Catholic Islander Radio

The Catholic Islander Radio Hour
The Catholic Islander Radio Hour is heard on WSTA 1340-AM on Sundays at 6 p.m.  throughout the Virgin Islands. After its radio broadcast, each episode can be heard anytime at http://www.catholicislander.com/.
The Catholic Islander Radio Hour is the only Catholic radio program in the Virgin Islands, besides the Sunday Mass broadcasts from Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas and St. Ann Church on St. Croix. The 60-minute program consists of a spiritual and catechetical reflection based on the Sunday Mass readings, interspersed with Catholic music and humor, and closing with announcements of upcoming events at the schools and parishes. Father Charles Crespo, editor of The Catholic Islander newsletter, is the host.
Catholic Islander Radio debuted on the secular radio station on January 2, 2011. Sixteen episodes were broadcast on consecutive Sundays until April 17, when the program was pre-empted by live broadcasts of major league baseball games. At first a 30-minute program, the show was expanded to 60 minutes by mid-March due to popular demand. The program resumed on October 9, 2011. All of the programs can be heard by visiting the Catholic Islander website at  http://www.catholicislander.com/ or by clicking the individual links below.

"Pray and Wait"
"Pray and Wait" discusses the Ascension of the Resurrected Christ to heaven some 40 days after his resurrection from the dead, as recorded by the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Fr. Richard Ho Lung, Donna Pena, Paul Melley, John Angotti with Meredith Dean Joseph, and Elyse O'Kane with Fr. Tim Hepburn. Click HERE to listen to the 62-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on WSTA on May 20, 2012.

"The Vine and the Branches"
"The Vine and the Branches" discusses the image of Jesus as the Vine as recorded by the Gospel according to John 15:1-8. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Fr. Richard Ho Lung, David Haas, Danielle Rose, Elyse O'Kane and other music artists. Click HERE to listen to the 62-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was not broadcast due to a time conflict with a major league baseball game.

"The Good Shepherd"
"The Good Shepherd" discusses the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd as recorded by the Gospel according to John 10:11-18. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by W. Clifford Petty, Marty Haugen and other music artists. Click HERE to listen to the 34-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on April 29, 2012.

"Peace Be with You"
"Peace Be with You" discusses the Resurrected Christ's first words to his gathered disciples in the Upper Room on that first Easter night as recorded by the Gospel according to Luke 24:35-48. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by the Moninca's Joy Choir from Santa Monica, California, the Benilde-St. Margaret's High School Choir from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Fr. Richard Ho Lung, MOP, from Jamaica, Dana from Ireland, John Angotti and other music artists. Click HERE to listen to the 63-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was pre-empted on radio due to a special live event.

"Divine Mercy"
"Divine Mercy" discusses St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy of God upon his people. Fr. Dan Cambra, MIC, of the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and Fr. Eduardo Ortiz Santiago offer reflections on the Divine Mercy. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by the People of Praise Community from Arima, Trinidad, Fr. Richard Ho Lung, MOP, of Jamaica, and other music artists. Click HERE to listen to the 61-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on April 15.

"Easter"
"Easter" discusses Jesus empty tomb as it appeared in the Gospel according to John 20:1-9. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by the Fr. Richard Ho Lung, Jaime Cortez, Grayson Warren Brown, Ken Macek and Paul Tate,Tony Melendez, Ed Bolduc, Marty Haugen, Aaron Thompson, Bobby Fisher and other music artists. Click HERE to listen to the 57-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on April 8.

"Holy Week"
"Holy Week" discusses Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on the original Palm Sunday and how it looks forward to Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. It also features an interview with Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, of Eternal World Television Network (EWTN), who discusses the state of the Catholic Church in the United States and offers spiritual advice for the remaining days of Lent. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by the People of Praise Community, John Angotti, Danielle Rose Skorich, Noelle Garcia and other music artists. Click HERE to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was pre-empted on radio due to a special live event.

"Lent V: Sin"
"Lent V: Sin" features an interview with Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, of Eternal World Television Network (EWTN), who summarizes the Lenten Mission he did at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on the topic of sin. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by the People of Praise Community, W. Clifton Petty, John Angotti and other music artists. Click HERE to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on March 25.

"Lent IV: The Darkness"
"Lent IV: The Darkness" discusses the conversation our Lord had with Nicodemus, a member of the Pharisees and of the Sanhedrin, as recorded in the Gospel according to John 3:14-21. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by John Angotti, Ed Bolduc, W. Clifton Petty, St. Mike's Life Teen and other music artists, local news and humor. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on March 18.

"Lent III: The Temple Experience"
"Lent III: The Temple Experience" discusses the cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem by our Lord as recorded in the Gospel according to John 2:13-25. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Audrey Assad, John Angotti, W. Clifton Petty, Noelle Garcia, Fr. Richard Ho Lung and other music artists, local news and humor. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on March 11.

"Lent II: The Mountain Experience"
"Lent II: The Mountain Experience" discusses the transfiguration of our Lord as recorded in the Gospel according to Mark 9:2-10. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by John Angotti, the People of Praise Community, Michael Vaughan and other music artists, local news and humor. In addition, Fr. Anthony Abraham shares his expectations for this week's Lenten Mission led by Fr. Trevor Nathasingh of Trinidad. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on March 4.

"Lent I: The Desert Experience"
"Lent I: The Desert Experience" discusses Jesus' 40 days in the desert as recorded in the Gospel according to Mark 1:12-15. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by John Angotti, the People of Praise Community, W. Clifford Petty and other music artists, local news and a little heavenly humor. In addition, His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, speaks about the Bishop's Appeal 2012, and Fr. Neil Scantlebury shares his expectations for this week's Lenten Mission led by Fr. Cornelius Phillip of Trinidad. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on February 26.

"God's Forgiveness"
"God's Forgiveness" discusses Jesus' saying to a paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven" before healing him in Mark 2:1-12. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Tony Melendez, Tom Booth, Audrey Assad, Fr. Richard Ho Lung and other music artists, local news and a little heavenly humor. In addition, the program includes a brief discussion on Ash Wednesday. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on February 19.

"God's Restoration"
"God's Restoration" discusses Jesus' first healing of a leper, as described in the Gospel according to Mark 1:40-45. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by W. Clifford Petty, Chris Muglia, Ed Bolduc and other music artists, local news and a little heavenly humor. In addition, Dabny Worth of Continuum Care speaks about the upcoming caregivers workshop at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on February 12.

"God's Healings"
"God's Healings" discusses Jesus' various healings in Capernaum, particularly the healing of the disciple Simon's mother-in-law, as described in the Gospel according to Mark 1:29-39. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by John Angotti and other music artists, local news and a little heavenly humor. In addition, His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard speaks about the upcoming Keys and Sword Award Benefit. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on February 5.

"God's Authority"
"God's Authority" discusses Jesus' first preaching and miracle in a synagogue in Capernaum, as described in the Mark 1:21-28. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Fr. Richard Ho Lung, MOP, Donna Pena, Chris Muglia and other music artists, local news and a little heavenly humor. In addition, seven Virgin Islands youth discuss their participation in the March for Life in Washington, DC, and Ss. Peter and Paul School teacher Marguerite Rene speaks about Catholic Schools Week. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on January 29.

"Followers of Christ"
"Followers of Christ" discusses the call of Jesus to his first two disciples, as described in the Gospel according to Mark, chapter 1. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Donna Pena, Tony Melendez and John Angotti, local news and a little heavenly humor. In addition, Joy Garee, president of the Filipino American Association of St. Thomas and St. John, speaks about the Santo Nino celebrations. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on January 22.

"The Lord's Invitation"
"The Lord's Invitation" discusses the meeting of Jesus with his first two disciples, as described in the Gospel according to John, chapter 1. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Steve Angrisano, Meredith Dean Joseph, John Angotti, Fr. Richard Ho Lung and the Benilde St. Margaret High School Choir, local news and a little heavenly humor. In addition, Fr. Eduardo Ortiz Santiago visits and speaks about the diocese's participation in the upcoming March for Life in Washington, DC. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on January 15.

"The History of St. Anne Chapel"
"The History of St. Anne Chapel" tells the story of the making of the chapel on St. Thomas from its earliest beginnings 90 years ago right up to the present. The history is enhanced by Christmas carols sung by the chapel choir in English and in French. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast on January 8, 2012.

"Christmas"
"Christmas" discusses the nativity scenes found in the gospels of Matthew 1 and Luke 2. The Christmas  messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by John Angotti and Paul Tate, local news and a little Christmas humor. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast a week late, January 1, due to technical problems at the radio station on Christmas night.

"Advent IV"
"Advent IV" is part four of a series of four programs which discuss our spiritual preparation and practices in advance of Christmas through music, meditations and humor. The predicament of Gabriel's announcement to Mary is discussed, based on the Sunday reading from the Gospel According to Luke, 1:26-38. The Advent messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Donna Pena and an assortment of new Advent hymns. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on December 18.

"Advent III"
"Advent III" is part three of a series of four programs which discuss our spiritual preparation and practices in advance of Christmas through music, meditations and humor. The message of John the Baptist is discussed, based on the Sunday reading from the Gospel According to John, 1:19-28. In the news portion, Jane Gonzalez, a teacher at Ss. Peter and Paul School, and the three winners of the school's spelling bee have a little spelling fun on the air. The Advent messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Danielle Rose, W. Clifford Petty, Paul Tate and an assortment of new Advent hymns. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on December 11.

"Advent II"
"Advent II" is part two of a series of four programs which discuss our spiritual preparation and practices in advance of Christmas through music, meditations, interviews and humor. The message of John the Baptist is discussed, based on the Sunday reading from the Gospel According to Mark, 1:1-8. Roxanne Rhymer, a teacher at Ss. Peter and Paul School, tells how the school's Christmas pageant next Sunday gets the students and their families prepared for Christmas. The messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by John Angotti, Janet Sullivan Whitaker and an assortment of new Advent hymns. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on December 4.

"Advent"
"Advent" begins a series of four programs which discuss our spiritual preparation and practices in advance of Christmas through music, meditations, interviews and humor. Fr. Stanislaus Birungi and Fr. Neil Scantlebury discuss their upcoming Advent mission, a penance service, a pre-Christmas concert and other upcoming activities. The messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Fr. Richard Ho Lung, MOP, and an assortment of new Advent hymns. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on November 27.

"What Have I Done?"
"What Have I Done?" features a reflection on Jesus' last sermon before the passion narrative in the Gospel according to Matthew, his teaching on the Last Judgment. The program also includes a discussion on the feast of Our Lord Christ the King and a look at many of the revised prayers that will be implemented at all English Masses beginning next Sunday. The messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Michael Mahler, Steve Angrisano, Elyse O'Kane, Jim Cowan and Dan Schutte's Mass of Christ Our Savior. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on November 20.


"Laziness"
"Laziness" features a reflection on Jesus' Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. The program also includes a visit from Fr. Eduardo Ortiz Santiago speaking about Our Lady of Divine Providence, patroness of Puerto Rico. The messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by the People of Praise Community, Steve Angrisano and Bob Hurd and Anawim. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on November 13.


"Readiness"
"Readiness" features a reflection on Jesus' parable in Matthew 25 about the Wise and the Foolish Virgins. The program also includes a visit from His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, speaking about Catholic Charities Weekend, and a discussion about the new Mass settings that will begin in all English Mass on the First Sunday of Advent. The messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by John Angotti and Janet Sullivan Whitaker. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on November 6.

"The Battle of Pride Vs. Humility"

"The Battle of Pride Vs. Humility" features a reflection on Jesus' saying in Matthew 23 that the exalted shall be humbled and the humbled shall be exalted. The second half hour begins with Catholic humor and then guest Odile de Lyrot talks about Catholic Charities and especially about the upcoming Catholic Charities Weekend. The messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Fr. Richard Ho Lung, M.O.P., Audrey Assad, W. Clifford Petty and Elyse O'Kane. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on October 30.

"Open for Love"

"Open for Love" features a reflection on Jesus' saying in Matthew 22 in response to the question, "Which of the commandments is the greatest?" The new Mass prayers are also discussed, and two Mass settings for the Gloria and the Holy at Mass are introduced as well. The messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Ed Bolduc and Danielle Rose. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on October 23.

"What Belongs to God"

"What Belongs to God" features a reflection on Jesus' saying in Matthew 22, "Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God." A newly revised Mass setting for the Gloria and the Holy at Mass are introduced as well. The messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Fr. Richard Ho Lung, M.O.P., John Michael Talbot, Ed Bolduc, Donna Pena and John Angotti. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on October 16.

"Attention"

"Attention" features a reflection on Jesus' parable in Matthew 22, and further discusses how God tries to get our attention. Special guest Eubald Rene of the Legion of Mary speaks about the rosary. A newly revised Mass setting for the Gloria at Mass is introduced as well. The messages are enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Steve Angrisano, Audrey Assad, Elyse O'Kane and John Angotti. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on October 9.

"Holy Week"
"Holy Week" features brief reflections on Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem as well as his passion, death and resurrection in Matthew 21, 26 and 27. The message is enhanced by contemporary Catholic music by Steve Angrisano, John Angotti, Dan Schutte and David Haas. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was not broadcast on the radio.

"Life, Death and Resurrection"
In "Life, Death and Resurrection," the first half hour features a reflection on Jesus' raising his good friend Lazarus from the dead (John 11) and what that means to our own life, death and resurrection. The second half features a discussion with Fr. Neil Scantlebury, Fr. Ian Taylor and Janet Chinnia about how the occult sneaks into homes and families. The program also features contemporary Catholic music on the theme of living, dying and being resurrected, including music by Donna Pena. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on April 10.

"Seeing with God's Eyes"
"Seeing with God's Eyes" features reflections on David being chosen as king of Israel (1 Samuel 16) and Jesus' healing of a man born blind (John 9), interspersed with an interview with His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, and contemporary Catholic music on the theme of seeing as God sees. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on April 3.

"Our Thirst for God"
"Our Thirst for God" features a three-part reflection on Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well (John 4:1-9), interspersed with interviews with His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, and Fr. Neil Scantlebury as well as contemporary Catholic music by both Jaime Cortez and Steve Angrisano. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on March 27.

"Journey with Jesus"

"Journey with Jesus" is a two-part Lenten special that features a reflection on God's call to Abram in Genesis 12:1-4 and on the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17:1-9. The program calls us to unite our journey of faith with that of Abram, Jesus and Jesus' disciples. The program also features music from Janet Sullivan Whitaker's Tryin' to Get ready album and several songs about spiritual journeys. Click here to listen to the 60-minute Catholic Islander Radio Hour program, which was broadcast originally on March 20, 2011.

"Temptation"

"Temptation" features a reflection on Jesus' temptation in the desert at the beginning of his ministry in Matthew 4:1-11 and what that teaches us about handling our own temptations. The program also features music from Tom Booth's Change Me album. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on March 13, 2011.

"The Will of God"
"The Will of God" features a reflection on Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about following the will of God into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21-27), a brief reflection on Lenten practices, Catholic humor and music from Michael Mahler's How Can We Be Silent? album. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on March 6, 2011.

"Worry"

"Worry" features a reflection on Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about worry (Matthew 6:24-34), humor, music from the Spirit & Song compilation albums and local Catholic news. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on February 27, 2011.

"Violence"

"Violence" features a reflection on Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount regarding Moses' Law of Retaliation (Matthew 5:38-48), music from Audrey Assad's The House You're Building album and local Catholic news. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on February 20, 2011.

"The Law of God"
"The Law of God" features a reflection on Jesus' teaching on the Law of Moses and its new perspective in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17-37), music from Marty Haugen's Anthology I: 1980-1984 album and local Catholic news. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on February 13, 2011.

"Salt and Light"
"Salt and Light" features a reflection on Jesus' teaching on salt and light in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-16), music from the We Will Be the Light compliation album and local Catholic news. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on February 6, 2011.

"The Beatitudes"
"The Beattudes" begins a series of teachings on the Sermon on the Mount and features a reflection on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12, music by Ed Bolduc, humor and local Catholic news. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on January 30, 2011.

"The Calling"
"The Calling" features a reflection on God's calling in Matthew 4:12-23, music by Danielle Rose and local Catholic news. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on January 23.


"Testimony"
"Testimony" features a reflection on John the Baptist's testimony in John 1:29-34, interviews with Bishop Herbert Bevard and Dr. Alfred Heath about the Keys and Sword Award, music from W. Clifford Petty and local Catholic news. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on January 16, 2011.

"Baptism"
"Baptism" features a reflection on the sacrament of baptism in Matthew 3:13-17 and its significance in our lives, music by John Angotti, humor and local Catholic news. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on January 9, 2011.

"Seeking God"
"Seeking God" features a reflection on the Epiphany in Matthew 2:1-12, music by Paul Tate and local Catholic news. Click here to listen to the 30-minute Catholic Islander Radio program, which was broadcast originally on January 2, 2011.

Catholic Islander Radio

The Catholic Islander branched out into radio with a half hour Catholic program called Catholic Islander Radio on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. beginning January 2. The program airs throughout the Virgin Islands on a secular radio station, WSTA 1340-AM. It also can be heard anytime on http://www.catholicislander.com/.
The new program resumes the tradition of local Sunday evening Catholic radio programs. Jesus Alive, The Catholic Voice and Catholic Update were also broadcast on WSTA in past years. The new program blends spiritual and catechetical reflection based on the Sunday Mass readings, interspersed with Catholic music and humor, and closing with announcements of upcoming events at the schools and parishes. Interviews will be featured sporadically to emphasize upcoming events, including conversations with Bishop Herbert Bevard on January 16 (regarding the Keys and Sword Award Benefit) and on March 20 (during the Bishop’s Appeal 2011). Father Charles Crespo, editor of The Catholic Islander newsletter and administrator of St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas, will be the frequent host.