BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
On Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 pm, Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Andrews Air Force Base for his long awaited Apostolic Journey to the United States. It will be a historic encounter as the more than 70 million Catholics in the United States have their first encounter with the Holy Father. One can only hope that ...read more
The United States is gearing up for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit this week, and Salt + Light Television will have extensive coverage beginning with the Holy Father’s landing in Washington D-C on Tuesday. Our own David Naglieri and Kris Dmytrenko will be part of the Papal Press corps and bring us reports from Washington and ...read more
This Sunday marks the 45th World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It’s an important reminder to always pray for vocations, not just this weekend, but everyday! In his message for the occasion, Pope Benedict chose the theme “Vocations at the service of the Church on mission.” He writes: “The Church is missionary in herself and ...read more
There are no textbooks or direct answers. There is no formula. Mathematicians and statisticians can put away their calculators. Because when it comes to prayer, there is no one way to teach someone what comes after the sign of the cross. I think the only person I’ve taught to pray is… myself. And obviously I ...read more
To predict what Pope Benedict XVI will say to the UN General Assembly on April 18th, let’s consider what was said the last time a pontiff addressed the General Assembly on October 5th, 1995: “[We have] supported the ideals and goals of the United Nations Organization from the very beginning. … Fifty years after its ...read more
A few days ago during the Easter Triduum, we celebrated the Paschal Mystery which is the basis of our faith and is the culmination of the entire Church year. But it cannot be “done” in only three days. Every Sunday (and indeed, every Mass) is the communal setting in which we proclaim, “Christ has died; ...read more
It’s hard to believe it’s been three years. On Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008, we mark the third anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. I’ve been reflecting a lot recently on John Paul II, as I’ve been working on a Catholic Focus examining his legacy. I think Salt + Light CEO Fr. Thomas ...read more
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… [insert hero’s name here]! All right, well maybe having a hero or a role model doesn’t mean we expect that person to sweep in and save us. But it does mean having someone you can look up to, refer to, or exemplify. And the world is full of ...read more
Recently, a Salt + Light crew went to the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. That crew included Pedro & me as producers, Wally Tello & Richard Valenti as cameramen, and Chris Valka, C.S.B., as our production coordinator. All headed, of course, by our CEO, Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B. One of the shows coming ...read more
Recently I was back at York University (it’s been a long time) for an event and I heard the University being referred to as a “liberal arts school”. I had never thought of York as a liberal arts school. Of course, I was there studying theatre and was very much immersed in their conservatory program. ...read more