Editor's Desk: Catholic Radio Now

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 9/4/03)

Last week we brought you the story of Phil Halpin and Art Bennett, two local men who produce a radio show, "Healthy Minds, Healthy Souls," that has a distinctly Catholic perspective (8/28/03, page 10). The 24-minute program is divided into four segments. The first two discuss a particular issue, while the last two focus on practical suggestions for addressing related concerns.

"We all have a vision of how we should be, how we can be happy and fulfilled," said Bennett. "This show tries to integrate the fullness of the Gospel message into the issues and challenges of daily life."

Listeners can find the program on the Internet at www.wust1120.com, or on the radio at WUST AM 1120 from 6-6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday. The program is sponsored by the Center for Family Development in Bethesda, Md.

Although radio programming is less expensive than television, it still can cost millions of dollars to purchase and operate a radio station. Then there’s the task of filling the airwaves with programming 24 hours a day. Program distribution is then restricted by the power of the station’s signal.

EWTN has programming available on shortwave radio. XM Satellite Radio, which is actually headquartered on New York Avenue in Washington, D.C., makes radio programs available no matter where you are located across the country. From country western to Big Bands, the variety of programs offered by XM Radio is almost limitless.

Now there’s an opportunity to add Catholic radio to the mix. Ave Maria Communications, established by former Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monahan, has a chance to provide XM Radio with a Catholic radio channel. Ave Maria Communications operates two radio stations in Michigan — WDEO 990-M in Ann Arbor and Detroit and WMAX 1440-AM in Saginaw/Bay City/Midland.

Catholic radio reaches less than 5 percent of Americans, so this unique window of opportunity must be taken advantage of now. Ave Maria Radio wants to provide XM officials with a petition demonstrating that Catholic’s are the last unserved niche in American media. It needs help to build this list. The Arlington Catholic HERALD has put a link on its Website (www.catholicherald.com) to Ave Maria’s petition. The list will be presented to XM officials in September. Thousands of signatures are needed within a few weeks, so spread the word to your family and friends.

If you want to go directly to Ave Maria’s Website to sign the petition, the address is http://www.avemariaradio.net.

Catholic radio on XM won’t replace current local Catholic radio programs, but since millions of dollars are needed to purchase radio stations, for most Catholics, XM Radio is their only hope for bringing Catholic radio to their hometown.

Celebrate John Paul II

The HERALD will publish a keepsake edition on Oct. 16 to commemorate the silver anniversary of John Paul II’s pontificate. We invite readers to share personal reflections on how John Paul II has specifically touched their lives. Because of space limitations and time constraints we request that these reflections be limited to 100 words and arrive at our office by Sept. 11. Please include your name, address, parish and phone number. You can email them to editorial@catholicherald.com; fax them to 703/524-2782; or mail them to "Papal Anniversary," c/o ACH, 200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 600, Arlington, Va. 22203. There is no guarantee that everything we receive will be published. — M.F.F.

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