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| CARE-A-THON - The three bishops of Nebraska (from left), Bishop Fabian
Bruskewitz of the Diocese of Lincoln, Bishop William Dendinger
of Grand Island and Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, were on
KVSS Spirit Catholic Radio together to share their message of
support for this radio ministry during the fall “Care-a-Thon”
Sept. 27 - Oct. 1. (Courtesy photo) |
Fall Care-a-thon Sets New Record as Spirit Catholic Radio
Family Grows
OMAHA (SNR/KVSS) - Telephone calls from homes, offices,
cars, tractors, and even the desert of
Iraq were received during the Spirit
Catholic Radio Network’s Fall
Care-a-thon Sept. 27 through Oct. 1.
The semi-annual on-air membership drive
to raise funds to cover the operational
expenses of the station, raised nearly
$340,000, which is a new record (more
than $158,000 was raised on the last day
of the Care-a-thon, also a new record).
In addition, of the 1,138 pledges, more
than 200 people were first-time donors,
and listeners called from more than 200
communities.
“I can never thank our donors enough for
their prayers and support,” said Spirit
Catholic Radio Network (SCRN) executive
director Jim Carroll. “To raise that
kind of money despite a difficult
economy is very humbling.”
Spirit Catholic Radio is heard on Spirit
102.7 FM KVSS in Omaha/Lincoln, Spirit
91.5 FM KJWM Grand Island, and Spirit
98.3 in Norfolk. It can also be heard on
the Internet at KVSS.com.
Employees and volunteers manned
microphones and telephones for nearly 12
hours each day during Care-a-thon week,
encouraging listeners to support the
station with their prayers and to help
cover the $90,000 monthly operation
expenses for things like rent,
utilities, equipment, and salaries.
“Compared to commercial radio stations,
our costs are quite low,” explained Mr.
Carroll. “We’re very frugal in the use
of our donor dollars.”
One of the many highlights of the
Care-a-thon was a call from Father Brian
Kane, an army chaplain stationed in Iraq
who was listening to the broadcast via
the Internet, “It was great to hear
familiar voices from home and help out
with a pledge,” he said.
Omaha Archbishop George Lucas, Lincoln
Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, and Grand
Island Bishop William Dendinger were on
the air together to share their message
of support for this radio ministry.
“This is absolutely an effective tool of
evangelization enabling us to reach so
many more people than we could on our
own,” he explained.
Bishop Bruskewitz said he appreciates
how the station impacts the rural
communities, “There are so many people
in these areas who may not have access
to the kind of catechises they hunger
for. Spirit Catholic Radio provides that
wherever the listener has access to a
radio or the Internet.”
Grand Island went on the air with Spirit
Catholic Radio last December, “I
appreciate the unifying impact it’s
having on people in all three Nebraska
dioceses,” offered Bishop Dendinger.
“I’m also hopeful the signal will expand
into the tri-cities area and into the
western part of the state.” Groups in
Hastings and Kearney are working to
raise the funds to expand the broadcast
of the 91.5 FM signal.
A day earlier, Bishop Richard Pates of
the Des Moines, Iowa, diocese, joined
the Care-a-thon by phone. “It’s
gratifying to be able to share the Word
with so many in the heartland,” he
explained.
Many priests and religious from across
the SCRN coverage area were in studio
for live interviews, along with lay
people representing different
organizations like the Diocesan Council
of Catholic Women and Knights of
Columbus. “We also had the privilege of
interviewing Cardinal John Foley, past
president of the Pontifical Council for
Social Communications, and the secretary
to the apostolic nuncio in the Dominican
Republic, Father Richard Gyhra,” said
Lincoln/Grand Island Station Manager
John Soukup, who was joined by Father
Kenneth Borowiak as co-host of the
midday shift. Father Borowiak is pastor
of St. Michael Parish in Cheney, and a
board member of VSS Catholic
Communications.
“Once again, we’re in awe of the
generosity of our listeners and the
power of the Holy Spirit to bring so
many together in support of this
ministry,” added Mr. Carroll. “I think
people are hungry for a faith-filled
alternative to the secular media and
appreciate how this ministry is bringing
Christ to people and people to Christ.”.