Catholic radio network to debut (Archabbot to Celebrate Mass)

From: Post-Gazette.com

By Adrian McCoy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A new Catholic radio network is about to launch on three local frequencies. WAOB (for We Are One Body) will air on WAOB-FM (106.7), WAOB-AM (860) and WPGR-AM (1510). The frequencies formerly belonged to Sheridan Broadcasting's WAMO-FM, WAMO-AM and WPGR-AM, which were sold last year to St. Joseph Missions in Latrobe


The broadcast schedule will roll out gradually, starting Sunday with a weekly broadcast of a Mass. A partial daily broadcast schedule will launch March 19.


On Sunday, the Mass will be celebrated by Bishop David A. Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh at St. Christopher of the Lake Parish in Prospect. On Feb. 28, the Mass will broadcast from St. Vincent Basilica Parish in Latrobe, and will be celebrated by Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki of St. Vincent Archabbey. The Sunday broadcasts start at 11 a.m., and the Masses start at 11:30 a.m.


The daily broadcast schedule, which starts next month, will include prayer and teaching programming. Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt of the Diocese of Greensburg will offer the first in a series of teachings.


WAOB eventually plans to make its programming available over the Internet and through mobile devices.


St. Joseph also aims to broadcast WAOB's programming from other locations around the world.


In May 2009, Sheridan Broadcasting agreed to sell its three stations, including urban WAMO-FM, to St. Joseph. The stations have been off the air since September, when the deal closed.


The Sheridan-St. Joseph deal reflects a trend occurring across the country, with Catholic broadcasters buying radio stations in order to increase the reach of the church's message.