Redemptorists launch TV website

The Redemptorists have always looked for ways to reach the un-churched — so it is only natural that their search eventually led them to the web.

Redemptorist Television, a new Internet television website, is the latest initiative from the Redemptorists of the Edmonton-Toronto Province. The educational religious site was unveiled in late May to a group of young people attending the Redemptorist SERVE program (Summer Endeavour in a Redemptorist Volunteer Experience).

“Our tradition has always included teaching,” said Fr. Mark Miller, C.Ss.R., a frequent homilist on RTV. “There’s good solid content but also, when you put it into a sermon, you can add an emotional side… it appeals to the heart as well.”

RTV features a collection of five-minute homily-style clips — a format that’s easy to watch for youth, according to Miller.

The site is inspired by the Perpetual Help Devotions, an hour-long Redemptorist program that has been broadcast weekly for 16 years by Vision TV and Salt + Light TV.

“My hope is that it becomes a catalyst for people to explore their faith… for teachers to support or strengthen their teaching,” said Miller. “People are very creative… you put it out there with a few of your ideas and people take it and run with their own ideas.”

The content for programs is determined through collaboration between the Redemptorists and Villagers Media Productions, the site’s producers.

The site is designed to encourage teachers to integrate videos into lesson plans. Each video is accompanied by a series of reflection questions and assignment suggestions for students.

“There’s no question that they (teachers) like to have made-in-Canada Catholic material that’s fresh,” said Dawn Deme, a producer at Villagers Media.