YouTube Video: Call to Action Liturgy

Or as Damien Thompson calls it, "How to scare the kids at Mass."



I blogged about this earlier here. It's still just as scary now, though.

Video: Call to Action's Closing Liturgy

Amy gives us the video (windows media player) from West Coast Call to Action's closing liturgy.

There's a good discussion at Amy's attempting to get deeper than the knee-jerk reactions to such fare.

If it wasn't a liturgical abuse of the Mass, I'd have found it a diversion from tonight's studying marathon.

Video: Stephen Colbert interviews author Anne Lamott

Friday Funny - Stephen Colbert interviews bestselling-author Anne Lamott:



I've talked about Anne Lamott before here.

I've also read portions of her book Grace, Eventually (I was frittering away my time in a book store awhile back). It's a self-absorbed ramble that displays little basic theological or spiritual sense, and sadly reveals someone who has searched and suffered much, only to have learned little. And that's about all she can pass on.

I hope she does receive grace, eventually (she is already, of course, but I hope she comes to accept it fully). But I wouldn't recommend reading her book. Pray for her instead. That can win her grace, presently.

Video & Photo: Pope Benedict Receives Enthusiastic Greeting!

After attending the Papal Mass at Nationals Stadium today in Washington DC, I decided at the last minute to catch a final glimpse of Pope Benedict as he arrived on the CUA campus to address Catholic Educators.

This (shaky) video I took captures well the level of enthusiasm I've been witnessing for the pope:

Amid all this hubbub, I managed to snatch this photo:

What a pope.

AmP Videos: Papal Mass in Washington DC

I've got some good ones for you today!

First, a video I took from the field at Nationals Stadium while waiting for the Papal Mass to begin:

Second, I videotaped the first 60 seconds of Pope Benedict's homily:

Finally, one more scanning shot of the full stadium during the Papal Mass:

Hopefully these videos help give you a feel for what it was like. In a word: awesome.

Video: Catholics Come Home

This video has been receiving alot of (merited) attention. It was also played prior to the Papal Mass this morning at Nationals Stadium on the big screen:

Their website: http://www.catholicscomehome.org/ - tell your non-practicing friends!

President Bush to Pope: "Awesome speech your Holiness"

This recorded comment from President Bush to Pope Benedict is quickly becoming the talk of the town:

When you hear it being talked about on the newsfloor of the BBC, it's gotta be news.

Oh, and by the way, my interview on BBC World News went very well tonight. They talked with me for almost 4 1/2 minutes, which is a good stretch in the television news world, for those who keep track of these things.

Videos: Day 1 highlights of Pope Benedict's visit

First, CNN's raw video of Pope Benedict XVI stepping off the plane and being greeted by President bush:

I've also created a photopost of the ceremony and liveblogged it and listed the dignitaries present.

Second, Dominican Friars pull off an engineering feat in mounting a banner to welcome the pope properly:


It looks like the banner turned out nicely! This is the view Pope Benedict will have of it tomorrow.

Third and finally, Local WBAL reports on the preparations for the Papal Mass happening on Thursday:


Exciting times!

Video: AmP interviewed for Today Show, MSNBC.com

Here's the MSNBC.com feature video, "Holy rolling for the pope", I'm at the end:

The producer emailed me this morning and said there will also be a piece later today that is an extended cut of the interview they did with me last week. Several folks have also said they saw me on the Today Show.

This is why I refrain from announcing TV appearances ahead of time in general - airtimes are unpredictable.

That said, this shouldn't be the end of them in the near future... thanks for all the kind comments already.

And if you're wondering about the papal skateboard contest winner [image], Tim Drake's favorite won.

Rats.

Video: Archdioceses of Philadelphia and Washington DC welcome the pope

Dioceses in the United States are sending welcome videos to Pope Benedict XVI which will be played at Nationals Stadium before his Mass on April 17th. I've found two more videos for your viewing pleasure:

First, Archdiocese of Philadelphia under Justin Cardinal Rigali:

My rating: 8/10. A very strong entry. It features a personal introduction from the Cardinal, with a focus on the Archdiocese' liturgical celebrations, many of them highly public and well-attended. What a good witness.

Second, my own Archdiocese of Washington DC under Archbishop Donald Wuerl. You can view the video on this page (click on "Welcome from Washington D.C." in the middle of the list).

My rating: This video has a very different style from the ones I've previously rated, so I don't think it would be fair to do so. Obviously it begins with an introduction and welcome from the Archbishop, and then provides the personal greetings of a large cross-section of the faithful.

Previous videos in this series that I have watched and rated:

• Prat 8: Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Diocese of Harrisburg (6/10 & 7/10)
• Part 7: Dioceses of Rochester and Corpus Christi (7/10 & 10/10)
• Part 6: Diocese of Arlington (8/10)
• Part 5: Diocese of Providence and Diocese of Charlotte (6/10 & 9/10)
• Part 4: Archdiocese of Baltimore (9/10)
• Part 3: Archdiocese of Los Angeles (1/10)
• Part 2: Diocese of San Diego (6/10)
• Part 1: Diocese of Buffalo and Archdiocese of Chicago (4/10 & 7/10)

Video: Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Diocese of Harrisburg welcome the pope

Dioceses in the United States are sending welcome videos to Pope Benedict XVI which will be played at Nationals Stadium before his Mass on April 17th. Two more videos get added to that growing list today:

Archdiocese of Cincinnati under Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk

My rating: 6/10. The video is very informative, but I do prefer to see bishops become personally involved in the presentation of their diocese to the Holy Father. And I especially wish that dioceses would spend more time presenting their liturgical and devotional life. Sacraments make the Church, after all. (CCC 1118)

Next up, the Diocese of Harrisburg under Bishop Kevin Rhoades. You can watch it here (WMV).

My rating: 7/10. This video does a good job of describing more properly Catholic features of the diocese, and incorporates the theme of Pope Benedict's visit. And they pray for the pope and his visit.

Previous videos in this series that I have watched and rated:

• Part 7: Dioceses of Rochester and Corpus Christi (7/10 & 10/10)
• Part 6: Diocese of Arlington (8/10)
• Part 5: Diocese of Providence and Diocese of Charlotte (6/10 & 9/10)
• Part 4: Archdiocese of Baltimore (9/10)
• Part 3: Archdiocese of Los Angeles (1/10)
• Part 2: Diocese of San Diego (6/10)
• Part 1: Diocese of Buffalo and Archdiocese of Chicago (4/10 & 7/10)

Video: Carpenter Crafts Furniture for Pope

Here ya are, consider this your human interest story of the day. ;-)


Maybe of the week....

Video: Dioceses of Rochester and Corpus Christi welcome the pope

Dioceses in the United States are sending welcome videos to Pope Benedict XVI which will be played at Nationals Stadium before his Mass on April 17th. Two more videos get added to that growing list today:

Diocese of Rochester, under Bishop Matthew Clark:

My rating: 7/10. Simple, straightforward, innocuous. I wish the diocese were the same.

Second, the Diocese of Corpus Christi under Bishop Edmond Carmody - which you can see here (WMV file).

My rating: 10/10. The bishop proudly introduces his diocese, the ecclesiology is sound, the music selection is moving, and the video even has a sense of drama. It makes for a real sock-knocker!

Previous videos in this series that I have watched and rated:

• Part 6: Diocese of Arlington (8/10)
• Part 5: Diocese of Providence and Diocese of Charlotte (6/10 & 9/10)
• Part 4: Archdiocese of Baltimore (9/10)
• Part 3: Archdiocese of Los Angeles (1/10)
• Part 2: Diocese of San Diego (6/10)
• Part 1: Diocese of Buffalo and Archdiocese of Chicago (4/10 & 7/10)

Video First Look: Pope Benedict's Travel Path at the National Shrine

Just to make sure my camera still works, here's a short video I took of the travel path Pope Benedict will follow when he visits the National Shrine for Vespers with the U.S. Bishops on April 16th:

The beginning of the video shows 4th street, where the Popemobile will originate, and then the ellipse where he will greet the 3,000+ person crowd waiting outside the National Shrine.

I then pan to show the front of the National Shrine, with its two large papal welcome banners displayed, which I photographed yesterday and are now on the AmP Flickr Page.

Humor: Stephen Colbert on the Pope Coming to Town

Catholic Colbert:

Looks like Stephen [Colbert] is all set for the Pope’s visit to New York. He’s got quite a welcome package prepared, right down to a baby to be baptized (son of Colbert Report writer Peter Gwinn). Whether the pope accepts or declines the invitation, it could make for some great comedy bits in the days to come.

A little on the irreverent side at times. Colbert can do better.

Video: DC Metro's video for pilgrims (w/ bobblehead pope and chanted Latin!)

By way of a DC insider, a DC insider blog gives us the scoop on this public service message created by the Washington DC Metro for pilgrims coming to see Pope Benedict XVI and using the special Papal Mass Pass.

Here's the video (update 2: link restored, but see why it was taken down here):



Favorite line: "Avoid the unholy traffic. Take metro."

And I wonder where they found someone to chant in Latin?!

DC insider explanation:

The last time Metro dipped its toes into the exciting world of internet video, DCist was the first to share their low-budget, Peeps going to Nationals Park spectacular. Our readers enjoyed that one so much, Metro just tipped us off to their latest effort, titled "Strangers on a Train", which aims to [promote] their special Papal Mass Pass. The pass itself is a good idea: it costs a flat $9, and gives those who plan to follow Pope Benedict XVI around town when he arrives to give a special mass at Nationals Park on April 17 unlimited rides all day.

We're totally fine with a Pope bobblehead taking Metro. Heck, the more bobbleheads we encounter on public transportation, the better....

Indeed. I take the metro's red line every day, and have yet to encounter the papal bobblehead. Or the pope.

update: the Archdiocese of DC requested this video be taken down from the Metro website.

Video: Pope Benedict's official greeting to the people of the United States

As announced yesterday, the Vatican Press Office is releasing a video greeting today from Pope Benedict XVI in anticipaton of his visit to the United States next week.

Vatican watcher Rocco Palmo explains the importance of this decision:

"... the move underscores both the import the church's central command is placing on next week's events and Rome's understanding of the usefulness and impact of new technology, both on the life of the Stateside church and the wider society here."

Well yes, that and the fact that the Vatican knows how much I love papist videos.

update: okay, not the smoothest roll out we've witnessed....

• update 3: here is the full video:

• The text of the message is available here

update 2: John Thavis of CNS has comments, John Allen as well:

Release of a video from the pope ahead of a foreign trip is not standard Vatican operating procedure. Vatican sources said the decision was the result of an unusually high volume of requests for interviews with the pope from American media outlets sparked by the impending trip. Although the pope turned down those requests, sources said his advisors were impressed with the interest and wanted to offer a response.

Video: Diocese of Arlington welcomes the pope

Dioceses in the United States are sending welcome videos to Pope Benedict XVI which will be played at Nationals Stadium before his Mass on April 17th. Here is another entry, this one from the nearby diocese of Arlington.

My rating: 8/10. A very decent entry. Very high production standards, a broad spectrum of people are featured, plenty of information, and Bishop Paul Loverde provides the narration. If I could ask for one thing, it would be that more of the sacramental and liturgical life of the diocese were better represented.

Previous videos in this series:

• Part 5: Diocese of Providence and Diocese of Charlotte (6/10 & 9/10)
• Part 4: Archdiocese of Baltimore (9/10)
• Part 3: Archdiocese of Los Angeles (1/10)
• Part 2: Diocese of San Diego (6/10)
• Part 1: Diocese of Buffalo and Archdiocese of Chicago (4/10 & 7/10)

Videos: Dioceses of Providence & Charlotte welcome the pope

Dioceses from around the United States are sending welcome videos to Pope Benedict XVI which will be played at Nationals Stadium before his papal Mass on April 17th. Here are two more:

Diocese of Providence, RI under Bishop Thomas Tobin.

My rating: 6/10. A decent video. Heavy on social justice and "the environment" but also features an extended welcome from the Rector and Seminarians of Our Lady of Providence Seminary. And finally - where is the bishop?

For the second video, this one by the diocese of Charlotte, NC, you can click here.

My rating: 9/10. One of the very best I've seen. The Bishop, Peter Joseph Jugis, takes a personal responsibility in presenting and introducing his diocese, and along the way, teaches about how his diocese lives its Catholic faith.

Previous videos in this series:

• Part 4: Archdiocese of Baltimore (9/10)
• Part 3: Archdiocese of Los Angeles (1/10)
• Part 2: Diocese of San Diego (6/10)
• Part 1: Diocese of Buffalo and Archdiocese of Chicago (4/10 & 7/10)

Video: Laugh, then help a big Catholic family win $25k

From Marcel LeJeune of the MarySaggies blog:

Some friends who have a wonderful Catholic family of 9 kids, all home-schooled, are in the final 10 of a $25,000 college scholarship contest (and the parents are Aggie Catholics if you needed more incentive). They created a great video, but now need your votes to help them win. Go here to vote for them (yes, you have to fill out a short registration).

Hey, it's worth the time. If you're feeling industrious, consider blogging it or sending out an email!

Video: LA Archdiocese's simply awful welcome video for Pope Benedict

As the third installment (part 1 - part 2) of my series in which I watch and rate the various "Welcome Pope Benedict" videos being produced by American dioceses, I give you a real humdinger. This isn't a joke.

Not surprisingly, it's the Archdiocese of Los Angeles that has managed to produce a welcoming video not only worse than every other one I've already seen, but laughably bad in comparison. This video, moreover, will be played on the big screens at Nationals Stadium in DC before the Papal Mass, along with the rest.

I've embedded the video below, the original is on the Arch of LA website here.



Here's a transcript of the video:

From it's humble beginnings at La Placita church, to the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles' vibrant catholic community [not church!] looks to the future while paying tribute to her past.

Los Angeles has celebrated the blessing of the animals since 1930. A cow traditionally has the place of honor at the head of the parade. She's followed by cats, dogs, turtles, snakes, and a host of other animals.

"Los Angelinos" send their best wishes to his holiness, Pope Benedict the 16th.

(people welcome the Holy Father)

Los Angeles [not the Archdiocese], welcomes you, Pope Benedict, to America.

Yes, you read and watch right: the entire video is about the once-a-year blessing of the animals. And of even that, it's mostly about the animals (and Cardinal Mahony, blithely throwing water at everything in sight).

Truly if these videos say anything about the dioceses that produced them, I hope this is the low point.

I'm going to refrain from laying out exactly all the reasons I find this video inadequate, and let you chime in.

Rating: 1/10 (it mentions the Pope).

update: Curt Jester reveals, in his humerous way, why this was probably the safest thing they could do.

Video: BBC Discovers Amazing *Flying* Penguins!

To quote Dr. Allan Grant, "Life finds a way!"

And who could ever doubt the BBC?

Cardinal Arinze: "Send 12 Swiss Guards to arrest them all!"

The fine folks at the Cardinal Arinze Podcast have given us a gem of a Cardinal Arinze answer:

Watch the first 45 seconds, then jump to 2:30, then to 3:30....

On a more serious note though - is it really as funny as all that?

The Cardinal Arinze Podcast, of course, has the coolest. logo. ever:

It has a permanent place on the AmP sidebar.