If you do the shows on the churches and the schools, try and also emphasize how all Catholics, no matter their individual ethnic identity, are part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
A lot of these churches may have been built by a certain immigrant community (and may still be in those same ethnic neighborhoods), but there has often been a lot of population shift since then and now Catholics from all different ethnic backgrounds and races attend the same churches led by a German Pope.
I think it just may be important to reiterate (maybe even use / repeat the same footage at the end of every show, and possibly end it with a photo of Pope Benedict), because, I feel, as Catholics, we don’t really have a strong identity in the U.S. as a people.
(If you ever watch EWTN, they have priests / TV hosts from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and races, and sometimes also Eastern Rite Catholics.)
Well, I hope Comcast gets EWTN wherever you live AnotherSonof God.
We’ve had EWTN /CTND in the Detroit area for years (I grant that Detroit has one of the largest Catholic populations in the nation).
Comcast recently did work with the Jewish community in the Detroit area to start a Jewish cable network, Shalom TV:
OK, the link isn’t coming in well, but if you go to:
www.candgnews.com, and then search Shalom TV in the search box, you can read about how Comcast worked with the local Jewish community in Detroit, MI.
From the news story:
For Comcast, the launch of this new network is just another way to meet the growing needs of its customers, according to Patrick Paterno, director of communications for Comcast Michigan.
“This is a great fit for us,” Paterno said. “We add a variety of unique programming based on customer interest through feedback after periodically surveying customers.”
Comcast serves 24.1 million cable customers across the country and 1.3 million people in Michigan, according to Paterno. The Midwest Division and Michigan Region offices are both located in Southfield.
I would say there is a significant Jewish population in the Metro area, though I am not sure of the exact number.
In my opinion, I wish Comcast would work a little more with the Catholic community.
The above Comcast Director says he wants to meet the needs of his customers.
Even though we had CTND / EWTN, for years, the picture was basically unwatchable.
It was on Cable Channel 2, and then 3, with static, lines, picture went blank every 5 seconds, with the local TV network’s programming appearing in the background (known in TV parlance as “ghost” images) for months, even years on end.
(I’ve posted threads here about this)
It was the worst. I could only watch it if I videotaped it (and the taped picture was in black and white); finally, I couldn’t even videotape it.
When I called and complained, their rep said no one else had complained about it, and all they could do was send someone to my house to look at the TV.
Anyway, if you do have priests on the show you create, do not have them wear sweaters over the Roman collar.
I’ve noticed a few TV priests do these, perhaps in an attempt to appeal to a larger audience, but imo it doesn’t look good.
I think a priest should wear his habit on TV.
I think the Apologetics program for teens or adults would be a great idea too.
A lot of Catholics go to public schools (as I did) and there is no information about God there in the classes and schoolwork, except the presumption and implicit assertion that God does not exist.
) on his weekly program The Teaching of Christ.
Go with somthing youth related. What are local youth groups doing in your area? Maybe have them in studio for a Q&A show or to have a panel discussion with local priests/religious.