New Orleans, La., Aug 25, 2010 / 01:07 am (CNA).- Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond has launched a video blog to deliver weekly messages to area Catholics. His first message reflects on his hopes for the future and what he has learned in his first year an archbishop. His next video will mark the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

“On most days it’s hard to believe it’s been a year already,” Archbishop Aymond says in his first video. He added that it was his “humble privilege” to serve as archbishop, especially since he is the first native son of New Orleans to hold the office in over 200 years.

He also admitted that he has not been to all the parishes of the archdiocese as he had hoped he would, but he intends to fulfill the promise he made.

Speaking of the state of the archdiocese, he said “the Catholic Church is alive and well” and continues to be a “strong, strong presence” in New Orleans and beyond.

The archbishop has said he has been “overwhelmed” by the fraternity of the priests and by the “wonderful welcome” he has received from the priests, religious and laity.

Turning to the challenges facing the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Archbishop Aymond cited rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina, responding to the effects of the Gulf oil spill, and addressing those hurt by the archdiocese’s pastoral plan to reorganize its churches.

Discussing his goals for the future, the archbishop said he would like to “tweak” the pastoral governance structure better to serve parishes and Catholic institutions and would like to build on the “wonderful relationships” he has formed.

He added that he would like the archdiocese to have a local synod.

The archbishop also advocated continued outreach to those who are away from the Church, noting the “Catholics Come Home” campaign planned for Lent 2011.
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Compiled by OSV staff

OSV’s Catholic Guide to the Internet — Readers’ choice edition

You picked em! The very best of the Catholic Web in four categories.

Download a PDF of the Internet Guide here»

The number of Catholic-oriented websites has exploded, and keeping track of the ones that are truly useful gets harder as they proliferate.

Some sites are obvious keepers, like the sites of the Vatican or bishops’ conferences. And most Catholic Internet surfers are aware of some of the larger sites.

But what about those hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered by a broader audience?

We asked you for your favorites in four main categories: spirituality, news and resources, opinion, and community building.

May your surfing deepen your faith!
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Thanks to all who voted for CatholicsComeHome.org, we are honored to be included as an ‘OSV readers’ choice’!

Local priests optimistic that Catholics still returning home

By ELENA GRIMM

Six months after the Rockford Diocese launched TV commercials inviting fallen-away Catholics to return to the church, the Rev. Tim Seigel is still getting calls from people who want to come back, a ripple effect that he believes started with the television advertising.

The commercials, which ran in December and January, were followed by programs led by laypeople and priests at each parish, inviting people interested in regaining their Catholic faith to meet once a week throughout the Lenten season.

Whatever evidence is considered – like an increase in Mass attendance throughout the diocese or anecdotal evidence, like the phone calls Seigel is still receiving – the diocese and local priests know that change is happening.

“There is something happening here and it’s a very exciting time,” said Seigel, pastor of St. Catherine of Genoa Church in Genoa.
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Visit CatholicsComeHome.org to learn ways you can help spread the word about this evangelization initiative through your parish!

(August 4, 2010) Roswell, GA—Catholics Come Home will premier their new TV commercial “Home” as part of the upcoming Advent 2010 television initiative.  The commercial, which invites all people “to experience the peace that only comes from God,” gives viewers hope especially during these tough times.  The commercial premieres just as Pope Benedict XVI offers his August mission prayer intention, “That the Church may be a ‘home’ for all people.”

“Home” will air beginning in December in select markets across the United States in English, Spanish and closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

Also debuting is a new commercial for CatolicosRegresen.org, the Spanish language website of CatholicsComeHome.org.  This testimonial commercial features Eduardo Verástegui, actor, producer, and star of the movie Bella.  Eduardo shares his personal testimony of his journey back to his Catholic roots after years outside the Church pursuing fame and material success.  “There is nothing greater than to wake up every day and to use your talents that God gave you to serve Him and to serve others,” Eduardo stated during the Hollywood shoot.  These commercials will premier on Spanish language television in December, in a number of markets across the U.S..

Tom Peterson, President and Founder of Catholics Come Home, met with Eduardo in Los Angeles to produce the commercials and website videos for both CatholicsComeHome.org and the outreach ministry EncouragePriests.org.  Spirit Juice Studios of Chicago, following the Peterson/Verástegui story, produced a behind the scenes video of the two commercial shoots.

Catholics Come Home (CCH) is a not for profit, independent charity designed to invite inactive Catholics and others searching for a faith home to the Catholic Church, through television commercials and interactive websites.  In response to twelve initial CCH campaigns and viral exposure of the website, the CatholicsComeHome.org website has been visited by over 1 million individuals from all fifty states and over one hundred countries, who were moved by the welcoming messages and website. Overall, the CCH TV messages have reached nearly 20 million television viewers across the United States, just since 2008.

To date, CCH campaigns have aired in twelve dioceses from Providence to Sacramento, Chicago to Seattle, helping to increase Mass attendance an average of nearly 11%, and welcoming a total of 200,000 inactive Catholics and converts home since inception.

Now, Catholics Come Home is inviting other families back to the Catholic faith across the country in 13 additional dioceses, including Boston, Worcester, Portland Maine, Atlanta, Charlotte, and many other dioceses and archdioceses.

By 2012, CatholicsComeHome.org hopes to begin airing on national US television networks and national cable systems, then internationally in the future.

The inspiring television and website advertisements are viewable at www.CatholicsComeHome.org.  “These messages are created and sponsored by lay Catholic families who have experienced a renewal of faith and who want to bring purpose and hope to other families across the country.  The results are nothing short of miraculous,” said Founder, Tom Peterson.

CatholicsComeHome.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit media apostolate, dedicated to producing and airing Catholic evangelism television ads on local, national and international television networks.  EncouragePriests.org™ is a special communications outreach project of Catholics Come Home, Inc.

Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for August is-
“That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties”.

His mission intention is-
“That the Church may be a ‘home’ for all people, ready to open her doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries”.

Share the CatholicsComeHome.org site with a loved-one, friend or co-worker away from The Church, and invite them ‘home’ to the practice of their faith!

ATLANTA, Ga. (JuLY 28, 2010)—Following the CatholicsComeHome.org collaboration announcement by Seán Cardinal O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, the secular press embraced the news with:

• Front page, main headline in The Boston Globe (July 21, 2010), “A Call to Catholics to ‘Come Home’ Again”
• Nearly 12 minutes of Prime Time coverage (July 22, 2010 ) on Boston’s highly rated WGBH TV Program Greater Boston with Emily Rooney
• Talk Radio coverage (July 22, 2010) on NPR’s WBUR

CatholicsComeHome.org initiatives in 12 U.S. dioceses have helped nearly 200,000 inactive Catholics return to the Church, increasing Mass attendance an average of 12%.

More details on the collaborative launch in Boston, as well as CatholicsComeHome.org can be found in the current News Release.

CatholicsComeHome.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit media apostolate, dedicated to producing and airing Catholic evangelism television ads on local, national and international television networks.

A call to Catholics to ‘come home’ again

Boston Archdiocese aims ad campaign at inactive parishioners