Catholic Communication Campaign Debuts New Radio Program For Young Adults
WASHINGTON–"Lino at Large," the latest in a growing portfolio of radio programs sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC), hit the airwaves October 24. The fast-paced half-hour weekly program is described by host/producer Lino Rulli as "Catholic radio for people our age," meaning those in their 20s and 30s.
"Lino at Large" can be heard Sunday evenings from 8:30-9:00 p.m. on the Relevant Radio™ network www.relevantradio.com, which owns and operates 14 stations and has an additional 13 affiliate stations across the East and Midwest. The program is also being offered to all Catholic dioceses and to Catholic radio stations that are not part of the Relevant Radio™ network
The "Lino at Large" radio program was inspired by "Generation Cross," an Emmy Award-winning Minneapolis-area cable TV show that Rulli created and hosted for six years. "Generation Cross" was also seen on television stations in several Catholic dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Boston and the Diocese of Baton Rouge, thanks to a grant from the CCC. Earlier this year, Rulli decided to cease production of the TV program to concentrate on radio.
"People always said I had a face for radio," says Rulli. "But seriously, I am very excited about the opportunity to reach new audiences with 'Lino at Large.'"
"Generation Cross' took a very creative approach to reaching young people," says CCC Director of Distribution Pat Ryan Garcia, who oversees radio for the USCCB. "I thought that Lino's quirky combination of faith and humor would work equally well on radio."
The "Lino at Large" radio program is geared toward both young adult Catholics and non-Catholics who are interested in exploring the excitement and challenges of being Catholic in today's world. Regular features of the program include:
What's on Father Peter's Mind?: Father Peter Laird, a teacher at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., who recently received a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Alphonsian Academy, Rome, Italy, discusses current issues in the Church.
Beat The Klock: Father John Klockeman, spiritual director for the seminarians at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., answers listeners' questions about the Catholic faith in one minute or less.
"Point/No Point": Comedian Bill Arnold and host Lino Rulli talk things over and offer advice. Arnold is co-writer and star of "Triple Espresso," a touring comedy that has sold over 1 million tickets.
The CCC also produces three other half-hour weekly radio programs: "Catholic Radio Weekly," a news and information program that debuted in 2001; "Catholic Bookmarks," which began production in July 2004 and features author interviews and Catholic best-seller lists; and "American Catholic Radio," which debuted in June 2004 and is produced for the CCC by Franciscan Radio.
The Catholic Communication Campaign is an effort of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to develop programming, public service announcements, and other resources to promote Gospel values in the media. Donations of Catholic parishioners make possible the work of the CCC. For more information, visit www.usccb.org/ccc.