Mother Angelica receives Papal Award

the following is a press release from EWTN:

EWTN Foundress Mother Angelica and Deacon Bill Steltemeier Receive Papal Honor Irondale, AL (EWTN) –Pope Benedict XVI has awarded EWTN foundress, Mother Mary Angelica, and Deacon Bill Steltemeier, Chairman of EWTN’s Board of Governors, the Cross of Honor for distinguished service to the Church. The medal, officially known as “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” (literally “For the Church and the Pope”), is the highest honor that the Pope can bestow upon laity and religious. Bishop Robert J. Baker of Birmingham conferred the awards in a brief ceremony following Sunday benediction at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville , Alabama . “The Holy Father’s recognition of Mother Angelica and Deacon Bill Steltemeier is a much-deserved honor. It acknowledges the tremendous faith, hard work and incredible sacrifices that each of them have made throughout the years in founding and building up the Network,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “Their recognition is also a great honor for EWTN and is a clear sign of the importance of the Network’s mission for the Church and the Pope. We are grateful to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and to Bishop Baker for this honor.” Mother Mary Angelica, 86, is a Poor Clare Nun of Perpetual Adoration. She came to Alabama in 1961 to found Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale. In 1981, she began Eternal Word Television Network in a garage on the monastery property. In 1999, Mother Angelica relocated the Monastery to the grounds of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville , Alabama . She continues to reside there with her community of Nuns. Deacon R. William Steltemeier, 80, was a successful Nashville attorney who left his law practice to join Mother Angelica with her fledgling television network. He served as EWTN’s President for many years and continues to serve as Chairman of the Network’s Board of Governors. EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 150 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

Well deserved, Deacon Steltemeier and Mother!
After all you suffered from the Church, here is validation that the Holy Father appreciates your dedication to the Faith and high quality programming. You remain my favorite TV channel. If you want to understand just why this medal is so deserved, you need to read Raymond Arroyos' biography of Mother Angelica. I have it on CD and it is priceless; he reads the book and does her voice with a mixture of love and mischievious humor that will have you rolling with laughter.
Listen to an audio clip here and get hooked!
Mother, may your stations' reach extend to every TV on earth with the Truth of Christ and the glory of Catholicism!

Raymond Arroyo reflects on Mother Angelica

Mother Angelica at 86 and Memories of A Friend Lost
April 20, 2009 Personally, this is a reflective day mingled with joy and sadness. It was exactly a year ago today when Pope Benedict concluded his triumphant Papal visit to America. But a year later it isn’t what the Pope said or did that remains in my memory, so much as the man who sat next to me during our coverage of that visit.
I remember telling my friend and co-host, Father Richard John Neuhaus, who gamely contributed commentary (when we weren’t doing our Abbott and Costello act), that though this papal visit was history we would certainly revive our long running partnership for the next “big event.” Little did either of us realize that this was to be the last “big event” we would share.

Father Neuhaus succumbed to cancer on January 8th of this year. As I read his last book, “American Babylon” he is ever present in my thoughts and prayers. There is however at least one reason I jubilate this day. It is Mother Angelica’s 86th Birthday. Who would have imagined at the end of 2001, after suffering a massive stroke which required emergency brain surgery, that Mother Angelica would still be with us? And yet, eight years later she continues her mission today just as she started it: in contemplative silence and in communion with her Spouse.

Mother’s speech is greatly diminished these days. She no longer tells those hilarious stories or shares her practical teachings, but she is engaged in the lives of her sisters, reacting with those expressive eyes to each bit of shared news and to each funny story related. I spoke with Mother the other day and can attest that her laugh is hearty as ever. And no one saying “I love you” can bring tears to my eyes quicker. It is a relief to know that despite her infirmities, Mother is still with us.
What distinguishes Mother Angelica from just about any other Church leader is her humble origins. She is truly of the people; the product of a working class, dysfunctional immigrant family. That tortured biography would make her more sensitive to the struggles of the common man and allow her to give voice to their greatest hopes. Hers is a story of faith’s power to transform and redeem, not only one life, but millions of lives. Mother Angelica loved Christ enough to offer Him everything, even her voice and her independence.
Today she is continuing to present this final oblation. My great grandmother used to say: compliments and thanks are only worthwhile when you’re living. There is so much I would have liked to have said to Father Neuhaus and to other friends who have departed in recent days. So, following my great grandmother’s advice, on this great day of celebration, I want to offer my love and thanks to Mother Angelica. She has inspired so much of my work and has altered countless lives. But for her, this blog, the entire broadcast apparatus that is EWTN would not exist and you and I might never have met in this way.
On a personal level she has taught me how to communicate in ways I never expected--how to simply let go and reveal the personality that was given me. She has been a true Mother to me, and I know I am not alone in this. Next time that you happen across something moving or insightful, inspirational or challenging on EWTN’s television or radio feed, do me a favor. Stop for a moment and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the brave and battle scarred woman who gave so much for that message-- the cloistered nun who built a media empire on faith. Her love is still reaching millions around the world; quietly, gently, powerfully. What a gift she is to us on her 86th birthday. Here is wishing you many, many more birthdays Reverend Mother.

Mother Angelica had a happy Mother's Day

Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN received a book for Mother's Day with hundreds of emails from around the world from fans whom she calls"her children".
May God repay you for what you have done for us with your network, Mother, for we never could!
HT EWTN

EWTN has best news roundup of Holy Father's visit

If you missed parts of the Holy Father's visit, or want to read his wonderful speeches to delve into them more deeply, go to EWTN for comprehensive coverage of the Papal Visit. And, while you're there, wish Mother Angelica a belated 85th birthday with a donation. It would make her day!

Great News for Mother Angelica: Bishop Baker moves to Birmingham!

The diocese of Birmingham has been without a bishop for some time, as the Bishop Foley has retired. Now it has wonderfully orthodox Bishop Baker and I know that Mother Angelica is happy. The bishop of Birmingham determines a lot on EWTN. In particular, he determines how the Mass is televised to the millions of EWTN viewers around the world. Bishop Baker has always been friendly to EWTN.
Baker, a native of Ohio, has close ties to EWTN. He recently was co-author of the book, "When Did We See You, Lord?" with EWTN personality the Rev. Benedict J. Groeschel.

Mater Angelica Catholic Radio Station: a first for Long Island

Home to 2 million Catholics, Long Island is not known as a Catholic evangelization center, and why not? We have more money, better health, longer lives, more education and more leisure time than any Catholics in world history. What are we missing? The answer is catechesis.
We don't appreciate the treasure we have in our Catholic faith, and we are distracted by the pursuit of happiness, which we erroneously assume is in materialism. A bigger home, a better car, etc. How do we call Long Islanders home to their Catholic faith?
The answer, I believe is in the broadcast empire of a Poor Clare cloistered nun, Mother Mary Angelica. Thus, we are naming the radio station we hope, by the grace of God, and the permission of the FCC to open, Mater Angelica, after the little nun who could. We will feature 24 hours of EWTN programming at 91.7 FM. The signal, though small, would cover a large part of the East End, home to the summer playground of the rich and famous, the Hamptons, reaching a potential audience of 50,000 souls for Christ and His Church. We are members of the Catholic Radio Association and represent a trend of a growing number of Catholic radio stations across the nation,
Here's the rub. The applicant, must be a not-for-profitincorporated organization who wants to provide Catholic programming, with 75% of it's board members living within 25 miles of the area covered by the station signal on the East End.
On reflection while looking over my last message about bringing Catholic radio to the Hamptons, I realize I used some language that is not exactly accurate and that may lead someone to a false impression. I should not have described the suggested applicant as some group who would "hold" the FCC permit for Mater Angelica. Whatever group applies for this permit will have all the rights arising from it and will control all programming decisions at any station that results. Mater Angelica is being organized in the hope -- and to plan for all possible contingencies -- such that if a Catholic applicant wins the permit and desires our assistance in building or operating a station, we will be available to offer it. The fact remains that Mater Angelica is looking for a strong applicant under FCC rules who would be likely to secure the FCC permit with an intention to provide Catholic programming in our area." PLEASE, those of you who are interested in applying, please email me leticia77@optonline.net or leave your contact information below, and offer to help. The window of opportunity will soon close, and may not be open for ten more years.
Please help us to save souls, and make this the Lord's Island!