Spirit Catholic Radio Team and Habitat for Humanity

Wearing dust masks, hard hats, gloves and white, protective suits, members of the Spirit Catholic Radio team came together Tuesday for a cause. 

Their mission? Assisting Omaha's Habitat for Humanity by providing volunteer labor. 

Members of the Spirit Catholic Radio crew joined Habitat for Humanity representatives Tuesday morning at an older Omaha home that is being rehabilitated. The rehab process will transform the structure from one in desperate need of TLC to a safe, clean, updated home ready for the love of a new family.

During the current stage of the home's progress, help with demolition work was needed, so that's just what the Spirit team was able to provide. 

Wielding hammers, shovels, brooms and garbage bins, the group of Spirit volunteers worked along side Habitat for Humanity representatives to help move the project one step closer to its completion.

Because the families who receive homes through Habitat for Humanity are required to assist in the building process, the team was blessed to meet one of the individuals who will eventually be living in the home, as she worked along side Spirit volunteers.

"Spirit Catholic Radio is extremely blessed by hundreds of our own volunteers each year," said Mary Jorgensen, director of underwriting for Spirit Catholic Radio. "Being able to turn around and volunteer our time for an organization in the listening area is really special and we're proud of that."

The radio network will continue this volunteer work and has plans to choose other non-profits and organizations throughout the listening area that need assistance.

About Habitat for Humanity Omaha Source

In 2014 Habitat for Humanity of Omaha will complete up to 50 homes.  Homes are built with donor contributions, volunteer labor and donated materials. The families who partner with us are required to work up to 350 hours of Sweat Equity on the homes being built. Their monthly mortgage payments are then used to build more homes.

Habitat Omaha builds new houses, and renovates existing homes. These houses are modest and affordable. Most Habitat houses are located in Northeast Omaha neighborhoods east of 42nd Street. Mission Statement: "Building community through homeownership."

Blogged by Kelly Miller, marketing and promotions manager.

Merry Christmas from Spirit Catholic Radio!

The Spirit Catholic Radio Team

Front row (L-R): Cheryl Erker, Jim Carroll, Karol Carroll; Middle row (L-R): Wilma Ernesti, Jim Taphorn, Mary Beth Jorgensen, Kelly Miller, Sandy Smith, Mary Lempke, Matt Willkom; Back row (L-R): Mark Voris, Jen Brown, Bruce Prenosil, Bernie Schaefer, Bruce McGregor, Ann Eatherton, Irene Lempke, Lisa Maxson, Ryan Broker. Not pictured: Scott Bonham.

During this Christmas season, Spirit Catholic Radio is especially thankful for your listenership, prayers and support, which make the mission of this radio apostolate possible. 

May God bless you this Christmas and in the New Year 2014.

You're Invited to our Christmas Open Houses in Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island 
All listeners are invited to stop by one of our Christmas open houses on December 27 at the Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island studios from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy Christmas music, refreshments and record a Christmas greeting for your loved ones.

Open House Locations 
Omaha Studio | 13326 A Street 
Lincoln Studio | 2241 O Street 
Grand Island Studio | 828 N. Diers Avenue   

Tune in for Spirit Catholic Radio's annual Two Days of Christmas Music on Dec. 26 and 27. You'll hear beautiful music from a number of artists including students from the listening area.     

Spirit Catholic Radio Staff Bible Study

One of my favorite things about working at Spirit Catholic Radio is how prayer is incorporated into our work week. We come together as a staff several times a week to pray because it unites us in Christ and helps combat the devil’s desire to stop us from spreading God’s word.

We pray together for about 20 minutes in the chapel on Tuesdays and before most meetings. We also have Mass on Fridays over the lunch hour.

In July, we began doing a Bible study as a staff.  Led by Sue and Doug Barrett – Doug is a station board member and both are volunteers here – we meet Wednesdays over the lunch hour to do the Seeking Truth Bible Study. Through this 22-week study, we’re learning about the synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. At each session, we go over the homework questions, which are done on personal time, and watch a video presentation by Sharon Doran, who leads the study in Omaha.

Station manager Jim Carroll said he decided to offer the study this year because it is the Year of Faith and there are several new employees at the radio station.

“We were looking at what we wanted to do with our programs, particularly our morning show, in terms of informing, inspiring and inviting people in their relationship with Jesus Christ … and I said, ‘Wow! What a perfect opportunity for us as a staff. We’re at different places, we all have different backgrounds, we all have different relationships with Jesus and here’s a shared, common thing we can do as a staff that is only going to help solidify the unity that the church requires us to have.’”

By coming together as a staff and sharing the word of God with each other every week, hopefully it will help us when we run into difficulties in the office, Carroll said.

Ann Eatherton, coordinator of outreach and volunteers for the station, said she enjoys the prayerful environment as well.

“We are members of the same Catholic faith, and each day, all that we set out to accomplish is linked to proclaiming that same Good News to others,” she said. “It is through the grace of God that this radio apostolate exists. Therefore, for our faith to serve as an extension to others, we must be people of prayer and seek to know God’s Word.”

“Surrounded by the presence of Jesus, I experience a true peace within the chapel walls, as our shared prayer gives witness to our own vulnerability and humility before God. This expression of shared prayer unites us as a staff and joins our wills to accomplish all that God may be asking of us.”

I couldn’t agree more, Ann. 

 Blogged by Lisa Maxson, Senior Writer/Reporter