Catholic radio

Ambria Hammel/CATHOLIC SUN

Jim Dwyer, public information officer for the Phoenix Diocese, discusses on-air the benefits of Immaculate Heart Radio during a pledge drive Feb. 23. Below: Volunteer John Macken logs a pledge call at Mount Claret.

Faithful listeners pledge support for 1310 AM, Immaculate Heart Radio

Immaculate Heart Radio in Phoenix is off to a strong start based on support during its first pledge drive.

The 24-hour Catholic radio station, found at 1310 AM, launched its initial broadcast from Mount Claret Retreat Center in December. The station returned to the site for its pledge drive Feb. 23-25.

The drive raised thousands, though pledge totals were not available at press time. Funds will support local operating costs.

A slew of local Catholic leaders lent their voices and views to the pledge drive. Some, like Fr. Jack Spaulding, pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Mesa, called in by phone while others, including Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, were live in-studio.

“We are so grateful for the assistance that Catholic radio brings us in the mission of evangelization,” the bishop said Feb. 23.

He spent one of the pledge drive’s first hours praising and blessing the station and fielding questions from Joseph Nesta, director of community relations at Immaculate Heart Radio.

Meanwhile some 55 volunteers staffed the phone lines for three days, taking pledges and testimonies from listeners in Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, San Tan Valley, Waddell and other outlying areas.

One woman called in Feb. 24 and challenged fellow St. Jerome parishioners to make a pledge, no matter how small. Immaculate Heart Radio sent a variety of thank you gifts to pledge donors depending on the donation.

“They bless us and we bless them in return,” said Janette Parker, event coordinator.

Jim Dwyer, the diocesan public information officer, agreed. The station’s long-awaited presence is a blessing.

“It’s a vital piece of the communications ministry,” Dwyer said on-air shortly after the bishop left.

The station consistently covers in-depth topics that secular media might gloss over or neglect. Dwyer’s office will ultimately work with the station to produce a “Bishop’s Hour.” It will feature the bishop and other diocesan leaders discussing Catholic trends, issues and events.

One donor called in a pledge and said that Immaculate Heart Radio is “like having the Blessed Mother’s mantle around Phoenix.”