Suggestions to Improve EWTN -- sign up here

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Ace86:
How about a Liturgy makeover show? Kinda like a home-improvement show. You know, take a parish that has bad music, art and architecture, and then show how to build a Church that uplifts the soul and celebrates beauty! (Obviously the parishoners would have to be willing to contribute). And it would be serious, and also hopeful. It would help with (orthodox) renewal, and most parishes in the US need that.
Or just a show that each week visits an outstanding parish, with outstanding liturgy.
 
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VociMike:
I totally agree. I have never understood why they don’t broadcast Mass from their beautiful church instead.
I recall reading in Raymond Arroyo’s book that Mass at Our Lady of Angels Monastery is celebrated with the priest ad orientem. The Bishop of Birmingham issued a statement that any Masses broadcast from the Diocese are to be celebrated coram populo.

So in obedience to their local ordinary, Mother Angelica simply had the Daily Mass (which is celebrated coram populo) at the EWTN chapel broadcast on the network .

This is all from memory, so please correct me if I’m wrong. 🙂
 
Ever since Mother Angelica stopped making TV appearances, it seems like EWTN had to come up with a new “matriarchal" replacement. As far as I see they have been trying this with Barbara McGuigan, a decision I have mixed feelings about. Don’t get me wrong; for the things she’s good at, like going into high school classrooms and giving chastity talks, her true gifts shine through. But when I see her on the Religious Catalogue show, she just doesn’t have the same pizzazz as Mother! 😦
Furthermore, sometimes I listen to her on her weekly Open Line slot on the radio; and she isn’t always able to back up her answers to callers with sufficient Church documents like the hosts on the other 4 days of the week do, and for this I believe she is under qualified for such a responsibility. Sometimes I even feel embarrassed for her when she stammers out an answer that she can’t fully back-up.
What I believe EWTN really needs to do is find another older, tough, traditional nun; even if it means looking outside of Mother Angelica’s order. Perhaps EWTN is afraid to hurt Mother’s feelings in making her think they are trying to replace her and therefore wouldn’t consider such a thing until after she dies. . .

Just some thoughts.
 
i’ve noticed in the past few months that the quality of EWTN appears to have dropped and that they are getting a little soft. they televised a mass from a cathedral in san antonio last night which was very non-traditional in its aesthetics. i also notice more minority priests and laity. i just hope that they were chosen because they were excellent in what they do and not because ewtn is worried about being too white or traditional.

has anyone else noticed a drop in the quality of ewtn???

i think ewtn doesn’t do a good job of showing the universality of the church. very rarely do they show the eastern churches, catholic or orthodox. it would be wonderful to have an eastern theologian to discuss eastern spirituality or the liturgy. also, they could bring in orthodox jews to discuss the scriptures or our shared views on morality. they rarely televise tridentine masses either.

it seems they are governed by a type of conservative christianity which keeps getting watered down year by year.
 
oat soda:
i’ve noticed in the past few months that the quality of EWTN appears to have dropped and that they are getting a little soft. they televised a mass from a cathedral in san antonio last night which was very non-traditional in its aesthetics. i also notice more minority priests and laity. i just hope that they were chosen because they were excellent in what they do and not because ewtn is worried about being too white or traditional.

has anyone else noticed a drop in the quality of ewtn???

i think ewtn doesn’t do a good job of showing the universality of the church. very rarely do they show the eastern churches, catholic or orthodox. it would be wonderful to have an eastern theologian to discuss eastern spirituality or the liturgy. also, they could bring in orthodox jews to discuss the scriptures or our shared views on morality. they rarely televise tridentine masses either.

it seems they are governed by a type of conservative christianity which keeps getting watered down year by year.
They can’t help if a Cathedral has bad music, art, etc. I do think that showing the Eastern Catholics would be excellent. Many Catholics don’t even know about them. I’ve never even seen them televise a Tridentine Mass. Their chapel needs a makeover though.
 
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Ace86:
Their chapel needs a makeover though.
What I like about the chapel at EWTN is that it’s small and somewhat plain - but Mass is reverently said and there is perpetual adoration. We have so many beautiful large churches that have been reckovated - hosting dubious, non-reverent, silly and embarrassing shows some of which may be a valid Mass - that I rather like going to the chapel because it really drives home that Mass appropriately said is what counts. The Cathdral in Birmingham has a wonderful Mass at 11:00 on Sunday in a beautiful setting. The chapel at EWTN is rather comforting in a different way.

If EWTN wants to renovate, fine. But I’m not sure it really is necessary or desirable.
 
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Crumpy:
The other curious problem I see on EWTN is the emphasis on abortion.

I once managed to get a question in, to Mother Angelica on one of her Wednesday night ‘live’ programs, and I asked her about that.

In particular, I said, of course abortion is a big problem and attention should be there, but wasn’t the underlying problem one of a lack of evangelization? And, why wasn’t EWTN more focused on that?

Her reply was that abortion was the biggest problem, period. She didn’t want to even hear anything else. In my situation as a middle aged man, abortion is not even on my radar screen as a temptation to sin. So, I don’t need to watch a lot of that stuff.

Suggestion: I think there should be a couple minutes of prayer each hour, with an appropriate amount of time directed at the various aspects of the abortion problem.

I just don’t think that’s the only problem Catholics face.

For example, they don’t really talk about Islam so much. Can’t they even get a moderate Muslim to talk about it, for example?
You raise another good point. There much more going on in the world than abortion. Sure its number one…but since when have we become a one only issue and one problem at a time people? Abortion is ALWAYS gonna be with us…lets not stop talking about it but there other issues going on. Frankly I am tired of only hearing from Father Pavone and the abortion issue…thats all I get…if it isnt Focus on the Family and their one issue of homosexuality…its the Catholc church and abortion…big world out there…lotsa problems…like feeding the poor, unjust wars, foreign policies that dont address the needs of the poor…I could watch EWTN from now til the end of the year and be lucky if its even mentioned the Vatican sits on the U.N! Its PATHETIC.

I also like your reply about muslims…ever hear of “The God Squad”? Its a priest and a Rabbi who go around and discuss issues…why in this climate isnt EWTN having a God Squad?..
 
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Troy7:
You raise another good point. There much more going on in the world than abortion. Sure its number one…but since when have we become a one only issue and one problem at a time people? Abortion is ALWAYS gonna be with us…lets not stop talking about it but there other issues going on. Frankly I am tired of only hearing from Father Pavone and the abortion issue…thats all I get…if it isnt Focus on the Family and their one issue of homosexuality…its the Catholc church and abortion…big world out there…lotsa problems…like feeding the poor, unjust wars, foreign policies that dont address the needs of the poor…I could watch EWTN from now til the end of the year and be lucky if its even mentioned the Vatican sits on the U.N! Its PATHETIC.

I also like your reply about muslims…ever hear of “The God Squad”? Its a priest and a Rabbi who go around and discuss issues…why in this climate isnt EWTN having a God Squad?..
My guess is your’re not Catholic are you?
 
I have to ask why you would ask that? Is it out of sarcasm or just the inability to properly address what I stated? either way it has nothing to do with anything being addressed here…If this thread didnt concern me why would you falsely assume I would waste my time on a program that wasnt about something that directly concerns me? In other words, if I werent catholic why would I bother replying? I’d appreciate it if you’d think about that before you ask such questions in the future.
 
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Troy7:
I have to ask why you would ask that? Is it out of sarcasm or just the inability to properly address what I stated? either way it has nothing to do with anything being addressed here…If this thread didnt concern me why would you falsely assume I would waste my time on a program that wasnt about something that directly concerns me? In other words, if I werent catholic why would I bother replying? I’d appreciate it if you’d think about that before you ask such questions in the future.
:yawn:
 
Michael’s Sword:

The Episcopal Deacon (he was ordained as a priest later) who taught my confirmation class was also a cameraman at ABC (“General Hospital”). All of that equipment, the cameras, lights, microphones, video consoles, etc. cost MONEY…
Michael's Sword:
This may come across as shallow but here is my (name removed by moderator)ut.

EWTN has a lot of good information to give out but the production value is so poor it makes it difficult to watch.

Many of the programs are just talking heads with little or no visuals. Often the speakers mumble a bit or they are just not miked well so it is hard to understand.

The history channel has done documentaries on the Bible that are shockingly inaccurate but the visuals of places in the Holy Lands and iconography are beautiful.

As several people pointed out earlier they undoubtedly need more money to produce better programs but I wish they would make an effort to make the shows interesting enough that I could get the kids to watch with me.
…If you want better production values from EWTN, send them some money! I’m sure that not only will serve to improve the production values of their shows, but will also enable them to do shows that featurre something else besides “Talking heads with little or no visuals mumbling into microphones”.

If EWTN had enugh money, they might be able to present the TRUTH with “Visuals and Iconography” comparable to those the History Channel uses to present LIES and Heresies.

If the Production Values and the Visuals are that important to you, send EWTN some money, then they can do something about it. Otherwise, you’re just kicking someone who can’t do anything about what you’re complaining about.

In Christ, Michael
 
Troy7:

Abortion is a HUGE issue because over 46 million innocent babies have been slaughtered over the last 33 years in this country alone! Once you get your mind around that, you’ll realize the Holocaust that has been committed in the names of Convenience and “Women’s Rights”.

In a rational society, the slaughter of the innocents would be illegal, as it was in the USA at one time.

Reasonable people disagree on the best ways to end poverty and hunger, or whether these problems can be ended at all, but NO Moral System based on Biblical or Natural Law tolerates Abortion…
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Troy7:
I have to ask why you would ask that? Is it out of sarcasm or just the inability to properly address what I stated? either way it has nothing to do with anything being addressed here…If this thread didnt concern me why would you falsely assume I would waste my time on a program that wasnt about something that directly concerns me? In other words, if I werent catholic why would I bother replying? I’d appreciate it if you’d think about that before you ask such questions in the future.
The same holds with Homosexual Activity and “Homosexual Marraige” which are direct assaults on the traditional family and against the Teaching of he Church.

Since I watch EWTN, I think your synopsis of Focus on the Family, which talks about a variety of issues, including Natural Family Planning and Praying together, is more than slightly flawed.

Regarding the “God Squad” Concept - As Catholics, we believe the Church holds the TRUTH, because the Church has Jesus Christ, and was founded by Jesus Christ. That being the case, I don’t see the benefit that can be gained by having a “God Squad” where a Priest, a Rabbi and an Imam would have to have as a basis for dialogue that the beliefs of all three groups are equal, and that they all provide a way to God. This is contrary to the Teaching of the Church, which states that Jesus Christ is the only Way.

I’m sorry you don’t find anything on EWTN that speaks to you. There are many of us here who watch it because it does have shows that edify us and help us in our walk with Christ.

In Christ, Michael
 
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melikalani:
I recall reading in Raymond Arroyo’s book that Mass at Our Lady of Angels Monastery is celebrated with the priest ad orientem. The Bishop of Birmingham issued a statement that any Masses broadcast from the Diocese are to be celebrated coram populo.

So in obedience to their local ordinary, Mother Angelica simply had the Daily Mass (which is celebrated coram populo) at the EWTN chapel broadcast on the network .

This is all from memory, so please correct me if I’m wrong. 🙂
I could be wrong, but I thought that the episcopal decree asked that ANY Mass in the diocese be celebrated coram populo. The original statement as to why they went back to broadcasting Mass from the old chapel (they did broadcast it from the new monastery originally) was that there were many technical difficulties with the shrine’s sound system and the practicalities of televising effectively from it (as it was not properly designed for such).
 
I will say that I am weary of Raymond Arroyo’s rotating cast of conservative commentators on The World Over. How long, O Lord, how long must I listen to Katie O"Bierne (sp?), Pat Buchanan, and the like? Find some different people to mix it up a little, Ray!

That said, I’ll tell you what I did used to like on EWTN as far as news. (This goes back about a dozen years). Archbishop Hannon (ironically, retired of New Orleans from where Raymond hails) used to have a quite excellent weekly show which covered a wide range of topics with a balanced view, I thought, along with the insightful perspctive of a well experienced prelate. If he’s in fair enough health, interview him sometime, Mr. Arroyo.
 
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Troy7:
You raise another good point. There much more going on in the world than abortion.
I’m sure that’s exactly what the Jews were thinking in 1938: “There’s much more going on in the world than the Holocaust.”
Abortion is ALWAYS gonna be with us…lets not stop talking about it but there other issues going on.
Jesus Himself says: “the poor you will always have.” Poverty is always going to be with us, there aren’t any unjust wars going on to the best of my knowledge, so let’s just stop talking about them and move on.
…like feeding the poor, unjust wars, foreign policies that dont address the needs of the poor…I could watch EWTN from now til the end of the year and be lucky if its even mentioned the Vatican sits on the U.N! Its PATHETIC.
If I had to gander, I’d say you were a liberal Catholic, no? You voted for Kerry, did you not?
 
:clapping: 👍
Khoria Anna:
Want to improve EWTN? Here’s how:
  1. Keep your contribution to EWTN between your gas and electric bill. Encourage others to do likewise.
  2. If EWTN isn’t on all the cable systems in your city, lobby to get EWTN on the system to as wide an audience as possible.
  3. Publicise what EWTN is doing in terms of shows that are interesting and relevant to those in your congregation.
Remember that a lot of what you want costs money – lots of it – from what I’ve seen EWTN is doing a fine job in offering innovative programming given their limited resources. Imagine what they could do with more resources.
 
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chicago:
I will say that I am weary of Raymond Arroyo’s rotating cast of conservative commentators on The World Over. How long, O Lord, how long must I listen to Katie O"Bierne (sp?), Pat Buchanan, and the like? Find some different people to mix it up a little, Ray!

That said, I’ll tell you what I did used to like on EWTN as far as news. (This goes back about a dozen years). Archbishop Hannon (ironically, retired of New Orleans from where Raymond hails) used to have a quite excellent weekly show which covered a wide range of topics with a balanced view, I thought, along with the insightful perspctive of a well experienced prelate. If he’s in fair enough health, interview him sometime, Mr. Arroyo.
I think it’s great to hear from Kate O’Beirne and Pat Buchanan and Robert Novak… these are Catholics who are true in their faith.

There is little wrong with EWTN… just show some more Eastern Catholic programs and it will be perfect.
 
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chicago:
I could be wrong, but I thought that the episcopal decree asked that ANY Mass in the diocese be celebrated coram populo. The original statement as to why they went back to broadcasting Mass from the old chapel (they did broadcast it from the new monastery originally) was that there were many technical difficulties with the shrine’s sound system and the practicalities of televising effectively from it (as it was not properly designed for such).
Accordign to Raymond Arroyo’s book, the (former) Bishop of Brimingham, David Fole, mandated at first that all Masses in the diocese of Birmingham be with the priest facing the people, and not to the East, even though ad orientum is permitted under the GIRM. Foley was urged to back off. Finally, Foley made the mandate for all televised Masses be with the priest facing the people. It was at this time that Mother Angelica had the cameras removed from the Monastery temple. When the Temple was dedicated by Bishop Foley, the Mass was celebrated ad orientum. Masses from Hanceville are not televised. According to Arroyo, Masses in Hanceville are celebrated ad orientum.
Incidentally, after Bishop Foley picked this fight with Mother Angelica, his program on EWTN was cancelled.
According to the Diocese of Birmingham website, Bishop Foley retired on May 10, 2005 and has served as Administrator since May 19, 2005.
 
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CathMass:
In my opinion voice over for Papal Masses should be done only for
  • The Readings
  • The Homily
  • The Prayers of the Faithful
For the rest of the Mass there should be subtitles for the prayers and during communion voice over can also be done as well as during offertory. Spiritual communion can also be prayed.
During the Papal Mass for Epiphany I can say that this was the best Papal Mass I have ever seen on TV because the voice over was only when needed or as appropriate and I could hear the Latin and the hymns without distraction. I think no commentary should be given to the Gloria, Sanctus, Pater Noster etc… because they should assume that we Catholics already know what it is.The same applies to the Eucharistic Prayer. They should perhaps either say which prayer it is or give subtitles.

However the Vatican commentators each have their own style and they all do a good job.
ABSOLUTELY!!!

Catholics in the United States almost never get to listen to these in Latin with traditional music. I bet if more heard it they would want it in their own Masses!
 
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