I’ve got lots of great tidbits for you this week – so let’s get started! • As you might imagine, all of EWTN is heavily involved in bringing you coverage of World Youth Day 2013! Not everyone understands that EWTN is not just one English-speaking network – it’s 11 television networks, which include two Spanish-speaking channels that broadcast 24/7. There’s also a Spanish-speaking radio network, Radio Catolica Mundial, and a Spanish news service (EWTN Noticias). And this year, the National Catholic Register has joined in the fun!
It looks like “Star Wars,” but it’s really one of our operators at the Control Panel at EWTN’s headquarters during #WYD2013 coverage. It’s behind-the-scenes employees like these who help make it happen!
EWTN’s crew at headquarters produces the pictures you see coming to you from Rio de Janeiro!
These teams are sending back great pictures to those of us back home so we can update you on our social media sites – which include a Spanish Facebook page (and a Spanish website. As always, the crews in the field stand on the shoulders of the crew here in Alabama, a group of dedicated professionals who are laboring around the clock to bring you the Pope’s visit to his home continent! Are you enjoying our coverage?
What you see on your screen during our #WYD2013 coverage is made possible by the EWTN employees like those shown above this picture!
• If you haven’t done so, don’t miss the opportunity to check out “WYD 360” yet – a technological marvel which gives you a 360 degree view of WYD venues! Find it on our website, http://www.ewtn.com and our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/ewtnonline (look under the Cover Image for the WYD 360 icon). What do you think?
JB Brown at the Reception Desk at EWTN’s headquarters in Irondale shows off some of our #WYD2013 coverage!
• You have probably heard rumors that EWTN will begin a nightly news program in September. They are TRUE! You will be hearing more about that next month. Meanwhile, JB Brown, EWTN’s On Air Promotions Manager, is traveling to D.C. shortly to film “EWTN New Nightly” Anchor Colleen Carroll Campbell both in the studio and around D.C. Sound easy? He says he had to get permission from the Capitol police to film at the Capitol, the Supreme Court police to film at the Supreme Court, the National Park Service to film at the Mall, and the Washington D.C. Film Commission to film on the streets of D.C. When I passed him in the hall, he was muttering something about possibly having to get permission from the Secret Service for some other shot. This is one hardworking guy!
Great new book by Janet Morana, co-host of “The Catholic View for Women” and “Defending Life” on EWTN!
• Have you had the opportunity to read “The Catholic View for Women” and “Defending Life” Co-Host Janet Morana’s new book, “Recall Abortion?” It’s fabulous! She handed me an autographed copy at the National Right To Life Convention, which I attended with EWTN Executive Vice President Doug Keck last month. (You’ll be seeing the fruits of that collaboration in an upcoming series –that’s all I’ll say for now!) But I digress! If you want to understand why abortion is morally reprehensible, if you want to understand how to answer the pro-abortion lobby’s false arguments, if you want to know what you can do NOW to make a difference, get this book, http://bit.ly/1aUm2ti. And please make sure you take her advice and sign this on-line petition, http://www.RecallAbortion.com, and urge others to do the same.
EWTN’s own Father Mitch Pacwa, host of “EWTN Live” which airs 8 p.m. ET Wednesdays and other great programs!
• Finally, I just hung up from a great conversation with Fr. Mitch Pacwa who is in Stuebenville, Ohio for a few days teaching at their Summer Ancient & Biblical Languages Institute. He says he was recently at the Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Houston with friends when he was hit up by an ESPN crew, who had no idea who he was. They asked him to appear – spur-of-the-moment – on a show they were filming there and Fr. Mitch, who is always prepared, agreed!
He says that gave him the opportunity to explain who St. Arnold was and why he is the patron saint of brewers (of course, he knew that off the top of his head!), and to explain what the Bible says about drinking. “Is it a sin?” they asked. Father said they needed to look to the Bible for the answer. Psalm 104:15 says wine gladdens the heart of man. However, the Bible also says that drunkenness is a sin.
They even ended by asking for Fr. Mitch’s blessing. Fr. Mitch: Evangelizing WHEREVER he goes! If it airs, we’ll give you the link!
Hope you’re enjoying #WYD2013 as much as we are! God bless Family!
EWTN’s coverage of World Youth Day was amazing. I found myself inspired and uplifted by the Holy Father and all the enthusiasm of the young people. I immediately thought that the young people in my parish’s religious ed program should have an opportunity to see the beautiful church that they are a part of and how young people from around the world are taking their faith seriously but also celebrating it with joy. Is there any chance that EWTN will offer DVD’s of the entire WYD in Brazil? I know my parish would purchase it. What a wonderful way to continue the passion of the Pope’s invitation to “go and make disciples.” I hope you decide to package and offer this. It’s too good to file away and archive. Please let me know if you plan to do it. Thank you and God Bless.