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. recordings needed “Over the years, the Catholic Radio industry has been CRA launched the first component of its Expert Academy with the debut of its online re-inventing the resource portal created to aid the operation and management of Catholic Radio. The wheel in so many launch of the Expert Academy allows the CRA to serve its members with a wider scope areas due to the of resources and more focused content. inability to share Areas addressed by the Academy include marketing, fundraising, operations, FCC resources and regulations, production, programming, board management and many other areas best practices and that are related to the Catholic Radio industry. an overall lack of access to experts The Academy consists of a bi-weekly blog written by steering committee members in particular areas and access to a resource portal that addresses both radio operations and non-profit management. The Academy also provides new resources on an ongoing basis that of radio operations are relevant and up-to-date and created by true industry experts. and non-profit management.” The Academy also distributes a monthly e-newsletter with commentary from Academy experts on industry trends, case studies and practical knowledge. “Catholic radio has proven to The Undeniable be invaluable for introducing listeners to the gifts of the Catholic faith. Many RCIA Impact of Catholic Radio candidates and catechumens have pointed to Catholic radio as being an integral component CRA listener survey respondents say that listening to Catholic radio within their faith journey.” has inspired them in so many positive ways… Archbishop Alexander K. Sample Archdiocese of Portland, OR “I pray more and attend Mass regularly.” I learned the church’s teaching on birth control, “The Catholic Radio Association “and it helped my husband and I stop using birth control truly gets what it means to be and learn about NFP. We now use the STM of NFP. a Membership organization. I now understand and appreciate my fertility. They are always looking for ” ways to provide benefit to their membership including music I have become more active, I love my faith more and more, licensing agreements, webinars “and desire to share it and become better informed on a variety of topics to clarify about the world through the eyes of Holy Mother Church. issues or broaden members ” understanding of Catholic radio operations and creating I want to learn more about the Catholic Faith, Catholic radio relationships with tech resources “has jump-started my learning process, and encouraged me to save membership time and to begin attending mass. I am strongly considering converting. money. This and more makes ” the CRA a great membership association.” I now try to visit the Blessed Sacrament every day if possible. “ ” Vince Gale I have gone to confession after 20 years. Executive Director “ ” Holy Family Radio of Grand Rapids, MI It has enabled me to be strong in defending my faith “and defending life from conception to natural death! ” “The Catholic Radio Association I fell away 30 years ago.... wandered.... and was looking. always has great information and “Now, because of Catholic Radio, I LOVE my Faith advice no matter how often we and listen every day to learn/relearn more and more. bombard them with questions!” ” Cecelia Flanary I have been able to evangelize my family as I am a convert Executive Director “and explain the faith to others as I get deeper into Divine Mercy Radio the beauty of the truth we have.” of Raleigh, NC It’s given me courage to live my faith more publicly, “The Catholic Radio Association “like making the sign of the cross before eating in a restaurant, has given us prompt service and knowing what to say to people when the topic of faith comes up, has been helpful with a wide and sharing my faith in a non-threatening way with others range of matters over the years as I encounter them in my work. especially and more recently with ” music licensing issues.” Catholic radio helped save my soul. Tony Holman “ ” President Covenant Network Thanks be to God for the blessing of these life changing experiences. of St. Louis, MO The Future of Catholic Radio and the CRA

The power of Catholic radio to bring souls to Christ and build up the faithful is undeniable, and Catholic radio has proven to be one of the most effective platforms for evangelization.

The latest studies on radio listenership show that people everywhere, of every age, are still tuning in to AM/FM radio in addition to accessing their favorite stations over the internet and smart devices. Specifically...

93% of the US population (age 18+) listen to AM/FM radio, including 92% 1 of 18-34-year-olds Source: Nielsen Comparable Metrics Report Q1 2017 / Adults = P18+/ TV Connected Devices = DVD, Game Console, Multimedia Device, VCR

Radio listenership continues to grow from year to year in every age group 2 for a total gain of nearly half a million listeners over the past two years. Source: Nielsen RADAR 124, 128, 132, Mon-Sun Mid-Mid, Weekly Cume Audience

AM/FM radio remains the “hub,” of the audio media universe as stations 3 also feed online streaming, podcasts, apps for smartphones, and more! Source: 2017 Infinite Dial Study / Streaming Audio is AM/FM or internet streams on a mobile device you connect to the car audio system

Helping stations to keep up with and prepare for changes in technology and listening habits is a large part of what is provided by the Catholic Radio Association. Keeping up with the latest trends allows Catholic stations to reach more souls in the midst of the noise of 21st century media.

And when Catholic radio is available and accessible, people tune in and lives are changed.

92% of Catholic radio listeners report that they practice their religion 92% “strongly or very strongly.”

96% of listeners attend Mass at least weekly with nearly half reporting 96% that Catholic radio has influenced them to attend Mass more frequently.

95% of listeners describe themselves as more spiritually engaged 95% after listening to Catholic radio.

“CRA is a More than half of listeners have become more engaged in the life of professional trade >50% their parish. organization that exists for 65% 65% of listeners give more to their parish and other charities. the growth and flourishing of Catholic radio in Our goal is to work alongside all of Catholic radio in a spirit of unity, the U.S.” and our hope is that you will join us in this effort. 2018-19 Priorities & Goals

To continue to provide top-quality professional service to the Catholic Radio industry, the CRA is focused on four primary goals for 2018-19. These include:

1. Continual Build-Out of the Expert Academy Helping stations and networks help themselves and each other is one of the most cost-effective services the CRA can provide its members. By continuing the build-out of the Expert Academy, CRA will be able to provide unlimited shared resources and tools to fuel the growth and stability of the Catholic Radio industry.

2. Proactive Support of the New Evangelization In dioceses and markets where Catholic Radio has taken root, this powerful medium can function as “the wind in the sails” as one diocesan leader said, of local and national evangelization efforts by fostering promotion, mobilization, and activation of initiatives happening across the country. CRA is focused on providing necessary models for support and engagement to better assist local Catholic Radio stations in partnering with parishes and dioceses on the most effective evangelization initiatives by promoting diocese efforts and engaging listeners.

3. Fostering Stronger Episcopal Relations CRA seeks to strengthen our relationships with bishops, clergy and the USCCB to better position Catholic Radio as a cost-effective and highly engaging resource for the New Evangelization. By fostering stronger relationships with Church leadership, the CRA is able to offer Catholic Radio as one of the most effective local and national resources for supporting any evangelizing effort.

4. Build Our Resources & Infrastructure Based on feedback from our members and from the industry at-large, the work of the CRA is seen as a continually vital and critical resource for Catholic Radio operators. Endless possibilities exist for the development of more extensive resources to aid and grow Catholic Radio. In order for the CRA to pursue these opportunities, our organization must increase its staff and internal resources to serve the on-going needs of our members. Our Need for Partners

Catholic Radio has never been more important in reaching Catholics and non-Catholics with the truths of the Catholic faith. With hundreds of Catholic Radio stations nationwide, CRA’s mission is to serve these ministries by sharing the wisdom of Catholic Radio apostolates and leveraging successful strategies in all areas of station operations. The need for evangelization through radio is vital - more now than ever, and it’s important that the CRA push forward with new initiatives, resources, and advocacy to help ensure the future of Catholic Radio remains strong and vibrant. Every Catholic radio station nationwide is an essential part of the New Evangelization in their local community or diocese. The CRA must strive to continue to support the work of Catholic Radio and help to increase the number of stations nationwide. To support the growing needs of Catholic Radio, CRA has launched “Radio-Active Future of Faith”- our campaign goal of $150,000 by June 30, 2019 AND YOUR SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL TOWARDS MEETING THIS CRITICAL GOAL! Please join us in supporting the critical ministry of Catholic Radio. Help us assist more stations to come to life in cities across the US, provide guidance to networks expanding their signal reach, and support radio ministries overseas who have few resources or access to professional assistance.

Based on our 2018-19 priorities, our financial needs include: $75,000 $15,000 $10,000 $50,000

Continual Proactive Support Fostering Stronger Build Our Resources Build-Out of the of the New Episcopal Relations & Infrastructure Expert Academy Evangelization

To support the CRA, go to catholicradioassociation.org and click on Donate.

With your help, the Catholic Radio Association can continue to build a “Radio-Active Future of Faith” for the next generation. Partner with us today to make this a reality!