Friar embarks on journey through airwaves

By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
November 16, 2006

Catholics looking for an easy way to grow in their knowledge of the faith may not think about turning on the radio, but now they can.

Franciscan Father Alonso de Blas, associate pastor at St. Mary’s Basilica, and parishioner Jeff Campbell began hosting a weekly radio program Nov. 6. The hour-long “Franciscan Journey,” Mondays at 7 p.m. on KXXT 1010 AM, presents an inspirational look at the order in a modern context.

The show — also available on the Internet as a streaming audio broadcast or as a downloadable podcast — features a variety of segments, making it both interactive and informative.

Each week, Fr. Alonso spends a portion of the program sharing what he calls a “chat.” Topics range from seasonal liturgies to history, the nature of religious orders and what fellow Friars are doing in the community.

Campbell, a publisher of inspirational books, was always fond of the Franciscan’s homilies. He suggested reaching a wider audience in the form of a radio show.

His previous guest work with Radio Family Rosary on KXXT 1010 AM put Campbell in touch with Family Values Radio. The station embraced the idea.

“We’ve always wanted to include more Catholic programming during that portion of the evening,” said Jess Spurgin, general manager of Family Values Radio.

He got it. Airing twice as long as the rosary, the hour-long program also includes recorded music and “Ask a Franciscan,” a Q-and-A session based on questions e-mailed from listeners.

The questions can be about the Church, the order or something as simple as why Franciscans wear a rope around their waist with three knots in them. (Answer: Each knot stands for their vow of poverty, chastity and obedience.)

“The more they’ll learn, the more they’ll want to learn. That’s the whole point of a journey,” Fr. Alonso explained.

“Franciscan Journey” also offers a segment for Catholics to learn about the theology of ecology. It addresses what religious and lay people can do to protect the animals and environment.

The segment honors St. Francis of Assisi, the Franciscan order’s founder, who once preached to the birds and tamed a wolf that had been terrorizing a nearby town.

“Deep down, he really did see creation with umbilicals leading right up to God,” Fr. Alonso said.

Campbell said it’s easy to think that the Earth’s problems are too big to tackle, but he explained, “If we do little things to preserve our environment, we can do a lot.”

Campbell hopes to have guests on future programs.

“We’re looking forward to impacting the Valley,” Spurgin said about his station’s new radio show.