, Bernadette – The Princess of Lourdes, Columbus – Adventures to the Edge of the World, Ben Hur – A Race to Glory, Odyssey – A Journey Back Home, Xavier – Francis Xavier and the Samurai’s Lost Treasure, Patrick – Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle, My Secret Friend – A Guardian Angel Story, Juan Diego – Messenger of Guadalupe
The September issue of the CatholicTV Monthly magazine offers detailed information on the station’s new season of programming including a 24-hour programming grid. In addition, this month’s issue features information about the station’s coverage of the Papal journey to Germany. The magazine is free of charge and anyone may request a copy online at www.CatholicTV.com.
About CatholicTV:
CatholicTV® is a 24-hour cable television station and an international broadband network. The station provides family-friendly, religious, news, and educational programming. Founded over 50 years ago, CatholicTV is available in over 10 million homes on cable in selected areas in the US and Canada; and online via a live stream anytime, everywhere at CatholicTV.com, where archived programs are on-demand. Father Robert Reed, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, is the President of the CatholicTV Network.
WATERTOWN, MA (August 12, 2011) - Starting August 12th, the CatholicTV Network began offering live streaming on the iPad. Accessing the programs is as simple as going to CatholicTV.com on an iPad or iPhone.
CatholicTV has increased the mobility of its award-winning programs a priority for 2011 in support of Pope Benedict XVI’s invitation to share the Good News through all means. President of the CatholicTV Network, Fr. Robert Reed said "So many people expect their mobile devices to serve them well. I am personally thrilled not only for myself but for so many of our viewers that we can now watch and enjoy CatholicTV.com on an iPhone or iPad or Android device." Executive Vice President Jay Fadden said of the increased availability “It is important to CatholicTV to be available in all social media platforms. The message of Christ cannot be contained and needs to be shared in every available way.”
Over the past twelve months CatholicTV has expanded it’s offerings on the nation-wide Verizon FiOS on-demand platform, increased the number of videos available on CatholicTV.com and established an online interactive community called iCatholic.
About CatholicTV
Founded in 1955, CatholicTV Network is a national broadcast television network streaming a live feed 24 hours a day at CatholicTV.com. Heeding Pope Benedict XVI's call to greater utilize the power of television and new media, CatholicTV Network offers a wide range of programs aimed at children and adults, from uplifting advice shows to international news, game shows to travel, CatholicTV has something for everyone. Based in Watertown, MA, CatholicTV is available in over 10 million homes nationwide.
Preview New York Times Best Sellers with new Google Gadget.
Boston, MA (July 20, 2011) - Pauline Kids is excited to announce the upcoming release of "The Mass Explained for Kids," a booklet to help children transition smoothly into the new Mass translation. This booklet not only explains the changes occurring in 2011, but enables children ages 7–11 to understand what we do and say at Mass and why.
By linking liturgical texts with corresponding explanations, this colorful booklet helps kids become active and enthusiastic participants at Mass. "The Mass Explained for Kids" is affordable for any budget and will help parents, priests, teachers, and other adults explain the changes to the Mass this November with ease.
"The Mass Explained for Kids" features the official texts of the new translation. The booklet will also prove to be a helpful tool for clarifying questions from parishioners. The clear and concise explanations will draw people to be fully engaged in the Liturgy and to gain a greater understanding of the Catholic faith and their relationship with God.
To request a review copy of this booklet, please contact Sally Feller, Senior Marketing Associate at sfeller@paulinemedia.com.
Pauline Books & Media will also be publishing updated editions of the Daily and Sunday Missals with the new 2011 Mass translation. All titles pertaining to the new translation will be available at www.pauline.org, in Pauline Books & Media centers across the United States, and through other leading distribution channels.
Pauline Kids is a division of Pauline Books & Media, the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international Congregation of women religious whose mission is evangelization through the means of social communication. They operate thirteen retail book centers in North America and a publishing and distribution operation in Boston, Massachusetts. Arriving from Italy in 1932, the Daughters of St. Paul have been in America providing the best in Catholic media for nearly eighty years.
This summer, Finding Fatima introduces one of the most important Marian apparitions in Church history to a new generation – and in a new and unique way. Producers Ian and Dominic Higgins have created a docudrama that follows up their highly acclaimed feature film “The 13th Day” with a fresh and complete look at Our Lady’s appearances to apparitions to Lucia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto. Finding Fatima is available now from Ignatius Press.
The film uses archival footage and dramatic reenactments to take viewers to that Blessed time and place, and the Higgins include original interviews with Fatima experts and relatives of eyewitnesses to tell the entire story of Our Lady of Fatima and world events related to her appearances throughout 1917 – including a truly miraculous event that occurred almost 30 years later halfway around the world.
With high production values and a beautiful look, the film covers all of the crucial details about the importance of the 1917 appearances and messages of Our Lady in Fatima – messages or prayer, penance and conversion that are desperately needed today.
“As much as I love watching documentaries, I was just going to give this a quick perusal, but I got hooked and couldn’t stop watching,” said Sr. Helena Burns in a review posted on her “Hell Burns” blog. “‘Finding Fatima’ could be called ‘Fatima Then and Now’ because it brings us up to speed on the Fatima story as it continues to unfold in our present day.”
This week marks the 84th anniversary of one of the most powerful of Our Lady’s Fatima apparitions. It was during her July 13th appearance that she showed the three peasant children a horrifying view of Hell; and she foretold the end of World War I, the promise of a second, more devastating world war, and the spread of Communism throughout the world. She also provided the Third Message, which Blessed Pope John Paul II came to believe foretold the 1981 attempt on his life.
Fatima experts call it one of the two most powerful of her apparitions – the other being the October 1917 “Miracle of the Sun,” which also included apparitions of St. Joseph and the child Jesus, in his arms, blessing the world.
“Even now there is tribulation,” Pope Benedict XVI said in discussing Fatima, “in every conceivable form, and power threatens to trample down faith. Even now, then, there is a need for the answer about which the Mother of God spoke to the children of Fatima.”
Finding Fatima is a 90-minute film that emphasizes those feelings and will encourage all who see it to take heed of Our Lady’s critical messages from Fatima. The DVD is produced in widescreen format with English narration, and includes English and Spanish subtitles.
Where can Catholic moviegoers turn for reliable information on current films from a faithful Catholic perspective?
BROOKLYN, NY (June 22, 2011) - This Summer, they can tune into REEL FAITH, a weekly, half-hour movie review program, now in its second season, airing exclusively on New Evangelization Television (NET), which is available to cable viewers in New York on Cablevision channel 30 and Time Warner Cable channel 97. It is also always available online at www.netny.net/reelfaith/.
Returning as co-hosts are David DiCerto, former film critic of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office for Film and Broadcasting, and Steven Greydanus, film critic for the National Catholic Register and creator of decentfilms.com.
Each week, REEL FAITH takes a look at Hollywood’s biggest films, as well as smaller independent releases, all “through a Catholic lens.” With the help of film scholar Fr. Robert Lauder, REEL FAITH also introduces viewers to motion picture classics from the Vatican’s “Great Films” list, and a new feature for the coming season highlighting “Movies with a Message.”
“Movies are much more than mere entertainment; they have the power to influence ideas and attitudes,” says DiCerto. “I’m thrilled to be able to provide Catholic moviegoers – especially parents – with a voice they can trust, in a way that’s fresh, informative and, hopefully, entertaining.”
“Catholic film reviewing has been around for as long as the movies themselves, but we've been slow to bring it to the screen, which is ideal for a visual medium like movies. The Church has always been aware of the power of images, and on Reel Faith we can interact with the movies we're reviewing in a way you can't do in writing. It's almost a more Catholic way of reviewing movies.” said Steven Greydanus.
Movies being reviewing this season include highly anticipated sequels like “Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides,” “Transformers 3,” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2;” big-budget action-adventures like “Thor,” “Captain America,” and “Cowboys and Aliens;” and family fare like “Cars 2” and “Kung Fu Panda 2.”
Labeled the “Catholic Siskel and Ebert,” the duo see REEL FAITH as an innovative opportunity for evangelization and spreading the Gospel message, while encouraging greater film literacy among Catholics, using a format that appeals to mainstream viewers.
Launched in 2008, NET is available to more than 1.8 million homes throughout New York City on Cable Vision channel 30 and Time Warner Cable channel 97, as well as streaming online at www.netny.net.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, (June 1, 2011)—The Divine Office Catholic Ministry in partnership with Surgeworks, a Salt Lake City-based application developer and graphical interaction design firm, has announced a new app for the Apple Mac App Store based on 20 versions of the Bible in six different languages.
The Bible App features scriptures in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Croatian. Users can access twenty English, Latin and Greek versions of the Bible:
- American Standard Version (ASV)
- American King James Version (AKJV)
- Darby Bible (DBY)
- Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner Revision (DRB)
- King James Version (KJV)
- World English Bible (WEB)
- Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
- (Latin) Biblia Sacra Vulgata (Latin Vulgate)
- (Greek) New Testament 1550
- (Greek) New Testament 1894
In addition, the Bible App allows users to compare multiple translations in different windows. An internal search engine searches for a specific keyword, an exact phrase or a passage using a standard notation (such as John 1:1-18). Users can highlight verses and access all selections from convenient, dedicated screens where searches and highlights are organized by bible version and date.
“We are extremely pleased to bring the Bible app to our devoted community of Catholics and Christians around the world. It is the perfect complement to the Divine Office Catholic Ministry’s suite of prayer apps for Mac computers and Apple iOS mobile devices,” Dane Falkner of Divine Office commented.
The Divine Office Catholic Ministry currently offers several apps:
- Bible App for Mac —20 searchable versions of the Holy Bible in 6 languages
- Divine Office—complete resource for praying the Liturgy of the Hours, available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android and Mac
- Prayers for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch—reference of Catholic prayers in several languages
- Divine Office: Morning Prayer (Lauds), Evening Prayer (Vespers) and Night Prayer (Compline) for iPhone and iPod Touch—audio Liturgy of the Hours
- The Bible App is scheduled for release in the Mac App Store on June 1st, 2011.
This treasury of prayers, now released on Kindle, will help you go to the Lord with courage and pray to receive God's grace.
Sometimes,
the Pope said of prayers and devotions, one goes to the Lord "to ask
something for someone;" one asks for a favor and then goes away. "But
that," he warned, "is not prayer," because if "you want the Lord to
bestow a grace, you have to go with courage and do what Abraham did,
with that sort of tenacity."
This comprehensive treasury of Catholic prayer includes everyday
prayers, devotionals, how to pray the rosary, litanies, the Stations of
the Cross, Eucharistic prayers, prayers to prepare for confession,
prayers to the saints, Marian prayers, family prayers, and more.
CHANDLER, AZ (June 14, 2011) – The judges of the 2011 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes excellence in children's literature, have spoken. Our Treasure, written by Michele Elena Bondi and illustrated by Kristina Marie Pope, is the winner of two second place awards in the Educational/Instructional and Religion categories, and three honorable mentions in the Children’s Picture Book, Best Cover Design, and Best Illustrations categories.
“Winning any place in the Purple Dragonfly Contest is a huge honor because in order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score of 72 out of 80 must be earned for a 1st Place award, 64 out of 80 for a 2nd Place and 56 out of 80 for an Honorable Mention,” explains Linda Radke, president of Five Star Publications, the sponsor of the Dragonfly Book Awards. “Competition is steep, too, because there is no publication date limit as long as the book is still in print.”
In Our Treasure, children learn that there is priceless Treasure waiting for them whenever they want to become very rich. Do you know where “Our Treasure” can be found? The beautiful hardcover keepsake picture book about the Eucharist, published by Joseph Karl Publishing (2010), retails for $16.00 and can be purchased at Joseph Karl Publishing, Amazon.com, Baker & Taylor, Quality Books Inc., and Faith @ Work. For a complete list of winners including all 1st and 2nd places and Honorable Mentions, visit www.FiveStarBookAwards.com and click on “Winners.”
The Chocolate Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which is open to any and all books about or relating in some way to food, is already underway with an August 1 deadline for entries; as is the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, which honors all genres of books in 50 categories, with a February 1, 2012 deadline. However, Royal Dragonfly submissions postmarked December 1, 2011 or earlier are eligible for the Early Bird reward: a free e-copy of The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing or Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show. The 3rd Annual Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest will launch following notification of the Chocolate Dragonfly winners.
For complete winners' lists including 2nd Place and Honorable Mention wins, rules and entry forms for any of the Dragonfly Book Awards contests, visit www.FiveStarBookAwards.com. For more details on Five Star Publications, email info@FiveStarPublications.com or call 480-940-8182.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 13, 2011) - Ninety-four years ago today, three Portuguese youngsters were contemplating the miraculous apparition they’d just experienced. From that day forward, those children – and the tiny village of Fatima – offered the world a new message of hope through the Virgin Mary’s fervent call to prayer, penance and conversion.
On the 94th anniversary of Our Lady’s first appearance to Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin, Lucia dos Santo, Ignatius Press today launched a website, FatimaForToday.com, devoted to Our Lady of Fatima and available resources for anyone interested in exploring the mysteries and blessings of Fatima.
FatimaForToday.com provides quick access to a variety of books and videos on Our Lady of Fatima, and it enables parishes and organizations to schedule Fatima-related events – including visits by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., one of the world’s foremost experts on Fatima.
“We are thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to bring FatimaForToday.com to life on the 94th anniversary of Our Lady’s first appearance at Fatima,” said Ignatius Press President Mark Brumley. “The message of Fatima is as relevant and important today as it was when Mary first presented it to the children. We hope that the new website will support that message by serving as the source for information and resources covering every aspect of Fatima.”
“The message of Fatima has often been described as a brief summary of the essentials of Christian living,” Fr. Apostoli writes in his new book, Fatima for Today. “Our lady of Fatima has given us a great reminder of these essentials for our difficult times.”
In addition to Fr. Apostoli’s book, the new website provides access to the groundbreaking film The 13th Day and the follow-up docu-drama Finding Fatima. Also available is information on a booklet What Happened at Fatima, published by Catholic Truth Society, and a variety of other books and videos that will bring Fatima to life for people of all ages. There’s even a Fatima coloring book for children!
Fr. Apostoli, a founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, has been teaching and preaching retreats and parish missions for several decades. He hosted the EWTN TV special “Our Lady of Fatima and First Saturday Devotion,” and Catholic TV developed and aired a three-part series on Fatima for Today earlier this year.
Boston, MA (May 26, 2011) - Pauline Books & Media and the Daughters of St. Paul are excited to announce the release of a new series of free mobile apps for iPhones, iPads, and Android phones. Called “Catholic Bookmarks,” these apps offer peace, solace, comfort, and hope to those in need of reassurance in God’s unconditional love and mercy.
Pauline Books & Media Catholic Bookmarks smartphone format offers users a unique way to explore the Catholic tradition on-the-go, right in the midst of their daily lives.
Each app features:
25 excerpts from a popular Pauline Books & Media book with the same title as the app
Message from the author
Handy navigation
Intuitive and beautiful interface
Integration with e-mail, Twitter, etc. for easy sharing with others
These latest additions to Pauline Books & Media’s growing collection of Catholic apps continues to demonstrate the publishing house’s passion for the mission of evangelization through all modern means available.
The following apps are currently available in Catholic Bookmarks for download on Android Market and iTunes: Surviving Depression, Making Peace with Yourself, and See Yourself through God’s Eyes.
We hope that these free app downloads will be helpful aids to guide users to deepen their faith and discover the love God has for them. If you enjoy these downloads, please consider posting reviews/ratings on the iTunes app store and Android Market.
PORTLAND, OR (May 20, 2011) - Top liturgical publisher OCP and renowned Catholic recording artist, John Michael Talbot have announced the digital release of the new CD Worship and Bow Down, available at OCP.org.
This past February, Worship and Bow Down received national attention when Talbot and OCP took Facebook fans behind the scenes of the recording process by posting videos, pictures and updates of the actual CD recording sessions. Due to the overwhelming fan interest garnered by the Facebook previews and touring by Talbot, OCP has opted for an online release of an MP3 playlist of the album—over a month before the actual CD release, set for June 21, 2011.
Worship and Bow Down, a lush mix of 17 contemplative tracks and a ‘contemporary-chant’ Mass setting (Mass of Rebirth), features rich orchestral instrumentation and multi-layered choral arrangements alongside John Michael’s unmistakable vocals and solo guitar.
Of the album’s use of ancient texts and melodies—like in the track, “Kyrie,” alongside modern favorites including “Sacred Silence”—Talbot says, “I pray that Christians everywhere will find that this project brings together the ancient and the new, the traditional and the progressive, the East and West through music that, I hope, facilitates genuine worship and praise.”
Fans are encouraged to visit ocp.org/30105658 to purchase the MP3 playlist for Worship and Bow Down. Those wishing to pre-order the CD (release date set for June 21, 2011) may visit ocp.org/30105240 or call OCP at 1-800-LITURGY (548-8749) to place their order.
For additional information, media requests or questions please contact Erin McClellan, 503.460.5363, erinm@ocp.org
Ignatius Press is well-known for having a broad selection of faith-filled, appealing, family friendly movies. Four new films have recently been added to their collection: The Miracle of Fr. Kapaun, Edith Stein: The Seventh Chamber, The Nun: The Story of a Carmelite Vocation, and Paul VI: The Pope in the Tempest.
The Miracle of Fr. Kapaun
Servant of God Fr. Emil Kapaun may not be well-known - but he should be. The son of Czech immigrants, Fr. Kapaun grew up on a small Kansas farm. This seemingly ordinary farm boy became one of the most inspiring heroes of the Korean War - but unlike many war heroes, this military chaplain is also on the road to sainthood. His cause for canonization has been opened by the Diocese of Wichita, and two medical miracles attributed to him are being investigated by the Vatican. He has also been nominated for the highest military medal, the Medal of Honor.
In this powerful documentary, learn his inspiring life story, his heroic work as a chaplain during battle, and his leadership and comfort of fellow American prisoners after capture and torture by the Communists. This imprisonment under incredibly harsh conditions that ultimately led to his death at 35 years of age in 1951. The film features interviews with the soldiers who were imprisoned with Kapaun in Korea, as well as with church officials, military historians and the Kansas family who is convinced Kapaun’s miraculous intercession saved their son’s life. This full color DVD comes with a prayer card.
Edith Stein: The Seventh Chamber
This is a moving, artistic portrayal of the life of Jewish philosopher, Catholic convert and Carmelite martyr, Edith Stein, capturing the interior struggles of this extraordinary woman, as well as the great conflicts from her decision to convert to Catholicism. Deeply influenced by the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, she joined the Carmelites and took the name of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She was put to death in Auschwitz in 1942, and canonized by John Paul II in 1998. This film shows how two worlds were united within her, the Jew and the Christian, in absolute coherence in her search for truth.
Edith Stein has become one of the most beautiful symbols in a horrifying period of history. She sought to transform her sufferings under the Nazis into a journey through the “interior castle” as the way to mystical union with God. One phrase, “Love Conquers Fear” embodies her philosophy of life. Shot in a kind of a rich expressionist realism, it is backed by poignant chant music that makes every frame haunting and alive. Actress Maia Morgenstern (The Passion of the Christ) stars in a powerful performance as Stein.
This DVD includes a 16 page collector's booklet by Steven Greydanus and Carl Olson. Greydanus, a film critic for Decent Films and the National Catholic Register, says, “A challenging, often fascinating film, The Seventh Chamber is a gratifying tribute to a great saint. It shows that for Edith Stein it is only by knowing God that we know ourselves; only through Jesus that we know God; and only through the cross that we can know Jesus.”
The Nun: The Story of a Carmelite Vocation
This is an award-winning documentary that tells the beautiful story of Marta, a young Catholic woman in Sweden and her counter-cultural choice to follow a calling to become a cloistered Carmelite nun, and to live her life for God alone. Documentary filmmaker Maud Nycander followed Marta and her family for ten years to tell the story of her vocation, and the Carmelite convent made a unique exception to its strict regulations by allowing the filmmaker to meet with and interview Marta both before and after her five-year postulant period. The Carmelite convent in Glumslöv in the south of Sweden is normally closed to outsiders.
Marta comes from a large Catholic family, one of nine children, a close-knit family who live on a farm in Sweden. Marta lived a very happy family life, and had an active social life with many friends in school, but yet felt the call to leave all that for the challenging life of a cloistered contemplative Carmelite nun. This film explores that decision that is seen as a radical one in the eyes of the world, and follows Marta and her family during that period of her life before and after her becoming a Carmelite.
Pope Paul VI: The Pope in the Tempest
Pope Paul VI was a leader in the Catholic Church as a priest, bishop, cardinal and pope through one of the most difficult periods in its history—from the Fascist regime and World War II to the constitution of the Italian Republic, from the Second Vatican Council to the protests and the terrorist attacks of the 1960s and 1970s. His papacy ran from 1963 to 1978, during which he wrote the prophetic, controversial document Humane Vitae that strongly proclaimed the Church’s teaching on the sacredness of married love and human life, and the evil of contraception which the Pontiff said would open the door to abortion if allowed. He was the first travelling Pope who began to visit the dioceses of the 5 continents like no pope had ever done before.
This exciting and insightful film covers fifty years of history that changed the Catholic Church and the world. Paul VI: The Pope in the Tempest is a story that draws emotion and lessons from history itself, dramatically mixing stunning reconstructions and real film footage. Special features include a documentary on Pope Paul VI featuring interviews with historian James Hitchcock and Fr. Joseph Fessio, SJ and a16 page Collector’s Booklet written by Carl Olson.
“Voices of Our World” Addresses “Bullying: K Thru Life”
Maryknoll, New York (January 11, 2011) – The first segment of a two-part radio program that discusses the growing problem of bullying from the schoolyard to the digital world to the workplace now is available online at www.voicesofourworld.org.
The first part of Bullying: K Thru Life was broadcast nationally last October on Voices of Our World, the award-winning weekly public affairs radio program produced by Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. The show features discussions with a high school student who has been bullied and a relational aggression (RA) expert. On the second segment, the RA expert answers specific questions about bullying that were posted on the Voices Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/voicesofourworld). The program will air on radio stations across the country during the second half of February and it also will be available online.
“From grade school through college and beyond, bullying has been allowed to go way too far, far too often,” said Kathy Golden, producer, Voices of Our World. “Statistics indicate that 43 percent of all teens have experienced online harassment. The U.S. is averaging 28 teen suicides per week.”
During the program, Dr. Cheryl Dellasega, the relational aggression expert and a professor of women’s studies at Penn State University, explains that RA often is dismissed as teasing by school personnel. She indicates that many people may feel that anything short of physical violence is non-threatening. But, she adds, all forms of RA are considered to be bullying, a form of violence with short and long-term consequences.
Voices of Our World is heard on about 90 radio stations across the country. The program features human rights issues, the plight of the world’s under-represented people and the environment.
Maryknoll’s two radio programs, Voices of Our World and the Spanish-language Voces de Neustro Mundo, garner a worldwide audience through weekly broadcasts, downloading and podcasts. All programs and a list of radio stations airing the shows can be located on the shows’ website (www.voicesofourworld.org). The programs also can be found on iTunes.
Follow Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MaryknollNews and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/maryknollsociety.
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers is the overseas mission outreach of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, following Jesus in serving the poor and others in need in 27 countries. All Catholics are called to mission through baptism, and Maryknoll’s mission education outreach in parishes and schools throughout the country engages U.S. Catholics in mission through prayer, donations, as volunteers and through vocations.
During 2011, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers will commemorate its centennial with a theme of The Gift of Mission – The Maryknoll Journey. These missionaries will celebrate as they continue their journey into the next 100 years to share God’s love and the Gospel in combating poverty, providing healthcare, building communities and promoting human rights. Learn more at www.maryknollsociety.org.
Starting in January, CatholicTV will air new episodes of the show “Word on Fire”. These new episodes will include Fr. Barron’s answers to what he calls the “YouTube Heresies”.
These YouTube Heresies are common arguments which Fr. Barron often sees expressed on YouTube by viewers of his videos. In these YouTube Heresies episodes, Fr. Barron responds to the following views:
• scientism-suggests that reality is restricted only to what scientists can explain
• “ecclesial angelism”-the suggestion that the Church and every Church member must be utterly perfect in every way
• Biblical fundamentalism- the view that the bible on the surface, literally read is the word of God
• Marcionism- argues amongst other things that the Old Testament should be completely disregarded
New episodes of Word on Fire will also include interviews of actor Eduardo Verástegui, professional golfer Chip Beck, and discussion about creationism, the fall, and much more.
Word on Fire airs each week at the following times at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV cable outlets: Tuesday 9 a.m., Friday, 2 p.m., and Saturday at 1:30 a.m. Starting in January, Word in Fire will also air at 7:30 p.m. (all times Eastern)
PHOENIX, AZ (November 23, 2010) - What happens when a shy girl brings together a seagull who’s afraid to fly, a mysterious rabbit, and a squirrel loaded with more energy than brains?
The answer is a journey of friendship and faith rivaling big-budget cartoon movies. Tristan's Travels, by Karl Bjorn Erickson, is a Catholic children's book that will rivet young minds to the pages of this "delightful depiction of anthropomorphous beasts," according to Joseph Pearce.
A timid seagull frightened of nearly everything around him -- and afraid to fly -- travels on a rescue mission with a detective rabbit and a dimwitted squirrel. Just before the climax of the story, they encounter a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi and ponder his words of wisdom. Children will be enthralled as they follow Tristan the seagull in his harrowing rescue.
The newest release from Rafka Press, Tristan's Travels is a "beautifully illustrated, lovingly written fable," according to Sean Astin, actor in major Hollywood movies. Father Timothy Mockaitis said the book is an "allegory on friendship and faith" and "a delightful tale."
Rafka Press produces high-quality, solidly orthodox Catholic books for both children and adults. Tristan’s Travels is for ages 8 through adult and features the majestic illustrations of artist Kimberly Erickson, daughter of acclaimed illustrator and sculptor John Carroll Collier. This hardcover book is available directly from Rafka Press and local bookstores for $13.95. Rafka Press is offering free shipping. Ordering information is available from http://www.rafkapress.com.
Contact: Rafka Press
http://www.rafkapress.com AZ, 85066 US
Michael Rayes 602-291-6263
