CEDARTOWN--The spread of the Gospel and the Catholic faith is alive and well in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama every Sunday afternoon when the only local Catholic television program originating in the state, “Alive in Christ Jesus,” airs.

Hosted by Father Dan Stack, pastor at St. Bernadette’s in Cedartown, and Dian Hall, a parishioner, “Alive in Christ Jesus” began broadcasting in November 1994 in an effort to combine Catholic doctrine and entertaining topics in a 30-minute weekly program.

Topics have included the rosary, the feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, advent, the liturgical year and sanctity of life. Guests from Cedartown, Rome, Atlanta, and other areas have appeared with themes such as angels, the collection of nativity scenes, and even a special visit from Joseph, Mary and the three Wise Men, who were in reality children who took part in a church Christmas production.

Although “Alive in Christ Jesus” is a Catholic program, most of the viewers are not Catholic. Ms. Hall, who is the director of an ecumenical food pantry in Cedartown, says she hears comments from volunteers who are regular viewers of the program who are Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and other denominations.

“The comments make me realize there are still many, many misconceptions about our Catholic faith,” Ms. Hall said. “One volunteer from the Church of God could not believe that the rosary was a prayer. And another volunteers, a Baptist, said she didn’t know that Catholics read the Bible.”

Both program hosts believe that the television program is providing a channel for dispelling myths and misconceptions about the Catholic faith. Father Stack says the program is not really pinpointed at Catholics, although there are a large number of Catholic viewers.

“We’re doing the program to change stereotype beliefs of who Catholics are,” the Cedartown pastor said. “And from the comments we’re hearing, we’re doing a good job.”

“Alive in Christ Jesus” is broadcasting via Rome channel 34 to Cedartown, Cave Spring, Rome, Calhoun, Cartersville, Piedmont, and Centre, Ala. every Sunday at 3 p.m.