Year of Faith
The Reverend Thomas Rosica, C.S.B.,
C.E.O. Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
114 Richmond Street E.
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1P1 CANADA
Dear Fr. Rosica,
I am delighted to send you special greetings as you begin the tenth year anniversary celebrations of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation. It seems like yesterday that we were all gathered in Toronto for World Youth Day 2002, the blessed event that would give birth to the establishment of Canada's first national Catholic television network one year later. Over the past decade, I have personally witnessed how a small, media project has grown into a major, multi-platformed media enterprise that has served not only your entire country, but the American Church and so many other countries throughout the world. As Cardinal Archbishop of New York, I have personally benefited from your cooperation with our Catholic Channel for the past years. As President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I have witnessed how far your work and message have gone throughout our vast land. Your catechetical programs, especially your multi-lingual documentaries on the new saints and blesseds, have made a significant contribution to the universal Church. It is my hope that as you continue to make in-roads into the United States, and are carried on American cable carriers and satellite television systems, the Church in the USA will welcome Salt and Light with open arms.
Your presence most recently at the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith, your own leadership role with the media of that Synod and the presence of Salt and Light on the inside of the Synod has made a great difference for us all! Your message is one of hope— featuring the Church that is "alive and young." Salt and Light is living proof of the New Evangelization at work.
I am sorry I cannot be with you to hear "The Priests of Ireland" ring in your anniversary year! What better way to mark such an occasion than with the dulcet tones of the Irish! May God bless you, all the talented and creative young adults working with you, and all those who support your important work for the Church in Canada and far beyond.
Fraternally in Christ,
Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York
President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops