NET TV, in association with Riverhorse Entertainment, traveled to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., to sponsor free screenings of the Vatican-endorsed film, “Doonby.” Actors from the film, Jenn Gotzon and Joe Estevez, pictured above, attended the screenings and rally. Though the film doesn’t consider itself a pro-life movie, it offers a strong argument to the fragile and delicate nature of preserving every human life. Two screenings were sponsored by NET TV. The first was held on the eve of the march at the E. Street Cinema, while a second, more intimate screening took place the day after the march and was attended by a youth group brought by the Sisters of Life. Each screening proved to be a success as many people attending the film were moved by its strong message. Afterwards guests, and all of the kids, were treated to a question-and-answer session with actors, as well as director Peter Mackenzie, followed by photo opportunities with the cast and autograph signings.

His Eminence Timothy Dolan, who is a longtime Cardinals fan, is now a member of the team. And it’s only natural that we shared in the joy of the archdiocese as Archbishop Timothy Dolan became a cardinal last weekend.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is unique in that it shares the city with the Archdiocese of New York. Most Catholics in the city live in Brooklyn or Queens but they go to Manhattan every day to work, to play and to be.

Many from this side of the river travelled to Rome to be with the city’s new Prince of the Church. Our own Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Auxiliary Bishop Frank Caggiano were among the 1,000 people from New York who were in the Eternal City for the red-hat festivities.

And our new communications agency, the DeSales Media Group, worked overtime as we broadcast live on TV the installation to the entire city, as well as beyond, via Internet stream.

Some of tech people worked through the night. Others were on call last Saturday at 3 a.m. at The NET’s studios in Park Slope on the day of the installation. Engineers were preparing for the feed from Vatican TV and commentary from Vatican Radio. I was at the anchor desk with Father John Cush, spiritual director of Cathedral Prep Seminary, Elmhurst, awaiting the red line that signalled we were on the air. At 4:30 a.m., the countdown ended and the light went on. In spite of the hectic pre-show preparations, the operation proceeded like a well-oiled machine, guided by Mike Geoghan, project manager of the event.

Father Cush, a last-minute replacement, was masterful as he brought expert commentary that relied on his days studying at North American College in Rome. He talked personally about Cardinal Dolan, who was rector of NAC while he was a student there. Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, a Bronx boy, was the outgoing rector, so he also could relate stories about the man who now serves as head of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher.

Father Cush also remembered new Cardinals Josef Becker and Prosper Grech, who taught him at NAC. Great theologians, demanding professors, he recalled.

In Rome, The NET’s new Currents’ anchor Liz Faublas was sending back packages for broadcast and they were shown following the ceremony along with an exclusive interview with Cardinal Dolan that had been taped in New York by Msgr. Kieran Harrington, our Vicar for Communications.

While it was technically a holiday weekend, Tablet staffers were busy compiling photos and copy from correspondents in Rome as we rushed toward our Tuesday deadline. The results are in your hands at this moment.

Kudos to everyone at DeSales for making the weekend such a success that it was. The names are too numerous to mention but special mention must be made of Ryan Stewart, the new program director for NET and director for the installation event, who spent most of the week making things happen behind the scenes in Rome.

This weekend, NET will bring you live coverage of the prayer service which Cardinal Dolan will celebrate at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 10:30 a.m.

No, it may not exactly be a local story about our diocese, but it is our city, our church, and our story.

The NET, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s cable television station, will provide live broadcast of the consistory in Rome at which Archbishop Timothy Dolan is elevated to the rank of Cardinal.

Coverage will begin at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, with a repeat showing scheduled for later in the day.

The NET also will carry live the prayer service and Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Vicar of Communication, Msgr, Kieran Harrington, and Currents anchor, Liz Faublas, will provide commentary during both days of coverage.

by Ed Wilkinson,

This weekend, The NET will broadcast its first telethon. Part of the three-day (Feb. 3-5) programming will be two special editions of Currents, the daily news show that is seen on the diocesan television station each evening at 7:30 p.m.

Currents is the only daily Catholic TV show in the world, as far as we know. It’s an important show because it keeps Catholics up to date on contemporary issues and how they impact on our lives.

The two Currents specials will depart a bit from the daily news format. For these two days, the show will examine the inner workings of the newly created DeSales Media Group and also giver viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Currents itself.

Of course, we are showcasing these programs because they highlight for viewers what exactly happens here at The Tablet, The NET, the Catholic Television Network, NETspañol and the Public Information Office, all of which are part of DeSales Media. All of this takes money. That is precisely why NET is conducting a telethon. We want to stay in business and we want you to know what we’re doing for you and how you can help keep it that way.

The telethon will feature the world premiere of the documentary, “The Rite of Exorcism: Myth Mystery and Hope.”

The film tells the true story of one of the Church’s most mysterious, and misunderstood rituals. It features world-renown experts and clergy who will explain the phenomenon of exorcism in hopes of laying to rest the theory that fiction is better than reality.

“The Rite of Exorcism” will be shown on Friday, Feb. 3, at 9 p.m.

Earlier on Friday, there is a lineup of treats with your favorite NET celebrities. Reel Faith, with film critics David DiCerto and Steven Greydanus will be seen on their telethon special at 9:30 a.m. There’s also a special presentation from The NET’s original series, Mysteries of the Faith, at 10:30 a.m.

On Saturday, Currents will fill its usual slot at 7:30 p.m. We will turn the cameras on ourselves and give you an inside look at how the program is put together. We’ll feature an interview with Art Dignam, chief executive officer of DeSales Media, some highlights from the past year, and it will include clips from Bishop DiMarzio’s Putting Out Into the Deep segment and our newest feature, School of the Week.

Later on Saturday, there will be an Ask the Doctor special with Dr. Steve Garner at 10 p.m., followed by an exclusive NET interview with Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, from 10:30 to 11 p.m.

Sunday, of course, is Super Bowl Sunday. So, we’re planning telethon programming in the morning rather than trying to compete with the nation’s largest unofficial holiday.

The Sunday morning specials include: Fishers of Men at 8 a.m.; Rome Reports at 8:30 a.m.; and City of Churches, The NET’s Emmy Award winning program, at 9:30 a.m.

In between shows, Msgr. Kieran Harrington, Vicar for Communications, will conduct interviews with NET personalities.

We hope you’ll join us this weekend for at least part of the telethon.

Whether you tune in to pray the Rosary with Bishop DiMarzio, participate in Mass from St. James Cathedral, or watch the evening news, NET has something for everyone. If you’re not yet a regular NET viewer, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted. If you’re already hooked, this is an opportunity to let us know that you’re enjoying this kind of programming.

by Antonina Zielinska

I-Confess video winners, Melinda Collins and George Simon chat with Currents’ host Matt McClure on the set of The NET’s daily news program.

Nearly 200 students from all around the country responded to the i-Confess challenge of making a one-minute YouTube video encouraging viewers to partake in the sacrament of reconciliation.

They competed for the grand prize of $50,000 to be shared equally by the winner and his or her school. The contest was sponsored by the Diocese of Brooklyn in collaboration with the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

With nearly 25,000 views and over 700 “likes,” Melinda Collins won the contest with her video, Get Clean.  Second place and a $10,000 educational scholarship went to Caled and Molly Herboth for their video, Be Reconciled to God. Virginia Jacobson and Douglas Kraeger won third place and $1,000 for their video, Backpack of Sins.

Collins, who starred in her winning entry, is a senior at John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego, California. The school will use its share of the prize money as a scholarship for George Simon, who was the cinematographer and co-editor of Get Clean.

Simon was forced to leave school one year before earning his bachelor’s degree due to financial difficulties.

“I would never have been able to finish,” he said. “When I had to leave John Paul University I was heartbroken.”

During the year he was off from school, Collins contacted him about the idea for the video. Eager for a creative outlet and motivated by the possible prize, Simon was excited about the project. However, Collins was overwhelmed with school and extracurricular activities.

The two filmed the entire project when a class cancellation gave Collins a three-hour window of time. Despite her busy schedule, she made her way to Simon’s apartment to film only after she attended Mass.

“I try to go to daily Mass,” she said. “Especially when I am working on something, I need to go to Mass.”

Having asked God for help, Collins faced the task of filming without a script or a clear plan for the video.

Simon said the project presented man y challenges that forced the two to find innovative solutions. Not having professional camera equipment, he spent much of the time filming on top of his makeshift tripod that consisted of a roll of plastic bags on top of a cooler.

Despite their creativity, Collins said many of the problems they encountered required extra help. She said many of the aspects of the film resulted out of necessity, instead of choice.

“The timing and the circumstances of this project are all extraordinarily providential,” she said.

The students said the popularity of the project was beyond their control because they did not start promoting the video until four days before the cutoff date.

The popularity of the video was a great reward in itself, Collins said, because it allowed her to spread the message of God’s forgiveness. As a student, she said she feels restricted in how much she can spread God’s message.

With this project she brought the topic of confession up for discussion in a worldwide forum. Her video has over a hundred comments, many of which thank her for the inspirational message in the video.

“The reason I think it was successful is because it was very true,” she said. “The reason I wanted to make this film is because I experienced it. This is what confession is to me.”

The video, scored to a song by Rachel Fannan, can be viewed on i-confess.com.

Because of contacts made through the video competition, Collins and Simon have been asked to do a documentary on pilgrims from Brooklyn and Queens who will walk the Way of St. James in Spain in August.

They also will provide footage of the diocesan delegation to World Youth Day in Madrid for broadcast on Currents, The NET’s daily news show.