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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why are you purchasing time on an existing radio station instead of broadcasting on your own frequency?
A. We feel there is an urgent need to begin Catholic broadcasting now. The Holy Spirit has provided a way to do so. Please pray that resources be made available by that same Holy Spirit, and that an appropriate station(s) be made available for sale, so that we might fulfill the ultimate objective. Sacred Heart Communications has as its ultimate objective a wholly-owned Catholic radio broadcast covering the entire Diocese of Charlotte.
Q. There are quite a few Christian radio stations already in this area. How is this station different?
A. Catholic radio (AM 1220 WDYT, Sundays 12 pm - 3 pm) offers programming from a Catholic perspective that isn't available on the other stations. WDYT is only one of two Charlotte area "all talk" stations at this time. Catholic programming will not have to compete with the myriad other Christian programming on this station.
Q. Will your broadcast target only Catholic listeners?
A. Catholic radio offers a variety of programs targeted to Catholics and non-Catholics. The core programming by its nature is Catholic. However, research shows that many of the programs attract a general audience and become an evangelizing tool. So, while the programming is Catholic, it targets all demographics that are interested in whatever the topic is that is being discussed.
Q. Is the station on the air around the clock or part-time?
A. Radio AM 1220 WDYT operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our programming will be Sunday from 12 pm - 3 pm. This will continue for one year or until such time as the goal of acquiring our own Catholic radio station becomes a reality. The vision of Sacred Heart Communications will be to eventually offer programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week on our own radio station frequency.
Q. How will this station and programming be funded?
A. WDYT is a commercial station, privately owned, and supported by advertisers. It sells block program time to a select few interested parties and we are blessed to be among those few. The Catholic programming on this station will be listener-supported. You can learn more and help by visiting our website at www.sacredheartcommunications.org. Eventually, Sacred Heart Communications intends to own and operate its own station, and that will be listener-supported. The purchase of such a radio station will require significant capital funding, and we trust the Lord will provide even "a few loaves and fishes" that He will multiply as needed for this purpose. We seek the prayers and financial support of all who are called to participate in this mission. There will be opportunities for underwriting and sponsorships for those interested. If interested, please contact us at sacredheartradio@bellsouth.net.
Q. What can I do to assist Sacred Heart Communications Catholic Radio in the achievement of its goals?
A. First, please pray that the Lord will grant us success in achieving our goal. Prayer is a most powerful work, and it is the highest priority. Consider signing up for an adoration hour to pray for this radio project, the holy souls in purgatory, and the conversion of sinners. Second, please consider supporting us financially. Initial operating expenses are relatively low and the Lord has provided funding to begin our broadcasts, but the purchase of our own station requires significant capital. Our website is set up to accept financial contributions. Please note that we ask that your generosity toward this project not in any way negatively impact your continued support of your local parish. Third, we are in need of volunteer assistance in a number of areas. As interest in this ministry grows there will be much to do. Pray that the Lord will provide workers for the harvest!
Q. Will the Catholic Church govern the programming content?
A. The Sacred Heart Communications Programming Committee will work in fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church to ensure that all programming is in keeping with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Q. What kind of programming can we expect from Sacred Heart Communications?
A. Our first priority will be to produce the best quality, most faithful programming oriented toward our own Diocese of Charlotte. However, this custom programming is expensive and requires technical capabilities that we may need time and resources to build. In the meantime, where necessary we will air high quality programs from other resources such as EWTN, the Catholic broadcasting network based in Alabama, and Ave Maria Radio, as well as other sources. Sacred Heart Communications has placed a high priority on the broadcast of the Mass each Sunday from a local parish within its signal range. The Saturday Night Vigil Mass will be taped & uploaded for replay the following morning. It may even be possible to broadcast a 7:00 am Sunday Mass live. This is in keeping with our first priority. Other local programming will be introduced as soon as we obtain the funding and means to produce it. The Catholic Church is worldwide, and our teachings are universally the same. So, we look forward to accessing the best programming from many sources.
Q. Does Sacred Heart Communications intend to broadcast Hispanic radio programs?
A. One of our earliest desires was to begin with Hispanic Catholic radio broadcasting. The board realized we lacked the needed skills and experience to launch such a project. After much prayer and discernment, we have come to believe the Holy Spirit wants us to begin with English programming. We continue, and invite you to join us, in prayer for the intervention of the Lord for Hispanic Catholic radio to become a reality in the Diocese of Charlotte.
Q. What other specific programming ideas are under consideration?
A. The range of programming will appeal to all ages. For an overview and description of the programming content. We plan to interview Bishop Jugis, various priests, and other personalities in the Diocese of Charlotte on a frequent basis. We often have well known speakers visit the Diocese to lead various retreats and events such as the Eucharistic Congress. We plan to reach out to these people for interviews, or recordings of their talks for replay, since many in the Diocese cannot be present for the live presentations. We anticipate doing a Parish Profile series, interviewing pastors, assistant pastors, deacons and parishioners, to provide another way to share our faith and common experience across our community. Sacred Heart Communications has also identified a desire for greater visibility in our community for the Metro Area Catholic Schools. We hope to interview school Principals and other interesting people, as well as cover events within the Catholic school system. Anything pertinent to the Catholic Community will be in consideration for interviews and coverage. We will seek listener input to identify other possibilities.
Q. Will you broadcast news programs?
A. There is no program dedicated solely to news, although we may periodically air taped Catholic news programming. For example, a popular EWTN live call-in show, "The World Over", presents news from the Vatican and other national Catholic venues for the week. Sacred Heart Communications has access to the EWTN Radio Library to download these and other current programs for replay. It is our intent to regularly bring parish news to our listeners as we are able to expand our broadcast time.
Q. Will you accept underwriting on this station?
A. Underwriting will play a part in the funding of our station. As a not-for-profit station, we do not intend to sell advertising, but will instead rely on businesses, organizations and individuals in the Catholic community to help fund and underwrite our broadcasts. For additional information email us at sacredheartradio@bellsouth.net.
Q. Will the Catholic Church launch a capital campaign for the station?
A. While we have sought and received approval and support from Bishop Jugis for our mission, Sacred Heart Communications is not affiliated with the Diocese of Charlotte. We do not intend to seek capital through any official diocesan fundraising event.
Q. Why has the Diocese of Charlotte not funded the Catholic radio project?
A. The Diocese of Charlotte already has a wide spectrum of ministries that must be supported. This is especially true in service to the poor and underprivileged. We do not wish to further strain the financial support of these important ministries and needs. Accordingly, we have not asked for such funding from the diocese. We believe that the Lord will provide funding not currently pledged to current diocesan ministries and expenses.
Q. Does Sacred Heart Communications have a station to buy?
A. We are considering several opportunities with the assistance of the Catholic Radio Association, which is located within the diocesan offices of Charleston, SC, under the guidance of Bishop Baker. As good stewards of the Lord’s money, we are constantly on the lookout for the best opportunity. The appropriate station will not be purchased until the right one comes along. There are several brokers working with Sacred Heart Communications as well as other knowledgeable advisors. |
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