African Parishes Receive Catholic Programming Through Sponsorships

Faith Satellite Radio is able to provide quality Catholic programming to African parishes, with thanks in a large measure to parishes and individuals in other parts of the world through their "Adopt-a-Parish" progam.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - In four of the seven letters our Lord gave to St. John in the Book of Revelation, he closed each one saying, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches." The ability to hear - to focus on a message intently - is critical to communication. If you are not listening, what is being said means nothing.

The same is true today with satellite communication, where having "an ear" requires a special satellite receiver. If you don't have one, you can't "hear."

Faith Satellite Radio (FSR) has begun broadcasting the programs of Vatican Radio to the African continent. Programming from other resources will also be available very soon.

Parishes throughout the countries of Africa now have the opportunity to hear Catholic programming that can boost their faith as well as keep them informed of what is happening in their Church; that is, if they have an ear to hear.

On Christmas, even the most remote parishes on the African continent will be able to join the Holy Father as he celebrates the Mass. They will be able to connect more directly into the global life of their church, in ways that those in the Western world take fore granted.

Through a special "Adopt-a-Parish" program, FSR is coordinating sponsorships of African parishes by parishes in other parts of the world. This sister-church concept will provide broadcast underwriting and the special radio equipment needed to receive the broadcasts and other information while also establishing a special relationship between the two groups.

In America, for example, parishes - or even individuals - can adopt an African parish, sending them a radio and sponsoring these broadcasts for $38.00USD per month. The intent for this sponsorship is not only to underwrite the cost of the radio but also to begin building a relationship.

"We want to bring parishes together," states Brook Negussie, CEO of Faith Satellite Radio. "Since these radios can also receive other digital data, the possibilities are endless in terms of how a sponsoring parish can get involved in the lives of their African brothers and sisters."

The special receiving equipment provided by FSR not only allows parishes to receive programming but also digital files through a data port that allows the receiver to act like a modem when a computer is connected through the USB port. Sponsor parishes can send letters, curriculum, and other important documents to assist African churches.

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In addition to issues of faith, Catholic leaders in Africa see this satellite network as a tremendous resource for other information and assistance in the future. One Vicar General from a remote diocese in Kenya writes, "Here is this diocese where hunger is a constant companion to people, the media may seem to take second priority. Yet, we realize that it is necessary in order to be able to carry out smoothly all the projects and works of social and human development - education, agriculture, nutrition, water development, health and women's promotion as well as the pastoral programs...

"We see our task in the Communications Office as also being one of promoting Christ and His Good News... What better news for people who are thirsty than that the Church is able to provide water through boreholes, shallow wells, earth and rock dams, etc."

Parishes or persons involved in adopting a sister church in Africa actually become part of a larger effort to reach out to their African brothers and sisters. A sponsored radio is seen not only as a resource for quality Catholic Christian programming, but a lifeline to the outside world.

"The mission of Faith Satellite Radio," Negussie stated, "is to reduce the digital divide between the digitally connected countries and rest of the world. It also connects people and allows those of us in the West, for example, to share our life in Christ with our African brothers and sisters."

For more information about Faith Satellite Radio and their Adopt-a-parish program, visit their website at http://faithsatelliteradio.org or email them at contact@faithsatelliteradio.org.

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