Former Actor And Now Priest Fr. John Bartunek to Appear on CatholicTV Talk Show

On December 1st, Fr. John Bartunek, LC will be interviewed on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. Fr. John was a professional actor and an evangelical Christian until he converted to the Catholic faith in 1991. He provided spiritual support on the set of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ while researching the 2005 Catholic best seller, Inside the Passion, the only authorized, behind-the-scene explanation of the film.

Fr. Bartunek was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 2003 and is currently engaged in doctoral research. He has been featured on Larry King Live, CNN, Fox, BBC, and others. He is a popular speaker who often discusses apologetics, media and culture, faith in entertainment, and other subjects.

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network headquartered near Boston. CatholicTV streams its broadcast simultaneously, 24 hours a day at www.CatholicTV.com

Fr. Bartunek will discuss his most recent book, published by Circle Press in 2007, called “The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer” while on “This is the Day”. In his book, which sold out of its first printing, Fr. Bartunek offers a practical daily guide to prayer and meditation on the gospels. Fr. John is based in New York, where he is engaged in doctoral research, teaching Ecclesiastical History, and continuing his writing apostolate.



Fr. Bartunek’s interview may be seen on Tuesday, December 1st live at 10:30AM (EST) on CatholicTV where available (rebroadcast at 8PM). The show will also be streamed simultaneously at www.CatholicTV.com and will be available on the site’s archives starting Tuesday night. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.org/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

Advent Vespers Service With Pope Benedict XVI Will Air at CatholicTV.com

On Sunday, November 29th, CatholicTV.com will air the Vespers service with Pope Benedict XVI from St. Peter’s Basilica. November 29th is the first Sunday of Advent. The Vespers service will air simultaneously on CatholicTV where available.

The Vespers service will air at noon (EST) and again at 8PM. CatholicTV will air additional special events with Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatican during the Advent and Christmas season.

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network headquartered near Boston. CatholicTV streams its broadcast simultaneously, 24 hours a day at www.CatholicTV.com

These special events will include the following (broadcast times in parentheses): The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 (noon and 8PM), Christmas Eve Mass (11PM), and New Year’s Eve Vespers (noon and 8PM)

CatholicTV regularly airs Papal events. Details on CatholicTV Papal Programming as well as archived videos can be viewed at http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=57

All online shows at CatholicTV.com are viewable free of charge.

Catholic Mystery Fiction Involving a ‘Murdered’ Priest? Author To Be Interviewed on CatholicTV Talk Show

On November 27th, author John Desjarlais, author of the mystery novel “Bleeder” will be interviewed on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. The novel involves the apparent murder or miraculous death of a priest who bleeds to death in front of his congregation on Good Friday.

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network headquartered near Boston. CatholicTV streams its broadcast simultaneously, 24 hours a day at www.CatholicTV.com

Desjarlais will discuss his novel during his interview on “This is the Day”. “Murder mysteries in general get close to our deepest motives and fears, showing humans in extremis. Such stories have a built-in opportunity to explore life's higher mysteries – not just the mystery of death, but the mystery of undeserved suffering.” says Desjarlais.

A former producer with Wisconsin Public Radio, Desjarlais teaches journalism and English at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Ill. His short fiction has appeared in a variety of magazines. A member of Mystery Writers of America, he is listed in Who’s Who in Entertainment and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Desjarlais is also a member of the Catholic Writers Guild.

John Desjarlais’ interview can be seen on Friday, November 27th live at 10:30AM (EST) on CatholicTV where available (rebroadcast at 8PM). The show will also be streamed simultaneously at www.CatholicTV.com and will be available on the site’s archives starting Friday night. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.org/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

Readers may visit http://www.johndesjarlais.com/ for reviews, photos, links related to the novel, and interaction with the author.

America’s Holiest Videos? CatholicTV Urges Viewers to Send In Videos

CatholicTV is urging its viewers and website visitors to send videos to CatholicTV for display at CatholicTV.com, and CatholicTV. Submitted videos even have potential to be added to CatholicTV’s new television widget (called CatholicTVjr) which plays CatholicTV’s shows on various websites.

The fastest method of delivering video to CatholicTV is to visit the following URL: http://www.CatholicTV.com/utility/submit-video.aspx and to submit a video of 12MB or less.

Many CatholicTV viewers watch CatholicTV for free at its website which in the past 30 days has had visitors from 135 different countries. Accepted videos will have wide-reaching exposure at CatholicTV.com.

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network headquartered near Boston. CatholicTV streams its broadcast simultaneously, 24 hours a day at www.CatholicTV.com

In order for a video to be broadcast on CatholicTV (as opposed to the iCatholic section of CatholicTV.com), the video must be broadcast quality and a DVD can be sent to CatholicTV for review.

Some approved videos can be viewed now by visiting http://www.Catholiclife.tv/

More information on the free CatholicTV widget CatholicTVjr can be found at www.CatholicTVjr.com.

Submitted videos are moderated by CatholicTV and not all videos submitted will be aired or added online.

Catholic Travel Show Highlights Oldest Catholic Burial Ground in New England In Remembrance of All Souls on CatholicTV

In this month of remembrance of the faithful departed, CatholicTV is presenting a special episode of its travel show “Catholic Destinations” filmed at St. Augustine Chapel in South Boston, MA. The chapel is home to St. Augustine cemetery which is the first Catholic burial ground in New England.

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network headquartered near Boston. CatholicTV streams its broadcast simultaneously, 24 hours a day at www.CatholicTV.com

On this episode, Bishop John Dooher provides history and insight into those who paved the way for the Catholic Church to grow in America. This episode of Catholic Destinations takes an interesting look into the early history of the Catholic Church in New England which included the persecution of Catholics, a Massachusetts law forbidding Catholic priests to practice under penalty of imprisonment, and even death. Catholic Destinations will air throughout the remainder of November at these times (EST): Monday at 4:30AM; Friday at 4:30PM and Sunday at 2:30PM.

The episode can also be viewed online now by visiting http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=21&videoID=650

CatholicTV Will Televise America’s Largest Annual Youth Gathering

From November 19th to 21st, the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) takes place in Kansas City and the CatholicTV Network will be there. Christ Reigns! The National Catholic Youth Conference is the largest single gathering of Catholic young in the United States with 23,000 youth and their adult leaders. This year a unique parent track has been added to the conference workshops. Youth leaders, priests, and bishops will gather in Kansas City, November 19-21 for three days of prayer, catechesis, and celebration. NCYC is the most energetic, faith filled, and inspiring event for Catholic young people and adults and in the country!

This gathering is a biennial three-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and over 25 other bishops will offer liturgies, workshops and the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation. Speakers, musicians, and presenters include: Jason and Crystalina Evert, Matt Maher, Chris Padgett, Popple, and Sharmane. The conference is hosted by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, Inc. is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia. More information is available at http://ncyc.nfcym.org/index.htm

Stay tuned to CatholicTV or visit CatholicTV.com.

CatholicTV has several programs geared towards younger audiences and that teach about the faith. They can be viewed in full-screen at CatholicTV.com free of charge or obligation. Some of these programs include:

WOW: The CatholicTV Challenge is our original game show for kids of all ages. Father Robert Reed hosts and challenges contestants with questions about our Catholic faith. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=137

Real Faith TV: A lively Catholic show produced by and starring teenagers. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=105

We've Got to Talk: the longest-running CatholicTV studio series with Father Dan O'Connell. Each show features Father Dan finding something about the faith to talk about in his own unique style. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=77

50th Anniversary Mass for America’s Largest Church Will Be Celebrated on CatholicTV

The National Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. will celebrate the closing of its Jubilee Year, as it did the dedication in 1959, with a Triduum, “three day”, celebration. This will begin on Thursday, November 19th with the Plenary Mass of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at 5PM EST. This Mass will air live at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. The chief celebrant will be Archbishop Donald Wuerl. Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston, former director/rector of the Basilica from 1986-2005, will be the homilist.

Online viewers can click “Watch CatholicTV Live” in order to view the Mass which is available in full-screen at CatholicTV.com.



Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, will play a special role at the Mass, reading the letter from Pope John XXIII addressed to the bishops of the United States (read then by the Most Reverend Egidio Vagnozzi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States) on the occasion of the dedication of the National Shrine on November 20, 1959. Cardinal Seán O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, will concelebrate the Mass with over 40 other bishops from across the United States.

CatholicTV produced an original mini-series inside of the National Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception starring Archbishop Donald Wuerl in 2009. In this mini-series, Archbishop Wuerl discusses the Rosary, using the beautiful mosaics of the Basilica to illustrate his points. This series can be viewed free of charge now by visiting http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=17

Creator of ‘Matrix’ Vocations Poster To Be Interviewed on CatholicTV

On November 17, Missy Scarlett, the designer of several “Year For Priests” posters will appear on the CatholicTV live talk show “This is the Day”. One of Missy’s best-known works is a vocations poster depicting a young, hip, priest in clerical robes which appears similar to the all-black outfit worn by “Neo” the character played by actor Keanu Reeves in the film “The Matrix". The black and white poster sold more than 1800 copies and was well-received by young people.

Missy “chose to be true to my artistic visions as a homage to God….the source of all creation”. She also says that “God has awakened me with a passion that lies in the heart-felt goal of creating art that has glorifying purpose and meaning behind it. My hope is that people will be affected by these works, and have a rejuvenated faith…” Missy also produced a poster to encourage people to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation, it’s title is “Think Inside the Box”. Her creativity and enthusiasm for the sacraments has inspired people of all ages.

After the success of the Matrix-style vocations poster, Missy was asked to produce a poster for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis which shows a mosaic of Jesus crucified. Upon closer inspection, one can see that the mosaic is made up of individual portraits of every priest in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

More information on Missy Scarlett and her works is available at www.truescarlett.com

Missy Scarlett‘s interview can be seen on Tuesday, November 17th live at 10:30AM (EST) on CatholicTV where available (rebroadcast at 8PM). The show will also be streamed simultaneously at www.CatholicTV.com and will be available on the site’s archives starting Tuesday night. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.org/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

Fr. Leo to appear on CBS Sunday Morning News on 11-22 and CatholicTV

On Sunday November 22, Father Leo Patalinghug will be featured on the national Sunday Morning News show on CBS at 9:00am. Join him as they discuss his ministry and the ever-growing "Grace Before Meals" movement to a national audience!

Also, check out his episodes on CatholicTV

CatholicTV participation of the National Catholic Youth Conference

Over 20,000 participants are expected in Kansas City for great time of prayer and celebration November 19th to the 21st.


Check out the NCYC 2009 Virtual Pilgrimage Group

The Diocese of Kansas City/St. Joseph and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas welcome the youth of the America to Kansas City to encounter Jesus Christ in the NCYC, November 19-21, 2009. Bishop Finn and Archbishop Naumann are thrilled to host this great celebration of our Catholic faith and to share the beautiful Kansas City metro area with you. The youth communities of each of the host dioceses are excited to share the path that the Holy Spirit has led us on.

Today a novena began to lift up in prayer all those supporting, attending , hosting and coordinating thie great energetic event!

CatholicTV hopes to see you there!