Papal Visit Internet RadioMedia launch of “Heart Gives Unto Heart” Papal Visit Internet Radio Station was held at Archbishop Amigo Hall, St. George's Cathedral, Southwark [1], on June 25th.

 

The event was attended by Archbishop Peter Smith, Bishop Paul Hendricks, members of the Radio Station Steering Committee [2], and supported by numerous members of the Catholic Church.

 

Gerry opened by singing ‘Pope Benedict is coming’ [3] and guests were entertained by more original music, songs and poetry by students from St Anselm’s School, Canterbury; St Edmunds School, Dover; and FuSE (a catholic British Filipino Band, prior to their appearance in the final of ‘Live and Unsigned’ at the O2 in July).

 

This Catholic Internet Radio Station will broadcast 7am - midnight Tuesday 14th to Monday 20th September 2010 to provide a positive media voice to promote the Catholic Faith throughout the Papal Visit. The Station will provide live coverage by student reporters following the Pope on his historic visit.  A wide variety of other programmes [4] will also be broadcast to appeal to a wide audience.  Such features as Podcasts and ‘Listen Again’ will be available.

 

The majority of these programmes will be produced by young students from Catholic senior schools [5].  This Radio Station is just part of a project to showcase the creative talent in young Catholics [6].

 

Bishop Paul said, 'Over the past few years Gerry Coates has created various opportunities to display the talents of our young people, including poetry, song-writing and artwork. I've been delighted to see the enthusiasm and creativity with which they've responded. They have a great deal to say about their own experience of life, about their faith and about the issues which challenge us in the world today. A lot of what we see in the news media, advertising and entertainment is directed at young people, but their own views are not often heard. This new venture, an Internet Radio Station in which we hope to attract input from young people all over the country, is a chance for them to tell their own story -- particularly, in this initial week of broadcasting, focusing on their response to the visit of Pope Benedict. It is a great opportunity and I wish them every success.”

John Toryusen, Director of Southwark Catholic Youth Services added “This is an exciting Catholic youth community project, with opportunities for everyone to become involved.  It may not have the polish of the BBC, but with Gerry involved, it will surely have plenty of razzmatazz!”

 

In the last 18 months, the project has published 5 poetry books containing the faith poems of over 3000 students. Musicians have been encouraged to put original music to these poems and 10 CDs are now in production.  Over 350 students’ paintings have been included in the first ever “Young Catholics Art Exhibition”, launched to much positive acclaim at the Edinburgh Arts Festival in August 2009.

It is hoped the Radio Station will become a permanent fixture by Easter 2011, broadcasting 24/7.

Images available: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41170288@N08/sets/72157624360541834/

Contact:

Gerry Coates: 020 8974 6590   07906 073376  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   www.gerrycoates.com

 

 

 

[1] St George's Cathedral, Southwark,

Westminster Bridge Road

, London, SE1.

 

[2] “Heart Gives Unto Heart” Papal Visit Internet Radio Steering Committee:
Bishop Paul Hendricks, Southwark Diocese; Maureen Todd - Southwark Schools Commission; John Toryusen - Southwark Catholic Youth Services; Louise Perry - School Chaplain;  Steve Hall - School Media Director; and Gerry Coates - Project Director.

[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx10lFmszWQ


[4]  Papal Visit Coverage: Our student media team will be “On the Road” with Pope Benedict, including live interviews from all events.  At the end of day there will be a Discussion Group to round up the day’s events.
We will also host a Papal Photographic Competition on Radio website.
We are hoping to arrange for 2 students to interview Pope Benedict in Rome prior to his visit.

The Mass: Mass will be broadcast three times daily in addition to any Papal visit Masses. Recordings have already commenced, including an End of Mission Mass at West Hill, Wandsworth and a Confirmation Mass by Bishop Alan Hopes at

Stephendale Road

, Fulham.  We also plan broadcasts such as the installation of Archbishop Peter Smith from Southwark Cathedral on 10th June 2010, through to a celebration of Mass on an oil tanker courtesy of The Apostleship of the Sea.

 

The Priesthood: Interviews with Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Sisters, Deacons, Parishioners and young Catholics.  We will also look at the role of the Parish Priest, the Specialist Chaplains in Hospitals, Schools, Universities, Forces, Prisons, Youth and Missionaries.

Special Interest Programmes:

  • Pope Benedict “From the Cradle to the Vatican” and “The Papal Journeys of Pope Benedict”
  • The lives of Cardinal Newman, Pope John Paul and Mother Teresa
  • Pilgrimage Destinations – Rome. Lourdes, Knock, Fatima and Walsingham and this years Passion Play in Oberammergau
  • “Wheeling My Way Through Lourdes” – A view from a wheelchair
  • “A Young Helper’s Viewpoint” –  helping the sick in Lourdes
  • “Did St Paul Need A Visa” – the plight of migrants
  • “Chastity in 2010” – Robert Colquhoun
  • “God Shares My Doorway” – Cardinal Hume Centre
  • Church and Mental Health issues
  • “My God, Your God, Our God” – Multi-Faith Students Discussion
  • Life in the “Vatican”, “A Seminary” and “A Convent”
  • “Charismatic Renewal” – Kristina Cooper, New Dawn Conference
  • “I Can’t Live Indoors” – The PASSAGE Homeless Charity
  • “Church’s Moral and Social Teaching: Difficulties in Understanding”
  • “Hierarchy of the Church” – Role of the Pope, Bishops, Priest and Laity, and their responsibilities to society

 

How To Run Series…….
An Alpha Course – A Soup Kitchen – A Catholic Festival
“A Holy Picnic” Food for your soul! – “Declaring Your Faith Publicly”
A Radio Station (Well, we’ll let you know in October!)

Celebrity Interviews: Childrens Faith programmes including:
“Freddie Fraggles” read by Fr Tim Buckley
“The Church Cat” by Fr J Chaloner

Daily Prayer
Morning and evening prayers are read by Barbara Mack
Daily prayer by Fr McBride
Daily Blessing From Fr Stan Fortuna and Fr Anthony Musala
Daily readings from the works of Rev John Wooley
Daily Requested Prayers for the Sick and those suffering from addictions, with names nominated by email

Work of Catholic Charities
CAFOD, Apostleship of the Sea, Street Child Africa, Catenians, Aid to the Church In Need, Sisters of Charity, St Vincent De Paul, etc

Faith Music Music Music – Showcasing Catholic Talent
Hymns  from Traditional to Modern
Choirs from Choral to Hot Gospel, Rap to Folk
Rock to Country, Opera to Blues, Classical to Jazz
Catholic Festival and Conference Concerts
Choir” and “Battle of the Bands” Faith Music Competition

[5] School Participants

Harris Academy, South Norwood            Holy Cross School, New Malden

Richard Challoner, New Malden               St Philip Howard School, Bognor

Salesian School,

Chertsey                         St

Anselm’s School, Canterbury

 

St Edmund’s School, Dover                      St Francis Xavier College, Balham

St John Fisher School,

Chatham               St

Philomena’s School, Carshalton

 

Thomas More School, Purley                   Towers Convent, Upper Beeding

Ursuline High School, Wimbledon

[6] www.gerrycoates.com  Tab:  Search for Talent in Schools

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