How Important is Catholic Radio?

[djrakowski]

Jerry,

What a great question! I’m not Catholic, and yet I know more about the faith by listening to Ave Maria Radio than a good number of my Catholic friends, neighbors and co-workers. I’ve gotten a firm understanding of Catholic teaching, in opposition to much of what I’ve heard in the rest of the media and less-faithful Catholics. You and Catholic Answers Live have played a significant role in all of this, too.

Keep up the good work!

Dan

 

[Jerry_Usher]

domalotty:

The only station that plays Catholic music outside of Catholic Music Network and EWTN affiliated stations is Omegarock.com. It’s an internet radio station that plays rock, rap, & hip-hop music that is by Catholic & Christian artists. Some of these artists did some of the official music for past World Youth Days. What makes Omegarock.com definitively “Catholic” are minute-long sketches between songs dealing with morality and Church teaching and is geared toward teens and young adults. Though I am in my 30’s, it is good to hear music that inspires and can grab the attention of Catholics at the age that they are most likely to stray from the Church and her teachings.

I’m aware of at least two Catholic stations that play almost exclusively music. They’re almost identical in their call letters - KBVM in Portland, Oregon, and WBVM in Tampa, Florida (both named, as you can likely tell, for the Blessed Virgin Mary). I worked as program director at KBVM for a year and I can tell you how blessed the listeners are by the music that’s played (they also air Catholic Answers Live - yeah!!!

Some have asked in this thread if there’s “enough” Catholic music to make a decent play list. I believe that in the past few years there’s been more and more good Catholic music produced. Like we do in radio, I believe we still have some ground to make up on our non-Catholic brothers and sisters in the area of quality music - but it’s definitely happening. In the meantime, I personally have no difficulty with a Catholic station playing non-Catholic Christian music. Some of them are very “Catholic” in their lyrics - people like Twila Paris, Michael Card, and others (I’m also partial to Philips, Craig, and Dean).

Jerry

P.S. A little known fact is that I went to broadcasting school with the founder and director of Omegarock.com, Fr. Bailey Clemens. We lost track of each other until we discovered that we were in the seminary at the same time I encourage those who listen to his Internet station to support him financially so he can continue the fine work he’s doing :clapping:

 

[Les_Richardson]

Vital! Absolutely essential.

We hear a lot about a poorly catechized generation. Well, guess what? That’s what you guys are doing everyday, in one way or another, catechesis.

Keep it up, our prayers are with you.

 

[DJgang]

Jerry Usher:

DJgang,

Thanks for jumping into this discussion. I’m happy to hear that Catholic radio has helped to answer many questions you’ve had. May God bless you on your journey. If you follow your heart, you can’t go wrong. And, hey, keep up the great work you’re doing in Catholic apologetics with your friends

God bless.

Jerry

My Catholic Radio is GONE! Yes…I miss it so. :crying:

Guess that I will check into the Sirus radio thing…although I have no idea what I am talking about!