TV MARIA OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED ON DEC. 8

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales will bless the production studio of TV Maria at 9:30 a.m. on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the national patroness of the Philippines.

The blessing marks the official launching of TV MARIA, which has been on the air for test broadcasts since January 1, 2006. Its programs are now being carried over 300 cable networks in the country including Channel 96 of Destiny. It will soon have its own channel on Sky Cable. It is also seen and heard in the United States, Canada and the Middle East on the Dream Satellite.

TV MARIA is the only national television network of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Its objective is to bring the Word of God in all its beauty to the Filipino people where they are.

Cardinal Rosales is the chairman of TV MARIA. Its officials include: Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez, president; Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ, vice-president; Msgr. Clemente Ignacio, director and Fr. Joselito Buenafe, assistant director. ###