Real Catholic TV

Have you checked out RealCatholicTV yet? My favorite feature on the site is the "Saint of the Day" video, which is updated daily and gives a great overview of the saints. It's quick, interesting and free.

Newsflash! Teresa Tomeo's Latest Book

I wanted to bring to your attention my latest review - an indepth look at Newsflash: My Surprising Journey from Secular Anchor to Media Evangelist by Teresa Tomeo. I already had a tremendous admiration for Teresa and her work prior to reading this book, but Newsflash left me even more inspired by her story. As I state in my review, I was under the false assumption that Teresa must have led some sort of star-crossed life that kept her on the path to both stardom and sainthood. You need to read the book to find out the true story for yourself, but suffice it to say that Teresa shares all of the ups and downs that led her to her current vocation as an internationally syndicated radio host and bestselling author.

I know you will love Newsflash and that you'll want to purchase the book for friends and family members as well - this book and Teresa's honest sharing of her own path home to the Church have the potential to touch many hearts and souls. As a bonus, orders placed before September 1st will receive free shipping and handling. If you have a blog, podcast or website, I hope you will consider reprinting my review or linking to it to help spread the word about this great read. Enjoy!

My review of Newsflash by Teresa Tomeo

Catholic Moments #48 - Teresa Tomeo

Lisa interviews Teresa Tomeo, nationally syndicated host of Catholic Connection and author of Noise: How Our Media-saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families. Deacon Tom Fox helps us celebrate Mother's Day with a wonderful reflection and Parish Media Liaison Kerry helps spread the word about CatholicMom.com. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
Teresa Tomeo
Catholic Media Alert - Teresa Tomeo's blog
Noise: How Our Media-saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families
Rocking Romans
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #48

Catholic Moments #46 - Rebecca Christian, Catholic Film Student

Lisa shares about Pope Benedict XVI's trip to the US and the audio from her interview on CNN and interviews Rebecca Christian of the Catholic in Film School blog on the topics of Christian film making and World Youth Day. Deacon Tom shares a reflection "Thoughts on Two Popes". Share your feedback at 206-339-9272 or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:

Rebecca Christian - Catholic in Film School
Catholic New Media Celebration
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #46

WWOW Interview with Lisa

Also last week, I was fortunate enough to appear as a guest on the new show Catholic Mornings with Gary and Michelle Gersin on WWOW 1360 AM. Gary and Michelle were very gracious and let me speak quite a bit about the origins of CatholicMom.com. They have invited me to appear again on their show next month. You can listen to the interview in full here.

CNN Transcript

Here's the transcript from my brief appearance on CNN's Newsroom on Saturday morning. It was a very surreal experience and I have to say that I truly felt protected and supported by the many people who were praying for me. You can see that the second question addressed to me was meant to provoke some controversy - I hope I answered in a way that would have made the Holy Father proud. I learned some lessons along the way that will be implemented if I ever have another opportunity to make such an appearance. Thanks again for your support and encouragement!

HOLMES: And like you said, everybody is glowing out there, Betty. A beautiful day for it. Thank you so much. We want to turn now to another way that the word is spreading about the pope's historic visit to the U.S. Bloggers have been busy right now sharing their views. Two of those bloggers with us this morning. Lisa Hendey joins us from Fresno, California, Thomas Peters is in Washington. We were hoping we would have more time, but, of course, the pope, we had the mass there so we will try to get a couple questions in here to you. Tell me first, have you seen, Lisa, things pick up of course, since the pope actually got here on your blog? Are people just blogging away now?

LISA HENDEY, CATHOLIC BLOGGER: I have, T.J. My blog catholicmom.com addresses catholic parents. So many of us all around the country don't have a chance to be there for these events. It's so wonderful they can have a place to come and to exchange ideas about the good news that he's sharing here in the United States.

HOLMES: Thomas, I assume it's the same on yours. Have you found a theme, really that people are talking about in this particular visit, since he's been in the U.S. since Tuesday? Things in particular they're focusing on that they're talking about during this trip?

THOMAS PETERS, CATHOLIC BLOGGER: One of the thing I focused on, on my American Papist blog, is what the pope is saying to youth. One of he things that struck me is how often the pope is talking to you and about you. The theme of his visit is Christ, our hope and I think he sees that the youth are especially apt to live out hope in today's world.

HOLMES: Lisa, are people critical of the pope. There are a lot of things going on in the Catholic Church right now. He's addressed some of those issues but not always peace and harmony and some of this pageantry we see. There's some criticism and controversy out there.

HENDEY: I think people in the new media welcome the chance for dialogue and for meaningful discussion about the things that our pope is saying. It's incumbent upon all of us to download and read the texts of his homilies and the speeches that he's giving and the blogging world gives people the opportunity to do that. I think people are very hopeful and very enthusiastic in their response to this visit.

HOLMES: Thomas, are you excited, that here we are, the pontiff, the pope, all of this history and this ceremonial greatness but at the same time, the internet still playing such a role in coving the pope and this visit?

PETERS: Right, I think it plays a role right now while the pope is in the United States, because the pope isn't a one-man show. He needs all of us to help get his message out there. It's especially rewarding for me because I've been covering the pope for 2 1/2 years. I'll actually log my 3,000 post while he's here. Blogs are a way of letting people stay connected to the pope even when he's at the Vatican, but especially even when he's here in the United States as well. So it's very rewarding.

HOLMES: All right. Again, Thomas Peters, Lisa Hendey, we appreciate you all taking the time. We certainly hoped to have more time with you guys.

HENDEY: Thank you T.J. Thanks for the opportunity.

PETERS: Thank you.

HOLMES: But you know, the pope comes first today. All right? We appreciate you all.

HENDEY: Yes, he does.

HOLMES: Thank you all so much.

Find the entire transcript here.

Pope's Reception by the Press

CNN's Reliable Sources had an interesting panel discussion on the press' reaction to and coverage of Pope Benedict XVI. The panel members includes Fr. Dave Dwyer , Steve Waldman of Beliefnet.com and Amy Sullivan. Of course, the now infamous Bill Maher lambasting of the Pope was one of the topics being discussed. Fr. Dave did a great job.

Catholic Moments #43 - Moons, Messengers and Marriages

This week we look at the film "Under the Same Moon", share a Catholic Deacon Moment on the importance of giving thanks for our marriages, and interview Kris Weipart, founder of the new Catholic children's magazine, St. Mary's Messenger. Be sure to enter this month's contests and share your feedback at 206-339-9272 or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
St. Mary's Messenger Magazine
Deacon Tom Fox
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #43

Grapevine - The Catholic Music Magazine

In case you hadn't heard, the June 2007 edition of Grapevine Magazine is out! Grapevine is the authoritative magazine about Catholic performing artists. Publisher Susan Bailey (herself a talented Catholic musician) has outdone herself with this latest edition. Grapevine is available free of charge as a PDF download, but you should really consider ordering the print edition. This is certifiably one of the highest quality Catholic magazines available. This month's issue has a great feature on Matt Maher (a favorite in my home) and an article on Teresa Smith, a Catholic mom and musician (written by a certain other Catholic mom!), plus tons of CD reviews and other articles. I promise your investment of time and money will be worth the investment!

Check out Grapevine Magazine - and while you're at it, subscribe to the Grapevine News Minute podcast!

That Catholic Show, Episode #5

Hope you enjoy this latest installment of That Catholic Show. Greg and Jennifer have another great installment - enjoy learning more about the role of statues and icons in our faith. As a Holy Card collector, I loved the "Got It! Got It! Need It!" section at the beginning!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Christine Trollinger who was the winner of the very first writing contest for Canticle magazine. Heidi has the good news posted over at her Silent Canticle blog.

If you are not already a subscriber to Canticle, please consider making the small investment to support this wonderful treasure of a magazine. Heidi Hess Saxton, Canticle's editor, has put so much work and talent into making this a really first class resource for Catholic women (and men too!). If you can't afford a subscription on your own, why not go in together with a group of friends and share one, or encourage your parish to subscribe for your parish library? I'm looking forward to reading Christine's story in this summer's issue of Canticle.

Hold Grapevine in Your Hand

One of my favorite magazines is Grapevine Magazine, the Magazine about Catholic Performing Artists. Catholic musician, publisher and podcaster supreme Susan Bailey has worked for several years promoting the Catholic music industry through Grapevine. In the past, the magazine was always available as a free online download in PDF format. I always wished that Grapevine came in hard copy format, as its production value and content was so wonderful.

Now, my wish has come true and I just finished ordering my copy of the very first Grapevine issue available in print. Although it hasn't arrived in my mailbox yet, I know that it's going to be great because everything that Susan Bailey does is always of the highest quality. She is truly one of my role models - someone who is passionate about her work and using her God given talents to spread the word about our wonderful Catholic faith.

If you think the cover price is a bit high, I would ask you to think about some of the ways in which you're spent $10 recently. You might have bought two fancy drinks at Starbucks, seen a movie that wasn't too great, or parked your car for less than an hour in a big city. With this $10 purchase, you will not only enrich your own life, but you will also be supporting an apostolate that is greatly needed in our Catholic Church.

• Order your copy of Grapevine Magazine
• Check out the Grapevine News Minute Podcast - on my iPod as a must listen each week!
  

News from My Favorite Comedy Mom Sally Edwards

Sally Edwards wrote this weekend to share some great information with our readers:

On Monday, I will be interviewed on WGN Radio about two more Catholic performances coming up this week in the suburbs of Chicago - Sarcred Heart in Lombard and St. Peter Damien in Bartlett. The reason they are interviewing me is to let Christian organizations know that 50% books sales profits for You Know Your Kids Are Driving You Crazy When... and You Know You're A Sexy Senior When... will be donated to charity when bought directly through me at performances. I believe this venture is for a very good cause. And the best part is that the books make people laugh while helping others.

• Listen to Sally Edwards Monday at 12:40 pm in Chicago on 720 AM WGN Radio It looks like we can listen online through the WGN web site.
• Check out books by Sally Edwards at Amazon
• Giggle with Sally at CatholicMom.com