Catholic faith-based CDs educate and inspire

Fifty titles cover everything from the Eucharist to conversion testimonials

- Photo supplied Jackie Reeves with a display of Catholic CDs.

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Two local parishes are now using speeches recorded on compact discs to improve their parishioners' knowledge of the Catholic faith.

Contained in a series of CDs and brochures produced by Lighthouse Catholic Media are inspirational talks by numerous speakers, including Mother Teresa and Archbishop Fulton Sheen, that cover an array of topics aimed to further educate devoted Catholics and to reach out to those who have fallen away.

Jackie Reeves began distributing the CDs to several parishes in Calgary a few months ago before heading north. Calgary was the first diocese in Canada to take on the project.

She says the response has been encouraging.

Catholic speakers

"This method of having Catholic CDs by some of the greatest Catholic speakers of our time, is inspiring. It warms the heart," said Reeves.

"People are happy to have the CDs available for such a small amount of money.

"They love them because the CDs are something they can give."

There are more than 50 titles discussing the Eucharist, faith in the family, anger and forgiveness and the joy of stewardship.

There are several testimonial stories about converting to Catholicism.

Mother Teresa's talk is titled Mary, Handmaid of the Lord. Archbishop Sheen's is called What Every Couple Should Know About Marriage and Prayer.

The parish purchases the program, making the CDs available to parishioners in a stand at the back of the church.

A donation box is attached to the stand.

As the CDs are taken, the parish orders more.

A pastor can custom order the CDs to how he thinks they would best suit the parishioners.

People are encouraged to donate $5 per CD or $20 for five.

Reeves said a portion of each donation goes to the parish.

"The CDs can be customized for any parish, school, bookstore or group," Reeves said.

For example, a parish youth group in Calgary is looking to implement the program to raise funds to go to World Youth Day.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Calgary recently distributed more than 450 CDs collecting $1,700 in one weekend. Sacred Heart Parish collected $1,400, while Corpus Christi netted $1,275.

The CDs also offer opportunity for dialogue.

"As Catholics we can talk about what's lacking in education or catechesis," she said.

Priest purchase

Father Ray Guimond teaches catechism at St. Andrew Parish in Edmonton, the first parish in the Edmonton Archdiocese to offer the CDs.

Guimond paid for the initial group of CDs and brochures out of his own pocket for his parish in Wainwright because of his concern for adult education.

"I thought that little by little, as they start getting interested in some of the talks, parishioners will want more education," said Guimond, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish.

He is also spiritual director of Ephphatha House.

"People need to learn the content of the catechism.

"I think the CDs can stimulate people to seek more."

He said he is not interested in recovering his investment.

"It is new, but it has been fairly successful. It certainly is a good idea," Guimond said.

Any parish that would like more information can contact Jackie Reeves at (403) 462-3766 or by email at jackier42@shaw.ca

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