On Easter Sunday, March 27, two programs produced by Daybreak TV Productions of the Diocese of Buffalo will air on WKBW-TV Channel 7.  "Easter Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral," produced in 2014 and celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone, will be shown at 6 a.m.  "Building a Basilica," a documentary about Our Lady of Victory Basilica, will air at 5 p.m.

In 2014, Daybreak pre-recorded the Easter Mass with the bishop and Msgr. James F. Campbell, former cathedral rector, and Msgr. David D. Slubecky, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, as concelebrants.  The Mass featured the cathedral's choir and brass, as well as the Nichols Sophomore Handbell Choir, all under the direction of Tim Socha.  The Mass also included lay volunteers and volunteers from various parishes, diocesan ministries and offices.  Hundreds of people were in attendance.  Funding for the hour-long Mass was provided by the Vincent and Harriet Palisano Foundation, the John R. Oishei Foundation, The Bishop's Council of the Laity and the Penfold Family Foundation.

The 2014 "Easter Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral" was presented by the Interfaith Broadcasting Committee to ABC for affiliate station distribution throughout the country.

"Building a Basilica," the award-winning 60-minute story of how Venerable Nelson Baker built the basilica, was produced in 2014 and features Brain Dennehy, stage and screen actor, as narrator.  With a grant from a privately-funded donor, Daybreak producers logged hundreds of hours of research and interviews from architects, a former trustee for the Western Reserve Architectural Historians and the vice postulator for the cause of the canonization of Father Baker, Msgr. Paul J. E. Burkard, pastor of the basilica.

In 2014, the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC) presented the documentary to the ABC network for their "Vision and Values Series."  Daybreak's documentary aired across the country and was offered a rare opportunity to air again on ABC affiliates this year beginning February 28 and running through April 24.  For airtimes outside of Western New York, visit  www.daybreaktv.org/Documentaries/BuildingaBasilica/AirDate.aspx

For more information about the Easter Mass or "Building a Basilica," visit Daybreak's website at daybreaktv.org.