With a fall line-up of compelling and relevant program topics, the teen talk show Realfaith TV will reach out again this year with real faith answers to the real life questions that teens face everyday.

The Diocese of Trenton, through its Department of Radio and Television, produces the 30-minute show Realfaith TV with the support, talent and dedication of hundreds of teenagers who volunteer their time during their summer break. Hailing from the Dioceses of Trenton, Metuchen, Camden and Paterson, from the Archdioceses of Newark and Philadelphia, and from other Christian denominations, these extraordinary young men and women serve as hosts, studio guests, spotlight guests, “teen on the street” interviewers, floor managers, and equipment operators for the Realfaith TV program.

Now in its 12th season, Realfaith TV airs on the Comcast Network (Channel 8) in Philadelphia and New Jersey, as well as other local cable stations. It can also be seen in some of the largest media markets in the country, including New York City, Boston and Detroit, and is broadcast in Harrisburg, Pa., and Baton Rouge, La. In addition, the show streams live on its website www.realfaithtv.com.

Realfaith TV’s new season, which opens Sept. 24, and ends Dec. 17, will feature such topics as social networking, step families and grieving teenagers. With 13 episodes scheduled for fall and 13 for spring beginning Feb. 18, RFTV covers everything from growing up in a virtual world of social networking, to social challenges, such as bullying, grieving for someone too young to die, exercising our faith, finding peace and being a peacemaker. As in all RFTV episodes, the teens explore these topics by discussing questions and beliefs among themselves in the studio, through on-location interviews with other teens at the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, and an interview of a spotlight guest with a unique experience or knowledge of the subject.

Among the highlights of the season is the episode “Too Young to Die: Grieving Teenagers,” inspired by musician and one of  this year’s hosts Justin Zimmerman, who composed the song called “Let Me Go” (Brittany’s song), after losing a friend to an illness (set to air this fall). 

Along with his sister and fellow cast member Alina, they performed the song in a music video featured in the episode. Diane, the spotlight guest, shared a compelling story of the loss of her bestfriend when she was a teenager.

Teens will tackle the riveting challenge of standing up for others who are being bullied, or because of a situation, are voiceless, when they hear the personal story of a young woman who stood up for others and the voiceless (airing this fall)

Debuting in 2000 as a creation of diocesan staffers Marianne Hartman and Ken Perry, Realfaith TV explores moral issues that challenge teens to make faith-based decisions. Since the show’s inception, with the blessing and support of Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith at the time, and the continued support of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., the show has continued to flourish, garnering a long list of awards including the 2008 Gabriel Award for its episode “Overcoming Eating Disorders” and the 2007 Gabriel Award for its episode “Companioning a Pregnant Teen”.

RFTV also has a website, www.realfaithtv.com, that offers easy access to streaming video of current and past Realfaith TV episodes, broadcasting schedules, prayer requests, a blog and answers to questions about faith.

Peer produced, faith driven and relevant to the lives of today’s teens, RealfaithTV continues to serve as a resource, a forum and an inspiration to its ever-growing audience.

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