A couple of times a year you have watched my appearances on Telecare’s Real Food, Good News and annual telethon TV programs. During my on-air visits I often share recipes and current events in my life along with the good things my friends are doing in the community. Recently, Real Food came to visit me to tape an episode in the George Hirsch Lifestyle home studio kitchen (airing this fall). As usual, during the open of the show Monsignor James Vlaun makes my introduction; afterwards I thought it would be nice to introduce you to my long time friend and amazing man Father Jim Vlaun.
Telecare's Real Food TV host Msgr Jim Vlaun & George Hirsch in George Hirsch Lifestyle Kitchen | image Alex Goetzfried
Msgr. Jim is the President and CEO of Telecare Television, the Catholic Television station of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, which broadcasts on TV and Online to millions of homes 24/7. Msgr has hosted many TV programs with top sports figures, other national prominent TV hosts, along with other venerated priests, rabbis, religious and lay leaders and most importantly the people in the community who make a difference in everyday life.
Msgr. Jim has hosted Religion and Rock radio for 26 years! If you are a rock star you probably already know Msgr. He has hosted everyone from Billy Joel, The Stones to Jimmy Buffet. His radio program is nationally syndicated and airs every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on WBAB-FM 102.3 or 95.3 on the East End. And Saturday evenings at 11pm on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 159 and XM Satellite Radio channel 117.
In addition to his work on Television and Radio, Msgr. Jim serves as the Catholic Chaplain for the New York Jets. His ability to attract sports figures who are leaders in the community is nothing less than astonishing. In addition to NFL stars, during Telecare’s Annual Telethon you will see the studio filled with top sports legends from baseball to hockey. Be careful when walking by that guy with the hockey stick, it’s been autographed by every player on the team!
He has authored three books, one titled Life, Love, and Laughter: The Spirituality of the Consciousness Examen. An easy read, and necessary for one’s walk in life. Msgr. integrates personal stories, situations, and his own struggles making this a touching inspiring work from the heart. And what would the host of cooking TV series be without a cookbook? It took me two seconds to say yes when Msgr. Jim ask me to write his foreward for:
Feasts of Life: Recipes from Nana’s Wooden Spoon
By Jim Vlaun & George Hirsch (Foreward By)
A collection of recipes from members of Father Jim's extended family that is as unique as the story each dish has to tell. Discover how this is not so much a book for those who want to be good cooks as it is a resource for those who want to dance with God and loved ones around the table of plenty.
Proceeds from Msgr. Jim’s books go to the Life, Love and Laughter Foundation.
dishes by Chef George Hirsch for Real Food | image by Alex Goetzfried
What a cooking priest? Don’t let those vestments fool you, Msgr. could easily trade them in for a chefs coat, he knows his way around the kitchen! As I, he shares the belief that food is the common denominator and when breaking bread and we sit around the table there is bond of spiritual love like non other. Stay tuned this fall for the new season of Real Food; then sit back and enjoy our time in the GHL kitchen!
good times on set Msgr Jim, George Hirsch | image Alex Goetzfried