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WASHINGTON (April 20, 2004) -- The Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) announced today the launch of its 2004 campaign: HOW THE GOOD NEWS GETS AROUND.
The campaign coincides with World Communications Day 2004, which has as its theme "The Media in the Family: A Risk and a Richness."
In his statement for World Communications Day, Pope John Paul II urged parents to educate their children about media by teaching critical viewing skills and regulating use of media in the home.
HOW THE GOOD NEWS GETS AROUND highlights the Church in the United States' response to the papal exhortation, noting, for example, that the CCC makes certain that the Good News is part of the media experience for families.
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, chairman of the Communications Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the Pope shows concern for youth and media.
"The Holy Father reminds parents that they are the primary and most important educators of their children and the first to teach them about the media," Bishop Kicanas said. "The CCC offers many useful tools to help parents enrich their children's lives; CCC programming highlights appropriate role models."
"By supporting the Catholic Communication Campaign members of the faithful
assist the Church in its mission to sustain the faith of viewers and listeners across our nation," Bishop Kicanas added.
Created by the U. S. Bishops in 1978, the CCC reaches individuals through radio, print, video, television and the Internet. Fifty percent of the funds collected remain in each diocese, enabling it to broadcast Masses for the homebound, to support the diocesan newspaper, and to produce and air TV and radio programming. Gifts to the campaign also support TV programming such as the documentaries Church without Borders and Never Far From God: Portraits in Ministry (provided to ABC affiliates) and the film The Face: Jesus in Art (PBS stations). These annual donations also underwrite the CCC's award-winning "novella style" TV and radio announcements in Spanish (on 500 stations, reaching over 28 million Hispanics) as well as TV and radio announcements about faith at work and family life (over 75,000 messages aired). More than 50 stations air Catholic Radio Weekly. In addition, the CCC's Internet video outlet, www.usccb.org/ccc, connects Catholics nationwide with the diverse ministries of the Church. CCC's website also provides useful tools such as Mass Times, a database of liturgy schedules for 23,000 parish and mission churches, and reviews of movies and videos.
World Communications Day 2004 will be observed on May 16th in the United States; the 2004 CCC collection will also occur on May 16th in many of the dioceses.