Does EWTN Help or Hurt?

[annem]

EWTN does look like everything is done on a shoestring…so…CONTRIBUTE!!! Why is it only the Protestants who will give money???

Blessing, Anne

 

[maryj]

I agree.

Poor Mother just needs to rest now. Really. They had her praying the Chaplet of St. Michael the other day, and bless her heart, it was just horrible.

I am having such trouble finding kind enough words to respond to comments like this. Yes it is hard to watch, but suffering is not somethig we are suppose to turn our faces away from. EWTN was Mothers calling. And until her dieing day may the Lord keep her strong enough to participate in any manner she can, even if it “bothers” other people to see her suffering. God bless Mother Angelica and her mission with EWTN, and May the Word be spred throughout the world even with “bad production”. Amen.

 

[Catholig]

Well my opinion is this: I think EWTN is “okay”. I watch daily mass, albeit not very closely (e.g. I turned it on today, opened my blinds, turned around in bed, looked at the Crucifix and out the window while listening somewhat, and eventually fell asleep). The programs I really enjoy however are 1) Sunday Night Live 2) Life on the Rock 3) World Over 4) Life is Worth Living and occasionally 5) Journey Home. I also like some of their special presentations (e.g. the Tridentine Mass, and the Ukrainian Catholic Mass).

I like Sunday Night Live the best though - that elderly monk is really cool.

Catholig

 

[fellowChristian]

I like the radio station. Very informative. I like the website too.
I can watch EWTN on my computer and it’s better than this…

youtube.com/watch?v=yXWnQ_UOhds

Slap your neighbor?

How about that she compares herself to St. Paul and says “he’s not a good preacher”

 

[JRKH]

Really enjoying the replies here.
Particularly the ones who say put up or pipe down.

We just got it on Dishnet about a year ago. I did not even know it existed before that.

Yes there is a lot of repetition. That happens when you only have so much money.

Yes the productions are low key and amateurish sometimes. That happens when you only have so much money.

Yes Mother looks bad and it can be difficult to watch. That is what happens when God wants you to see suffering, perseverence, honesty, devotion, charity, honesty, and LOVE.

May God Bless EWTN with wise and faithful management, and may more catholics be willing to contribute funds, or programming.

Bless All
James

 

[Janet_S]

I like the radio station. Very informative. I like the website too.
I can watch EWTN on my computer and it’s better than this…

youtube.com/watch?v=yXWnQ_UOhds

Slap your neighbor?

How about that she compares herself to St. Paul and says “he’s not a good preacher”

That was interesting. I’ve never seen anything like that on EWTN, thank God.

Look at the difference between the shows of Paula White and Fr Benedict Groeschel. By their fruits you will know them.

 

[JRKH]

ANOTHER SLANT FOR ALL THOSE DISAPPOINTED:

What kinds of programming would you like to see on EWTN.

I know I would like to see more on various shrines around the country and the world. Not just the big ones either. There is a beautiful shrine, the “Ave Maria Grotto” right near EWTN in Cullman Alabama. It is terrific.

Maybe a program about Mother’s life and Ministry.

I’d also like to see programs about various retreat options. Perhaps by type, or diocese, or region.

How about a program describing the various vocational options. The different Priestly, Sisterly, and Lay organizations, and what they do, how they live and work. This could be a great stimulous to vocations.

Programs about the history of the Church would also be good. Something on the various councils would be great. I’m a big fan of history.

How about it folks who has other ideas?

James

 

[TraditionalCath]

DISCLAIMER: What I’m about to say won’t be very popular with some people…it may not even be accurate or fair, but it is my impression. You’ve been warned.

I don’t watch EWTN very often. In fact, almost never.

Whenever I’m flipping through the channels looking for something interesting and I come to EWTN, I’m not impressed with what I see.

Daily mass. A very aged Mother Angelica struggling through the rosary with a chorus of nuns monotoning their responses. The Divine Mercy Chaplet. Over and over and over again throughout the broadcast day.

Or aged monks and priests on an empty set talking directly to the camera. An elderly couple wandering through a church talking about saints. All obviously very low-budget productions.

Compared with Pat Robertson’s 700 Club and the productions of other Protestant broadcasters, EWTN is amateurish at best.

Is this really the best that Catholic Television has to offer? Does EWTN’s programming portray the Catholic Church in its best light?

Finally, is it time for Mother Angelica to step aside and let television professionals take EWTN to the next level?

[set rant=off]

well, EWTN has father corapi, so if you ask me, it helps. why should mother step aside? she is a wonderful and holy nun. her message has helped thousands immensely. so no, she doesn’t have to step aside unless she wants to. she founded the network. if she is still helping people, why not continue to do so unless she doesn’t feel the need to do so anymore? i think EWTN is a wonderful network, and i haven’t seen anything better that is offered on tv or sat for that matter.

as a person who is deeply devoted to the Divine Mercy, iam delighted they show it throughout the day! we must all be aware of God’s infinite mercy. the more people that know about His eternal mercy, the better. Jesus said to Saint Faustina, the greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy. so if one sinner sees the Divine Mercy chaplet being said, who are we to say it being shown often is to much? how do we know that that sinner might not convert?

as for pat robertson? i don’t have any comment there. none at all. EWTN in my opinion is far from “amateurish”. it is well done. especially their shows on the lives of the saints! as a matter of fact, i think its cute that an elderly couple walks through a church talking about the saints. how many do you see do that in our churches? how many? if they are low budget, who cares? not me.

do you ever see father corapi? he is far from “elderly” and he is a very fiery priest. have you ever been to father corapi’s webiste? have you ever read about his life? perhaps you should if you haven’t. then you will understand more about him.

perhaps if you don’t like to watch EWTN, you can find a different channel to watch? only a suggestion iam sure there are other things on your channel line up that you can watch other than EWTN? there are tv stations like CNN and others too. you don’t have to watch EWTN.

 

[Janet_S]

ANOTHER SLANT FOR ALL THOSE DISAPPOINTED:

What kinds of programming would you like to see on EWTN.

I’d also like to see programs about various retreat options. Perhaps by type, or diocese, or region. . .

Programs about the history of the Church would also be good. Something on the various councils would be great. I’m a big fan of history.

How about it folks who has other ideas?

James

Did you check the audio archives?

Fr Charles Connor has done a lot of history series. So has CJ McCloskey.

There are many series on Vatican II.

Fr Groeschel and Fr Dubay have done retreat-like series. Fr Raymond Gawror did a series on Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.

There’s a lot available through the EWTN library. Check it out.

 

[Isa_Almisry]

I’m one of the MANY Orthodox who watch EWTN. I didn’t for over a decade, because didn’t have cable, but have again as of late.

I do miss Mother Angelica in her prime, but when I see her praying the Chaplet of St. Michael, especially the last scene when she looks up, I see a nun who poured her life out for the Lord, and now she’s pouring out the last drops. Is that bad to see? I know a number of Orthodox, who, when it was revealed that JP II considered retiring in 2000, expressed thanks to God that he didn’t: what a loss of witness it would have been.

My Latin step father watches the televangelists. Yes they’re glitsy, but the utter making-it-up-as-we-go-along of teaching drives me crazy. The talk of the papacy on EWTN might make my eyes roll, but at least they’re developing it out of SOMETHING that has a basis in the Church, instead of the tradition of just yesterday.

Bob and Penny are what my godson calls “Spooky Catholics.” But I would rather hear what they go on about than watch some “testimonies” of how so and so tithed and won the lottery. Which reminds me, at least the pope can claim apostolic succession for Peter’s pence, who appointed the televangelists as God’s IRA agents and treasurers (remember what was Judas’ job). From stray comments I’ve heard Penny say, I take it they went through some personal tragedy with their son, which they haven’t recovered, at least they are genuine.

I loved Fr. Groeshel in the 90s, I do now. I love Fr. Corappi even more. I liked the world over, with all the information on the churches in the world, but I seem to remember it more fondly.

 

[chewchoo]

I do miss Mother Angelica in her prime, but when I see her praying the Chaplet of St. Michael, especially the last scene when she looks up, I see a nun who poured her life out for the Lord, and now she’s pouring out the last drops. Is that bad to see? I know a number of Orthodox, who, when it was revealed that JP II considered retiring in 2000, expressed thanks to God that he didn’t: what a loss of witness it would have been.
.

just what i was thinking

 

[JRKH]

Did you check the audio archives?

Fr Charles Connor has done a lot of history series. So has CJ McCloskey.

There are many series on Vatican II.

Fr Groeschel and Fr Dubay have done retreat-like series. Fr Raymond Gawror did a series on Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.

There’s a lot available through the EWTN library. Check it out.

Thanks,
I appreciate the (name removed by moderator)ut, but I was refering to what we see when we check out the station during the day and evening.

Some have clearly stated that they feel there is too much repetition of the rosary and divine mercy chaplet. While I have no problem with these per se, I do think that these are prayers that can be said personally, quietly and by ourselves.
These shows do little to evangelize the faith.

I am a fan and contributor to EWTN, don’t get me wrong. I believe that through God’s continued grace and the support of the faithful, EWTN will continue to grow, prosper, and be a great teacher for the Church. Although I personally don’t watch a great deal I do enjoy the station and wish for their continued success. (I like the Journey Home Program the best. I also peek in on MA classics every so often. She’s a pip.)

James

 

[Teflon93]

EWTN does look like everything is done on a shoestring…so…CONTRIBUTE!!! Why is it only the Protestants who will give money???

Blessing, Anne

Shall EWTN raise money for slicker production by selling salvation to poor old ladies, as the Protestant televangelists do?

Perhaps EWTN could sell miracles of healing, as the Protestant televangelists do?

Of course, then EWTN’s mission would no longer be truly holy, just as that of the Protestant televangelist is not.

 

[JRKH]

Shall EWTN raise money for slicker production by selling salvation to poor old ladies, as the Protestant televangelists do?

Perhaps EWTN could sell miracles of healing, as the Protestant televangelists do?

Of course, then EWTN’s mission would no longer be truly holy, just as that of the Protestant televangelist is not.

Gee wasn’t that one of Luthers complaints against the Church? The church was selling indulgences which he found revolting and unspiritual.

James

 

[Teflon93]

Gee wasn’t that one of Luthers complaints against the Church? The church was selling indulgences which he found revolting and unspiritual.

James

Yes, that was one of Luther’s many complaints, and certainly the most famous of them.

Selling salvation and miracles is still worse because a) priests HAVE legitimate authority to grant indulgences, which are simply alternate forms of TEMPORAL (i.e. not spiritual; that’s what God does) punishment whereas televangelists neither save nor heal and b) the indulgences Luther hounded Tetzel to his death for offering were to renovate St Peter’s Basilica, which of course is the primary church in Christendom. St Peter’s exists and fosters reverence and awe today for billions of Christians; how many of these billions get to ride on a televangelist’s jet, visit a televangelist’s mansion, get to wear a televangelist’s Rolex, etc?

So if Luther were alive today, he’d likely take a pretty dim view of such practices, caveat being Luther changed his mind about virtually everything all the time as mood suited him.

 

[water]

Re: Does EWTN Help or Hurt?

It sounds like EWTN doesn’t mean much to you, but at least a friend of mine who comes to know God through EWTN on his own, and he is a very humble guy.

I like to see those old nuns praying. You just don’t know that there are those who are called by God by watching EWTN.

 

[AngelsAmongUs]

EWTN is a blessing ! I am a new convert as I just came into the Church this past Easter. But before converting I watched EWTN. The first time I ever heard the Divine Mercy Chaplet was on this channel. Thank God for that! My daughter and I were sitting on the couch flipping through the channels and we stopped on EWTN as they were praying the Divine Mercy and we were both in awe. It is absolutely beautiful. So, I am thankful to EWTN. I love listening to Mother Angelica re-runs. But they aren’t re-runs to me…it’s my first time to hear this wonderful lady. I personally appreciate the content minus the fluff and glitz. If you are watching EWTN to be entertained then perhaps you’ve missed the point. EWTN is a teaching channel, and they have most definitely taught me a few things. As a non-catholic tuning in, it was a real eye opener as to what the Catholic Church offers. While I do believe EWTN is by Catholics for Catholics …a Protestant can discover the Truth by watching as well. If I want to be entertained then I’ll watch American Idol. But I’m interested in substance and learning and Truth. There is so much to learn and so little time to do it all. So, I am like a sponge just soaking up all the information I can get. EWTN should be respected for their service in my opinion, not nit-picked for their low budget format. These fine people get up every day and serve others, each utilizing the talents God gave them. Please consider these things before you ask if EWTN helps or hurts? While some may consider certain programs boring…somebody somewhere just learned something that changed their life forever.

 

[water]

EWTN is a blessing ! I am a new convert as I just came into the Church this past Easter. But before converting I watched EWTN. The first time I ever heard the Divine Mercy Chaplet was on this channel. Thank God for that! My daughter and I were sitting on the couch flipping through the channels and we stopped on EWTN as they were praying the Divine Mercy and we were both in awe. It is absolutely beautiful. So, I am thankful to EWTN.

See, I am not wrong when I said

You just don’t know that there are those who are called by God by watching EWTN.

Be thankful for what we get.

 

[jmcrae]

I think I just figured it out.

Jay Ingram (Discovery.ca) talks to the camera. (To me, in a sense.)

The speakers on EWTN speak to their little cliques in the studio audience, and often have their backs to the camera. They call people I’ve never heard of familiarly by their first name without ever mentioning who these people are, and it’s often hard to know who the main speaker of the show is, other than his or her name. (If I am randomly flipping channels, and I start to watch Father Corapi, nobody ever explains who Father Corapi is, and half the time he’s got his back to the camera, making small talk and laughing at inside jokes with “Billy and Jane,” whoever the heck they may be.)

Jay Ingram on Discovery.ca (which doesn’t appear to have any bigger of a budget than Father Corapi’s show) introduces himself and his co-hosts and guests on every single show - he never assumes that we know who they are, or even who he is - and he never makes side-talk with any of the guests on camera, without also including the camera in the conversation as a silent observer - he addresses the camera as “you” and if one of the guests makes an “inside” joke, he explains it to the camera - he’ll look at the camera and say (for example), “Oh, you may not remember that time when Sally here exploded a vat of whipped cream on our guest scientist - that was - when, Sally, last season some time?” And she’ll say, “Yes, Jay, I think it was in Episode Four. Did we get that on tape?” And Jay will usually say, “Well, if we have time at the end of the show, we might show a bit of that tape, but right now we need to get on with our next segment …” and off they go.

 

[cranster]

I like the radio station. Very informative. I like the website too.
I can watch EWTN on my computer and it’s better than this…

youtube.com/watch?v=yXWnQ_UOhds

Yikes!!!