Priest’s Album Tops One Million Copies-Second Album Released

“The Priests” are a vocal trio of Northern Irish Catholic priests, comprised of two brothers, Father Martin and Father Eugene O’Hagan, along with school friend Father David Delargy. “The Priests” signed a global recording deal in 2008 with Sony Music and released their self-titled debut album in November, which became a major global sensation, selling over 1 million copies in just 7 weeks. The album broke the Guinness World Book of Records, officially being the fastest selling debut by a classical act in the , and has achieved platinum status in the , , , and . Additionally, the album is 5 times platinum in their native .

On April 7th, RCA Victor announced the release The Priests – In Concert At Armagh Cathedral, available for sale for the first time on DVD. Filmed by acclaimed director Chris Cowey, this special concert was recorded in front of a packed audience of hundreds of attentive fans and a PBS television crew. “The Priests” performed soaring renditions of classics such as “Ave Maria,” “Pie Jesu” and “Panis Angelicus,” as well as traditional Irish songs in an hour long concert at the stunning Armagh Cathedral in . Their outstanding harmonies won ecstatic applause from the audience, and this concert was one of the most successful PBS pledge drive programs this past holiday season.

Father Martin said, “If we can truly reach out to the world through the music, then we feel we will have brought some pleasure to people and lifted their hearts. What has happened to us since we signed to Sony Music is just beyond the wildest dreams of any of us. We all feel we are on an extraordinary journey.” “The Priests” signed a unique recording contract less than a year ago, which ensured that their day jobs will never be interrupted, no matter the scale of their musical success. Their priestly duties are enshrined in a contract which includes a clause freeing them from any promotional or recording commitments – parish duties always take precedence. “Weddings, funerals, baptisms – all of these things must go on and will always come first for us,” says Father Eugene.

2nd Annual Catholic New Media Celebration Announced

Following the encouragement of Pope Benedict, as well as Pope John Paul II before him, the second annual Catholic New Media Celebration will be held in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, June 27, 2009 announced Fr. Roderick Vonhögen, CEO of the Star Quest Production Network, the group that is coordinating the event. To be held in the magnificent Sky Room of the University of the Incarnate Word, the Catholic New Media Celebration (CNMC) is an international conference which focuses on evangelization of the Roman Catholic faith using new media.

“It will take place during the final weekend of the year dedicated to the apostle Saint Paul,” says Fr. Vonhögen. “Just like Saint Paul who traveled the world to tell the nations about Jesus, Catholic new media evangelists reach out to a worldwide audience with the message of the Gospel. At this year’s CNMC, we will explore how we can follow in his footsteps.” He went on to say, “It is a day to learn, share, and explore how New Media can help the Catholic Church in the New Evangelization called for by Pope John Paul II.”

Keynote speakers for this year's gathering will include Fr. Dave Dwyer, the Director of Busted Halo, and host of “The Busted Halo Show with Father Dave Dwyer” on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. Also speaking will be well known Apologist and EWTN host Patrick Madrid, publisher of Envoy Magazine and Director of the Envoy Institute of Belmont Abbey College. The conference will close with a special concert featuring Ms. Sarah Bauer, a Catholic singer-songwriter from Indiana with a special calling through her “Dare to Dream” ministry, to challenge young people to dream big and to recognize the great plans that God has for their lives.

“New media includes podcasts and online video, games and software, websites and blogs, mobile technology and all things interactive,” said Father Vonhogen. “The Catholic New Media Celebration is a gathering of today's new media producers within the Catholic Church, as well as of those who simply enjoy and have a desire to learn more about new media content and a want to grow as a community in an effort to more effectively create and share powerful and unique content for the benefit of the universal Catholic Church.”

Anyone interested in new media is invited to attend. Registration and additional information i available online at http://celebration.sqpn.com or by calling 206-202-4455.