A documentary on Venerable Fulton J. Sheen has been airing on the American Catholic TV network EWTN and has been seen in the Philippines and Oceania-Australia.
Produced by the Blackfriars Media of the Dominican Foundation of the US Province of St. Joseph of the Order of Preachers, “The Art of Preaching” docu centers on the American archbishop’s seminal work in broadcast and publishing.
Sheen (1895-1979), who obtained a doctorate in Philosophy from Louvain and another doctorate in Theology from the Angelicum, was the first televangelist.
In the 1950s and ’60s, his show, which tackled current issues in the light of the Catholic faith, was seen by millions, eclipsing the variety and talk shows of veteran entertainers.
For his TV work, he was given an Emmy award for Outstanding Television Personality.
A powerful apologist of the Catholic faith and a persuasive author and preacher, he was named auxiliary bishop of New York and, later on, archbishop of Newport.
His cause for canonization has been introduced by the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois, his hometown, and approved by the Sacred Congregation of the Causes of Saints, which, in 2002, ruled that he had lived a life of “heroic virtue” and should be named “Venerable.”
“This film is a great example of our role in the New Evangelization,” said Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, executive director of the Dominican Foundation. “Fulton Sheen was a great preacher, and we’re excited to be able to share his preaching, including never-before-seen footage, with 134 million English-speaking households on international TV!”
Santo Niño art exhibit
Among Cebu’s heritage icons is the Santo Niño, the miraculous image of the child Jesus that was recently feted in connection with the 450th anniversary of its finding by the Legazpi expedition in 1565.
As part of Taoid 2015, the National Heritage Month festival spearheaded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), visual artists are holding the exhibit “Art & Soul: 10 Years of Kristo Manila and the Kristo Niño in Cebu City,” until May 30 at Art Center, 2/F, main mall of SM City Cebu.
The art show was formally opened yesterday by Cebu Archbishop José S. Palma; Mayor Michael Rama; NCCA commissioner Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA; Jocelyn Veloso of SM Supermalls; and Marichu Tellano of the NCCA.
Also mounted over the weekend was “Mga Sugilanon sa Kulturang Sugbuanon: A Storytelling Session and Exhibit Depicting the Rich Cultural Heritage of the Cebuanos.”
It included the “Art to Heart” workshop for public school students at the Cebu Public Library by artists Wilfredo Offemaria Jr. and Anthony Fermin. The Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (Canvas), through the NCCA’s National Committee on Libraries and Information Services and National Committee on Art Galleries, donated books to the public library.
Prayer cards
Josephine Gonzales and Lourdes from Manila wrote to ask for several prayer cards.
For those who would like to receive free prayer cards, write to “Miss Josephine Darang c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.” Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for easier mailing.
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