Make the Connection...using new media to strengthen your connection to faith!
You will often hear the media's take on what Catholics believe and what the Church teaches during the news and in the paper. Unfortunately, the reporting is not always accurate or fully explained. We owe it to ourselves and our affiliation with the Catholic Church to understand what the Church REALLY says about social issues and learn about our role as citizens. And with election day right around the corner (even though the campaigning seems to be unending) we also need to be prepared to make the best possible decisions for the next leaders of our state and country.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have put together a great website:
http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org/. It is chock full of excellent resources. Take a Faithful Citizenship quiz with Steve Angrisano (recognize his name from the hymnal? He's a well known song writer!), watch the thought of the day or tune into a message for teens. Listen to Podcasts on Catholic Social teaching. Find prayer resources and ways to take action.
You may even learn something you didn't know before and hopefully be inspired to live out your faith while making your decisions in November.
If you have questions or suggestions for "Make the Connection", feel free to contact me!
Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden, The Catholic Parish Media Liaison http://kerryannmadden.blogspot.com/
KMadden445@aol.com
Monday, September 22, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
TV time well spent
Make the Connection...using new media to strengthen your connection to faith!
September is right around the corner along with all new television episodes from your favorite series. Are Lost, Pushing Daisies, Grey's Anatomy and CSI at the top of your list? On your journey around the dial, stop at Charter Cable Channel 96 to find programs that will teach, entertain and strengthen the faith of your WHOLE family. Once you get hooked on the shows here you'll be saying "Who cares about Meredith and Derrick!".
EWTN (Eternal Word Network) is a global Catholic network that provides excellent quality programming. Highlights this September include a new movie "The Passion of Bernadette", The Papal Visit to Loudres, France and a new series "Crossing the Goal" starting former NFL Wide receiver Danny Abramowicz! My favorite shows are Life on the Rock (teens and young adults), The World Over (news), EWTN Live with Fr. Mitch Pacwa and the Journey Home with Marcus Grodi and his weekly guests. Check out Charter Cable channel 96 or watch live on line at http://www.ewtn.com/ (Many of these shows are available as FREE Mp3 Downloads as well)
If you have questions or suggestions for "Make the Connection", feel free to contact me!
Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden, The Catholic Parish Media Liaison KMadden445@aol.com
September is right around the corner along with all new television episodes from your favorite series. Are Lost, Pushing Daisies, Grey's Anatomy and CSI at the top of your list? On your journey around the dial, stop at Charter Cable Channel 96 to find programs that will teach, entertain and strengthen the faith of your WHOLE family. Once you get hooked on the shows here you'll be saying "Who cares about Meredith and Derrick!".
EWTN (Eternal Word Network) is a global Catholic network that provides excellent quality programming. Highlights this September include a new movie "The Passion of Bernadette", The Papal Visit to Loudres, France and a new series "Crossing the Goal" starting former NFL Wide receiver Danny Abramowicz! My favorite shows are Life on the Rock (teens and young adults), The World Over (news), EWTN Live with Fr. Mitch Pacwa and the Journey Home with Marcus Grodi and his weekly guests. Check out Charter Cable channel 96 or watch live on line at http://www.ewtn.com/ (Many of these shows are available as FREE Mp3 Downloads as well)
If you have questions or suggestions for "Make the Connection", feel free to contact me!
Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden, The Catholic Parish Media Liaison KMadden445@aol.com
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Make the connection...making good choices in gaming...
Make the Connection...using new media to strengthen your connection to faith!
Are you or your kids into video games? Star Wars Rebel Strike, Super Paper Mario, DRIV3R, Matrix Path of Neo...?
Did you every want to get a thorough review of a game BEFORE you used it, that told you more than the basic review or rating?
This week's Make the Connection pick is www.jorimslist.com. Jorim gives in depth reviews that include specific commentary on violence, profanity and of course the all important fun-factors! He gives indispensable information to help you make a great choice for your family!
Although Catholic video games are limited, here are a few I found on the web:
~For little kids: check out a fun interactive website: http://www.ewtn.com/ewtnkids/home.asp
~ For school age 6+: GOSPEL CHAMPIONS - CATHOLIC ADVENTURE PC GAME at www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com
~For Teens: Catechumen CD-ROM at www.catholiccompany.com
If you have questions or suggestions for "Make the Connection", feel free to contact me!
Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden
Are you or your kids into video games? Star Wars Rebel Strike, Super Paper Mario, DRIV3R, Matrix Path of Neo...?
Did you every want to get a thorough review of a game BEFORE you used it, that told you more than the basic review or rating?
This week's Make the Connection pick is www.jorimslist.com. Jorim gives in depth reviews that include specific commentary on violence, profanity and of course the all important fun-factors! He gives indispensable information to help you make a great choice for your family!
Although Catholic video games are limited, here are a few I found on the web:
~For little kids: check out a fun interactive website: http://www.ewtn.com/ewtnkids/home.asp
~ For school age 6+: GOSPEL CHAMPIONS - CATHOLIC ADVENTURE PC GAME at www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com
~For Teens: Catechumen CD-ROM at www.catholiccompany.com
If you have questions or suggestions for "Make the Connection", feel free to contact me!
Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Make the Connnection: Audrey Stevenson, pray for us! A book review.
I recently read the book "Audrey, The True Story of One Child's Heroic Journey of Faith" by Gloria Conde as part of the Catholic Company's reviewer program and couldn't wait to tell the world my thoughts and feelings about this book and about Audrey!
The book was written in French by Gloria Conde and I read the translated version which was edited by Trish Bailey http://www.catholiccompany.com/. I mention this only because I am a Francophile and found it so fitting (perhaps it was a divine plan!) that this book should land in my hands.
"Audrey" is a beautiful book that chronicles the memories, experiences and lessons from Audrey's life and the impact she had on other people. She was given a special gift from God; a heart and soul truly devoted to serving Him in all she did. She was passionate about sharing God's love and His calling to each of us: to know Him, love Him and serve Him. At the age of 9, she was afflicted with leukemia and through her illness shared the peace and joy and purpose that comes from life centered on God.
As I read, I was reminded of an NPR program where the author, Bart Ehrman, talked about his book "God's Problem". He found the Bible's explanation of why people suffer unconvincing and eventually lost his faith. I feel Audrey has his answer. I will be praying for him that he rediscovers his faith and learns the beauty and purpose of suffering.
Audrey Stevenson's life was a gift to the world and hers is story that needs to be told.
Her mission on earth is not complete though her time here has ended. She continues to "work" for us from her original home, heaven. Audrey, please pray for us!
If you have suggestions for upcoming installments of Make the Connection, please contact me!Peace of Christ to you!Kerry Madden, The Catholic Parish Media Liaison
KMadden445@aol.com http://kerryannmadden.blogspot.com/
This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Audrey - True Story of a Child's Journey of Faith.
The book was written in French by Gloria Conde and I read the translated version which was edited by Trish Bailey http://www.catholiccompany.com/. I mention this only because I am a Francophile and found it so fitting (perhaps it was a divine plan!) that this book should land in my hands.
"Audrey" is a beautiful book that chronicles the memories, experiences and lessons from Audrey's life and the impact she had on other people. She was given a special gift from God; a heart and soul truly devoted to serving Him in all she did. She was passionate about sharing God's love and His calling to each of us: to know Him, love Him and serve Him. At the age of 9, she was afflicted with leukemia and through her illness shared the peace and joy and purpose that comes from life centered on God.
As I read, I was reminded of an NPR program where the author, Bart Ehrman, talked about his book "God's Problem". He found the Bible's explanation of why people suffer unconvincing and eventually lost his faith. I feel Audrey has his answer. I will be praying for him that he rediscovers his faith and learns the beauty and purpose of suffering.
Audrey Stevenson's life was a gift to the world and hers is story that needs to be told.
Her mission on earth is not complete though her time here has ended. She continues to "work" for us from her original home, heaven. Audrey, please pray for us!
If you have suggestions for upcoming installments of Make the Connection, please contact me!Peace of Christ to you!Kerry Madden, The Catholic Parish Media Liaison
KMadden445@aol.com http://kerryannmadden.blogspot.com/
This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Audrey - True Story of a Child's Journey of Faith.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Make The Connection... Making good choices at the movies!
With all this rainy weather in the northeast, a trip to the movie theatre seems in order!
When you are unsure whether or not a movie upholds your values, it can be tricky to find a review that will give you a clear idea of how a movie will rate on your moral barometer. There are several great web sites to help you in your quest! All of them review current movies in theatres as well as those on DVD.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has a page devoted to movie reviews. The reviews are short, containing a summary and comments on possibly offensive themes. http://www.usccb.org/movies/
Focus On the Family, a Christian but not Catholic organization, hosts a website geared toward deciphering movies and other media http://www.pluggedinonline.com/ provides longer reviews with comments on positive elements and spiritual content as well as violence, sexual content, drug references and crudeness,
My favorite source is http://www.decentfilms.com/ "Decent Films is the online home of the film writing of Steven D. Greydanus, who is film critic for the National Catholic Register. A member of Online Film Critics Society and the Faith & Film Critics Circle, he also writes for Christianity Today Movies and Catholic Exchange". Steven gives in depth reviews and an at a glance rating chart.
If you have suggestions for upcoming installments of Make the Connection, please contact me!Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden, Parish Media Liaison KMadden445@aol.com http://kerryannmadden.blogspot.com/
When you are unsure whether or not a movie upholds your values, it can be tricky to find a review that will give you a clear idea of how a movie will rate on your moral barometer. There are several great web sites to help you in your quest! All of them review current movies in theatres as well as those on DVD.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has a page devoted to movie reviews. The reviews are short, containing a summary and comments on possibly offensive themes. http://www.usccb.org/movies/
Focus On the Family, a Christian but not Catholic organization, hosts a website geared toward deciphering movies and other media http://www.pluggedinonline.com/ provides longer reviews with comments on positive elements and spiritual content as well as violence, sexual content, drug references and crudeness,
My favorite source is http://www.decentfilms.com/ "Decent Films is the online home of the film writing of Steven D. Greydanus, who is film critic for the National Catholic Register. A member of Online Film Critics Society and the Faith & Film Critics Circle, he also writes for Christianity Today Movies and Catholic Exchange". Steven gives in depth reviews and an at a glance rating chart.
If you have suggestions for upcoming installments of Make the Connection, please contact me!Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden, Parish Media Liaison KMadden445@aol.com http://kerryannmadden.blogspot.com/
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Make the Connection...Making good choices: Pro-Life Resources
Make the Connection...using new media to strengthen your connection to faith!
I am always trying to teach my children that they have power in this world. Namely, how they spend they their money will influence what products, music and trends are available and popular. I realize they are only two people out of millions but if we all looked at consumption that way, we could change the world for the better. I saw this happen in the very own company I work for. When people unite and God's will is embraced, mountains can be moved!
I try to keep my ears and eyes open to ways I can support companies working to make the world better and on occasion I learn about a company whose advertising, marketing and philanthropic practices are not in line with my own ethical and moral principals. Recently I heard about Sierra Nevada Beer's giving practices and Sam Adams' unethical promotion campaigns. It prompted me to look into some ethical beer alternatives!
(Hint: Trappist monks make some pretty tasty beer: see http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/21/dining/21wine.html?_r=1&oref=slogin).
While doing some research I found several companies and organizations that promote Pro-Life causes.
1. Crisis pregnancy http://www.crisispregnancyoutreach.org/ helps women and men who find themselves faced with an unexpected pregnancy and Silent No More assists people who have experienced abortion to heal. http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/
2. Priests for Life has a voters guide to the upcoming election to help choose candidates wisely. http://www.priestsforlife.org/elections/index.htm
3. Pro-Life Communications provides phone service http://www.prolifecomm.com/
4. Life Decisions International researches and reports on companies who support Planned Parenthood and organizes boycotts. http://www.fightpp.org/
5. Heritage House sells many items to display a pro life message: pins, bumper stickers, t-shirts and more. http://www.hh76.com/
6. Promise Checks prints checks with a pro life message. http://www.promisechecks.com/
While this seems like a daunting task, to scrutinize each product we purchase, store we frequent and company we work for, I think the small choices we make every day can have an impact.
If you have suggestions for companies that are pro-ethical and moral choices, please contact me to add in upcoming installments of Make the Connection.
Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden KMadden445@aol.com
I am always trying to teach my children that they have power in this world. Namely, how they spend they their money will influence what products, music and trends are available and popular. I realize they are only two people out of millions but if we all looked at consumption that way, we could change the world for the better. I saw this happen in the very own company I work for. When people unite and God's will is embraced, mountains can be moved!
I try to keep my ears and eyes open to ways I can support companies working to make the world better and on occasion I learn about a company whose advertising, marketing and philanthropic practices are not in line with my own ethical and moral principals. Recently I heard about Sierra Nevada Beer's giving practices and Sam Adams' unethical promotion campaigns. It prompted me to look into some ethical beer alternatives!
(Hint: Trappist monks make some pretty tasty beer: see http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/21/dining/21wine.html?_r=1&oref=slogin).
While doing some research I found several companies and organizations that promote Pro-Life causes.
1. Crisis pregnancy http://www.crisispregnancyoutreach.org/ helps women and men who find themselves faced with an unexpected pregnancy and Silent No More assists people who have experienced abortion to heal. http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/
2. Priests for Life has a voters guide to the upcoming election to help choose candidates wisely. http://www.priestsforlife.org/elections/index.htm
3. Pro-Life Communications provides phone service http://www.prolifecomm.com/
4. Life Decisions International researches and reports on companies who support Planned Parenthood and organizes boycotts. http://www.fightpp.org/
5. Heritage House sells many items to display a pro life message: pins, bumper stickers, t-shirts and more. http://www.hh76.com/
6. Promise Checks prints checks with a pro life message. http://www.promisechecks.com/
While this seems like a daunting task, to scrutinize each product we purchase, store we frequent and company we work for, I think the small choices we make every day can have an impact.
If you have suggestions for companies that are pro-ethical and moral choices, please contact me to add in upcoming installments of Make the Connection.
Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden KMadden445@aol.com
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Make the Connnection: Health and Fitness with Christ!
Make the Connection...using new media to strengthen your connection to faith!
How's your health these days? Feeling great about it? Did you run in the local Road Race? Bike down the Rail Trail? Chase the kids/grandkids around the yard?
If not, are you wishing you could? Or just wanting to feel like you are on a path of wellness?
Our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit (See I Corinthians 6: 19-20). Those of you, who know me, know I value fitness, cooking nutritiously and eating healthy meals. So, my picks in new media this week center on living a healthy lifestyle and giving back to those in need through fitness!
Get started with the Healthy Catholic show! http://sqpn.com/category/video/healthy-catholic/ a video series with one of my favorite Catholic priests Father Roderick Vonhogen.
Want to learn more about healthy eating? Check out http://www.cravingbetterhealth.com/ Parishioner Julie Hanagan is a Certified Health Counselor. Her goal is to "guide you to find the food and lifestyle choices that best support you". She will "help you to make gradual, lifelong changes that enable you to reach your current and future health goals".
Need a coach for fitness? Check out http://www.faithfirstfitness.com/. It is both "an online and in-person fitness coaching business". Owner Greg Cheney is a "pastor and certified fitness coach". His fitness programs "focus on total life change and not temporary success. He coaches clients in-person and thousands of miles away via the Internet and phone". Although this is not a Catholic site, I found it interesting. "Pursue Genuine Faith and LifelongFitness at FaithFirstFitness.com"
I have enjoyed using http://www.sparkpeople.com/. This online healthy lifestyle community has a mission to "SPARK millions of PEOPLE to reach their goals and lead healthier lives". They "offer nutrition, health, and fitness tools, support, and resources that are 100% free." Among the support teams, you will find "Fired Up Catholics", "Catholic Bible Study" and more! Also not a Catholic site but I find it super helpful.
Need to find a route to walk or jog in your neighborhood without getting in the car first to check the distance? Check out http://www.mapmyrun.com/ to create or find a route.
So by September you should be ready to join me in a road race/walk! Use your healthy body and faith focus to help a worthy cause: St. Charles Children's Home, an “intermediate group home for children from families in crisis” run by a group of religious sisters whose focus is on the physical and spiritual well being of the children placed in their home.
First check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7uRoX4o99w and http://www.stcharleshome.org/
Then join me for a road race to benefit the Home on Labor Day this year! http://www.stcharleshome.org/race.html.
Or check out http://www.coolrunning.com/ to find other events.
If you have questions or suggestions about "Make the Connection", feel free to contact me!
Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden, The Catholic Parish Media Liaison
KMadden445@aol.com
How's your health these days? Feeling great about it? Did you run in the local Road Race? Bike down the Rail Trail? Chase the kids/grandkids around the yard?
If not, are you wishing you could? Or just wanting to feel like you are on a path of wellness?
Our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit (See I Corinthians 6: 19-20). Those of you, who know me, know I value fitness, cooking nutritiously and eating healthy meals. So, my picks in new media this week center on living a healthy lifestyle and giving back to those in need through fitness!
Get started with the Healthy Catholic show! http://sqpn.com/category/video/healthy-catholic/ a video series with one of my favorite Catholic priests Father Roderick Vonhogen.
Want to learn more about healthy eating? Check out http://www.cravingbetterhealth.com/ Parishioner Julie Hanagan is a Certified Health Counselor. Her goal is to "guide you to find the food and lifestyle choices that best support you". She will "help you to make gradual, lifelong changes that enable you to reach your current and future health goals".
Need a coach for fitness? Check out http://www.faithfirstfitness.com/. It is both "an online and in-person fitness coaching business". Owner Greg Cheney is a "pastor and certified fitness coach". His fitness programs "focus on total life change and not temporary success. He coaches clients in-person and thousands of miles away via the Internet and phone". Although this is not a Catholic site, I found it interesting. "Pursue Genuine Faith and LifelongFitness at FaithFirstFitness.com"
I have enjoyed using http://www.sparkpeople.com/. This online healthy lifestyle community has a mission to "SPARK millions of PEOPLE to reach their goals and lead healthier lives". They "offer nutrition, health, and fitness tools, support, and resources that are 100% free." Among the support teams, you will find "Fired Up Catholics", "Catholic Bible Study" and more! Also not a Catholic site but I find it super helpful.
Need to find a route to walk or jog in your neighborhood without getting in the car first to check the distance? Check out http://www.mapmyrun.com/ to create or find a route.
So by September you should be ready to join me in a road race/walk! Use your healthy body and faith focus to help a worthy cause: St. Charles Children's Home, an “intermediate group home for children from families in crisis” run by a group of religious sisters whose focus is on the physical and spiritual well being of the children placed in their home.
First check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7uRoX4o99w and http://www.stcharleshome.org/
Then join me for a road race to benefit the Home on Labor Day this year! http://www.stcharleshome.org/race.html.
Or check out http://www.coolrunning.com/ to find other events.
If you have questions or suggestions about "Make the Connection", feel free to contact me!
Peace of Christ to you!
Kerry Madden, The Catholic Parish Media Liaison
KMadden445@aol.com
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