USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - ABC, Public TV to Air Holy Week, Easter Specials Funded by Catholic Communication Campaign

ABC, Public TV to Air Holy Week, Easter Specials Funded by Catholic Communication Campaign

WASHINGTON (March 16, 1999) -- ABC-TV affiliates and PBS stations nationwide will air Holy Week and Easter Sunday specials funded by the Catholic Communication Campaign, April 1-4.

Debuting on PBS Thursday, April 1, 10-11 p.m., is "Fresco," a documentary that follows the process of creating ceiling frescoes on the business college campus of St. Thomas University in Minneapolis. Artist Mark Balma creates the frescoes that focus on the seven virtues as articulated by St. Thomas Aquinas.

The CCC awarded a grant of $76,000 in 1995 to launch the documentary, which later received funds from Dayton Hudson's Target stores and other donors.

Actress Susan Sarandon narrates "Fresco," which explores the process and craft of fresco painting and examines the impact of the art on the Minneapolis community. The documentary also features adults and junior high school students as they describe the meaning they take from the paintings.

Air times and dates for the special may vary around the country so viewers should check with local PBS stations for specific dates and times locally.

Many ABC-TV stations will air the CCC special "Easter at the University of Notre Dame: A Celebration of Hope" on Easter Sunday, April 4 at 7:00 a.m. This hour-long special features the Notre Dame Folk Choir and was filmed on campus in the exquisite French Gothic Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

The program celebrates Christ's resurrection -- and the hope it symbolizes -- through scripture readings, song, and hymns. Folk Choir director Steve Warner leads the 55-member choir and blends voices and instruments to create a joyous expression of faith through such hymns as the lyrical "Now the Green Blade Rises" and the rousing "I Have Been Anointed"

Viewers should check with local ABC affiliates for the time and date of local broadcasts.

The CCC is the U.S. Bishops' program to promote value-oriented media efforts and is supported by a collection taken up in parishes nationwide once a year.

Other CCC efforts include the toll-free movie review line, 1-800-311-CCC, which provides callers with brief summaries and the classifications according to moral suitability of current box-office movies.