Weisgerber to lead National Catholic Mission 2003

By ART BABYCH
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

The two-part special will have as its theme a quote from British Poet W.H. Auden: Alive but alone, belonging - where? The programs will be broadcast each day at 8 p.m. ET and again at 11 p.m. ET.

Weisgerber, the Archbishop of Winnipeg, takes over this year from Bishop Paul-Andre Durocher who, as the auxiliary Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., conducted the three previous Lenten programs. Durocher was appointed as Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall last fall.

The annual television event, sponsored by the National Catholic Broadcasting Council (NCBC), invites church members to rekindle their faith and deepen their understanding of themselves. The Catholic bishops of Canada established the NCBC in 1994.

Weisgerber will be joined by Barbara Coloroso, a parenting expert and best-selling author (Kids Are Worth It: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline), who will provide advice for helping youngsters see humanity as a family.

The program this year also features readings, reflections, and music from Tony Melendez, Nicaraguan-born guitarist and composer who was born without arms, and Stan Fortuna, a Franciscan Friar from the South Bronx, known to some as the Rappin' Friar.

Also performing on the program will be tenor Michael Burgess, jazz vocalist Arlene Duncan and the Juno Award-winning gospel group Faith Chorale.

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