CRA Case for Support
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Dear Friend of Catholic Radio, In the last 20 years, Catholic radio has proven to be the You can accomplish these objectives and so many more most effective way to help Catholics stay connected to by supporting your local Catholic radio station and the their faith. Through its teaching and devotions, it has organization that strengthens your station, the Catholic served as solid ground for Catholics who strive to practice Radio Association. In a survey conducted by the CRA, their faith in an ever-increasing secular world, reaching 94% of listener respondents stated that they were more Catholics who no longer practice their faith, and inviting spiritually engaged and inspired by listening to Catholic non-Catholics to learn about the Catholic Church. radio. The most common comment we hear is, “I’ve never learned so much about my faith.” These are results you Now, Catholic radio is more essential than ever. can help foster through your support. Catholic radio serves as a consistent and intimate I conclude with a quote from Venerable Archbishop presence, helping Catholics and non-Catholics alike make Fulton Sheen. “There are not one hundred people in the sense of a confused and hurting world and stay close United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are to the founder of our Church, Jesus Christ. It provides millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic spiritual guidance and insights and is a powerhouse of Church to be.” Catholic education, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. You can make a significant difference in the lives of The Catholic Radio Association exists to strengthen Catholics and non-Catholics alike by educating listeners Catholic radio apostolates with best practices in all areas in the truths of our Catholic faith. With your help, the of Catholic radio operations. We share wisdom and seek organization that supports Catholic radio can reach more to help stations across the country fulfill their primary souls for Christ and His Church. Thank you for supporting mission, reaching more souls for our Lord, supporting our your Catholic radio family and making a difference in local clergy, and strengthening our Church. Together we millions of lives! are strong. Would you like to help the Catholic Church you love? Do May God bless you abundantly! you look for ways to help, support, and encourage your Cynthia Nickless priests and Bishop? Board Chair of the CRA Catholic Radio Powerful and Growing Catholic Radio continues to broadcast the New Evangelization to millions across the US and abroad as it has for more than 25 years. In a society of sound bites, the Catholic Faith must be accessible in a way that allows listeners to quickly hear and understand the faith. Catholic radio communicates to believers and non-believers in ways that allow them to be called to discipleship in Christ. Over the past quarter-century, Catholic Radio has had a remarkable effect in the areas around the US where it has taken root. The 24/7 availability of Catholic Radio over multiple media platforms - AM/FM radio, online streaming, smartphone apps, and podcasts - has led to countless conversions and reversions to the Catholic Church and the faith of an untold number of Catholics has been strengthened and deepened in a profound way. Catholic radio is the answer for many Catholics to the call of the Holy Spirit expressed in the words of the Second Vatican Council: “The latest media of social communication are indispensable means for evangelization, and for enlightening the minds and hearts of men.” -Decree on the Means of Social Communication “On all Christians, accordingly, rests the noble obligation of working to bring all men throughout the world to hear and accept the divine message of salvation.” -Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People From 1997 to 2018, Catholic radio in the United States has grown from just seven stations to more than 500, becoming a powerful and effective voice for the Church. Catholic radio stations consistently receive conversion stories and testimonies on the power of Catholic radio to teach the faith and draw listeners closer to Christ and His Church. From positively impacting diocesan and parish life, to inviting non-Catholics to the Faith, Catholic radio continues to renew the Church and the world. Why is Catholic Radio so effective? This form of modern media is unique in the way it reaches people anywhere, anytime and in any place, and in the way, it presents the Faith to the modern world. Catholic Radio is: Everyone can listen anywhere and at any time over multiple media platforms. There is no cost Available for Catholic Radio - it’s free to every listener on the AM/FM dial, online streaming, smartphone apps, smart speakers, audio streaming for conventional phones, and on podcast. Radio touches people personally regardless of who they are or where they are. It is a choice Personal to listen, allowing for opportunities for grace-inspired conversations, interior growth, and evangelization. Radio is always available, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It can be listened to while Continuous driving, working, exercising, praying - just about any time. Catholic Radio is always there. Catholic Radio programming comes directly to listeners. All someone needs is a radio, computer, smart speaker or smartphone. At the press of a button, swipe of a screen, or audio Immediate command, Catholic Radio is immediately available to listeners. In an age where everything we want or want to know is at our fingertips, this immediate availability makes Catholic Radio ideal for evangelization. Radio covers important issues, events and concerns as they happen. Catholic Radio Timely programming offers listeners an authentically Catholic lens on current events, news, trends and society in general. Radio maximizes, promotes and sustains other evangelical and catechetical initiatives in local Effective parish communities, the diocese, and in our country. Catholic radio listeners across the country share stories of how their faith has been Proven Tool strengthened, many have returned to the practice of the Catholic faith, or they have entered the Catholic Church through listening and learning the truths and teachings of the Catholic faith. Catholic Radio Association – Aiding the New Evangelization The Catholic Radio Association (CRA) was founded in 1999 by lay leaders in Catholic radio with a mission to assist new apostolates and dioceses in establishing radio stations with Catholic programming. Over the past 20 years, the work of CRA has been responsible for assisting hundreds of Catholic radio stations in the United States by: offeringeducation fostering community and training to Catholic among Catholic radio broadcasters broadcasters and program providers providing advocacy, sharing resources and within the Church and reducing duplication broadcast industry of efforts As a member-focused organization, the primary purpose of the initiatives and activities of the CRA is to provide support for the needs and growth of its member organizations and to aid in the flourishing and continued success of Catholic radio in the 21st Century. Board Members Cynthia Nickless of Relevant Radio - Board Chair F. Gary Towrey of Mediatrix, SC, Inc. Catholic Radio - Treasurer Bob Carubia of Light of Life Radio - Secretary Matthew J. Gorsich of We Are One Body© Radio - Operations Manager Dennis R. Macha, Jr. of Red-C Catholic Radio - Director Patrick Ryan of Mater Dei Radio - Director Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Director Brian Sweeney of Iowa Catholic Radio - Director The CRA provides a host of essential A website that houses a wealth of information on a variety of services to the Catholic Radio industry to topics important to Catholic radio operators such as marketing, ensure that member stations and networks programming, non-profit management, and fundraising. These have the resources and tools they need to resources include multimedia presentations with video interviews grow their mission and reach more souls and training, white papers, templates, and other resources that with the Truth of the Catholic Church. provide a depth of knowledge Catholic radio operators cannot get Member services include: anywhere else. CRA continually adds to this databank, increasing the depth of information available to members. For example: A plan for advocacy within the Church. Despite radio’s effectiveness in evangelizing, it often gets overlooked in the mix of communication efforts at the USCCB and diocesan level. CRA offers tools to build up the brand of Catholic radio and works to set a place for Catholic radio at the Church’s table of evangelization. A bank of referrals for every type of work needed to run a successful Catholic radio station, each offering their services at a special low price for CRA members. CRA consistently seeks out new sources for professional quality work at prices station operators can afford. Recommended experts that can offer professional hands-on consulting and guidance for any station that wants assistance. Models of operation that help stations operators understand changes in market forces, how they affect their apostolates and what to do about them. Providing underwriting and advertising program models that help bring local and national dollars to individual stations. Information on programming short form content from various sources to help stations stay fresh and relevant in breaks. Maximize effectiveness of Catholic radio apostolates by sharing best practices and reducing the duplication of efforts in all areas of station operations. CRA’s Expert Academy In the Spring of 2018, CRA launched its most ambitious project to date - the Expert Academy. This academy of experts offers a wide variety of professional resources to assist the Catholic Radio industry in all areas of radio operations and non-profit “To-date, this is the management. largest collection of resources, best-practices and templates specifically created for Catholic Radio,” Multimedia Interactive Downloadable One-on-one says Elizabeth tutorials - videos Webinars templates and consulting and Brennan, executive and audio documents assistance as director of CRA.