A few months ago, Father Bernard Heffrenan became acquainted with a great many people in the “mass media”, in a 40 to 100-mile radius around Peterborough; from Cobourg to Huntsville and Campbellford to Bowmanville.
When Father Heffernan suggested a “United Community Effort” of radio, television, newspaper, cablevision, Church, school and home, to restore a patter of harmonious family living and faith in God, they all said “Yes”. They came forward and offered their services. Their built a “Massive Mass Media Pulpit” for “A Matter of Faith”.
“A Matter of Faith” is a 13-week television, radio, cablevision series of half-hour programs, supported by newspapers, radio spots, parish bulletin inserts and posters, designed by father Patrick Peyton, a pioneer in radio and television, in Hollywood, and famous on six continents for his massive “prayer crusades”. The purpose of “A Matter of Faith” is to restore stability and harmony to the homes of the nation, by praying to God “as a family”.
In “A Matter of Faith”, Father Peyton interviews world famous people of strong faith such as, Bishop Marrocco of Peterborough, Archbishop Pocock of Toronto, Bishop Carter of London, Archbishop Sheen, Rose Kennedy, Malcom Muggeridge of England, Marshall McLuhan of Toronto, Cardinal Suenens of Belgium, Cardinal Wright of Rome, Father Arrupe – Superior General of the Jesuits, in Rome, Neville Ward of England, etc.
Father Heffernan said that “the series has been more wonderful than anything I could have imagined”. “A United Effort of The Mass Media” within Peterborough Diocese consisting of one television station, 3 cablecasting stations, 5 radio stations, 22 newspapers, 33 parish bulletins as well as posters and other promotional efforts by schools and Church organization. People are thrilled with it all”.
Father Peyton is so happy with it, that he has asked Father Heffernan to fly immediate to Hollywood, with videotapes, newspapers and radio spots for three weeks, to help plan a “Mass Media Pulpit” for the United States, which will climax in each area with a number of huge prayer rallies. “A Matter of Faith” will probably move from there to England, Ireland, Australia and many other countries. Plans are already underway in Canada.
Already, three other dioceses in Ontario want it. Perhaps more will want to join them. “We hope to add the Bishop of each participating diocese to the “series” and coordinate a “Matter of Faith” to run simultaneously in ever diocese. This will enable a provincial-wide advertising program, on radio, television, newspaper, cablevision and billboards and parish bulletins, to be advantageous for all.
Before leaving Malton Airport for Hollywood, Father Heffernan said, “Maybe God will bless us with a province wide Mass Media Mission”, climaxed by huge massive “Prayer Rallies” all around Ontario, conducted by Father Peyton, ‘A Provincial Mass Marketing Mission, making Ontario, not only “A Place to Stand”, but also “A Place to Kneel”, “A Place to Grow in Faith”, and we hope the same can happen in every province and territory in Canada. I thank everyone for their generous donations to help this great work”.
Cobourg Star, Wed. July 18, 1973.
