Local Catholic Radio Features 'The Way of Beauty'

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 6/27/02)

"To live as a Catholic artist, you must constantly be evaluating your choices," said associate professor of English Shawn Dougherty, a recent guest on singer Nancy Scimone’s radio show, "The Way of Beauty."

The show, which airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m., is part of 10 hours of Catholic radio programming each week on WUST, 1120 AM, in Washington. Scimone’s interviews with prominent Catholic musicians, a children’s author, sculptor and architect offer insights into the role artists play within the Church.

Dougherty, associate professor of English and drama as well as director of The Catholic Writers’ Conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, discussed how Catholic artists respond to the challenge of living in today’s society. Although his own family, including six children, has no television, "Even when you unplug, it is incredibly difficult" to avoid worldly cultural influences. The students he teaches at Steubenville, "who love the Church, at the same time are infected by the culture," he said. Dougherty advises them to distance themselves from popular culture and read. "I wish our students knew Scripture or Shakespeare better," he said. "They need to have balance and be careful of the glamour of the world."

Dougherty calls Catholic artists "prophets" in society, who ask, "‘What is wrong? How did it get this way?’"

"As a Catholic writer, we are called to be a better, stronger artist, not just a good artist, and "informed by our Catholic Faith," Dougherty said.

Pope John Paul II’s 1999 "Letter to Artists" inspired Scimone to put together the interview series. The Holy Father has a "sympathetic heart to artists," she said. "Because of his spiritual awareness, he has a very whole realization of the connection between beauty and art. He understands because, first, he is a holy man, and, second, because he is an artist."

Future guests on "The Way of Beauty" include Father Eduard Perrone, pastor and director of music for Assumption Grotto Church in Detroit, Mich.; Mitchell Kalpakgian, professor of English and children’s author; Brian Kane, landscape architect and designer; and Hamilton Reed Armstrong, sculptor and arts author.

Artists share a "commonality of struggle," Scimone said, but also share sources of inspiration such as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In addition to devotion to Mary and reading Scripture, Scimone said her guests suggest "unplugging ourselves from the video culture" to become more open to connecting with truth and beauty.

Scimone, who is a composer of "Catholic classic music," is eager for "beautiful Catholic music" to be performed more widely in concert and on radio. Her recordings are featured during the program.

"Art lifts us out of the worldly," she said. "We join the angels, who are always singing, and enter into their heavenly choirs. It’s a very effective way to cleanse the heart and mind."

"The Way of Beauty" airs through the end of July.

Other Catholic programming on WUST includes "Family Life Now" at 8 p.m. on Mondays, with Bob Laird, director of the diocesan Office of Family Life.

"The Way of Beauty" is produced by Saint Gabriel Media for non-profit Holy Family Communications (www.CatholicRadio-dc.org). Holy Family Communications began Internet broadcasting in October 2000. In April 2001, Holy Family purchased airtime on WUST for Catholic programming. Cost of airtime is substantial — $10,000 a month to broadcast 10 hours a week.

According to Lawrence Kapp, president of Holy Family Communications, "We are dedicated to bringing full-time Catholic radio to the area." Kapp said Holy Family hopes to buy a radio station within the next few years.

Holy Family depends on donations to cover costs. Tax deductible contributions can be made to Holy Family Communications, P.O. Box 76538, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Listeners outside the WUST broadcast area can hear the shows via streaming audio on www.wust1120.com.

For further information, contact Kapp at 202/478-1762 or Scimone at 703/913-7559 or visit Divine Mercy @SaintGabrielMedia.com.

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