The Latest News

Updated on March 11, 2010.



The Newest Addition to the Stein Family

Mary Helen Stein Congratulations to Sandy and Joel Stein! Sandy gave birth to Mary Helen Stein March 6th at 10:49 am, weighing in at 9 lb, 1 oz, and 23 inches.

This is the Stsins' second daughter. Their first daughter is named Lucia.

Joel Stein is a recording artist and songwriter. His latest CD is called Always Forward.

Learn more about Joel's music at JoelSteinMusic.com.

Catholic.Net Holding a Contest for Priests

Catholic.net in conjunction with New Gate Tours, is hosting a Contest for Priests!

Tell us the most beautiful or impressive experience of your priestly ministry, showing how God has worked in the lives of the faithful by means of his priests as instruments.

Prize: A trip to Rome, at the closing of the Year of the Priest, June 7-11 2010. Includes airfare to Rome (from all major cities of North and South America and Europe), lodging and meals. Those priests who live in Italy will be awarded a trip to the Holy Land.

The trip is sponsored by New Gate Tours travel agency with expertise in religious pilgrimages, present in Mexico, Latin America, Spain and Italy.

Participants: Exclusively for priests

Length: no more than 700 words

Deadline: March 19, 2010.

Publication: The best entries received will be published in a book. Some entries will be posted on Catholic.net.

* The story must be one which the author has lived personally.
* The story must be centered on a concrete event, avoiding generalities about the priesthood.
* The story must be written in first person, as an eye-witness to the events related.
* The names of all third parties must be changed to protect their privacy, avoiding facts which might facilitate the discovery of a person’s identity.
* The author may remain anonymous within the story, but his name must be made known to the contest’s organization committee in order to verify his identity.
* Each priest may submit several stories to favor his chances of winning. The entry form have 3 fields for 3 different stories.

Click Here to Register.

The Much-anticipated dropsci.GIANT is Here!

Matthew Baute--Harmony and Balance Releasing March 23rd, the much-anticipated debut project from the dropsci.GIANTS crew, consisting of Common Child, Jupiter 7, reSEARCH, and Paradox. Their initial effort as a group, "littleONES" is a banging 8-song EP, boasting a different producer on each track (including Beat Rabbi of Deepspace5, Sean P., DJ Frantic, SameOldJake, and others) and guest appearances from Wonder Brown of Scribbling Idiots, Nickels of Lojique/Oldominion, Sean P., MellowDrumAddict, and Micronaut. The project will be dropping through a joint arrangement with ShadowFacts Records, who will be handling the physical distribution, and End of Earth Records, who will be handling the digital distribution.

Pre-Order NOW from Sphere of Hip-Hop! (All pre-orders include a free 16 track mixtape.)

For more information on any of the dropsci.GIANTS, visit:

dropsci.GIANTS
commonCHILD
jupiter7
paraDOX
reSEARCH


Finding HARMONY AND BALANCE though music

Matthew Baute--Harmony and Balance St Louis, MO, January 15, 2010-ALBIE Entertainment, the management company representing composer/recording artist Matthew Baute, is pleased to announce the release of Harmony & Balance; a new ambient instrumental project inspired by the notion that life can be so much more rewarding when we don't complicate it. No doubt we all seek harmony and balance in our life. But, along the way, sometimes our vision is clouded by insecurity, clutter, doubt and a lack of faith. It seems that many of us fall victim to the "noise" that surrounds us. We are distracted by inconvenience, inconsistencies and interruptions. But when clarity emerges we are able to visualize a rebirth and renewal that gets us back on track to a life fulfilled. The beautiful melodies integrated throughout this project are sure to bring you peace in your day.

The ten compositions on this project were recorded by Baute, with additional guidance by Grammy nominated producer-Warren Dennis Kahn. Similar to the style of George Winston, John Tesh, Liz Story and Vangelis, nine of the tracks are original songs including titles such as Emerging Light, Unfolding Grandeur and New Life Whispers. There is also a gentle new arrangement of the popular song, Bridge Over Troubled Water, penned by songwriter, Paul Simon. Harmony & Balance is a bit of a departure from Baute’s previous recording projects as it does not include vocal arrangements, but it is not far from the objectives of the artist which is to bring healing and renewal through music and prayer. The music on this CD is not only a wonderful prescription for relaxation and meditation, but can also be used as a healing tool in music therapy.

Harmony & Balance is available through CD Baby, SongsforPrayer.com and other wholesale and retail channels. In addition, the music is available digitally through iTunes, Digstation, Amazon mp3, and others.

For additional information on Matthew Baute visit SongsForPrayer.com.

For additional PR, Promotion, & Partnerships (including magazine, radio interviews, reviews, licensing and distribution) please contact…ALYSON BLEISTINE/ALBIE Entertainment (615) 294-7396 or email albieemail@aol.com.

2nd Annual Gala and Silent Auction to be held in Forth Worth

Educate the ChildrenThe Friends of Educate the Children will be hosting the 2nd Annual Gala and Silent Auction on March 5, 2010, at the Marriot South Hotel, 4151 Centreport Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas.

Special guest will be Bishop Kevin Vann, and Guest Speaker will be Father Robert Thames, of Cabezas, Bolivia.

This event will be hosted by the Mission Council of the Diocese of Forth Worth, Texas. Visit dfwetc.com to learn more.

Encore Performance Celebrating the Life of Bishop Oscor Romero

DALLAS, Texas February 19, 2010 Composer Carlos Coln-Quintana will present a premiere of his newly revised and completed Requiem, Las Lamentaciones de Rufina Amaya and other sacred choral works in a free concert at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (3811 Oak Lawn Avenue) on March 20, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

The first part of the concert will feature B.A.S.I.C., the Chamber Choir of Central United Methodist Church of Waco under the direction of Mrs. Karen Hogue. Mrs. Hogue will conduct a set that includes an original composition of Mr. Coln dedicated to all the priests assassinated during the Salvadoran conflict. Coln will conduct the second part including the North American premiere of his completed Requiem.

"This work of art is an outpouring of my devotion and admiration for all who suffered in the Salvadoran conflict including Rufina Amaya and Monsignor Oscar Romero," said Coln. "The time I've spent on completing this choral work is but an instant considering we are 30 years after the untimely passing of Monsignor Romero. This Requiem is my humble way of continuing to remember this great man."

This concert celebrates the life of Monsignor Oscar Romero who is being considered for sainthood and enjoying a country wide celebration in El Salvador to mark the 30th anniversary of his passing. It is an encore performance of the same concert given in El Salvador in early March at the invitation of The Cultural Patrimony Association of Santa Ana - APACULSA (Asociacin Pro-Patrimonio Cultural de Santa Ana) the charitable organization dedicated to preserving the Santa Ana Theater. This music festival celebrates the centenary of the Santa Ana Theater. They will be joined by several other invited local and foreign musicians.

This work specifically commemorates the Mozote Massacre of 1981 in El Salvador; it also honors Monsignor Oscar Romero who was assassinated shortly after delivering his final homily on March 24, 1980 and Rufina Amaya whose testimony as a survivor was instrumental in the United Nations' investigation and exhumation of bodies buried at the site. Rufina Amaya died on March 6, 2007.

The concert is free and will be held in the main sanctuary of Holy Trinity Catholic Church located at 3811 Oak Lawn at the corners of Gilbert and Blackburn. There will be a meet and greet reception following the concert in Trinity Hall.

The concert is presented in cooperation with The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas, NPM Dallas Chapter, The Music Ministry of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, The Association of Salvadorian Americans and DFW International Community Alliance.

About Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Holy Trinity Catholic Church was established by the Congregation of the Mission (The Vincentians) in 1905 and formerly dedicated in 1907 and serves more than 2,500 families. The Music Ministry of Holy Trinity under the direction of Jay Terpstra serves to inspire and uplift the worshipping community. Music for worship spans the entire treasury of the Church's repertoire, from Gregorian chant and Renaissance motets to the most contemporary literature. For more information please contact Jay Terpstra 214.526.8555 or jayt@htccd.org.

About The National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) Dallas

NPM Dallas is an organization for those who recognize and support the value of Roman Catholic musical liturgy. NPMs goal is to bring the vast resources of NPM National to meet the liturgical need by offering workshops, skill building seminars, new music, musical events, networking and fellowship. For more information please contact Ms. Terry May-Hajdar at 972-670-6141 or director@npmdallas.org.

About The Association of Salvadorian Americans (ASA)

Founded in 1991, The ASA was formed by a group of Salvadorians under the leadership of Nick Argueta to assist the growing number of Salvadorians moving into the North Texas area. The ASA has led initiatives to assist the Salvadorian community here and abroad by leading efforts to establish a consulate office for El Salvador, raising funds for El Salvador to recover from natural disasters and offering workshops on immigration, employment and education. For more information please contact Mr. Nick Argueta at 469.387.2694 or narguet@utdallas.edu.

About DFW International Community Alliance

Established in 1997, DFW International Community Alliance (DFW Intl) is a network of over 1,600 internationally-focused organizations in the Dallas / Fort Worth area that embodies the cultural and economic vibrancy of the global community. DFW Intl focuses on education, cultural events, and communication. For more information please contact Ms. Anne Marie Weiss-Armush at 972.661.2764 or president@dfwinternational.org.

Lent: Path of Conversion and Openness to Divine Love

VATICAN CITY, 17 FEB 2010 (VIS) - "Today, Ash Wednesday, we begin the Lenten path that lasts forty days and which leads us to the joy of the Lord's Easter", the Pope said at the beginning of his catechesis during today's general audience, celebrated in the Paul VI Audience Hall.

Recalling the formula, "Convert and Believe in the Gospel", the Holy Father affirmed that "conversion means changing the direction of the path of our lives. (...) It is going against the current when the "current" is a superficial, incoherent, and illusory way of life that often drag us down, making us slaves of evil or prisoners of moral mediocrity. Nevertheless, through conversion we tend to the highest measure of Christian life, we trust in the living and personal Gospel who is Jesus Christ. He is the final goal and the profound path of conversion, the path that we are all called to travel in our lives, allowing ourselves to be illuminated with his light and sustained by his strength, which moves our steps".

"'Convert and believe in the Gospel' is not just the beginning of the Christian life, but the accompaniment of all our steps, renewing and penetrating all aspects of our lives. Each day is a moment of favour and grace, (...) even when there is no lack of difficulties, weariness, and missteps, when we are tempted to abandon the path that follows Christ and retreat into ourselves and our selfishness without paying attention to the need to keep ourselves open to the love of God in Christ in order to live the very logic of justice and love".

Benedict XVI emphasized that "faced with the innate fear of our end, and most of all in the context of a culture that tends in many ways to censure reality and the human experience of death, the Lenten liturgy reminds us of, on the one hand, death, inviting us to reality and wisdom, but on the other hand encourages us especially to grasp and live the unexpected newness that the Christian faith reveals in the reality of death itself".

"The human being", he continued, "is dust and to dust it will return, but it is dust that is precious in God's eyes because He created humanity, destining us to immortality. (...) Jesus the Lord also wanted to freely share in human frailty with each person, above all through his death on the cross. But it was precisely this death, full of his love for the Father and for humanity, that was the way of glorious resurrection, the means by which Christ became the source of grace given to all who believe in Him and participate in the same divine life".

The Pope highlighted that the distribution of ashes "is an invitation to spend the time during Lent as a more aware and more intense immersion in the paschal mystery of Christ, in his death and resurrection, through participation in the Eucharist and a life of charity that is born of the Eucharist and which finds its fulfilment in it. "With the distribution of ashes", he concluded, "we renew our commitment to follow Jesus, letting ourselves be transformed by his paschal mystery so that we may conquer evil and do good, so that we can let our 'old selves', tied to sin, die and let the 'new person' be born, transformed by the grace of God".

Catholic Musician Gerard Faucheux and His Parents Killed in Car Crash

Gerard Faucheux 42-year-old Catholic singer and songwriter Gerard Faucheux and his parents, 72-year old Nelson and Shirley Faucheux, were killed in a car crash on Interstate 10 in Mississippi. Gerard was driving his parents to his father's medical appointment at the time.

Carol Banks, 62, of Kenner, was jailed on hit and run charges after colliding with the Faucheux vehicle, pushing it into the path of another vehicle. Banks kept driving and was apprehending a short time later.

Gerard Faucheux left his wife, Kathy, a schoolteacher in Meadville, and four children between the ages of 10 and 21, according to Lisa Bacala, Gerard's sister. Nelson and Shirley Faucheux are survived by Bacala and another son.

The year leading up to the accident had taken a toll on the Faucheuxs. To battle Nelson Faucheux's diabetic and heart-disease complications, doctors amputated both of his feet last spring. They then ordered him to receive dialysis treatment three times a week, said Bacala, an Ascension Parish School Board employee.

Gerard FaucheuxBacala said her father developed a staph infection in one of his legs from his frequent dialysis visits. When the wound did not heal, he started visiting a specialist at East Jefferson General Hospital regularly to have it cleaned. He was returning from one of these appointments when the accident occurred.

The Faucheux siblings took turns driving their father to his medial appointments, Bacala said.

Gerard recorded his debut CD of self-penned songs, "How Can You Think of Me Now", which was produced by Dave Smith of Icon Music Studios.

News from Paradox

Paradox hello good people,

i know it's been a minute since i last sent out an e-blast, but here's the latest in the world of paradox:

1) my wife and i had our first child in october of last year and we're pretty confident that murphy laura is the best baby on the face of the earth. we're loving parenthood and are excited for what the future has in store.

2) the brethren over at enoch magazine recently used the track "bloodline" (featuring mellow drum addict and sev statik) from my album "called to mind" in a video highlighting their "night on skid row" ministry. the finished product came out dope and what they're doing with the homeless community in L.A. definitely deserves some attention. as the video shows, both groups are clearly benefiting from the experience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14_gOERA7mQ.



if you haven't copped the album that track's from yet, be sure to hit up one of the following online retailers:

Sphere of Hip Hop
iTunes
CDBaby
Amazon MP3
Rhapsody
eMusic

3) last but not least, some rap friends and i just finished up work on a little side project, the dropsci.GIANTS. the 8-song EP is called "littleONES" and the crew consists of:

commonCHILD www.myspace.com/commonchild
jupiter7 www.myspace.com/jupiter7
paraDOX www.paradoxhiphop.com
reSEARCH www.myspace.com/tharmon29


the release date is set for early march and the album will likely be dropping through a joint deal with ShadowFacts Records and End of Earth Records, so keep your eyes peeled for more information on that. the tracklisting/production credits for the EP are as follows:

01) lionDEATH (prod. by Signalias, cuts by Nickels of Lojique/Oldominion)
02) shoulderBOUND (feat. Sean P., prod. by Sean P.)
03) blueDAWN (feat. Micronaut, prod. by DJ Frantic, cuts by Sean P.)
04) anthrAPOLOGY (feat. Wonder Brown of Scribbling Idiots, prod. by Beat Rabbi of Deepspace5)
05) iTHIRST (prod. by Jupiter7)
06) farREACHING (feat. MellowDrumAddict, prod. by SameOldJake)
07) weKNOW (prod. by Common Child)
08) hauntedHOUSE (prod. by Proseed of The Beat Boxcar Children, cuts by Sean P.)

Studio Draws Music Lovers to Church

Father Luke Li Lujia A musician priest in eastern China (FUZHOU) says he hopes a professional recording studio he set up could help non-Catholics get to know God. The studio could facilitate exchange between the Church and society, said Father Luke Li Lujia, 33, of Fuzhou diocese.

He said the studio in Ximen St. Josephs Church, which opened in mid-December, has drawn many non-Catholic music-lovers and musicians to the Church. With financial support from Catholics, the 10-square-meter soundproof studio has been equipped with recording equipment and musical instruments including a cello, electric and classical guitars, drums, violins and a piano.

Chen Yu is one of those attracted to the Church through music. He told he went to Father Li's church with a friend to play music some years ago and got to know the priest. He said he was curious to see people worshipping and was attracted by the Taize songs they sang. "I have never felt such an atmosphere. The music touched my soul," he recalled.

Taize songs are meditative hymns and chants originating from the Taize ecumenical community based in France. Since it opened, Catholics and their non-Catholic friends use the studio to record Church songs and their own compositions almost every day. The facilities are free, but users are expected to contribute to the Church through their music or other services.

By introducing the studio to his friends, Chen said, "It gives them a chance to get in touch with the Church, and even attend Masses." Father Li has written a number of songs himself, including one called "Song for Priests," dedicated to the Year for Priests. He also runs a website of sacred music, the Giulio Aleni Sacred Music Training Center and the Fangzhou Sacred Music Workshop, all which are his attempts to promote locally composed Church music. All this can be "a good tool for evangelization" since music "transcends culture and language," Father Li said.

Papal Message for Lent 2010

Pope Benedict XVI VATICAN CITY, 4 FEB 2010 (VIS) - Made public today was the 2010 Lenten Message of the Holy Father Benedict XVI. The text, dated 30 October 2009, has as its title a passage from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans: "The justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ". The full English-language translation of the document is given below:

"Each year, on the occasion of Lent, the Church invites us to a sincere review of our life in light of the teachings of the Gospel. This year, I would like to offer you some reflections on the great theme of justice, beginning from the Pauline affirmation: 'The justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ'.

"First of all, I want to consider the meaning of the term 'justice', which in common usage implies 'to render to every man his due', according to the famous expression of Ulpian, a Roman jurist of the third century. In reality, however, this classical definition does not specify what 'due' is to be rendered to each person. What man needs most cannot be guaranteed to him by law. In order to live life to the full, something more intimate is necessary that can be granted only as a gift: we could say that man lives by that love which only God can communicate since He created the human person in His image and likeness. Material goods are certainly useful and required - indeed Jesus Himself was concerned to heal the sick, feed the crowds that followed Him and surely condemns the indifference that even today forces hundreds of millions into death through lack of food, water and medicine - yet 'distributive' justice does not render to the human being the totality of his 'due'. Just as man needs bread, so does man have even more need of God. St. Augustine notes: if 'justice is that virtue which gives every one his due ... where, then, is the justice of man, when he deserts the true God?'

"The Evangelist Mark reports the following words of Jesus, which are inserted within the debate at that time regarding what is pure and impure: 'There is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him. ... What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts'. Beyond the immediate question concerning food, we can detect in the reaction of the Pharisees a permanent temptation within man: to situate the origin of evil in an exterior cause. Many modern ideologies deep down have this presupposition: since injustice comes 'from outside', in order for justice to reign, it is sufficient to remove the exterior causes that prevent it being achieved. This way of thinking - Jesus warns - is ingenuous and short-sighted. Injustice, the fruit of evil, does not have exclusively external roots; its origin lies in the human heart, where the seeds are found of a mysterious co-operation with evil. With bitterness the Psalmist recognises this: 'Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me'. Indeed, man is weakened by an intense influence, which wounds his capacity to enter into communion with the other. By nature, he is open to sharing freely, but he finds in his being a strange force of gravity that makes him turn in and affirm himself above and against others: this is egoism, the result of original sin. Adam and Eve, seduced by Satan's lie, snatching the mysterious fruit against the divine command, replaced the logic of trusting in Love with that of suspicion and competition; the logic of receiving and trustfully expecting from the Other with anxiously seizing and doing on one's own, experiencing, as a consequence, a sense of disquiet and uncertainty. How can man free himself from this selfish influence and open himself to love?

"At the heart of the wisdom of Israel, we find a profound link between faith in God who 'lifts the needy from the ash heap' and justice towards one's neighbour. The Hebrew word itself that indicates the virtue of justice, 'sedaqah', expresses this well. 'Sedaqah', in fact, signifies on the one hand full acceptance of the will of the God of Israel; on the other hand, equity in relation to one's neighbour, especially the poor, the stranger, the orphan and the widow. But the two meanings are linked because giving to the poor for the Israelite is none other than restoring what is owed to God, who had pity on the misery of His people. It was not by chance that the gift to Moses of the tablets of the Law on Mount Sinai took place after the crossing of the Red Sea. Listening to the Law presupposes faith in God who first 'heard the cry' of His people and 'came down to deliver them out of hand of the Egyptians'. God is attentive to the cry of the poor and in return asks to be listened to: He asks for justice towards the poor, the stranger, the slave. In order to enter into justice, it is thus necessary to leave that illusion of self-sufficiency, the profound state of closure, which is the very origin of injustice. In other words, what is needed is an even deeper 'exodus' than that accomplished by God with Moses, a liberation of the heart, which the Law on its own is powerless to realize. Does man have any hope of justice then?

"The Christian Good News responds positively to man's thirst for justice, as St. Paul affirms in the Letter to the Romans: 'But now the justice of God has been manifested apart from law ... the justice of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by His blood, to be received by faith'.

"What then is the justice of Christ? Above all, it is the justice that comes from grace, where it is not man who makes amends, heals himself and others. The fact that 'expiation' flows from the 'blood' of Christ signifies that it is not man's sacrifices that free him from the weight of his faults, but the loving act of God Who opens Himself in the extreme, even to the point of bearing in Himself the 'curse' due to man so as to give in return the 'blessing' due to God. But this raises an immediate objection: what kind of justice is this where the just man dies for the guilty and the guilty receives in return the blessing due to the just one? Would this not mean that each one receives the contrary of his 'due'? In reality, here we discover divine justice, which is so profoundly different from its human counterpart. God has paid for us the price of the exchange in His Son, a price that is truly exorbitant. Before the justice of the Cross, man may rebel for this reveals how man is not a self-sufficient being, but in need of Another in order to realize himself fully. Conversion to Christ, believing in the Gospel, ultimately means this: to exit the illusion of self-sufficiency in order to discover and accept one's own need - the need of others and God, the need of His forgiveness and His friendship.

"So we understand how faith is altogether different from a natural, good-feeling, obvious fact: humility is required to accept that I need Another to free me from 'what is mine', to give me gratuitously 'what is His'. This happens especially in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Thanks to Christ's action, we may enter into the 'greatest' justice, which is that of love, the justice that recognises itself in every case more a debtor than a creditor, because it has received more than could ever have been expected. Strengthened by this very experience, the Christian is moved to contribute to creating just societies, where all receive what is necessary to live according to the dignity proper to the human person and where justice is enlivened by love.

"Dear brothers and sisters, Lent culminates in the Paschal Triduum, in which this year, too, we shall celebrate divine justice - the fullness of charity, gift, salvation. May this penitential season be for every Christian a time of authentic conversion and intense knowledge of the mystery of Christ, who came to fulfil every justice. With these sentiments, I cordially impart to all of you my apostolic blessing".

The Faithful Traveler to debut on EWTN March 4th

Diana von Glahn This March a new travel television series with a Catholic focus debuts on EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network). The Faithful Traveler television series captures the faith, fun and excitement of Catholic travel. The show's host, Diana von Glahn, takes you on a fun and faith-filled tour of some of the most amazing churches, shrines, and places of pilgrimage throughout the United States!

"You don't have to travel all the way to Europe and beyond to experience breathtaking churches and shrines," says Diana von Glahn. "We have so many Catholic treasures right here in the U.S. and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring these glorious sites into peoples homes and hearts!" Diana is not only the host of the series, she is also the writer and co-creator, along with her husband David. A cradle Catholic with deep religious roots from her Mexican/American heritage, von Glahn presents the history, architecture and religious significance of each site in a fast-paced show that will leave viewers thirsty for more.

The first season of The Faithful Traveler focuses on the East Coast, with travel destinations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Viewers will walk along with Diana von Glahn as she travels to such majestic sites as St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, NY, the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ and the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Shot in high definition, the series is not only a treat for the eyes but also for the ears: it features the music of some of today's most talented musicians, including Sarah Bauer, Nichole Ackoury, Popple, Ceili Rain, and others.

The series will debut on EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 10:30 am EST, and will be repeated on Sunday, March 7 at 5 pm EST. Consult your local schedules for channel and alternate times. The first episode is on the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, located in Philadelphia, PA.

The episode list is as follows:

Episode 1: National Shrine of St Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia
Episode 2: National Shrine of St Katharine Drexel, Philadelphia
Episode 3: Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish and St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, New York, NY
Episode 4: National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, New Jersey
Episode 5: St. Mary's Spiritual Center & Historic Site on Paca Street in Baltimore and the National Shrine of St Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg
Episode 6: Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Philadelphia
Episode 7: Old St Patrick's Cathedral, New York
Episode 8: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Baltimore
Episode 9: St Alphonsus Church, Baltimore
Episode 10: National Shrine of St John Neumann, Philadelphia
Episode 11: Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
Episode 12: St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York
Episode 13: St Patrick's Cathedral, New York

For more information about The Faithful Traveler series, visit TheFaithfulTraveler.com or EWTN.com.

New Music and a New Book by Katholicus

 Katholicus has just released a new CD of high-energy Catholic rock songs, titled "The Calling." Three of the songs from the new CD already appear on three different compilation albums. You can hear full streams of ten of the eleven songs by clicking HERE.

But what does Adam Miller of Katholicus do for a living when he's not rockin' for the Lord, you may wonder? He is an author and publisher of Catholic books. Just released is the 2nd edition of the popular "Discovering a Lost Heritage: The Catholic Origins of America."

An eye-opening journey into America's past. Documents how much of the "history" that Americans have been taught in public and private schools and promoted in establishment history texts is at the least, distorted; at worst, it is dominated by myth. Before America became a land of predominantly English Protestants, it was a land explored and settled by Irish, Scottish, Spanish, and French Catholics. For example: Did you know:

-that there were settlements by Catholics in New England before the Pilgrims arrived in 1620? -that Catholics had established settlements in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia even before Jamestown was settled in 1607? -that by the time the Pilgms came Catholic missionaries had converted and baptized some 50,000 American Indians in the true Faith? -that Catholics had celebrated the first Thanksgiving feast in America eighty years before the Pilgrims did?


You can find this and other solid Catholic books at Lulu.com/tower7.

Nick Alexander Releases a New Video in time for Lent

A little over three weeks ago, I posted an inquiry on this board in a state of panic. I had promised that I would get a video ready for potential use at a Catholic TV station, and I was running out of time. I found myself in a position where my last referral had closed its door, and I didn't know what else to do.

In my inquiry I had asked about video making. It was in this time that Susan Gorrell of Paper Monkey Productions had read my post, and corresponded with me in private. Her son, Brandon Gorrell, is a budding filmmaker, and has a vested interest in wanting to serve the Catholic musicians of CAM.

Long story short: I flew Brandon and his D.P. Joel to Connecticut, where within a jam-packed schedule, using the generous cooperation of a steady stream of volunteers, we were able to capture more than enough footage for this song.

Through it all, Brandon and Joel were very courteous and creative, coming up with challenging-but-fascinating vigniette scenarios that we were able to film. I don't dare wish to downplay how much energy was vested in making this work--corralling multiple sets of volunteers, purchasing myriad crazy props, renting lights, making pitstops to various electronics retailers, and changing our schedule to cooperate with the weather--it was one of those things that, when looking back, looks difficult... BUT--when caught up in the moment there is a momentum and drive that pushes you to succeed.

After Brandon and Joel returned home they, (and a third person--Izzy), went to work to edit our raw material into a coherant and funny music video. It took a couple of revisions, but, well, the final product can speak for itself:



Two things about this: first and foremost, if you like the video, please promote it. It's not about me (okay, it's a little bit about me), but it's about Lent. It's about finding ways to encourage non-Lenten-observant-folks to consider the blessings of Lent. If you have a blog, please embed the video onto it. If you have a facebook or myspace page, please link to it. If you like the video, please give it a positive review. All of these work together to help make this go viral.

The second thing: do not hesitate to bring these guys in to help you with your live-action video. There is something incredible about the creative process, where you can show a side of yourself that mere concert footage can fail to bring out (but if you have good concert footage, more power to you). It can bring words and images to life that a slide-show video may not be able to convey (but, if you have such, and it works, more power to you). The prices were most incredibly reasonable, and they both were able to drop everything in their schedule to help out.

I believe wholeheartedly that video is the solution to the logjam we have in Catholic music. Plus, if the video works, it has the potential of reaching the broadest audience possible, in much the same way that Susan Boyle had garnered international stardom.

Thanks for listening watching! Don't forget to rate it five stars!!

Maggie Wang Continues to the Finals in Shinin' Star 2010!

Maggie Wang, daughter to Critical Mass' David Wang, made it through to the Finals of the Faith FM Shining Star competition. It's down to the last 9 competitors!

Here are the songs from the semifinals as well as the judge's comments. One of Christian music's biggest artists, Jaci Velasquez, will be the guest judge for the evening. Maggie dedicated her performance of "Our Hope Endures" to the Haiti earthquake victims

The final program will be held Friday, February 5th at Centre in the Square in Kitchener and will feature guest judge Jaci Velasquez. Tickets for this event are $25 each and available at the Centre in the Square box office, by calling 1-800-265-8977 or 519-578-1570, or at Centre-Square.com.

Visit FaithFm.org/Shining_star.shtml for more information.

Maggie Wang performs "I'm Not Ashamed" at the Semi-Finals


Maggie Wang performs "Our Hope Endures" at the Semi-Finals


Maggie Wang listens to the judges' comments at the Semi-Finals



Haiti Relief: Catholic Artists Release Music and Video Compilation

AfterMass Sampler Platter: Haiti ReliefA collection of 15 Catholic music and visual artists have come together to produce a digital multimedia compilation titled AfterMass Sampler Platter: Haiti Relief, in an effort to contribute to the work of Catholic Relief Services in Haiti.

The compilation includes 15 audio tracks from 13 artists spanning Jazz, Hip Hop, Acoustic and Rock genres, as well as two short videos from Catholic media production groups, Likable Art and Spirit Juice Studios.

The artists have all donated their content and in return AfterMass Records is asking for consumers to either make a donation for access to download the Sampler and/or pledge to pray for the people of Haiti and the relief workers there. 100% of the donations to the project will go to Catholic Relief Services specifically for the Haiti earthquake relief effort.

Artists in the compilation include:
Rock: The Thirsting, The Lee Roessler Band, Last Day, Chris Padgett, Joia Farmer
Acoustic: Popple, Rich Dittus
Rap/Hip Hop: Move Merchants, Flip Francis, Sammy Blaze, Young PK
Jazz: Holy Soul Movement, manuel3

The AfterMass Sampler Platter: Haiti Relief project has been organized by AfterMass Records, an organization that supports and promotes Catholic musicians and artists through media compilations and digital distribution.

AfterMass Sampler Platter: Haiti Relief is available as a digital download from www.AfterMassRecords.com.

News from Icon Music Studios

The latest update here at Icon Studio Productions:

Nick Cardilino and I take the Christian category in this years International Songdoor competition for our co-write "Christ Reigns": Songdoor.com.

Another new CD recently completed here at Icon for the Catholic Acoustic/humor duo Popple. Fr. Roderick of "The Daily Breakfast" popular podcast had this to say about the CD:

"This is what Catholic music should sound like. This is what Catholic lyrics should be...It should be on par with other music out there. . . And Popple finally answers my prayer for great Catholic music that is funny, that is intelligent, that is at one point even silly, and at other points extremely deep and nurishing and you want to play it over and over again. . . This is the best Catholic music in the world, period! There is no discussion about it. This is it."


Also, 99.999% complete on a new CD for an exciting new youth-oriented artist Michael James Mette, due out next month. Book Michael for your next youth conference: MichaelJamesMette.com.

For you homeschoolers, I'm currently in the midst of producing a series of videos on featured products for Catholic Heritage Curricula homeschool curriculum. This video series (of about 36 videos total), viewable from their website, will be the first "virtual homeschool conference" of its kind: CHCWeb.com.

Currently also working on a new recording project for Dan Duet's wonderful, self-penned theme song for the San Antonio Catholic Mens' Conference. Due out in March.

And finally a personal project, produced in conjunction with my children, Gregorian Chant for Kids Volume I, is now being carried nationally by Catholic Heritage Curricula, ChantCD.com and Halo-works. A wonderful tool for introducing your children and the entire family to Gregorian chant. ChantForKids.com.

If you have plans for a new recording project, please keep me in mind!

God bless,
David C. Smith
IconStudioProductions.com
260-220-0688

Other Projects for 2010

We've heard from more artists who have projects being released this year.

Richard Schletty is working on a new 11-movement opus called Hungry For Heaven. The project is expected to be released on CD, although a released date has not yet been given.

Katholicus has just released a 10-song digital version of their new album, The Calling. The digital version is available on TuneCore.com/albums/247533 or on iTunes. The CD version of the album will include an 11th bonus track. Two songs from the new album are also available on the compilation CD Saints and Sinners: The Dark Side, released by Halfway House Studios. Find out more about this project at SaintsAndSinners.com.

Sal Solo recently released his newest album project, We Cry Justice, on HeartBeat. They are now planning a study guide to accompany the project. Keep an eye on his website for when this becomes available.

Sal Solo is also helping to produce the new album from Catholic rapper MashetiMoses. The new album is called IllumiNation, and should be ready soon.



Natalie Burt from Christ Music Kids told us they have released their third CD, Shine Like The Son, and they are also working on an instrumental worship guitar CD with Francis and Ron DuBois that will be released later this year.

Kitty Cleveland will be recording a Seven Sorrows Rosary CD with Fr. Robert Cavalier. He and Kitty both went to Kibeho, Rwanda with Immaculee Ilibagiza last summer (site of Marian apparitions in the 1980?s), and this is the rosary that Mary taught to the visionaries.

More New Music Projects For 2010

As we already mentioned, Kevin Heider and Deacon Robert Galea have new album projects that are in progress right now. Several other artists are also working on projects that are expected to be released this year.

Valerie Von Fange is working on a new album called Witness, which she describes as "an eclectic mix of music styles": Classical, Country, Latin, Ballads, Rock, and Celtic Tribal. Song themes include Our Lady, the Eucharist, martyrs, Divine Mercy, and more.

Mike Beloud of the group Rise told us that they have 7 of the projected 11 or 12 songs ready for their new project. The band will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on Pentecost, and they would like to have the new album ready by that time, or by Summer of this year at the latest.

Annie Karto is taking pre-orders now for her new album, Refuge, being released on her own label, Windswept Records. The track list of songs for this new project: 1 Give Thanks, 2 Christ is Passing By, 3 Refuge For You, 4 Song For Immaculee, 5 Songbird, 6 Prayer of St. Augustine, 7 Hail Mary: Gentle Woman, 8 Pilgrimage of Love, 9 Let it Be, 10 Eyes of Mercy, 11 Into the Air, and three instrumental tracks.

Aly B from Albie Entertainment has advised me that press releases are coming soon for new projects for two of their artists:
Matthew Baute's new instrumental album Harmony & Balance, which is expected to be released in January.


The debut album from a new artist, Michael James Mette, entitled Always What I Need, due to be released in February.



We'll have more from these and other artists as these projects and others are released. 2010 looks like a great year for Catholic music! Keep checking in with GrapeVine for all the latest!

Kevin Heider Ready to Release New Album This Spring

Kevin Heider is putting the finishing touches on his new CD, "The Salzburg Revolution", and expects to have the album out this spring.

Kevin was the winner of Gibson's "The Way I Am Contest" in 2008, and is currently planning tour dates in 2010 to Virginia, Maryland, New Zealand, and Ohio.

Visit Kevin's website at Wix.com/KevinHeider to learn more.

Righteous B is On the Road

Righteous B is, once again, teaming up with the Cajun Sensation Kelly Pease for a string of shows this winter and spring. After collaborating on some music together on "How a Wound Bleeds", the two have been doing a number of shows together throughout the country. The shows are still high octane fun but with a live band and some elements of depth as well. Catch a show near you!

Deacon Robert Galea Working on New Album

Malta native Robert Galea had a good year in 2009. He was ordained a Deacon in Australia, where he has been studying for the priesthood in Melbourne. He also has been traveling around Australia, sharing his faith.

Deacon Robert is working on his 3rd album project, yet unnamed, and due to be released some time this year.

Visit Deacon Robert Galea's website at ThatsWorship.com to find out more.

Maggie Wang Makes it to the Semi-Finals at Shinin' Star 2010!

Maggie Wang, daughter of Critical Mass' David Wang, was a clear winner at the Preliminaries held at Shinin' Star 2010, hosted by Faith FM 94.3 in Ontario, Canada.

The Semi-Finals are scheduled for January 29th at Creekside Church, Erbville; January 30th at Waterloo Pentacostal Assembly, Waterloo; and January 31st at Koinonia Christian Fellowship, Bloomingdale. Admission to the semi-final programs is free with a free-will offering.

The final program will be held at Centre in the Square in Kitchener and will feature guest judge Jaci Velasquez. Tickets for this event are $25 each and available at the Centre in the Square box office, by calling 1-800-265-8977 or 519-578-1570, or at Centre-Square.com.

Visit FaithFm.org/Shining_star.shtml for more information.

Maggie Wang performing at the Preliminaries:



Catholic Jukebox is 10!

Congratulations to George Leite, whose online Catholic radio station, Catholic Jukebox, is 10 years old!

George started Catholic Jukebox on January 6th, 2000. George has been instrumental in helping many Catholic artists to find an outlet for their music and message.

Find out more at CatholicJukebox.com.



New Public Relations and Technical Services Firm

Jim Cosgrove, formerly with Troubadour For the Lord, has started his own artistic and technical services firm.

Barefoot Promotion can help with web design, email and webmail, e-commerce, e-newsletters, custom logos, digital product downloads, public relations, and much more.

Visit their website at BarefootPromotion.com to find out more.