Ashley Czarnota works on the web series "In a Word" with Father David Richards for Daybreak TV Productions.

"It's a very exciting time to be working at Daybreak because of social media," said Claire A. Rung, executive producer of Daybreak TV Productions, who is pleased with the response to two new video segments launched this year by the Diocese of Buffalo's video production team.

The first is called, "What's Going On?" a series of short videos shared on the Daybreak TV Productions Facebook and Twitter pages to feature events and ministries initiated by diocesan departments such as the Youth Department or Office of Evangelization.

"The idea for it came out of a staff meeting," said Rung. "Our engineering technician, Peter Herrmann, came up with the idea and then Paula DeAngelis-Stein took off with it." The snappy videos give viewers a chance to see and hear directly from the people who head up those diocesan departments. "It is just a friendlier, warmer, more welcoming way of learning a little something about the diocesan ministries. It's been a really fun project to do."

Another new video segment designed for social media is called "Question of the Day," a series of popular short videos with answers to life's questions. While recording for the USCCB Daily Reflections or Sunday Masses, the Daybreak team often comes in contact with people who are so knowledgeable about the Catholic faith that it seemed fitting to ask their opinions of everyday life questions. "These are fundamental questions that we all have, or we may hear other people talking about," said Rung. "We try to have fun with it. We asked Sister Johnice, 'How do you deal with your bad habits?' We asked Bishop Richard J. Malone how he relaxes."

These new segments are in addition to "Consider This," the timely and inspirational weekly messages from Bishop Malone which are found on diocesan and Daybreak social media sites. The Daily Mass is recorded at St. Joseph Cathedral's Our Lady Chapel Monday through Friday and airs on Spectrum Cable at noon each day. On the diocesan website and Daybreak's Facebook page, Daybreak provides just the Gospel and Homily each day for those who are looking for the Good News message.

Daybreak recently received a 2018 Communicator Award of Distinction from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts for both "A Calling to Priesthood" and the Catholic Charities video, "Love Your Neighbor." In 2017, Daybreak released "In a Word" short inspirational videos by Father Dave Richards pastor at Our Lady of Pompeii in Lancaster and Sarah Saltarelli, a Youth Minister at Annunciation Parish in Elma, covering topics affecting young people. Daybreak has produced 17 videos so far and is seeking funding to continue the series.

"We have the flexibility to distribute our ministry of video production to the public and with social media we suddenly have control of that distribution like we've never had before," said Rung. "We can put short Catholic videos where people will see them."

All of the diocesan social media videos produced by Daybreak can be found on the Daybreak TV Productions Facebook and Twitter pages. More videos can also be found on the Daybreak TV Production YouTube Channel. Visit www.daybreaktv.org to learn more.  

Catholic Communication Campaign will be held the weekend of June 9-10 in all area parishes. Donors may also pay online below or send a check directly to the Communications office; checks should be made payable to the Diocese of Buffalo, 795 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.  Please remember to indicate the Catholic Communication Campaign in the memo portion of the check.