December 2016
DON’T MISS THE ANNUAL
December 16-24, each evening at 9pm ET/8pm CT
Led by Father Rocky and prayed by different families each night. Listen on-air, online, or on the mobile app.
WHAT’S INSIDE: Christmas Programming –
Unification Update – Relevant Radio Spotlight
During this season of anticipation and hope, join us in our annual Christmas Family Rosary Novena, beginning on December 16 and concluding on December 24. Father Rocky will lead this special Christmas Rosary each evening at 9pm ET/8pm CT with different families in studio praying along. He will also be taking prayer intentions from listeners who call in during the broadcast. We invite you to pray with us as we journey with the Holy Family to Bethlehem in the nine
days leading up to the Birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ! On December 24 and 25, Relevant RadioÂŽ will air special Christmas programming, songs, and prayers. Tune in for Christmas Eve Mass, broadcast LIVE from the Vatican courtesy of Vatican Radio, and Christmas morning Mass at 10am ET/9am CT. For additional information and a full Christmas programming schedule, visit RelevantRadio. com and type CHRISTMAS in the search bar.
Unification Update:
Relevant Radio stations
Immaculate Heart Radio stations
Our campaign to merge Relevant Radio and Immaculate Heart Radio into one coast-tocoast Catholic radio network has been making great progress! We are now over 85% of the way to our fundraising goal thanks to the generous contributions of many supporters. Thank you for your continued prayers for our efforts— we are very excited to be moving forward with such great momentum to bring Catholic radio to many millions more souls. If you have questions about this unification, visit RelevantRadio.com, and type RELEVANT in the search bar, or call 877-291-0123.
RELEVANT RADIO® SPOTLIGHTS: Get to know the team behind Relevant Radio
Matthew Beardsley
Mary Radford
Msgr. Stuart Swetland
Jennifer Lee
Operations Manager
Development and Marketing Director
Host of Go Ask Your FatherTM
Executive Assistant
Hobbies: I play guitar, and play with toy trains. I used to play drums, both for fun and professionally, but drums are not apartment-friendly.
Places you've lived: I was born in Seattle, and have lived in the Bay Area of San Francisco, St. Louis, Boston, New York City, Kingston, Jamaica and now beautiful West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Favorite saint: St. Thomas More; He is my confirmation saint. He was a fellow alumni of Oxford. However, despite rumors to the contrary, we were not classmates.
Favorite saint: I’ve always felt a connection to Saint Anthony, mostly because I misplace a LOT of things. It seems he helps me find them even before I ask sometimes. I also love (Blessed) Pier Giorgio Frassati, because he not only so beautifully portrayed a holy, sacrificial life, but he also “got in the trenches” with peers as a witness to Joy through social and outdoor activities.
Fun facts: I was in a Japanese rock band 20 years ago and we had a record deal. The deal fell through, otherwise you’d be reading this in Japanese. Favorite music: If it’s British, and from the 60s, I listen to it. Also Britpop, punk, metal, and yes–symphonic music. Altcountry is awesome, except for the fact that hipsters listen to it. Something people may not know about you: I was going to major in classical/symphonic music before I dropped out of college and got into radio. Best decision of my life!
Pets: Two crazy but lovable dogs, Oscar and Wolfie. Fun facts: Two of my relatives, Benjamin Rush and Richard Stockton, signed the Declaration of Independence and my husband’s family hails from pirates who settled in Port Royal, Jamaica−just like in Pirates of the Carribean. Something people may not know about you: My husband and I lived in Jamaica when our children were young. He was hired to design a concert hall for the city of Kingston. It was quite an experience!
Pets: No pets−I’d love one but it is incompatible with the busy life I lead. I believe that dogs are the best pets and expect to have a wonderful time with my Golden Retriever in the Kingdom. It is also my opinion that it is only due to the infinite mercy of God that there will be any cats in the New Heaven and New Earth. Fun facts: I am a direct descendant of Luke Swetland, who was an early settler of the Wyoming Valley in Northeast, PA. He was famously captured and rescued from the Native Americans and became a soldier of the American Revolution. His homestead is an historical site.
Places you’ve traveled: All 50 states! Canada, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Spain, and Italy. My favorite place thus far is Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fun facts: I am very proud to own the family home that my dad grew up in. I’ve swam with dolphins, snorkeled in the Pacific Ocean, and got surrounded by a herd of buffalo. I once performed on stage off Broadway.
St. Nicholas left a legacy of quiet generosity desiring no attention or glory for himself. His one concern was to bring the Hope of Christ to all and unite people in His love – the only everlasting legacy!
Relevant Radio strives to share the same missionary zeal as our beloved St. Nicholas. And when you include Relevant Radio in your planned giving, you too are helping to spread that same hope and unity throughout the world.
Plan Today, Give Forever A Planned Gift to Relevant Radio will: †
For more information visit RelevantRadio.com Keyword: PLAN
Dear Relevant Radio® Family, There is so much to look forward to at this time of year! The beautiful seasons of the Church – like Advent and Christmas – are meant to enrich our personal relationship with Our Lord in our everyday life. That’s what it’s all about. As we enter the Advent season and prepare our homes and hearts for Christmas, it can be really tempting to get caught up in all the commercialism and gift shopping. But all that busyness can be such a distraction from what’s really important! Instead, let’s try to imitate Our Lady and St. Joseph with their calm and silent hearts in the midst of the bustle of the
Help provide for your family’s spiritual needs in the future. † †
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Give the Faith to future generations.
Ensure that your assets will support a favorite charity. Help us bring hope to souls while transforming the culture.
Support other important causes and charities, as promoted on Relevant Radio.
world as they searched for shelter for the birth of Our Lord. They gave of themselves completely for the sake of Christ – their comfort, their convenience, their plans – so that Christ could be born into the world for us. What a Gift! How can we imitate that self-giving? The best gift we can give is the gift of ourselves – that’s what Jesus, Mary and Joseph did. And we can start by giving the gift of our prayers. Yes, we can give gifts to our loved ones and to those in need – that’s certainly a good thing to do – but if we aren’t also praying for them, the gift loses its spiritual benefits. So don’t forget to pray for your loved ones and those in need. A great way to do that is by joining us for the Christmas Family Rosary Novena, beginning December 16 at 9PM ET/8PM CT.
Also, don’t forget to make your year-end gift to Relevant Radio, so that we can continue bringing the hope and joy of Christ to souls all over the world!
With prayers for a Blessed and Joyful Christmas,
Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, JCD Executive Director
PS – Be sure to tune in for our special Christmas programming!
DECEMBER 2016 Content: Lindsey Kettner Design: Laura Wire