Our priestly discernment group, July 12
In 1997 Doug Sherman of Reno, Nevada heard a call from God to establish a Catholic Radio station. At the time, there were only 6 full-time Catholic radio stations in the entire United States, compared with 1600 Protestant stations and 15,000 secular stations. Doug purchased an AM frequency and named America’s seventh Catholic radio station “KIHM,” after the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Exercising good stewardship of God’s gifts, Doug saw his first station flourish, and was able to open a second station the following year in Sacramento, and finally a third station in 1999 in Stockton, AM 1230. This is the station many of us listen to now, although the signal here in Modesto is quite weak in the day and non-existent at night.
The story of Catholic Radio in the United States is quite fascinating. Only 14 years after Doug opened his first station in Reno, Immaculate Heart Radio now has 23 stations in 5 western states, including a very strong station in San Francisco, AM 1260. From six stations in 1997, the Catholic laity today operate over 150 full-time stations around the country. All of this radio activity is made much easier, of course, by the wealth of programming provided by EWTN. You can’t watch EWTN TV [legally] while driving, but you can listen to it on the car radio. It is in the car where many non-Catholics begin the “journey home,” and many lukewarm Catholics begin the road back to an informed, devoted practice of their faith. For example, one of our lectors used to be a Baptist minister, but heard IHM in his truck, began RCIA five years ago, and is now an active member of our Catholic parish.
Unfortunately, Modesto is just between two stations (Stockton and Madera), and coverage is poor or non-existent. But now we have a chance to purchase an AM frequency that would cover from Manteca to Merced, and come in crystal clear in our own Modesto area. Last week I met with Doug Sherman and the Station manager from Stockton. I want to help them put a Catholic station on the air right here in Modesto. Can you help me? If so, please call my secretary Donna, and let’s make this happen, if God so wills!
The story of Catholic Radio in the United States is quite fascinating. Only 14 years after Doug opened his first station in Reno, Immaculate Heart Radio now has 23 stations in 5 western states, including a very strong station in San Francisco, AM 1260. From six stations in 1997, the Catholic laity today operate over 150 full-time stations around the country. All of this radio activity is made much easier, of course, by the wealth of programming provided by EWTN. You can’t watch EWTN TV [legally] while driving, but you can listen to it on the car radio. It is in the car where many non-Catholics begin the “journey home,” and many lukewarm Catholics begin the road back to an informed, devoted practice of their faith. For example, one of our lectors used to be a Baptist minister, but heard IHM in his truck, began RCIA five years ago, and is now an active member of our Catholic parish.
Unfortunately, Modesto is just between two stations (Stockton and Madera), and coverage is poor or non-existent. But now we have a chance to purchase an AM frequency that would cover from Manteca to Merced, and come in crystal clear in our own Modesto area. Last week I met with Doug Sherman and the Station manager from Stockton. I want to help them put a Catholic station on the air right here in Modesto. Can you help me? If so, please call my secretary Donna, and let’s make this happen, if God so wills!
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