Catholic radio connects with community at fundraiser

By Tanya Connor

WORCESTER – Local clergy were some of the highest-level donors to the radiothon which raised $47,624 for Emmanuel Radio April 11-13, according to Nick Everett, general manager.
The fundraiser was to help WNEB 1230 AM continue broadcasting Catholic programs from Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and to make needed capital improvements, Mr. Everett said. He said the station’s board also hopes to create local programs to broadcast from their studio in St. Paul Cathedral’s old school next to the rectory.
Bishop McManus was out of town, but in a pre-recorded interview played during the radiothon he spoke about how the new Catholic station helps him with his teaching ministry as bishop.
Mr. Everett said top donors included four clergymen who spoke live – retired Bishop Reilly; Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan, diocesan chancellor and pastor of Christ the King Parish; Father John F. Madden, pastor of St. John Parish; and Father James S. Mazzone, director of the diocesan Office for Vocations.
Guests also included Jack Calareso and Francesco Cesareo, presidents of Anna Maria and Assumption colleges, respectively, and Bill Gibbons, women’s basketball coach at the College of the Holy Cross.
The college presidents issued good-natured challenges to each other and offered to match alumni donors’ gifts.
Mr. Everett said 20 to 30 different volunteers helped answer the telephones, prayed for the radiothon’s success at eucharistic adoration in the cathedral chapel, and/or provided other services. Friday members of The Catholic Free Press staff manned the telephones and offered donors a bonus subscription to the paper.
Sherry Brownrigg, of Third Millennium Media, came in from her home in Omaha, Neb., to serve as on-air host, Mr. Everett said. Mr. Everett and Christopher Kelley, production administrator, and Father Daniel Becker, pastor of St. Paul Parish in Warren and St. Stanislaus Parish in West Warren, co-hosted parts of the radiothon. Board members helped Mr. Everett and Mr. Kelley manage the event.
Close to 150 people called in, and about 130 of them gave one-time donations or pledges, Mr. Everett said. He said the majority gave at the $100 level, but a number gave at the $500-1,000 level, including a man who was out of town during the drive but called in this week. Some made their gift in honor of a priest or to remember friends.
A woman from Alabama who listens online contributed, as did a man who had just tuned in on the radio for the first time, he said.
Three people who donated $500 or more during the last two hours will be treated to Italian dinners for 10, to be cooked and served by Father Mazzone. All donors were offered an Emmanuel Radio sticker, magnet and prayer card, and higher donors were also offered other items.