BELMONT— Nearly a year after the Carolina Catholic Radio Network launched its first “test site” in Salisbury, the radio network is ready to move forward with contracts on three radio stations by Ash Wednesday.
The three new stations, part of five total new stations planned to cover 90 percent of the Catholics in the diocese, would broadcast along 150 miles of I-40 from Morganton to Burlington, said David Papandrea, who serves as a “media missionary” for EWTN in the area.
In order for the “highway to heaven” to start broadcasting EWTN and local Catholic programing, the CCRN needs more financial support. Papandrea said they’ve received a generous donation to serve as the base, but they are still in need of businesses to sponsor these stations.
These three stations would provide Catholic radio to parishioners of more than 30 parishes in the diocese, Papandrea said.
The CCRN was created last year and the network has one station on the air: Belmont Abbey College’s WBAC-LPFM 101.5. The college launched its FM station last February. The test station in Salisbury was on the air for nearly six months. It went dark in the fall.
Donations can be made online at www.CarolinaCatholicRadio.org or by mail to Carolina Catholic Radio Network, P.O. Box 1148, Clemmons, NC 27012-1148.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact David Papandrea at 704-880-0260 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— Kimberly Bender, online reporter
CHARLOTTE — Church repairs, new classrooms, new rectories and even a new road – the Diocese of Charlotte Properties Office anticipates these and other major projects in nine parishes and schools this year.
The diocesan Properties Office works in conjunction with parishes and Catholic schools around western North Carolina on building projects and needed improvements.
Anthony Morlando, the office’s director, notes the following are all on his calendar or under consideration for the new year:
- Christ the King High School, Huntersville: Construction continues on a 27,000-square-foot expansion that includes 15 classrooms, cafeteria, band room and shop space. A new, second entrance road to the school is also being completed for better access, safety and future growth.
- Charlotte Catholic High School, Charlotte: Creation of an “Athletic Hall of Fame” in the hallway leading to the gymnasium. The CCHS Athletic Association and the Alumni Association are funding the beatification project to paint the walls, provide environmental graphics and a legacy wall documenting past CCHS athletic achievements and awards using both print graphics and electronic signage.
- Our Lady of the Assumption School, Charlotte: A new 2,400-square-foot “cafetorium” space is currently in the design phase. A $300,000 grant from a private donor will help fund the new cafetorium as well as the conversion of the existing library into a new STEM lab which will include audiovisual room updates and a new maker space at the school to provide students a creative space to learn through making. The grant will also help fund new technology, such as network and technology improvements.
- Old St. Joseph Church, Mount Holly: This project includes making critical repairs to the historic structure, with an anticipated completion date of March 17 to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day events traditionally celebrated at the church.
- St. Andrew the Apostle Church, Mars Hill: A new rectory is under construction on the church’s property.
- St. Charles Borromeo Church, Morganton: A new rectory is under construction on the site of the former rectory, which had burned down.
- St. Lawrence Basilica, Asheville: The process of soliciting quotes has begun to enlist a firm that will conduct an analysis of the historical building’s condition and the repairs it will need in the future.
- St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte: Design work is under way on improving the cathedral’s overall lighting levels as well as energy efficiency.
- St. Philip the Apostle Church, Statesville: An 8,500-square-foot Social Hall is currently in design to be built on the site of the old rectory, next to the parish administrative building.
- St. Joseph College Seminary, Mount Holly: A land study has been completed and design/development drawings are in the final phase. Once those are completed, the project will be sent to the general contractor for current pricing estimates, which will then be reviewed by the Chancery, expected to be sometime in February. Fundraising for construction of the college seminary will begin later in 2018.
This is probably not a comprehensive list, diocesan officials note. More parish projects are anticipated on the horizon after the diocesan “Forward in Faith, Hope and Love” campaign concludes by the summer of 2019, after which time parishes may launch their own new capital campaigns.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter