THE EWTN EXPERIENCE
Part 1- The Call and Preparation
How did a Visitation nun even get to be invited to be on Catholic cable tv?
In Feb. I received an e mail which had gone astray to another of our communities, and which was kindly forwarded to me, inviting me to be on EWTN LIVE , with three choices of dates.I remained open to whatever the station would offer. They offered May 9th, and with the proper permission from my Superior and Chancery, it was a go!
The assigned topic was the 400 years of the Visitation Order and its relevance today.Coordinating my thoughts and going before the Lord in prayer, with assistance from our webmaster for photos and general expertise, I prepared as well as I could for this unprecedented event in my religious life.
The preparation, almost 3 months in advance, was not too complicated. It involved the arranging of flights to Alabama, sending some digital photos for the show and a few brief conversations with the Producer and staff.
Many people were also praying for me and I depended on this. I could only remark on the irony of it all- before I entered the Monastery I worked at NBC network- in research- and had not been before the cameras- and now, living behind the cloistered wall, I was being summoned to be on air!
The trip would be 3 days- May 8-10.
The entire trip was anointed, as I met many faith filled people along the way, who were friendly and conversational.
On arrival at the Birmingham airport I was met by an EWTN van driver who took me to the guest accommodations, just outside the campus and bordering it. Imagine, a 6 bedroom house, all for myself!
As it was nearing Vespers, I joined the Friars of the Eternal Word for evening prayer, which was recited reverently in a small chapel with 14 pews, 7 on each side, a glorious golden monstrance flanked by angels and our Lord in Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Supper followed. As I walked into the St Clare dining room, I was greeted by the host of the program,Fr. Mitch Pacwa SJ and another gentleman responsible for various management details of the cable outlet.
Our conversation proceeded naturally enough as we got to know one another and focused on some general outlines about the nature of the next day’s program.
That evening, alone, in the big house,I prayed, prepared my thoughts and called my Sisters at home for moral support! (to be continued)
The program:
http://visitationspirit.org/2012/05/ewtn-interview-of-the-visitation-order/