Catholic radio hits the airwaves in Iowa

Published: 2003-12-30

CLINTON, Iowa (CNS) -- Three Catholic radio stations are now broadcasting within the Davenport Diocese, while one is getting ready to go on the air and others are in the planning process. With the complex process of obtaining a frequency, financing and broadcast equipment out of the way, Catholic radio advocates are ready for their next challenge. "Getting on the air was a huge hurdle to get over. Now, the next step for most of us is to promote the station and get people to listen to it," said Joe Flanders, a member of the board of directors for KTDC in Muscatine. He discussed his station's progress during the Dec. 8 grand opening ceremony for KXJX in Clinton. Father Tony Herold, pastor of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish in Clinton, blessed the station and its equipment. "I think it's wonderful to have another medium in town to spread the word of God's love," the priest said, but he added that "it's only as good as the amount of people who turn it on and listen." The process of obtaining licenses for the new Catholic radio stations began several years ago when the Federal Communications Commission opened up several frequencies on the FM band for small, nonprofit stations.

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