With its second prestigious Gabriel Award announced, and a fall line-up of compelling and relevant program topics, 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 Office 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 breaks. 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, equipment operators and directors for the Realfaith TV program.

Now in its ninth season, Realfaith TV airs on the Comcast network (CN8) 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. 27, will feature such topics as The Ten Commandments of Driving; Teenage Fathers, and Consumerism. With 13 episodes scheduled for Fall and 13 for Spring, RFTV covers everything from culture, as in a discussion about movies and reading, to social challenges, such as friendships, break-ups and gossip, to global issues, like welcoming immigrants, forgiveness as a path to peace, and ecoactivism. 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 an interview with a young man who was serving time for his role in the drunk driving accident that caused the death of his friend (set to air this Spring). Another is a special visit by Bishop John M. Smith to the Realfaith TV set, when the teens take on the question, "Does My Vote Count?" and explore the subject of faithful citizenship (airing the week of Oct. 18). Teens will also tackle the riveting challenge of forgiving those who seek to harm us, when they hear the personal story of a young woman who survived the campaign of genocide in Rwanda. 

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. With the blessing and support of Trenton Bishop John M. Smith, the show has continued to flourish, garnering a long list of awards including most recently the 2008 Gabriel Award for its episode "Overcoming Eating Disorders" and the 2007 Gabriel Award for its episode "Companioning a Pregnant Teen".

In addition to national outreach through TV stations, RFTV has seven selected episodes per season distributed on a DVD with study guides by Harcourt Religion Publishers, a distributor of Catholic educational resources. 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, Realfaith TV continues to serve as a resource, a forum and an inspiration to its ever-growing audience.