Anniversary Contest answers now online

CLICK HERE to see the answer sheet for the 25th anniversary issue's "Know Your Diocese" contest! Winners will be announced in the March 20 issue of The Colorado Catholic Herald and on the Web site. Winners will be drawn from among the correct entry forms.

The answer to the bonus question is: 184,918 (answer found on page 15 of the 2009 Diocesan Directory book).

Christophers video contest for college students

It's not often that we post press releases that we get, but I thought this contest was cool...

THE CHRISTOPHERS INVITE COLLEGE STUDENTS TO ENTER 21st ANNUAL VIDEO CONTEST

NEW YORK, NY December 4 2007--– The Christophers are announcing their Twenty-First Annual Video Contest for College Students, a competition that challenges students to interpret the theme, “One Person Can Make a Difference,” in a short film of five minutes or less. Over $6,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, including a first prize of $3,000.

Past winning films have spanned the gamut of styles, genres and categories, and have included narratives, documentaries, animation and even music videos. Entrants represent diverse field of studies and national origins, including Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe.

“The annual video contest is an opportunity for the participants to showcase not only their creativity, but also their idealism, optimism and enthusiasm,” said Dennis W. Heaney, president of The Christophers, in announcing the competition. “Every year we are delighted to see how they respond to the challenge.”

The contest is open to all students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs at accredited colleges or universities worldwide. Entries will be judged on overall impact, effectiveness in conveying theme, artistic merit, and technical proficiency. The deadline for entries is June 6, 2008. Videos become the property of The Christophers and will not be returned.

Official entry forms are available by writing to: College Video Contest, The Christophers, 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004, by calling the Youth Department at 212-759-4050, or online at http://www.christophers.org/ .

CW book winner, next giveaway

Congrats to Corey Masters for winning the copy of Christopher West's book, "The Good News About Sex and Marraige."

Our next giveaway is a copy of Franciscan Father Stan Fortuna's first rap CD, "Sacro Song." I've had the blessing of interviewing Father Stan before and serving on a Youth 2000 retreat team with him, and he is a powerful evangelizer. Unlike so many artists who try to reach kids with a Christian message with secular means but come up with generic product, Father Stan knows a good beat and is uncompromising in his message. There's also an element of humor in his music at times. "Sacro Song," to me, was the first Catholic rap CD to "get it." This friar reaches youth and young adults like nobody I've ever seen. Particular favorites are "Zipper Zone," "F.A.M.I.L.Y." and "Lord Have Mercy."

Like most hip hop, some of it sounds a little dated nearly 10 years after its release, but much of it still holds up. Father Stan was smart and took rappers, singers and musicians from the projects surrounding his friary in the Bronx and used their talents to proclaim the Gospel. And he's a heck of a musician and has some excellent jazz and funk records (he was a professional musician in NYC prior to joining the Friars of the Renewal).

At the time, I thought this was the beginning of a new Catholic musical revolution, but sad to say, I haven't seen much else out there worth checking out. I've lost touch with Crispin, whose first couple of records of acoustic, funk and jazz music were excellent. Another band I've pushed here is The Innocence Mission. The musicians are Catholic, not preachy and share beautifully of the joys and sorrows in the little moments of everyday life. They're so good that they have won a fan base among the cynical, relativistic indie rock world. They're almost like a guilty pleasure for some artists. I'd say they're my favorite Catholic artist, even though they don't promote themselves that way. The guitarist, Don Peris, just released an excellent instrumental acoustic record of Christmas hymns, with proceeds benefiting the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Gotta love that.

So, e-mail me at editor@coloradocatholicherald.com if you would like to be in the drawing for this CD. Past winners of Herald contests are not eligible for the rest of 2007, unfortunately.

Giveaway time

It's been a while since we've had a Herald giveaway. In light of Christopher West's upcoming Herald-sponsored talk at St. Patrick Church on Dec. 4 (7 p.m.), we have an extra copy of the awesome "Good News About Sex and Marriage" book. I first bought this book after seeing him talk for the first time several years ago in Dallas. That talk changed my life. I read this book shortly after and I was full steam ahead on the TOB train. It is the best book I've seen for college-aged men and women, as it frankly deals with the pornified culture many are immersed in on campuses and in social scenes.

If you're interested, e-mail me and I'll have a drawing next Monday. Past winners of Herald contests not eligible, unfortunately.

(P.S. Are there any fans of Franciscan Father Stan Fortuna? The next giveaway is related to him and his music.)

Evan Almighty DVD winners

Congratulations to following Herald readers who won a copy of the Evan Almighty DVD in our latest contest:

Nancy Ray
George Galster
Brant Amble
Lou Michalak
Luke Price

Your DVDs went in the mail today, so hopefully you'll receive them by Friday.

Stay tuned to the blog for the next Herald contest!

The winning poster design

©The Colorado Catholic Herald, 2007

We may need to add "Catholic Press Month 2008" on it, but here's the design by Dave Kottler.

Another Herald contest-Evan Almighty DVD

We have a neat contest for our blog readers. For the next month, the Herald is offering its readers the chance to win one of five "Evan Almighty" DVDs. Simply send your name, address and telephone number (e-mail also preferred) to:

The Colorado Catholic Herald
Attn: Evan Almighty Contest
228 N. Cascade Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

We will draw for the winners on Oct. 8 so they can get the DVDs shortly after its official street release on Oct. 9.

CD Giveaway winners

Congratulations to CCH blog readers Rob Huntrods and Mary Henning, who will receive the John Michael Talbot "Living Waters 50th" promo CDs.

Good news

Each February is Catholic Press Month, and the Catholic Press Association (our umbrella organization) offers its member publications a poster that can be ordered and displayed at parishes across North America.

This year, we threw our hat into the ring and Dave Kottler, the exceptionally talented graphic designer who works with us each issue, came up with a great idea involving newspapers, books and ... pancakes. The CPA loved it and awarded us the winner of the contest.

We have to reshoot one of the elements and then we'll post the finished product on the blog. In the meantime, congratulations to Dave on a witty, colorful design.