Dan Dúet: News

From FOX News:
‘Merry Christmas’ Beating Out ‘Happy Holidays’
December 10, 2010 - 11:15 AM | by: Lauren Green
"Happy Holidays" is on the decline. In window displays and newspaper circulars, on websites and sometimes out of the mouths of sales clerks, more retailers are saying "Merry Christmas" this year.

Conservative Christian groups like the American Family Association and The Liberty Counsel have been turning up the heat on retailers for the last few years, creating top-100 "Naughty and Nice" lists and telling consumers which businesses they see as "Christmas friendly." On some occasions the groups have mounted or threatened boycotts against retailers that didn't meet their standards.

And now they say they're seeing results.

"We've gone from 80 percent politically correct three to four years ago to 80 percent pro-Christmas message and advertising to consumers," says Randy Sharp, director of special projects for the AFA.

"I don't think we bullied; we simply let them know if you are going to offend us, we are going to use our back pocket as our voice and not shop in your store."

Macy's, Target and Wal-Mart made the AFA's "Nice" list this year. Their "holiday shops" are Christmas shops again; holiday trees are Christmas trees. And their shoppers are seeing lots of signs that say Merry Christmas.

On the other hand, GAP (and its subsidiaries), Barnes & Noble and Victoria's Secret remain on the AFA's dwindling "Naughty" list. The Liberty Counsel also labels GAP as "Naughty," along with its brand stores, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta and Piperlime.

Liberty Counsel says GAP uses plenty of winter themes, but it never mentions Christmas, and it says the company purged "Christmas" from its stores and advertisements.

GAP Inc. spokeswoman Renate Geerlings said in a statement that the chain is celebrating the holiday season in many ways, with Christmas trees, lights and wreaths.

"As a global retailer," she said, "we respect a variety of traditions and faiths. We hope that our in-store experience appeals to our many customers."

A spokeswoman for Limited Brands, the parent company for Victoria's Secret, defended the retailer's holiday marketing campaign, encouraging those who accuse them of not being Christmas-friendly to watch Victoria's Secret's latest commercial, which uses the word "Christmas."

"One of Limited Brands' core values is 'Inclusion makes us stronger,'" she added.

Sharp said the Victoria's Secret ad was a paltry substitute for any real Christmas spirit. "One commercial is all they offered in their entire defense," he said. "No website, no circulars, no in-store recognition." But Ken Bronstein, president of New York Atheists, said pressuring retailers to be "Christmas-friendly" serves only to separate Americans.

"We're one nation, and everyone should be treated universally," Bronstein said. "If someone wants to celebrate Christmas, let them do it. Stores have a right to do it, but in general, from a business point of view and from a country point of view, it's best to call it holidays, the seasonal days … whatever you want to classify it. And I think we'd be better off that way."

The skirmish in the stores is one of a few such battles being waged as Christmas approaches. The atheist Colorado Coalition of Reason is putting up three billboards protesting the Nativity scene at the Denver City & County Building, saying a representation of the birth of Jesus shouldn't be placed on public property.

Last week in Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter changed his tune about renaming the city's "Christmas Village" to "Holiday Village," after he received scores of calls and emails. Nutter announced Wednesday night that the annual German market would retain its traditional "Christmas Village" name.

Also last week, American Atheists put up a billboard over a New Jersey highway mocking the Nativity scene, declaring, "You know it's a myth. This season, celebrate reason!"

A few days later the Catholic League counterpunched with its own billboard on the New York side of the same highway, saying, "You know it's real: this season celebrate Jesus. Merry Christmas from the Catholic League."

"Our approach is positive, and services the common good," Catholic League President Bill Donohue said in a press release. "Theirs is negative, and is designed to sow division. It's what they do."

American Atheists President Dave Silverman called the Catholic League's billboard juvenile, adding that it lacked originality because it almost directly copied the atheists' billboard. "They have a right to put it up," Silverman said, "but [I] would appreciate if they wouldn't steal our ideas."

Pointing out that not everyone believes in Jesus, he added: "I think our billboard is designed for every human being,"

But people's beliefs about Christmas have become part of the shopping experience in this country. Reports of Grinch-like behavior from stores can be found on Grinchalert.com, a website sponsored by First Baptist Dallas Church on which shoppers can post their experiences about which retailers they consider "Christmas friendly" or not. Many of the places are regional, like Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Dallas, which got raves for its Christmas decor and "Merry Christmas" greetings from employees.

But in the case of national chains like Target and Macy's, it's about one specific store, which means they can be on both the Naughty and the Nice list.

One customer who put Target on the Naughty list wrote: "I was looking for an ornament that reflected the reason for the season, and I could not find anything that said Merry Christmas. I'm tired of seeing ONLY snowmen, Santa Clauses, snowflakes, birds, glitter, etc. I could not find a gift bag, an ornament, or a gift box with a manger or the Holy Family on it."

Another shopper posted Target on the Nice list, writing, "Went into Target and noticed Merry Christmas signs hanging from the ceiling around the store."

Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, says the church's site lets shoppers tell their experiences, and that's why stores can end up on both lists.

"We're not compiling the list," he said. "We're providing the electronic paper."

Sharp says the AFA gets dozens of letters every year from shoppers saying retail clerks have said they're not allowed to say Merry Christmas to customers. But when AFA followed up with the retail chain or store, nearly all of the time it was not official corporate policy.

"The response we hear from corporate representatives is, 'Our employees are free to greet our customers in a manner that is appropriate for the season,'" he said.

That sort of miscommunication appears to be behind a conflict at Wachovia bank in Florida. In the Tampa Bay area, a Fox affiliate reported that a customer closed her account at a Wachovia branch because she was told the company had a "No Christmas Tree" policy. Wachovia spokeswoman Christina Kolbjornsen said in a statement: "We respect the diversity of our customers and our team members, and we're decorating our stores with poinsettia plants so everyone can be included."

But Wells Fargo, which has taken over Wachovia banks, says there is no company policy on the issue and that decisions about displays are made at the local level. "There are no policies that say we can't have Christmas trees in banks," spokeswoman Mary Eshet said.

JP Morgan Chase bank in Southlake, Texas, also wound up on the wrong side of the Christmas tree kerfuffle. The bank became known as the Scrooge of the banking industry after it ordered a Christmas tree, which was donated by a local businessman, removed from the lobby because it violated bank policy.

The bank had a change of heart after more than 2,000 negative comments about its policy were posted on a local paper's website. But the reversal may have come too late. Providence Bank of Texas, prominently displaying a Christmas tree and Nativity scene, has seen an influx of new customers since the controversy. Bank Chairman Mark Lovvorn won't say they're former Chase account holders, but he acknowledges that "we've had customers who said we appreciate your Christmas tree and Nativity scene, and that's why we're coming."

The "pro-Christmas" advocates appear to have public opinion on their side. A recent Rasmussen poll showed that people prefer to be greeted with "Merry Christmas" over "Happy Holidays," 69 to 24 percent.

According to a Fox News Opinion Dynamics Poll and the National Retail Foundation, more than 90 percent of Americans celebrate or observe Christmas in some way. And despite the recession, 2010 holiday retail sales are expected to increase 2.3 percent this year, to $447.1 billion, giving retailers something to be Merry -- or Happy -- about this shopping season.

After more than four years of waiting, Dan Dúet is finally back in the recording studio, working on his fourth CD of prayerful and contemporary Christian music. The working title is "Quiet Devotion" and should be released in early 2011, with two singles scheduled to be released by the end of 2010.

The CD is being co-produced by Tony Franckowiak and Dan Dúet and is being recorded at Franckowiak's 'Cactus Country Recording Studio' at Sendero Ranch, just north of San Antonio.

The CD will be primarily acoustic-guitar music, with some 'bells and whistles' added throughout. Dan will play rhythm guitar on all but two tracks: "In the Calm" (no guitar, piano by Brenda Franckowiak) and "There is a Well" (guitar by Ben Maes of Albuquerque, NM).

In addition to Brenda Franckowiak and Ben Maes, other guest musicians expected to add their talents to this project include: Tony Franckowiak (guitar and mandolin), Matt Di Filippo (guitar), Graham McNair (percussion), Briana Santiago (violin), and Levi Guffey (guitar), among others. Several vocalists have not yet committed to the project but Dan expects at least one male vocalist to add harmonies to his lead vocals.

In addition to a couple of Dan's original tunes that have never been recorded ("Here I Am", "Comes a Time"), there are original songs by two of his friends, "All I Need is You" by Sharon Sislock Wall, and "Love Song" by Andrew Peloso. Dan will also do 'cover' versions of some of his favorites such as "Word of God Speak", "Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone", "The Outlaw", and part of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Those who have followed Dan's musical career know that his very first professional recording was a three-song demo called, "Come to the Cross". Included as two bonus tracks on this new CD will be two songs from that first recording, "Come to the Cross" (original version; revised version is on the 1999 CD "Touch the Flame") and "Rise and Walk (Kennys Song)". These two recordings have never been available on CD before.

Please keep this recording project in your prayers and check back for updates. If you would like to order a copy pre-release, contact Dan directly at: dan@danduet.com

Let us never forget that spiritual warfare is real and is 24/7. Evil does not take a day off... not even one moment. Here is a link to an interesting story: Bishop's Conference on Exorcism

The 2011 Catholic music "Unity Awards" will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011, at the Thiry Auditorium on the campus of Our Lady of the Lake University. The Awards features approximately 12-14 live music performances during the course of the evening as awards are being presented, much like the Grammy Awards.

Emcees for the evening will be Ursula Pari (KSAT News) and Richard Reyna (Guadalupe Radio). Additional information will be released all through 2011. Tickets to go on sale in June 2011.

From the San Antonio Express-News:

Mexican-born Chicago bishop named S.A. archbishop
By Abe Levy - Express-News

A Mexican-born bishop from Chicago will head the Archdiocese of San Antonio, keeping intact the 31-year string of Hispanic archbishops and recognizing the explosive growth that Hispanic Catholics represent nationwide.

The Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, 53, will replace Archbishop José Gomez, who left six months ago to lead the Los Angeles archdiocese next year. His installation service is set for Nov. 23 but a location has yet to be announced.

Garcia-Siller currently serves as a regional administrator for the largest district in the Archdiocese of Chicago with 79 parishes, and is the archdiocesan liaison for the Hispanic community.

Garcia-Siller was chosen by the Vatican to take over an archdiocese with 702,547 members and 173 parishes and mission congregations spread across much of South Texas. With three Catholic universities, a school of theology and seminary, Catholicism here has played a leading role in San Antonio's history, politics and religious landscape.

As head of the largest faith group in the region, the archbishop has enjoyed a place of influence among lawmakers from local and state bodies and increasingly in Washington, especially with the re-emergence of immigration as a hotly debated topic.

He was not on the top of most insider observers' lists; however, his age, Hispanic background, leadership credentials and personal charisma make him a match for the San Antonio job, many said.

“I'm absolutely delighted and know him to be highly regarded in the Chicago area as a great, pastoral bishop,” said Father David Garcia, former rector of San Fernando Cathedral and veteran local priest. “I'm sure he'll be well received by the clergy and laity and I look forward to collaboration with him. He's the right man for San Antonio at the right time."

Garcia-Siller is one of 45 Hispanic bishops in the United States and continues a surge of new Hispanic appointments in the past two years, including in Austin, Atlanta, Brownsville and Phoenix.

“San Antonio has a beautiful Hispanic flavor to it but you have every other ethnic background too," said Monsignor Heberto Diaz of Brownsville and president of the National Association of Hispanic Priests. “(U.S. bishops) see the need in their diocese and regions for Hispanic leadership and see the populations shifting."

Writing in London's Catholic Herald about the dramatic rescue of trapped Chilean miners, William Oddie argues that the media have not given adequate attention to the miners' religious beliefs. "One of their first requests, after a crucifix, was for statues of Our Lady and the saints," he notes. Oddie has no doubt that the miners' prayers were responsible for their equanimity during a long ordeal.

FULL STORY:
It was surely praying at their ‘makeshift shrine’ that kept the Chilean miners sane. One of their first requests, after a crucifix, was for statues of Our Lady and the saints.
By William Oddie on Wednesday, 13 October 2010

As I write, the Chilean miners are being brought to the surface. It has been a “miracle”, many say; first that they were not killed, second that they were found, and now a miracle of human skill and ingenuity that they have so far come up safe and unharmed; please God this “miracle” continues to the end of an amazing story.

Of course, the word is being used, especially by journalists, as a way of speaking, a metaphor. Probably none of these are miracles as the Church understands the word. But the religious faith of the miners has undoubtedly been playing a part in all this. There has, of course, been almost no coverage of this fact in the secular press, though on Monday the Guardian (of course) had a mean little piece with the headline “Chilean miners: Rival churches claim credit for the miracle” and the standfirst “Evangelical, Adventist and Catholic clerics are vying to stamp their own faith on the expected rescue of the trapped men”.

What nobody has done so far – that I have seen (I may be wrong of course, there has been vast international coverage of this story) – is to give a convincing account of what it is that has kept the men sane and united and undespairing, what has sustained their hope of deliverance from this truly appalling ordeal. And I have no doubt at all that it was their religion and that that there weren’t that many Adventists or Evangelicals down there.

Consider the following CNA report from Santiago, which appeared on August 27: “The 33 miners trapped in the San Jose mine in Atacama, Chile, have requested that statues and religious pictures be sent down to them as they wait to be rescued… Chilean officials say the rescue could take months but that they hope to reach the miners by Christmas… A small passageway has already been put in place so messages and supplies can be sent to the trapped miners.

“Although a crucifix has already been sent down, the miners are continuing to request more statues of Mary and the saints… to construct a makeshift chapel. ‘The miners want to set up a section of the chamber they are in as a shrine,’ Chilean’s Minister of Health, Jaime Manalich, told CNN.

“This week, President Sebastian Pinera spoke with the miners by phone and then placed a statue of St Lorenzo, the patron of miners, in the presidential palace together with 32 Chilean flags and one Bolivian flag to represent each of the miners trapped since August 5.”

One of the first things the miners’ relatives did at the pithead, while it still looked as though they must be all dead, was to set up a statue of St Lawrence, patron saint of miners, who in statues of him in this role movingly wears a miner’s hat and carries a miner’s lamp. And the whole rescue mission was placed under his patronage: it was called simply Operation San Lorenzo.

The rescue, as I post this, is not complete; not everyone is out. But whatever the final outcome, there has already been one vastly moving outcome among the miners themselves: the whole thing has been a massive spiritual triumph, a glorious victory against despair and loss of hope, against the quarrelling and division which naturally and inevitably break out, so the psychologists tell us, whenever men are confined together for prolonged periods of time. And surely even the Guardian can hardly argue that this great human achievement had nothing to do with that beacon of hope, the shrine set up in a corner of that unspeakable underground hell.

The 2010 SW Tour is off to a great start for Dan. He began the tour on Wednesday, September 8 at St. Pius X in El Paso, TX. Dan performed there last year and is already scheduled for 2011.

The parish Life Teen band opened the concert with a 20-minute set of praise and worship songs. A very talented and Spirit-filled group of high school and college students, the band gave great glory to Jesus in their ministry.

Dan followed next with a set of just over one hour of music... a combination of original songs, cover songs, and prayer-songs. The audience was very enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy the evening.

Following the concert was a reception of light refreshments. Then Dan was treated to a surprise dinner hosted by the Youth Ministry Team of adult leaders and the Life Teen band. LOTS of great food and fellowship. At the end of the dinner they presented Dan with a gift basket of several spiritual items. It was a very gracious gesture which Dan greatly appreciated.

Dan stayed in El Paso for two more days. He had the opportunity to meet the pastor of Christ the Savior Catholic Church as well as his contact person for an October 3 concert, Nat De Rosso. The three went to lunch and discussed the upcoming concert.

After spending three days in El Paso, Dan then drove to San Diego for two events. The first was an afternoon concert on September 12 at Holy Spirit parish. There, too, Dan had the youth band open the concert with 20 minutes of praise and worhsip songs. And once again, Dan found them to be a very Spirit-filled and talented group of young musicians.

Dan then performed for just more than an hour and had a suprise special guest... a surprise to himself, that is. Through the social networking site 'Facebook', Dan had accepted a 'Friend Request' last year from a musician from San Diego... who happened to come to the concert and brought along his djembe. Dan was very excited to finally meet Patrick Richards and then invite Patrick to join him for six or seven songs. Without any rehearsal whatsoever, Patrick 'nailed' each song and added a great deal with his spectacular use of percussion.

After the concert there was another reception and Dan had the opportunity to fellowship with many of the concert-goers. As he finished packing his vehicle with his music equipment, Dan went to close the doors of the church and there was a man there praying before the Blessed Sacrament, his young son sitting on a pew waiting for him.

As Dan was getting ready to get into his car, the man emerged from the church and Dan felt compelled to begin a dialogue with him. As it turns out, the young man from Mexico was praying for his relationship with his wife and praying for their two young sons. Apparently his wife wants a divorce.

Dan listened as he poured out his heart and expressed concern not for himself, but for his sons, aged 3 and 5. He was asking Jesus to intercede in their relationship to bring healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation. All Dan could do was listen to this heartbroken young man, offer a prayer and words of encouragement, and then two big hugs, one for the man and one for his 3-year old son. (Please pray for this situation and for all relationships that are undergoing trials)

The next night, Monday September 13, Dan was just north of San Diego in Valley Center, CA, at St. Stephen's. Dan performed a concert there last year and this time around, he was asked to develop a prayer service for them to kick off their new year of the religious education program. The theme was "Fight the Good Fight" and Dan worked off that theme, along with how we are called to be light in the darkness. Many of the parents of the high school students were there and it was a very moving service.

Dan continues the tour in Glendale, AZ, on Saturday, September 18 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. See the Calendar for additional details!

The 2010 Unity Awards were presented on August 28 in Calgary, Alberta. While Two-Twelve Records artists Dan Dúet and Matt Di Filippo did not receive the awards they were nominated for, all of the nights' recipients were very well-deserving of the acknowledgements they received.

Dan and Matt were able to do quite a bit of "networking" and got to know other Catholic artists a bit better. Most notable were conversations they had with Tom Booth, Greg Walton, Masheti Moses, Gretchen Harris, and the bands, Critical Mass and Majesty.

At the end of the program Dan had the privilege of announcing that San Antonio will be home to the 2011 awards! Dan will post a blog about the awards very soon. As a matter of fact, go check right now to see if he posted it yet!!!

For a complete list of recipients, visit - http://www.gvonline.net/news.html

Two-Twelve Ministries announces that the Fall Concert Tour for Dan Dúet is essentially in place. Dan will begin a 26-day Concert/Ministry Tour on September 8. The tour will include West Texas, northern New Mexico, Glendale (AZ), and Southern California. The first stop will be St. Pius X in El Paso, TX. There was a great turnout for his concert there last year and he expects the same this year. In fact, St. Pius has already tentatively booked Dan for October 12 of 2011.

There will be at least 14 concerts during this span of 3 1/2 weeks, with most of those taking place in northern New Mexico. (There are two more concerts that might be added within the next day or two) See the Calendar for all of the dates, times, and locations.

Accompanying Dan for the majority of the concerts will be guitarist/vocalist Ben Maes of Albuquerque. Ben is the Parish Administrator and Music Director at St. Anne's in Albuquerque and has performed with Dan in the past. The two met last year when St. Anne hosted a concert for Dan. Ben has performed with Dan in Albuquerque, Las Cruces (NM), and San Antonio (TX).

In addition to the concerts, Dan will host four "Men's Prayer Breakfast" sessions with the details still to be announced. The sessions will be held in El Paso, Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe.

There are other ministry events planned as well; some will be made public and some will be low-key affairs.

Overall this tour will be Dan's most exhaustive and exhausting since he began a full-time ministry of word and music 2 1/2 years ago. Immediately following his return to San Antonio on October 4, Dan will prepare to emcee and speak at the San Antonio Young Adult Conference on October 9. No rest for the weary!

Please keep this ministry tour in your prayers!

The Catholic music “Unity Awards” are fast approaching… August 28. Dan Dúet and Matt Di Filippo will be there in Calgary to participate and to formally announce that the 2011 Awards will be hosted by Two-Twelve Ministries in San Antonio.

All seven of their respective nominations made it to the Final Ballot for the members of the United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA) to vote on. The final nominees in each of their categories are:

(All nominees are listed in alphabetical order)

Artist of the Year: Ceili Rain, Dan Dúet, Brian Flynn, Mark Forrest, Matt Maher, Fr. Charles Mangano

Song of the Year: “I’ll Find You” (Ceili Rain), “Transform Us” (Dan Dúet), “You Are a Priest Forever” (Brian Flynn), “I Will Carry You” (The Love Movement), “Hold Us Together” (Matt Maher), “The Padre Pio Song – Touched by His Love” (Susanna), “Tune of Ignorance” (Greg Walton)

Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year: “I’ll Find You” (Ceili Rain), “Transform Us” (Dan Dúet), “Come True Light” (Sarah Hart), “What I Gotta Say” (Janelle), “I Will Carry You” (The Love Movement), “Alive Again” (Matt Maher), “I Choose Life” (Sal Solo)

Songwriter of the Year: Dan Dúet (“Transform Us”), Brian Flynn (“Father God”), Bob Halligan, Jr. (“I’ll Find You”), Rebecca Peck and Thomas Peck (“I Will Carry You”), Susan Stein (“The Padre Pio Song – Touched by His Love”), Greg Walton (“Tune of Ignorance”)

Male Vocalist of the Year: Dan Dúet, Brian Flynn, Mark Forrest, Denis Grady, Matt Maher, Fr. Charles Mangano, Greg Walton

Devotional Album of the Year: “River of Grace” (Matthew Baute), “Without Words” (Matt Di Filippo), “Mother of Mercy Scriptural Rosary” (Vinny Flynn and Still Waters), “Saint Songs” (Sarah Hart), “Adoration for the New Springtime” (Paul Hilts), “Harmony” (The Priests), “Mended” (Katrina Rae)

Album Packaging: Rhadica Boyce, Matt Di Filippo / Raul Santiago, Franklin Flitton, Skylar Gorrell, Donna Lee/Spirit Graphics and Printing, Zora Puskacova / Alyson Bleistine, Jacob Souva

To review all of the final nominees in each category, visit: Heartbeat Distribution and scroll down the left side of the screen to the link to the UCMVA / Unity Awards 2010. Click that link and scroll to the bottom of the page it takes you to.

Everything you've ever wanted to know about bubbles can be found at the 'Random Link of the Week' under the Links tab. And if you like to pop bubble wrap, they even have a bubble wrap popping game on the site. Yeah, it's pretty lame, but like popping bubble wrap can be irresistible, so can this game!

Check out the newest addition to the Spotlight Artist links: Nick Cardilino. His original song, "Discover the Way", was the theme song for the 2007 NCYC in Columbus, OH. He offers his song, "No Room for Hate", as a free download for you!! Check him out in the Music section, Spotlight Artists link.

The United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA) has just released the nominees for the 2010 "Unity Awards". The Unity Awards are the highest honors given out to those involved in the Catholic music and video industry.

Two-Twelve Records recording artists Dan Dúet and Matt Di Filippo have been nominated in seven categories. Dan is a past recipient for his 2007 song, “Traces of Jesus”.

This year Dan is on the initial ballot for: Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Transform Us”), Songwriter of the Year (“Transform Us”), Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year (“Transform Us”) and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Matt is on the initial ballot for: Devotional Album of the Year (“Without Words”) and, along with Raul Santiago, for Album Packaging of the Year (“Without Words”).

The Unity Awards will be held on August 28 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Two-Twelve Ministries will host the Awards in 2011 in San Antonio. We'll keep you posted!

June 19 was a Spirit-filled day at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in San Antonio where Dan Dúet and 70+ other Catholic men participated in the 2^nd and 3^rd Degree ceremonies of the Knights of Columbus. Not only will being a 3^rd Degree Knight benefit Dan personally in his spiritual journey, but this growing faith will guide him as he begins to develop an evangelical outreach specific to Catholic men. What an exciting time for Dan to be a Lay Evangelist!

Margo B. Smith is the current featured "Spotlight Artist". She is a Spirit-filled, gifted singer/songwriter in the Baltimore area that you want to get to know! Learn about her ministry and hear a sample of her music by going to the MUSIC page, then to "Spotlight - Various Artists". 

Actually, the headline should read in the plural... "Announcements"...

Pertaining to the 2010 Catholic music "Unity Awards" to be held in Calgary, Alberta CANADA... Dan Dúet and Matt Di Filippo are planning to be there and we will soon announce news regarding their involvement.

The other news item is in relation to the 2011 Unity Awards... check back!!

On Thursday, May 20, Dan Dúet joined several other men from his parish, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in a First Degree ceremony as the newest members of Knights of Columbus Council 9967. The Holy Spirit has been leading Dan toward developing an evangelical outreach specific to Catholic men and this seemed like a logical, yet Spirit-led, choice to make. Dan is looking forward to deepening his faith as a Catholic man.

Several Brother Knights from Holy Trinity attended, including Matt Di Filippo who is with Council 10624 (at St. Mary's, Texas A&M University). Both Dan and Matt are planning to receive their 2nd and 3rd degrees at a ceremony at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on June 19. They are wasting no time in deepening their relationship with such an incredible organization.

If you are a fan of the EWTN program, "The Faithful Traveler", you may have heard some of Matt Di Filippo's music playing in the background of three episodes. His song, "Jubilee", is used during Episode 6: The National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In Episode 9, featuring the National Shrine of St. John Neumann, they used "Melting Ways of Fallen Men". St. Patrick's Cathedral was aired as a two-part episode. Matt's song "Grace in Motion" was used in Episode 12, the first part of this one.

This was quite an honor for Matt's music to be selected for a television network that airs in 144 countries and territories. Be watching to see if EWTN repeats any of these episodes!