MANGALORE: EWTN Transmission Begins
MANGALORE: Catholics Rejoices as Cable Operators Relay EWTN
MANGALORE September 7, 2007 (KonkaniCatholics.com): One day ahead of their popular Marian feast, 'Monti Fest', Catholics in Mangalore cannot believe their ears as they hear that EWTN, the leading global Catholic TV Channel is now being relayed to their homes by the city's cable operators.
"It was like tasting heaven for some time" said Joannes Rodrigues, an engineering student in the city who couldn't wait to get home to check it out.
Joannes along with a small group of like minded friends has been working behind the scenes for the last three years in order to make EWTN known in the city. "It is doing the work of the Lord that gives greater joy than owning the latest mobile phone" he said expressing his joy over the news.
Eternal Word Television Network, EWTN was started by Poor Clare nun, Mother M. Angelica in Alabama, USA, on August 15, 1981. Now in its 27th year of service, it is the largest religious media network in the world, transmitting programming 24 hours a day to more than 123 million homes in 140 countries and territories on more than 4,800 cable systems, wireless cable, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), low power TV and individual satellite users.
Taking the lead from Joannes, Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo, the Communications Director of Mangalore Diocese successfully negotiated the possibility of EWTN transmission with 'V-4', the partnership of the major cable operators in the city. Their service extends also to the towns of Belthangady, Moodabidri, Karkal and Bantwal.
Explaining the general lack of ongoing catechetical formation, Fr. Vijay said, "Many people do not know how to answer the faith questions posed to them by Christian Fundamentalists." He believes that "EWTN will greatly help in strengthening the faith of the people by giving them the real teachings of the Catholic Church."
When asked if the viewers will be able to follow the English broadcasts, Fr. Vijay said, "Though English is not understood in the villages, it is well understood by the youth and especially those in the city."
"In any case, one can always watch the programs like the the Rosary, Mass, live broadcasts of Papal pilgrimages and events like the upcoming World Youth Day in Sydney next year", he remarked with optimism.
In order to make EWTN known to Catholics in and around Mangalore, Fr. Vijay plans to have announcements made in Churches, parish publications and through handbills.
"It was like tasting heaven for some time" said Joannes Rodrigues, an engineering student in the city who couldn't wait to get home to check it out.
Joannes along with a small group of like minded friends has been working behind the scenes for the last three years in order to make EWTN known in the city. "It is doing the work of the Lord that gives greater joy than owning the latest mobile phone" he said expressing his joy over the news.
Eternal Word Television Network, EWTN was started by Poor Clare nun, Mother M. Angelica in Alabama, USA, on August 15, 1981. Now in its 27th year of service, it is the largest religious media network in the world, transmitting programming 24 hours a day to more than 123 million homes in 140 countries and territories on more than 4,800 cable systems, wireless cable, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), low power TV and individual satellite users.
Taking the lead from Joannes, Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo, the Communications Director of Mangalore Diocese successfully negotiated the possibility of EWTN transmission with 'V-4', the partnership of the major cable operators in the city. Their service extends also to the towns of Belthangady, Moodabidri, Karkal and Bantwal.
Explaining the general lack of ongoing catechetical formation, Fr. Vijay said, "Many people do not know how to answer the faith questions posed to them by Christian Fundamentalists." He believes that "EWTN will greatly help in strengthening the faith of the people by giving them the real teachings of the Catholic Church."
When asked if the viewers will be able to follow the English broadcasts, Fr. Vijay said, "Though English is not understood in the villages, it is well understood by the youth and especially those in the city."
"In any case, one can always watch the programs like the the Rosary, Mass, live broadcasts of Papal pilgrimages and events like the upcoming World Youth Day in Sydney next year", he remarked with optimism.
In order to make EWTN known to Catholics in and around Mangalore, Fr. Vijay plans to have announcements made in Churches, parish publications and through handbills.
