Apr 11

The Media and the Vatican Part One: A Crucial Relationship

Rome1 - tcaPhoto: Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB is interviewed by BBC Radio about the upcoming conclave in front of the media stand in St. Peter’s Square.  Fr. Rosica and S+L Producer Sebastian Gomes worked for Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ in dealing with the English media during the recent papal transition.

By Sebastian Gomes

I remember when Fr. Rosica called me into his office the morning of February 14th to tell me that Fr. Lombardi (the Vatican Spokesperson) had asked the two of us to come to Rome immediately to work with the English speaking media, who had already begun to swarm the Vatican three days after Pope Benedict announced his resignation.  A lot has happened since that conversation.

One month later, I found myself standing in front of 250,000 people doing the first reading at Pope Francis’ inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square.  And since returning to Toronto the following day, that has been the main topic of conversation with friends and family, and even some secular newspapers wanting to tell the story.  I found that each person had a different level of interest in the papal transition and my personal experience of it, but one question was asked consistently: “Just how did you end up doing the first reading?”

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Apr 09

(zenit.org) Media Perspectives on Pope Francis

Catholic Network Producer Shares Reflections on Argentine Pontiff
Rome, April 09, 2013 (Zenit.org) – Ann Schneible

In Catholic and secular media outlets alike, says producer for Canada’s Salt and Light television Sebastian Gomes, the election of Pope Francis last month “has taken the world by storm.”

Gomes was in Rome last month working as assistant to Fr. Thomas Rosica, chief executive officer for Salt and Light. Fr. Rosica assisted Fr. Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, during the papal transition.

Speaking with ZENIT about his experience serving the Holy See press office in the weeks leading up to the papal election, Gomes offered his perspective on how this new Pontiff is represented in the media. “In Catholic media,” he said, “we present the Pope in a very positive and hopeful light, not because he’s Francis, but because he’s our Shepherd.”

Gomes added, however, that the way Pope Francis is represented in secular media is significant. “Whether we agree with that presentation or not, we have to understand that the media is a part of our culture and essential for evangelization. That being said, I think Pope Francis has taken the world by storm. The vast majority of the secular media have done an excellent job in telling the authentic story: that this is an extremely simple, humble man, who loves Jesus and loves the poor. Whether you are a believer or not, few people are unaffected when the Gospel stares them in the face.” Continue Reading →

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Apr 09

Perth native delivers first reading at Pope’s inaugural mass

Sebastian Gomes in the Vatican
Perth native Sebastian Gomes stands outside the Sistine Chapel in Rome recently as he was selected to read the first prayer at the new pope’s inaugural mass.

Source: emcperth.ca/

EMC News (Apr 4, 2013)  – “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked (John 1:46)

Perth, a diminutive town along the Tay River, with historic brick buildings lining the streets and friendly faces greeting other friendly faces.

A town that loves its hockey, is home to Canada’s oldest pharmacy and has an array of flea markets, craft shops and quaint restaurants to amuse its tourists.

A town where any news is big news.

Like when one of its own, Sebastian Gomes, 28, delivered the first reading at the inaugural mass of Pope Francis I March 19.

Gomes grew up among the charming streets of Perth. Never a devout Catholic as a boy, his focus was instead set on his soccer career.

While looking at soccer programs at an array of American universities, his parents suggested he consider Saint John’s University in Minnesota. Like any indecisive teenager, Gomes was unsure of the major he’d choose.

But meeting the monks, ministers and other religious figures who visited the campus regularly inspired Gomes to enroll in theology.

“With theology, you’re dealing with the big questions in life. It’s definitely the most important subject to study,” Gomes says.

After completing his undergrad, a master’s degree in church history and a year-long teaching gig, Gomes longed to be closer to his family, and moved to Toronto. Continue Reading →

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Apr 02

A look at the inaugural mass of Pope Francis in the Vatican

Sebastian Gomes
Sebastian Gomes was interviewed for RTE Radio: News at one about his experience participating and reading at the Inauguration Mass of Pope Francis.

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Mar 13

Sebastian Gomes – My Take: Benedict’s ‘master plan’ (CNN)

Sebastian Gomes with the Sistine Chapel Chimney in the background
March 12th, 2013
Source: CNN - http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/12/my-take-benedicts-master-plan/

Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by resigning last month, but before leaving the throne of St. Peter vacant, he seems to have spent months, if not years, charting a course for the future of the Catholic Church.

In hindsight we see how calculated Benedict’s thinking was, and not only about his resignation.

He called an unexpected consistory to be held on November 24 in which he created six new cardinals, none of them coming from Europe.

That came nine months after the previous consistory, meaning that in the last year of his papacy, Benedict appointed 24 of the 115 men who will elect his successor.

But he did more than just create new cardinals – he provided one final opportunity for them to come together and discuss the future of the church. A month earlier, the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith was convened in Rome.

A synod brings a sampling of the world’s bishops together to discuss a particular theme, in this case evangelizing those who have drifted away from the Catholic faith, especially in the Western world. 
This synod – the last under Benedict – took a long and in-depth look at how the church can effectively present the person of Jesus to the contemporary world. Continue Reading →

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Mar 11

Sebastian Gomes – All Eyes on Rome

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Jan 23

In Solidarity

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) produced a document unlike any other in the history of the Church: “Gaudium et Spes” (The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World). But despite its originality, the document contains a profoundly ancient Christian directive, namely, to engage the culture of our time and stand in solidarity with the human family, especially the poor and marginalized. “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16)

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Jan 23

Popes of the Council

On September 20, 2012, Pope Benedict said that the New Evangelization “started precisely with the Second Vatican Council.” The two cannot be separated, and every effort of the New Evangelization must therefore be built on or flow from the model of the Church envisioned by the Council Fathers. And what has the Church said about the Council since 1965? See for yourself…

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Jan 23

Pilot Episode

The Church Alive is a fast-paced, segmented and interactive show hosted by Cheridan Sanders and Sebastian Gomes. The goal is to provide an exciting and inspiring show that highlights the broad and inclusive nature of Catholicism by sharing perspectives and stories on the New Evangelization in the Church today. By encouraging interaction and participation with viewers through web based polls, video responses, and Twitter, Facebook, and email comments, we hope to ignite a renewed faith and hope among Catholics.

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Dec 15

Sebastian Gomes

Sebastian grew up in Perth, Ontario and moved to Collegeville, Minnesota after high school where he played varsity soccer and earned a BA and MA in Theology and History from St. John’s University.

During the 2010-2011 academic year he taught at both the university and prep school, and also worked in the Residential Life program. Sebastian moved to Toronto in the fall of 2011, and has been working as an associate producer at Salt and Light since January, 2012.

Sebastian’s love for history is evident in his work where he often helps to shape a contemporary Catholic perspective by commenting on current world issues in light of the intellectual and spiritual traditions of the past. Continue Reading →

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