St. Ann's Media Announces New Appointments

• Father Michael Salvagna CP named Media Director
  
  Passionist Father Michael Salvagna was recently appointed to the position of Director of Saint Ann's Media. Father Michael replaces Father Jack Connor, who had been in that role since the departure of Father Peter Grace in October of 2001.
  
  Father Michael was born and raised in New York City.  He joined the Passionists in 1962 and was ordained 7 years later, in 1969. Most of his life as a member of the community has been spent preaching parish renewals and retreats. From 1991 to 2002, he was Director of the Saint Paul of the Cross Retreat Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has an extensive background in Media, having hosted a daily radio program, "Listen to His Love" on WEDO in McKeesport, PA. Father Mike has co-hosted numerous programs on "Getting Together," a Christian talk show on WPCB-TV, Cornerstone Television in the Pittsburgh market. "I am extremely happy to be involved with Saint Ann's Media and Passionist Communications," says Father Michael. "With our presence across the United States through several national television networks, and our worldwide outreach because of the Internet, this ministry is affecting people who otherwise would have no way to spiritually connect with the church and with God. We only hope to go forward, and continue to spread the good news and the message of the cross and Jesus crucified."

• Back for a second tour of duty with Saint Ann's Media is Mrs. Vera Kowal Krewsun. Vera was with Saint Ann's Media from June of 1999 through January of 2001, and after a brief period of time pursuing other interests, returned as Marketing/Development Director in September of 2002. She is responsible for the planning and implementation of all marketing campaigns for Saint Ann's Media. Vera's past experience includes serving as marketing manager for International Correspondence Schools (ICS) in Scranton; Senior Account Associate with ACNeilsen in Cherry Hill, New Jersey; and Commercial Account Executive with Adelphia Cable in Duryea, Pennsylvania. Among her many duties, Vera works closely with the marketing departments of the major networks that include the Mass on their broadcast schedules, including the Inspiration Network (INSP) and iLife-TV, and also maintains contact with cable television companies throughout the United States in an effort to bring the broadcast of the Mass to as many individuals as possible.

• Maintaining both of the Saint Ann's Media websites of www.theMass.com and www.theMass.org is Mr. Richard Shelp. Rich came to Saint Ann's Media in November of 1999, as a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Letters, Arts and Sciences. He designed his own Major, which combined Mathematics, Statistics and STS, with a specialty in Computers. Before coming to Saint Ann's, Rich held a career in Retail Management. This Eagle Scout is responsible for making the Mass available to millions of people each day through the Internet broadcast of the Mass and Novena, which is updated daily on the Saint Ann's Media website. He assists with technical support of day-to-day computer operations for the Media and manages the inventory of Religious articles offered by Saint Ann's Media.

• After nearly four years as General Manager of Saint Ann's Media, Sid Michaels has returned to local television in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre market, as Sports Director of WYOU-TV22. Sid still appears as host for the weekly Novena in Honor of Saint Ann, as well as the broadcast of special occasion Masses produced by Saint Ann's Media. He also assists Father Michael in the scheduling of the videotaping of the Mass at Saint Ann's Basilica.

• Joe Fox is the Production Director of Saint Ann's Media, holding all technical responsibilities for the broadcast of the Mass. With a background in commercial broadcast television, having been employed at one time by NBC affiliate WBRE-TV, in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Joe makes sure that the televised Mass is of the highest quality, meeting all specifications required by the network affiliates. Joe is the chief director of the televised Daily and Sunday Mass, and has been responsible for directing over 3,000 Masses since joining Saint Ann's Media in the 1990's. He is also the coordinator for the Diocesan Tribunal office in the Diocese of Scranton.

• Gilda Aniska, who manages outgoing and incoming mail operations and inventory of religious items for Saint Ann's Media.

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