Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
Pope Benedict XVI, in his 43rd message for World Communication Day, said that modern communications technologies “are truly a gift to humanity and we must endeavor to ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all human individuals and communities.” For more than 30 years, the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) has been spreading the Gospel locally and nationally on radio, television, in print, and through the Internet and social media.
Each year a special collection is taken up in dioceses in support of the campaign. This year the Collection will be taken up in parishes of the Diocese of Camden on the weekend of May 15-16, with the theme, “Help Us Connect the World with God’s Word!” Half of the money collected from the collection is forwarded to the CCC while the remaining half helps fund local diocesan communications efforts. In addition to our own diocesan websites (www.CamdenDiocese.org and www.CatholicStarHerald.org), several major efforts include:
Daily Readings Podcasts: Audio podcasts of and video reflections on the daily readings from the New American Bible can be found at www.usccb.org/ccc/. Videos exploring topics of faith, vocation and inspiring examples of Catholics living their faith can be found at www.usccb.org/video/.
Tu Compañero Católico www.usccb.org/ccc/tcc.shtml: This half-hour, weekly Spanish language radio program provides spiritual and religious content, practical “how-to” advice about jobs, housing, and health concerns, legal commentary and the challenges of living in a multi-cultural society. It also provides entertainment in the form of Latino music selections of religious, folkloric and popular origin at www.usccb.org/audio/tcc.shtml
Catholic Radio www.franciscanradio.org/americancatholicradio. Weekly: This weekly, 30-minute Catholic radio program carries features such as Saint of the Day, Living Faith, Ask a Franciscan, Minute Meditations, Portrait of Paul and Exploring Our Faith. See www.usccb.org/audio/crw1a.shtml
Movie and Television Reviews www.usccb.org/movies/: Every year the USCCB Office of Film and Broadcasting provides nearly 1,000 reviews of film and television productions at www.usccb.org/movies/.
Given the importance of the communications media to the life and mission of the Church, I am grateful for your generous support of this important collection. Your support will allow these and other initiatives to continue, thereby bringing people closer to Jesus and His Church. May God continue to guide you and bless you.
Fraternally,
Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D.
Bishop of Camden