Collection backs media efforts

On June 9-10, Catholics at Masses across the Albany Diocese will be called on to "share the good news" by contributing to the annual Catholic Communications Campaign (CCC).

The collection supports the spread of Christ's message through the mass media.

"The Catholic Communications Campaign, in partnership with our diocesan Communications Office, has been the Church's voice in the media: educating, entertaining, inspiring and informing the public about our Gospel values," said Bishop Howard J. Hubbard in a pulpit letter read at Masses last weekend. "The Catholic Communication Campaign plays an important role in our society. It merits our continued support."

Programming

The CCC funds evangelization and information ministries that rely on the airwaves, digital projection, traditional print media, the internet and other technologies.

Among those ministries are televised Masses for the elderly and homebound, radio programs that discuss Catholic news and topics of interest, television ads that bring attention to the plight of the needy, and television outreach programs for minority Catholics.

Fifty percent of the donations is retained by the Diocese for local programming and projects. In the Albany Diocese, the money funds "Table of the Lord," a televised Mass broadcast on WXXA-TV Fox 23 at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings and rebroadcast on cable access channel TW-3 at 9 a.m.

Spiritual projects

According Bishop Hubbard, some of the CCC's "national activities include daily audio readings that can be downloaded and daily reflections that can be viewed via streaming video at www.ccc-tv.org.

"Television specials and documentaries funded by CCC continue to offer quality spiritual and cultural programs, such as the release last December of 'Picturing Mary,' a documentary that chronicles how the image of the Madonna has inspired artists throughout the centuries."

National programs also include multi-media documentaries, internet ventures, news coverage and streaming videos of historical events, such as World Youth Day and the papal transition.

"I ask that you make a contribution to this year's collection," Bishop Hubbard said. "It will be greatly appreciated. With your assistance, the Catholic Communication Campaign will continue to proclaim the Good News each and every day."

(6/14/07)