CATHOLIC RADIO,  For The Diocese Of Gaylord and Northern Lower Michigan              "About Us"

Baraga Broadcasting is a response to Pope John Paul II urging Catholics to become involved in what he termed "The New Evangelization" of the world by means of the mass media.

Our Mission is to employ radio broadcasting to evangelize, to bring inactive Catholics back to the Church and make good Catholics better - so that all may know, understand, live and be able to share the fullness of the faith. 


THE INCEPTION OF BARAGA BROADCASTING

Baraga Broadcasting, is part of a new and exciting phenomenon that is reaching across the nation's and world's landscape-Catholic Radio! The inspiration to bring Catholic Radio into the Diocese of Gaylord began with Knights of Columbus insurance agent Tom McMahon. Initially, Tom was inspired and transformed when he accidentally stumbled upon a radio station while driving his car. The station was Ave Maria Radio (WDEO) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
When Tom opted to relocate to Northern Michigan, he shared this dream with Bishop Patrick Cooney. Duly impressed, the bishop directed Tom to Fr. Harry Speckman of Cross in the Woods Shrine-Parish, who had similar ideas about the effectiveness of radio as an evangelizing tool. Thus began the venture now named Baraga Broadcasting, Inc.
The name Baraga Broadcasting was derived from the famous Bishop Frederic Baraga, better known as the "Snow Shoe Priest".
Subsequent to these two men sharing their dream, Baraga Broadcasting has now blossomed into a well organized initiative. They assembled an amazingly talented development committee with expertise in business, accounting, sales, banking, broadcasting, media technology and theology. Furthermore, as required by the corporation's bylaws, a Board of Directors with exemplary credentials has been seated, including Bishop Patrick R. Cooney, Ordinary of the Diocese of Gaylord.
Baraga Broadcasting is a corporation with a non-profit 501(c)3 status, mission statement, bylaws, business plan and development strategy. Specific committees have been formed in the areas of marketing, fund-raising, technical advisory and finance.
Baraga Broadcasting, now has three Catholic Radio stations on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  WTCK 90.9 FM (Main Broadcast Facility) with its studio in Indian River, W221CA 92.1 FM in Gaylord and W237CF 95.3 FM in Mackinaw City.   We are also transmitting on a sub-carrier belonging to MacDonald Broadcasting.  Subsequently, our mission to bring Catholic Radio to the Diocese of Gaylord is in motion.   With your prayers and support--it will come full-circle.  Praise God!

What can you do to support this apostolic movement?   "Click Here"

  BISHOP FREDERIK BARAGA
The Snow-Shoe Priest

The great missionary figure in the history of the American church, was born in Slovenia on June 29, 1797.  Nine years a priest, he came to the United States in 1830 to devote his life to the Indians of the Upper Great Lakes, Fr Baraga=s labors began among the Ottowa Indians in Lower Michigan near Little Traverse Bay. Two years later he moved to the pioneer site of Grand Rapids where he established another successful mission. The great missionary left there for LaPointe, an island village in Lake Superior, off the coast of Northern Wisconsin, in 1835. There he began his monumental labors among the Chippewa tribes. His last major mission was founded in 1843 at L=arise on Upper Michigan=s Keweenaw Bay, where he remained until his appointment as bishop a decade later. Baraga was consecrated first bishop of Upper Michigan and its adjacent islands on November 1, 1853.

For 37 years Baraga moved about in a vast triangle territory of over 80,000 square miles including areas of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Canada. His goal was to make God known and loved by all men._ Totally devoted to the Indians, he learned to speak their language with amazing fluency. No forest, no island in his vast territory was unknown to him.  Shooting perilous river rapids in a fragile canoe, entering dreary swamps, and trudging the frozen wilderness this sensitive and cultured priest went from village to village seeking souls, appropriately earning him the title of ASnowshoe Priest@.
_
Bishop Baraga died on January 19, 1868 after a life filled with exalted heroism and undiminished zeal for souls.  Today the remains of the great missionary rest in the crypt of St. Peters Cathedral, Marquette, Michigan.  Revered in his own day, his reputation for sanctity has increased since his death.  A Canonical investigation is now being made into his life and labors to promote beatification.  Pray that the cause of Bishop Baraga may find favor with God.

For more information, contact the:
Bishop Baraga Association
347 Rock Street  - Marquette, Michigan 49855
906.227.9117   
www.dioceseofmarquette.org

Baraga Broadcasting's office and studio are located in Indian River, Michigan,
directly across from the Cross In The Woods Shrine Parish on M-68.

Stop by and share in our mission to bring Catholic Radio throughout the twenty-one county area of the Diocese of Gaylord in Northern Lower Michigan.   During your visit, ask us about our Flyer and Bumper Stickers  (with easy to remove backing). 
                                           
                                             
We Welcome Your Support