Catholic and Enjoying It!
that despite the reputation of people who use mass media for evangelization there are some positive examples too:
One of them is Fred Rogers, whom I had heard of as a children’s program host, but found out more about in depth when I encountered a couple of articles about him on-line.
It made me sad to only really find out about Mr. Rogers so late, eight years after he died. He was far more than the lead character in a children’s program. He actually was kind of a Presbyterian staretz (note that both words mean ‘elder’ – one in Greek, one in Russian).
The other is Fr. Robert Barron, with his Word on Fire gig. Don’t need to tell you about him – Daniel Nichols linked to him regarding O.B.L.
These two men are quite different. They have very different audiences (mostly little children for Mr. Rogers and self-identified adult Catholics for Fr. Barron), but I find they have in common a calm confidence and simplicity, and exemplify the true voice of reason, reason which is inseparable from love. Listening to them is balm. Note even the simple, restful set-up of their shows – a low-tech set with cardigan and tie for Mr. Rogers; plain clerical attire and a book-case backdrop for Fr. Barron.
I have great admiration for both of these men.
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