Catholic Media Productions and Nashville Catholic Radio are within shouting distance of their goal of raising $21,000 that will be used to pay for several projects in the coming year.
Catholic Media Productions, which operates Nashville Catholic Radio WBOU 100.5-FM as a ministry of the Diocese of Nashville, held a virtual fundraising gala on Feb. 11. Through the gala and since, Nashville Catholic Radio has raised $20,700, said Jovita Hernandez, assistant director of Catholic Media Productions.
“That’s the highest we’ve ever raised,” surpassing last year’s total of $18,975.48, said Bill Staley, the diocesan director of youth, young adult and new evangelization ministries.
People can still watch the gala and donate online by visiting NashvilleCR.com.
The success of the gala is a sign that “people believe in Nashville Catholic Radio,” Staley said. “There are listeners out there who want to see it go to new heights.”
People in Nashville can listen to Catholic programming – both produced locally and by Relevant Radio – by tuning to WBOU 100.5 FM, and people anywhere in the world can listen online at wbou.org. The station broadcasts in English during the day and in Spanish from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The money raised will be used for: improving the structure of the station’s transmitter site for maintenance and safety; expanding English-language and Spanish-language programming; adding a 24-hour a day, seven-day-a-week Spanish language online channel; and creating a Nashville Catholic Radio app.
In the summer of 2020, the diocese acquired Catholic Media Productions.
During the gala, Bishop J. Mark Spalding expressed his support for Catholic Media Productions and Nashville Catholic Radio as “integral ministries” of the diocese and urged people to listen. “Today through the broadcast of 100.5 FM and streaming through the internet of Nashville Catholic Radio, we proclaim the Gospel 24 hours a day to all those who live in our diocese and beyond,” Bishop Spalding said. “I encourage all of you to listen to WBOU.org and to tell your friends to listen.
“I want to close with a special blessing on Nashville Catholic Radio and all of you who support it,” the bishop added. “Your prayers and donations help us proclaim the Gospel, the ministry that Jesus has commanded us to do. I encourage all of you to get involved, pray, listen and give.”
