By Fr. Robert J. Carr
Catholic Online

What do you get when you cross the old Mike Douglas show with a couple of performing priests? You get Going My Way, a new series coming out of Boston Catholic Television. Featuring two priests from that archdiocese, Rev. Paul Rouse and Rev. Christopher Hickey, the program features music and talk in a half hour format not unlike the talk/variety shows of the Golden Age of Television

Hickey, ordained in 1994 and Rouse, an old timer in the Archdiocese ordained in the 1970’s join forces to put a positive and light hearted spin on the priesthood. Hickey sings to Rouse’s piano. In between, the program promises to feature interviews with various Boston priests on their vocation and their off time hobbies.

The Pilot of Going My Way features a combination of Hickey and Rouse who then interview each other and share stories of what it was like going through the seminary college in the late 1980’s. Fr. Rouse was the music director, and Fr. Hickey was Mr. Hickey in the early days of preparation for his ordination.

Attending seminary with Hickey, although one year ahead of him, I see that the priest who was always known for his humor and showmanship puts it all together well with accompaniment of Fr. Rouse. Both use their entertaining talents to bring a classy presentation to their unique program. This is especially laudable because, as Hickey mentions, they both work together in an empty studio performing for no one but the crew and the silent cameras. However, that set-up did work for Laugh-In and seems to work for Frs. Hickey and Rouse. Rouse's piano and Hickey's voice are of a professional and impressive quality, even more so since they both have committed themselves to a rather unique "day" job.

If there is any criticism I do have for the show, it is that I am curious as to how it will play with a younger audience. The music and the approach clearly appeal to the same demographic that was coming of age when Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin were in their heydays interviewing the stars of the late '60's and early '70's. The show also plays strongly to the Boston Irish heritage of both priests. Yet, that is not uncommon in a city that is thirty percent Hibernian in population.

Outside of that criticism, I have to admit, it is a creative approach to the priesthood at a time when paper, ink and electrons come together to bash those who sacrifice so much to serve God and his people.

The program can be seen on Boston Catholic Television found on the Boston area cable systems and everywhere else at www.catholictv.org via broadband internet connection. It airs at:

Monday: 1:00PM
Tuesday: 6:00AM
Wednesday: 5:30PM
Thursday: 1:30PM
Friday: 11:00AM
Saturday: 2:30PM
Sunday: 6:00AM,12:30PM

Contact

Catholicism Anew
http://www.revrobertjcarr.com  MA, US
Fr. Robert J. Carr - Priest, 617 230-3300

Email

frbobcarr@earthlink.net

Keywords

Fr. Chris Hickey, Fr. Paul Rouse, BCTV, Music, Vocation, Priesthood