Steve Ray

Encounter Jesus. This is the theme Spirit Catholic Radio has chosen to represent our 15th year of broadcasting the Gospel message throughout the heartland.

To kick off this special year of helping others Encounter Jesus, we were blessed to have best-selling author, speaker and friend of the network, Steve Ray, join us on Sunday and Monday in Omaha and Lincoln.

Steve spoke to approximately 800 people at St. Robert Bellarmine in Omaha on Sunday, Jan. 19 and a crowd of approximately 600 at St. John the Apostle in Lincoln on Monday, Jan. 20. 

His talks surrounded the Gospel of St. John and were engaging and rich with interesting facts and Scripture. 

If you would like to hear Steve's talks, they are available for download on his website for a donation of $5. Click here for more information.

The team at Spirit Catholic Radio wishes to thank everyone who joined us at the Steve Ray events. We are blessed to have you as listeners and look forward to working together this year to help others Encounter Jesus. 

Steve Ray talks to the crowd at St. Robert Bellarmine in Omaha.

Steve Ray talks to the crowd at St. Robert Bellarmine in Omaha.

Steve Ray talks to the crowd at St. Robert Bellarmine in Omaha.

Karol Carroll, Steve Ray and Executive Director
Jim Carroll at the Omaha event.

Emily Carroll, daughter of Executive Director Jim Carroll,
helped out at the Omaha event.

Steve speaks to the crowd in Lincoln.

Steve speaks to the crowd in Lincoln.

Steve receives a blessing by Fr. Adam Sughroue
before speaking in Lincoln.

A large crowd at St. John the Apostle in Lincoln.

Steve speaks at St. John the Apostle in Lincoln.

Steve speaks to the crowd in Lincoln.

Blogged by Marketing and Promotions Manager, Kelly Miller

Happy Birthday Spirit Catholic Radio

Today marks Spirit Catholic Radio's 15-year anniversary. 

For the past 15 years, this non-profit radio apostolate has been spreading the Gospel message over the airwaves. The mission? To bring Christ to people and people to Christ--allowing others to encounter Jesus.

During 2014, Spirit Catholic Radio has a number of special events planned in honor of this special anniversary year and has selected "Encounter Jesus" as a theme.

The radio network wishes to thank all listeners, volunteers, donors and prayer partners who have made the past 15 years possible. And of course, glory and thanks be to God!

As a fun way to thank our listeners on this anniversary, enjoy the video below featuring a song by Spirit Catholic Radio's very own Matt Willkom, who has become famous on the network for his wacky parody songs. 

Without further further ado, we bring you "The Monk."

Pilgrimage

It’s been nearly 10 years since I traveled to Italy on a pilgrimage, yet I can still remember the vibrant-colored facades in Venice, the peacefulness of Assisi and the overwhelming excitement I felt seeing the late Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

That 10-day trip not only took me to amazing and holy places, including Florence and Padua, but also brought to life the lives of the saints. I saw the stone on which St. Anthony laid his head while resting in the garden, prayed in front of the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis of Assisi, the room where St. Philip Neri levitated while in meditation, the incorruptible bodies of St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Catherine of Siena and the chains that bound St. Peter.

For me, that Italy pilgrimage made a huge impression on my faith life, and it’s something I’ll always cherish.

You have a chance this fall to make a pilgrimage and walk in the footsteps of St. Paul, when Spirit Catholic Radio sponsors a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate the station’s 15^th anniversary. Steve Ray, an author, producer and Bible scholar, will lead the Oct. 31-Nov. 9 pilgrimage, which will take you to Athens, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Ephesus, Pergamum, Corinth, Patmos and Istanbul, with an optional trip to Rome, Lanciano and Manoppello.

After many years of planning pilgrimages, Steve has developed a unique itinerary that you won’t find anywhere else. Most cruise lines serve a mix of secular and Biblical attractions, but the ports on this cruise have been handpicked by Steve and are all focused on the Bible.

Joining Steve will be Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln; Father Michael Voithofer, associate pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Omaha; Father Scott Courtney, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Steinauer and Sacred Heart Parish in Burchard; and Jim Carroll, executive director of Spirit Catholic Radio. 

Steve and his wife, Janet, are the writers, producers and hosts of the Footprints of God video series. Steve is the author of five books, speaks around the world and is a guest on many radio and television programs. 

If you’re interested in the pilgrimage, you can find more information on our website, spiritcatholicradio.com.

 Blogged by Lisa Maxson, Senior Writer/Reporter