Newspaper Coverage in New Bedford
Written by radioadmin on August 26, 2009
NEW BEDFORD — The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, together with their lay apostolate, the Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix (MIM), are about to launch New Bedford’s first Catholic radio station — and the first Catholic radio station located in the Diocese of Fall River.
According to Father Guardian Dominic Mary Murphy, FI of Our Lady’s Chapel, AirMaria.com was able to obtain a license for a micro-FM radio station with a signal that will cover the New Bedford area and surrounding communities, as part of a coordinated multi-location effort.
“This exciting project is going forward with the blessing of Bishop Coleman and the collaboration of AirMaria.com, the national Catholic Radio Association (CRA), and EWTN Radio,” Murphy said. “A major focus of our broadcasting will be to educate the faithful on the role of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces, in God’s plan for our salvation.”
Fr. Murphy arrived in New Bedford last June, after living in community for four and a half years with his brothers in western Australia. The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate operate a radio station in Perth.
The local radio station will be owned by the Academy of the Immaculate, Inc., a nonprofit organization under the auspices of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and exclusively operated by them.
The call sign for the new radio station will be 88.5 FM — WPMW.
EWTN Radio, Relevant Radio, and Ave Maria Radio will provide an around-the-clock feed of authentic Catholic radio coverage, which will later be augmented by programs produced by the Franciscans of the Immaculate and contributors from within the diocese and from selected CRA radio stations across the United States.
Since the construction permit from the FCC has been granted, the focus of the project has now turned to raising the funds to obtain the equipment necessary for operations at the tower and the control studio, which will be located at the Marian Friary of Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford.
“Our goal is to be in operation as soon as possible within this year,” Fr. Murphy said.
Equipment needed and construction expenses total approximately $40,000. Currently, $14,800 in donations have been collected.
“We already are off to a very good start with donations, but we sincerely ask for help in this effort to spread devotion to our Lady and the Catholic faith through the radio,” he said.
Donations are tax deductible and should be made to the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, P.O. Box 3003, New Bedford MA 02741.
“Thank you, and stay tuned,” Murphy said.
For more information, call the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate at (508) 996-8274.
