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Related: Media must serve to promote ‘authentic culture of encounter’
[/quote_box_left]When it comes to sharing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ with more than 1 billion Catholics throughout the world, every form of communication is crucial.
Locally, the Diocese of Phoenix Communications Office integrates various means to engage, inspire and inform more than 820,000 Catholics within its boundaries.
“We hope to be able to provide information for Catholics to continue to grow in their faith, and to reach those who otherwise might not hear the Good News of Jesus Christ,” said Jennifer Ellis, who produces “The Bishop’s Hour” and “The Catholic Conversation,” two weekly Catholic radio programs that can be heard on 1310 AM Immaculate Heart Radio. Ellis is also an advertising sales representative at The Catholic Sun.
In addition to the diocesan newspaper, other mediums the communications office uses include social media, websites, television and radio.[quote_box_right]
Support Catholic Media
The Catholic Communication Campaign supports critical Catholic media efforts in the Diocese of Phoenix and throughout the United States.
Donate to the second collection during Mass May 30-June 1, or call Katie Burke at (602) 354-2479.
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When Rose Jeffrey’s six children pile into the car, they know the radio is fixed on 1310 AM Immaculate Heart Radio.
The family from Holy Spirit Parish in Tempe could be considered radio converts.
Jeffrey, who until recently played a CD and prayed the rosary during her work commutes, began listening to the Catholic radio station at the urging of a friend.
“One day I decided to check it out so I put it on, liked it and I haven’t stopped listening to it. It’s my life now,” she said.
“It has made such a difference. Literally, it has made me want to be a better person, Catholic and to be a saint,” she added. “I’ve always had desires in that direction, but it has taken me to action.”
So inspired was Jeffrey about a message on sloth, one of the seven deadly sins, she committed to starting her morning in prayer in a garden she designed featuring statues of Jesus and Mary.
Giving a big voice to the Church’s mission is the annual Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC), which gives life to newspapers and websites like The Catholic Sun, televised Masses for the elderly and homebound, faith-filled radio programs and social media efforts that engage Catholics in the digital age through Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube.
Parishes in the diocese will participate in the national collection May 31-June 1, with half of all donations received directly benefiting the efforts of the Diocese of Phoenix to continue its outreach through Catholic media.
The special collection helps produce and air the 9 a.m. Sunday televised Mass from Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral on KAZT-TV (AZ-TV7, Cable 13), followed by local Catholic talk show “Catholics Matter,” hosted by Fr. Rob Clements.
Donations also support local programming every Monday for “The Bishop’s Hour,” broadcast at 11 a.m. on Immaculate Heart Radio and hosted by Michael Dixon. Encore presentations are every Thursday at 9 p.m.
“Catholic media provides the whole truth from a Catholic perspective,” Ellis said. “As we have seen with Pope Francis, the mainstream, secular media often distorts sound bites and publishes stories that are confusing and misleading.”
Margaret Hinski of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale said she stays informed about local and national issues by reading The Catholic Sun.
“The articles, events, and connection with other churches in our community help me grow to be a better version of myself,” she said. “I have seen a few other diocesan papers and ours seems more complete and diverse.”
At the national level the CCC supports a number of initiatives, including Catholic News Service, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website and other audio and visual projects that provide education and information.
