Communication collection helps to spread Good News

Since 1979, the Catholic Communication Campaign has been "the Church's voice in the media: educating, entertaining, inspiring and informing the public about Gospel values."

So said a letter from Bishop Howard J. Hubbard read in parishes of the Albany Diocese last week to ask for the generous donations of Catholics to the CCC. The annual collection will be taken up at Masses on June 14-15.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops established the CCC to respond to the Church's communications needs. The collection's proceeds are split equally between each diocese and the national office; dioceses use their half to support efforts such as televised Masses and diocesan newspapers.

This year's theme for the collection is "How the Good News Gets Around."

The Albany Diocese uses funds from the collection to produce and broadcast "Table of the Lord," the weekly televised Mass that reaches thousands of homebound and infirm Catholics.

The remainder of the funds support the campaign's national activities, including:

* daily, downloadable audio readings and reflections on streaming video at www.ccc-tv.org;

* a new "For Your Marriage" media campaign and website to celebrate marriage and provide resources and support for married couples;

* television specials and documentaries on spiritual and cultural issues; and

* links to Catholic reviews of current movies and more.

A portion of the CCC's national funds are also set aside for grants to aid Catholic communication efforts in developing nations.

Bishop Hubbard said in his letter that, "with your assistance, the Catholic Communication Campaign will continue to proclaim the Good News each and every day."

(06/12/08) [[In-content Ad]]