Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - January 31

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Jan. 31

Live from the town of Ave Maria, FL

4:00 – Writing from Left to Right: Michael Novak’s Journey from Liberal to Conservative

Once a liberal writer and thinker, Michael Novak is here to shows how Providence (not deliberate choice) placed him in the middle of many crucial events of his time: a month in wartime Vietnam, the student riots of the 1960s, the Reagan revolution, the collapse of the Berlin Wall, Bill Clinton's welfare reform, and the struggles for human rights in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also spent fascinating days, sometimes longer, with inspiring leaders like Sargent Shriver, Bobby Kennedy, George McGovern, Jack Kemp, Václav Havel, President Reagan, Lady Thatcher, and Pope John Paul II, who helped shape—and reshape—his political views. Through it all, his focus on helping the poor and defending universal human rights remained constant; he gradually came to see building small businesses and envy-free democracies as the only realistic way to build free societies. Without economic growth from the bottom up, democracies are not stable. Without protections for liberties of conscience and economic creativity, democracies will fail. Free societies need three liberties in one: economic liberty, political liberty, and liberty of spirit. Michael joins us.
 

5:00 – Kresta Comments – ABC News: “Pope Francis Gladly Blesses Parrot Belonging to Male Stripper”

5:20 – Baby Munoz: A Thought Exercise in Catholic Moral Theology

Earlier this week, a Fort Worth hospital that kept a pregnant, brain-dead woman on life support for two months, followed a judge’s order on and removed her from the machines, ending her family’s legal fight to have her pronounced dead and to challenge a Texas law that prohibits medical officials from cutting off life support to a pregnant woman. The Baby Munoz case has raised questions about end-of-life care and whether a pregnant woman who is considered legally and medically dead should be kept on life support for the sake of an unborn baby. It also has gripped attention on both sides of the abortion debate and among Catholic Moral Theologians. We talk to Dr. Janet Smith about this case.

Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - Jan. 29

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Jan. 29

4:00 – Kresta Comments – State of the Union / GOP Response and the Problem of Empty Phrases

5:00 – Renewal: How a New Generation of Faithful Priests and Bishops Is Revitalizing the Catholic Church
In the wake of the clergy abuse scandal of the last decade, many media commentators predicted the “end” of the Catholic priesthood. Demands for an end to celibacy, coupled with calls for women’s ordination, dominated discussions on the effectiveness of the Catholic Church in America. Anne Hendershott argues that rather than a decline of the priesthood and a diminishing influence of the Catholic Church, we are living in a time of transformation and revitalization. The aging generation of progressives that continues to lobby Church leaders to change Catholic teachings on reproductive rights, same-sex marriage and women's ordination is being replaced by younger men and women who are attracted to the Church because of the very timelessness of its teachings. Anne joins us to make the case.

Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - January 28

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Jan. 28

4:00 – Kresta Comments

4:20 – David Dancing Before the Lord in Praise – How Should We View Physical Expressions of Praise?
In today’s first reading from 2 Samuel we find David dancing before the Lord in praise. "David came dancing before the Lord with abandon...David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and sound of horn." We look at physical expressions of praise with Ralph Martin of Renewal Ministries.

5:00 – Kresta Comments

5:20 – Bible Basics for Catholics: A New Picture of Salvation History

From biblical scholar John Bergsma--two-time teacher of the year at the Franciscan University of Steubenville--comes a fresh, fun, and authentically Catholic introduction to the "big picture" of salvation history. This overview of the Bible is based on Bergsma's wildly popular introduction to theology course at Franciscan. Bergsma combines sound theology, academic expertise, pastoral wisdom, and an endearing playfulness to draw readers into the connection between the great stories of the Bible and salvation in Jesus. John is with us.

5:40 – Roe v Wade / Catholic Schools Week / A Year of Prayer for a New Pentecost / Reflections on 5 years on Detroit

In our monthly interview with Detroit’s Archbishop Allen Vigneron we talk about his challenges and accomplishments in Detroit on this 5^th anniversary being installed as the Archbishop of Detroit. We discuss his laser focus on the New Evangelization and a “Year of Prayer for a New Pentecost.” He follows up on last week’s anniversary of Roe v Wade. And in this Catholic Schools Week he talks about the importance of Catholic education for the Church.

Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - January 27, 2014

4:00 – How to Go from Being a Good Evangelical to a Committed Catholic in Ninety-Five Difficult Steps

American evangelicalism has recently experienced a new openness to Roman Catholicism, and many evangelicals, both famous and ordinary, have joined the Catholic Church or are considering the possibility. Christian Smith is here to help sort out the kinds of concerns that typically come up when Evangelicals discern whether to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church. In simple language, it explains many theological misunderstandings that evangelicals often have about Roman Catholicism, and suggests the kind of practical steps many take to enter the Catholic Church. He speaks first-hand as an Evangelical-turned-Catholic.

5:00 – A Heart for Freedom: The Remarkable Journey of a Young Dissident, Her Daring Escape, and Her Quest to Free China's Daughters
More than twenty years ago, Chai Ling led the protesters at Tiananmen Square and became China's most-wanted female fugitive. Today, she's finally telling her astonishing story. Though haunted by memories of the horrifying massacre at Tiananmen and her underground escape from China in a cargo box, Ling threw herself into pursuing the American dream. She completed Ivy League degrees, found love, and became a highly successful entrepreneur. Yet her longing for true freedom, purpose, and peace remained unfulfilled. Years after Tiananmen, she was still searching to find meaning in all the violence, fear, and tragedy she'd endured. She is here to tell her tale of passion, political turmoil, and spiritual awakening . . . and the inspirational true story of a woman who has dedicated everything to giving people in China their chance at a future. 

Message to New Yorkers: If the Governor Kicks You Out, You’re Welcome in Oklahoma

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Recently, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in a now-famous rant, put out the "Not Welcome" mat in front of Empire State pro-lifers.  If you're conservative, he said, you're not welcome in his state.  NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio sided with him "100%".

Oklahoma State Representative Rebecca Hamilton, who has served in the Oklahoma House for 18 years, has published a response to the governor's inflammatory remarks on her blog, Public Catholic, which can be found on the Catholic Portal at Patheos.  

Rep. Hamilton first gratefully acknowledges the statement from Bishop Richard Malone of Buffalo, who publicly responded to the governor's over-the-top political posturing.  Then, she slices the governor and the mayor with her rhetoric.

Rep. Hamilton's well-reasoned perspective is worth reading.  Here is an excerpt:

Rep. Hamilton

I’ve held off writing about this because it is so over the top in terms of acceptable behavior from an elected official that I decided to give it a bit of time to jell. I wanted to allow Governor Cuomo a chance to issue a press release saying, I was suffering from gastroenteritis/drunk/grief-stricken-because-my-dog-had-died at the time and said things that in no way represent what I truly think. Nothing that carries the flat-out I-did-not-mean-it apology which I think is required for such outrageous comments from an elected official has ensued. 

It appears that not just the Governor, but the mayor of New York (or, as we call it where I’m from, New York City) are standing pat. They may not agree on much else, but they agree “100%” that people who think differently from them on a whole range of issues are not welcome in New York. 

This isn’t about pro life vs pro abortion. It’s not about gun control vs the Second Amendment. It’s also not about gay vs traditional marriage. It’s about two elected officials who, from all evidence, have totally lost their sense of what elective office means. Both the Governor and the attaboy mayor following in his footsteps have taken on attitudes and ideas that are antithetical to what public service in the form of elective office entails. 

When you’re elected to office, you represent everyone in the area that elected you. That means, Mr Governor and Mr Mayor, even those who oppose gun control, gay marriage and abortion. You are their governor and their mayor just the same as you are the mayor or governor for your pals and cronies who blow smoke up your skirts and tell you what a “statesman” you are for kicking everyone else to the curb. 

It doesn’t matter if you agree with your constituents. It doesn’t matter if they agree with you. It certainly doesn’t matter if they like you or not. They can call you names and drive you nuts with weird accusations and oddball demands all they want. The office you occupy belongs to them. Not you. 

Governor Cuomo occupies the office of Governor of New York. But the office belongs to the people of New York.  

By the people of New York, I mean all of them, including those that the Governor and his mayoral echo say “don’t belong” in their fair state and city.

It's an excellent analysis.  Read the rest here.

Another Victory for the Little Sisters of the Poor

By Kathy Schiffer

The Little Sisters of the Poor enjoyed another victory in the court on Friday, January 24.  The Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling, extended the temporary order imposed by Justice Sonia Sotomayor on December 31.  The ruling bars the Obama administration from forcing the Sisters to comply with the contraception coverage requirement of the Affordable Care Act while their case is pending in a federal appeals court.

The injunction means that the religious order will not be forced to sign and deliver the controversial government forms authorizing and instructing their benefits administrator to provide contraceptives.  

Mark L. Rienzi of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who has represented the nuns in their fight against the contraceptive mandate, noted that the ruling also provides protection to more than 400 other Catholic organizations which receive health benefits through the Christian Brothers Employee Benefit Trust.

The Supreme Court justices emphasized that their order should not be construed as an expression of their views on the merits of the case.  And the Court, while ruling that the Little Sisters need not sign a government form that also authorizes their health plan administrator to “process claims for contraceptive coverage,” stipulated that the Little Sisters must “inform the Secretary of Health and Human Services in writing that they are nonprofit organizations that hold themselves out as religious and have religious objections to providing coverage for contraceptive services.”

The ruling is viewed as a setback for the Obama administration's sweeping health care reform law.  U.S. Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr., in a brief filed January 3, had asked the Supreme Court not to grant the injunction.  The Little Sisters of the Poor, Verrilli charged in the Justice Department brief, "fail to satisfy the demanding standard for the extraordinary and rarely granted relief they seek:  an original injunction from this court."

The Supreme Court has two other cases on its agenda which will potentially impact the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  Those cases involve two for-profit companies:  Hobby Lobby Stores and Conestoga Wood Specialties.  In those cases, the Justice Department has claimed that "a secular company does not engage in any exercise of religion" and "may not impose its owners' personal religious beliefs on its employees." 

The Justice Department continues to insist that the secular employers cannot impose their religious beliefs on their employees, and claims that a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the companies would "cripple the government's ability to solve national problems through laws of general application" such as the Affordable Care Act.

Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - January 24, 2014

Talking about the "things that matter most" on January 24

4:00 – Review: “Gimme Shelter”

4:20 – Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Epic Challenge to the Church

From time to time prophetic Christian voices rise to challenge our nation’s "original sin." In the twentieth century, compelled by the Spirit of God and a yearning for freedom, the African American church took the lead in heralding the effort. Like almost no other movement before or since, Christian people gave force to a social mission. And, remarkably, they did it largely through nonviolent actions. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words and historic efforts as the Moses of this civil rights movement stand out as perhaps the most significant instance of a modern Christian leader acting in a prophetic role to instigate political change. In many ways "The Letter from Birmingham Jail" stands at the center of that movement. In this book African American journalist Edward Gilbreath explores the place of that letter in the life and work of Dr. King. Birmingham Revolution is not simply a work of historical reflection. Gilbreath encourages us to reflect on the relevance of King's work for the church and culture of our day. Whether it’s in debates about immigration, economic redistribution or presidential birth certificates, race continues to play a role in shaping society. What part will the church play in the ongoing struggle? Edward joins us.

5:00 – Race With the Devil: My Journey from Racial Hatred to Rational Love

Before he was the world’s foremost Catholic biographer, Joseph Pearce was a leader of the National Front, a British-nationalist, white-supremacist group. Before he published books highlighting and celebrating the great Catholic cultural tradition, he disseminated literature extolling the virtues of the white race, and calling for the banishment of all non-white from Britain. Pearce and his cohorts were at the center of the racial and nationalist tensions—often violent—that swirled around London in the late-1970s and early 80s. A one-year prison term spurred a sea change in his life. He is here to talk about it.

Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - January 23

Talking about the “Things That Matter Most” on January 23

4:00 – Kresta Comments

4:20 – Illiberal Catholicism

What do nostalgic, Renaissance Faire Catholics have in common with neo-Marxists? What do would-be Catholic “Amish” separatists share with Inquisition re-enactors? What is the thread linking Cardinal Dolan, who wished that he could be the “biggest cheerleader” for Obamacare, and the right-wing Catholics who downplayed the bishops’ plea for religious liberty in the face of the HHS mandate — arguing that, instead, Catholics ought to be arguing whether contraception should even be legal? John Zmirak is here to answer those questions.

5:00 – Has the Media Finally Turned a Corner on Coverage of the March for Life?

ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, C-SPAN, FOX NEWS, CNN, The New York Times, USA Today, the Washington Post, Reuters, the Associated Press, UPI, and more. What do they all have in common? Well – a lot – but yesterday there was one thing in particular: They all covered the March for Life and actually interviewed presenters, organizers, and marchers. Teresa Tomeo was there reporting for EWTN’s Live Coverage and tells us whether she thinks the media has turned a corner on one of the biggest annual Washington event.

5:20 – Police: Justin Bieber was drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, and taking prescription medication when arrested for drag racing

Police said today that pop singer Justin Beiber was arrested last night for drag-racing down a Miami Beach street while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs. He was charged with DUI, driving with an expired license and resisting arrest. Beiber is 19 years old. We use this as an opportunity to look at celebrity drug deaths, why they seem common and what lessons we can learn. Mike Vasquez of the St. Gregory Center for Drug and Alcohol Rehab joins us.

5:40 – Lone Survivor: The Man Behind the Movie

Four US Navy SEALS departed one clear night in early July 2005 for the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border for a reconnaissance mission. Their task was to document the activity of an al Qaeda leader rumored to be very close to Bin Laden with a small army in a Taliban stronghold. Five days later, only one of those Navy SEALS made it out alive. This is the story of the only survivor of Operation Redwing, SEAL fire team leader Marcus Luttrell, and the extraordinary firefight that led to the largest loss of life in American Navy SEAL history. Marcus joins us.

"That They May All Be One": The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

By Kathy Schiffer

Has Christ Divided Us?


That's the theme for the 2014 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, the Octave of Sts. Peter and Paul.  Drawn from 1 Corinthians 1:13, the week is intended to draw believers toward the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper "that they all may be one."


But as we look around, it's clear that Christ's prayer has not been fulfilled:  According to Wikipedia, there are now 41,000 Christian denominations. 


WHAT WENT WRONG?

THAT THEY MAY ALL BE ONE: FROM THE REFORMATION TO CHRISTIAN UNITY

I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.

And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. –John 17:20-23

In sixteenth century Germany, an Augustinian friar by the name of Martin Luther became concerned about things he saw happening in the Church. He saw some priests, even some bishops, who were engaged in practices which he considered to be wrong—particularly the sale of indulgences.

And there was, indeed, a moral problem at the time: Corruption had crept into the Church. Pope Leo X had authorized the sale of special “jubilee indulgences” in the cities and principalities of Germany. The indulgences were plenary, meaning that for those who purchased them, all sin and eternal and temporal punishment would be forgiven. Half of the money raised from the sale of indulgences would be used to finance the building of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome; the other half would be used by the archbishop of Mainz to pay off a loan.

Luther drafted a series of ninety-five statements in Latin—offering his reflections on indulgences, good works, repentance and other topics. The Castle Church in Wittenberg faced the main thoroughfare, and the heavy church door served as a public bulletin board, a place for posting important notices. So it was that on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his list of “Ninety-Five Theses” to the door of the Castle Church.

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES - THE SPLITTING OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

 

Luther had hoped that his Theses would initiate an academic discussion—not serve as the agenda for a major reform of the Catholic Church.
However, within weeks the Theses were translated into German, then reproduced using the new moveable-type printing press. They were widely circulated through Germany, and soon became a topic for discussion through all of Europe. Three years later, amid the international attention, Luther was excommunicated by the pope and declared a heretic and outlaw. The Reformation had begun.


Just as Martin Luther did not anticipate the huge response his Ninety-Five Theses would receive, he did not foresee the further splintering of Protestantism into some 38,000 Christian denominations (the number reported in the Atlas of World Christianity, published in 2010). If, as Luther’s movement proposed, there is no authority vested in the Church, then there is no reason not to break off and begin a new movement within Christianity; and in less than 500 years, the result has been the splintering of Christ’s Church into ever more movements and denominations. It is a great scandal that Christ’s high priestly prayer to the Father—that we may be one in order that the world will see—has been thwarted.

THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY:  REVERSING THE TREND TOWARD DIVISION 

 

In 1908 Father Paul Wattson, founder of an Anglican religious community which later became part of the Catholic Church, established a “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”–a week to pray with our Christian brothers and sisters of other denominations, and to celebrate those areas where we find common ground.  His initiative received the blessing of Pope St. Pius X and was later promoted by Pope Benedict XV, who encouraged its celebration throughout the Catholic Church.

The Second Vatican Council reaffirmed the importance of this quest for unity among followers of Jesus Christ.

Each year the theme of the week is chosen by an ecumenical group representing a different region of the world. This year’s theme, “All shall be changed by the victory of Jesus Christ our Lord,” was selected by the Churches of French Canada.  It is drawn from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Wednesday, January 18 began the 2012 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Pope Benedict XVI, addressing more than 8,000 pilgrims at the Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square on January 22, called the quest for Christian unity “a common response to the spiritual hunger of our times.” He acknowledged that the division within the community of believers is a great challenge for new evangelization, which may be more fruitful if all Christians proclaim together the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and give a joint response to the spiritual hunger of our times.

Pope Francis, at his weekly General Audience on January 22, spoke about the scandal of division.  The English-language synthesis, read out after the main reflection delivered by Pope Francis in Italian, said, 

We know that Christ has not been divided; yet we must sincerely recognize that our communities continue to experience divisions which are a source of scandal and weaken our witness to the Gospel.

In reproaching the Corinthians for their divisions, Paul reminds them to rejoice in the great spiritual gifts which they have received. His words encourage us to rejoice in the gifts God has given to other Christians, gifts which we can receive from them for our enrichment. To be able to do this calls for humility, discernment and constant conversion.

2014: A COLD March for Life

Not sure who photoshopped this shot of Dominican priests heading toward the March for Life--but it's pretty funny.

To all those who marched yesterday in the sub-zero wind chills, and to those who tried to get there but were thwarted by transportation glitches and cancellations, and to those who prayed for the cause of Life-- Thank you!

Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - January 22, 2014

Talking about the “Things That Matter Most” on January 22

 

Roe V Wade Anniversary Special

 

4:00 – Abuse of Discretion: The Inside Story of Roe v. Wade

Based on 20 years of research, including an examination of the papers of eight of the nine Justices who voted in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, Abuse of Discretion is a critical review of the behind-the-scenes deliberations that went into the Supreme Court's abortion decisions and how the mistakes made by the Justices in 1971-1973 have led to the turmoil we see today in legislation, politics, and public health. Why do the abortion decisions remain so controversial after 40 years, despite more than 50,000,000 abortions, numerous presidential elections, and a complete turnover in the Justices? Why did such a sweeping decision—with such important consequences for public health, producing such prolonged political turmoil—come from the Supreme Court in 1973? Clarke Forsythe, author of the aforementioned book, joins us.

 

5:00 – Abandoned: The Untold Story of the Abortion Wars

Every day, thousands of children fragile, innocent, alone are abandoned. They are brutally snuffed from the world and literally left in the trash . . . and it's all legal. Monica Miller is here to tell her story of one woman's staunch and courageous defense of those children abandoned by abortion. She has pulled the bodies of thousands of unborn babies out of dumpsters and given them a proper burial. She has photographed their bodies as well. She will tell us many fascinating tales from the front-lines of the abortion battle.

12 Unborn Animals In The Womb You Have To See To Believe

Thanks to Buzzfeed for this story

These images were created for a National Geographic special called In The Womb: Animals by Producer Peter Chinn. He used a combination of ultrasound technology, tiny cameras, and computer design to create these incredible images that replicate what fetal animals look like. This is an incredible window into the womb (or egg as the case may be), laying bare the mysteries of the beginning of life! Makes you wonder

1. Unborn Elephant

 

2. Unborn Horse

              

                         

 

3. Unborn Leopard

 

4. Unborn Penguin

                         

 

5. Unborn Dolphin

                         

 

6. Unborn Tiger Shark

 

 

7. Unborn Lemon Shark

                         

 

8. Unborn Polar Bears

                         

 

9. Unborn Snake

                         

 

10. Baby Wallaby

                         

 

11. Unborn Bats

 

12. Unborn Chihuahua

                         

 

Clump of Cells?

                         

 

Wait a minute, what? That’s an unborn human being isn’t it? For every other entry in this series, we realized that the animal inside the womb was the same type of thing as the animal outside the womb. Why should it be different for human beings? It would be dehumanizing to use dissociative language like “clump of cells” in this instance.

 

Unfortunately however, this particular fetal life in the womb is treated as less than human—it isn’t given the full rights of “Personhood” in the United States. And for that reason, this little one can be killed through abortion. Seems unjust doesn’t it? We think so. If you agree, please sign the Ten Million for Life pledge, which declares that all human beings should be recognized as full persons.

Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - January 21

Talking about the “Things That Matter Most” on January 21

4:00 – Russia warns Ukraine 'out of control' after new violence: Christians in Peril

Less than 72 hours after Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych seemed to back off from his Ministry of Culture’s threat to decertify the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and put this largest of the Eastern Catholic Churches in legal limbo, the Yanukovych-controlled Ukrainian parliament, on January 16, rammed through eleven new laws aimed at curbing, and eventually crushing, the EuroMaidan civic-renewal movement, muzzling its calls for political and economic reform by constraining the movement’s exercise of basic civil liberties. Meanwhile, today Russia warned the situation in Ukraine was spiralling out of control after a second night of violent clashes between pro-EU protesters and security forces in the centre of Kiev. We talk to George Weigel who has been following and writing about this dire situation for months.

4:40 – Blinded By the Light

The Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Lansing, Craig Pohl, is here to give his powerful testimony. He says that at a pivotal point in his life he was "Blinded by the Light." He tells his story.

5:00 – Kresta in the Afternoon

5:20 – Deep in the Wave: A Surfing Guide to the Soul

For world-class surfer Bear Woznick, the ocean has always been the center of his universe. He's spent his entire life with it; riding its waves, learning from it, loving it. The ocean also nourishes the soul as Bear shows us on his surfboard. From the way a surfboard is painstakingly crafted, to the faith and patience that is required to ride a monster wave, Woznick weaves his relationship to surfing with his relationship to God, relating how the two are often one in the same. Instead of standing on the shore with our toes in the surf, Woznick takes us on the board--to the deep water--to watch and wait--and, if need be, to paddle hard to survive.

Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - January 20, 2014

Talking about the “Things That Matter Most” on January 20

 

4:00 – 6:00 – Today we go “Direct to My Desk” and let you set the agenda with your questions and comments. As always have a few topics of our own - like Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s statement that “Right to Life” and “anti-gay” citizens are not welcome in the state and what to do about “Catholic tribalism.” But the emphasis of the show is driven by you. Be ready to call 877-573-7825.

PARENTHOOD: Stains, Spills, Sleeplessness…and Love

By Kathy Schiffer

If you’re a parent, you know that the early years of childrearing are a mix of joy and sheer exhaustion.

A new commercial by Argentine creative ideas agency Santo Buenos Aires captures the fatigue and the frustration, the bedlam and the bemusement, and the pure love that makes it all worthwhile.  The commercial by director Pucho Mentasti is for Coke Life, a new, green-label Argentine concoction that’s sweetened with a sugar and stevia extract for a 35-calorie serving.

Sebastian Wilhelm, Santo’s executive creative director, said,

“Having children is not just life’s most important moment, but the ultimate test to connecting with your best side.  Coke Life is a new kind of Coke.  We’re just starting to build this brand, setting up its world, its tone of voice.  We were aiming for ‘emotional comedy’ [with this ad].  The kind that makes you smile and weep at the same time.”

It worked with me!  I think you’ll love it, too.

“Be Vigilant”: Pope Offers Encouragement for Radio and TV Broadcasters

“I remind you that your profession, in addition to being informative, is formative; it is a public service, that is, a service for the common good, a service for truth, for goodness, and for beauty.”

--Pope Francis

addressing broadcasters from

Italy’s national radio station, RAI

on January 18, 2014

In 2014, Italy’s national radio station, RAI, is marking its 90^th anniversary in radio and its 60^th anniversary in television. 

For the double anniversary, directors and staff of RAI were welcomed in a special papal audience this morning in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. 

Pope Francis reminded broadcasters of their responsibility to maintain high ethical standards and to produce media that promotes human growth.  The pope expressed his appreciation for decades of thoughtful programming, noting that through RAI radio and television, Italians have always been able to access the words and images of the Pope and to follow Church events including the Second Vatican Council, papal elections, papal visits in Italy, the Jubilee Year, and the funeral of John Paul II.

Vatican Radio offered a full report:

The Pope said the keyword he wanted to highlight on the occasion of these two anniversaries is “collaboration”, in particular the decades-long collaboration between the RAI and the Vatican’s radio and television broadcasters.

The Pope also acknowledged the broadcaster’s various religious productions over the years and its role in documenting change in Italian society and in unifying Italy both linguistically and culturally.

“Recalling such a rich history of accomplishments also calls us to a renewed sense of responsibility,” he said. “I remind you that your profession, in addition to being informative, is formative; it is a public service, that is, a service for the common good, a service for truth, for goodness, and for beauty.”

The broadcaster “produces culture and education, offers information and entertainment, which at every time of day, reaches a large number of Italians.”
“It is a responsibility to which, he who is owner of a public service, cannot abdicate for any reason,” he said. “Ethical communication is, in the final analysis, the fruit of an attentive conscience—not one that is superficial—that is always respectful of people, both those about whom the information is given and of the receivers of the message. Each person (in broadcasting) in their respective role and responsibility, is called to be vigilant in order to maintain high ethical standards of communication, and to avoid those things that create much harm: misinformation, defamation and slander.”

He urged the broadcasters to “work well” and to invest trust and hope in their work, so as to communicate these values in their broadcasts. “There is so much need (for trust and hope),” he said.

He also expressed the hope that, “pursuing with determination and perseverance their objectives”, broadcasters “will know how to be at the service of human, cultural and civil growth of society.”

He concluded by wishing participants and their families a good New Year.

Cardinal Angelo Comastri, vicar general for Vatican City, celebrated mass for the attendees prior to the audience.