Catholic Youth Studio. (Lay Associations XV).

As far as we have been able to ascertain, there is no Catholic radio station in Canada that offers English broadcasting, though there are several places in which Catholic programs are aired at certain times. The United States has a much greater Catholic population than Canada, and can enjoy Mother Angelica's radio programs (and TV programs also) twenty-four hours a day. The best prospect of a Catholic radio station beginning in Canada seems to be the application of Catholic Radio in Toronto for a licence to provide Catholic multilingual programming for the Greater Toronto area. Mass in the GTA is said each week in 38 different languages. At present Catholic Radio proposes to offer programming in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Polish, German, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Cantonese if its licence is granted.

At present, Catholic radio is conducted by Catholic Youth Studio (legally KSM Inc.), a media corporation for evangelization. Its board of directors is composed of religious and lay persons who donate their talents and time to promote our faith. It is staffed predominantly by youth whose voluntary service receives the advice and guidance of professionals.

Catholic Youth Studio began in 1994, through the guidance of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The Oblates have houses in 68 countries and came to Canada in 1841. Their apostolate is very diversified and thus can include the use of radio to spread the Gospel message.

Father Marian Gil, an Oblate, formed a small group of people who chose to carry out a radio apostolate. They conduct a program in Toronto on Station AM 530 daily in Polish from 8-9 p.m. and in English from 9-10 p.m. on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, and from 9-12 p.m. on Thursday. On the programs are Scripture readings; explanations of the Catholic faith; reports and interviews and discussions dealing with religious and social affairs; news from the Vatican and from Canadian and other sources; programs for youth; and reviews of books, plays, and movies. The program is received from Buffalo to Barrie and from Kitchener to Oshawa, an area with three million potential listeners.

This is a story of faithful and courageous lay persons in one part of Canada using radio for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. We are aware that there are similar groups elsewhere in our country but unfortunately we have not been able to obtain a list of them. We praise them all.

On September 17, 2002, Catholic Radio is scheduled to have a hearing at the CRTC on its request for a licence. Canadian Catholics are asked to pray for the success of the licence application, and, if possible, to make a donation towards its cost. Think of what it would mean to the Church to have a Catholic station in your area! We know what it has meant to the Catholics of the United States to have Mother Angelica's broadcasts.

For further information concerning Catholic Youth Studio (KSM Inc.), visit its website <www.catholicradio.ca> or e-mail Fr. Marian Gil, gilm[c]catholicradio.ca, or the student intern [e-mail]. or write to them at 71 Indian Trail, Toronto, ON, M6R 2A1, Phone [phone], Fax [phone].