Written by Bernie Schaefer, Vice President of Development
Spirit Catholic Radio was founded in 1999, at the time it was the 9th Catholic radio station in the U.S. Today there are more than 700 stations nationwide, and Spirit Catholic Radio has grown to a 20-signal network, covering most of the state of Nebraska’s population and portions of several surrounding states. We are blessed with a 25-year history of growth and support. We are now looked upon as a model by Catholic Radio stations for how to operate efficiently and deliver the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The opportunity to purchase a signal and add to our network came up quickly – about 8 weeks ago. This is almost unheard of in terms of acquiring an FM spot on the dial. The signal for Falls City is 89.5 FM and has a 35-mile radius from the tower. By getting a signal here, Spirit Catholic Radio now has a strong presence in every town in Nebraska with over 2000 people. That was a goal set forth by our Nebraska Bishops approximately 8 years ago.
Spirit Catholic radio is a mix of catechesis, devotionals, bible study, local happenings and call-in shows. It provides a fresh, moral prospective on critical issues and events of the day with both locally and nationally produced programs.
Each week we hear testimonials from our listeners that attribute Catholic Radio to helping them save their marriage, or come back to their faith, or simply being a comfort through a death in the family or other difficult times. We have found that the Holy Spirit often touches hearts through the radio so that you hear just what you need to hear when you need to hear it.
The total project cost is approximately $20,000 to purchase the signal and install the equipment on the tower. Several anonymous donors who are passionate about the mission of Catholic radio have put up $10,000 in matching gifts toward the new station. In addition to the capital expense, we also hope to raise enough money to cover the first year’s operating expenses which we estimate to be around four thousand dollars. Given the $10,000 matching gift, the total to raise would be $14,000. After that, continued funding for the signal is part of the ongoing donations and support we receive for the network through our annual pledge drives. If you are interested in helping, donate here.
We very much appreciate Father Meysenburg and Father Hile for their enthusiasm and support of the project. I truly believe that Catholic Radio will be a blessing to all who hear the 89.5 FM signal.
We appreciate your generosity and support! Thank You
