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Manfredonias Bring Catholic Radio to New Jersey

Jim Manfredonia '77

When things fell into place one after the other, resulting in the opening of the first radio station in New Jersey devoted to full-time Catholic programming, Jim Manfredonia '77 knew it was not a string of well-timed coincidences. Rather, it was part of God's calling.

When 89.3 FM, an affiliate of EWTN (Global Catholic Network), opened in September 2005, Jim and Cheryl, his wife, felt confident they were fulfilling God's will. Through Domestic Church Media Foundation (DCMF), the nonprofit organization the Manfredonias founded in 2003, Jim and Cheryl lease and operate 89.3 FM, which broadcasts Catholic programming 24 hours a day from a studio in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.

Manfredonia always wanted to be a radio broadcaster and was very involved with WSOU 89.5 FM while he attended Seton Hall. He says: "I never imagined I'd be doing Catholic radio, but God had other plans for me. He led me."

The path toward a career in Catholic radio began in 1995, when Manfredonia filled in as the host of a program on WTMR 800 AM in Philadelphia. "I literally went down to the station with the Bible, the Catechism and some of Pope John Paul II's writings," he says. "I had never hosted Catholic radio before, but I felt really comfortable doing it — the spiritual reflections came naturally."

Manfredonia continued to host at WTMR through 1998. He was working full-time as a corporate instructor for FedEx, so he pre-recorded programs in his home. His passion for Catholic radio grew, and he contacted EWTN for additional opportunities. Manfredonia transitioned to station manager at WISP 1570 AM in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and helped the station transform into the first full-time Catholic radio station in the Philadelphia area.

"I really felt God was leading me to do this," he shares. To take the next step in bringing Catholic radio to the masses, the Manfredonias founded DCMF, a nonprofit organization that promotes the causes of marriage and family life through Catholic media.

Jim '77 and Cheryl Manfredonia in their home radio studio.

Jim '77 and Cheryl Manfredonia getting ready to broadcast on 89.3 FM.

While the Manfredonias developed DCMF, Jim continued to work at WISP. As the host of a weekday program, Manfredonia realized that many New Jersey residents were loyal listeners. Soon, he understood that God was calling him to create New Jersey's first Catholic radio station. He eventually left WISP to pursue this goal full-time.

"We couldn't do it alone. Cheryl and I prayed together a lot, but I also met with [University president] Monsignor [Robert] Sheeran ['67] in 2004, who I thought might be able to help," Manfredonia says. "Monsignor was very interested and supportive. He suggested I speak with Mark Maben [general manager, WSOU]."

When Maben and Manfredonia met in November 2004, they shared information about bringing Catholic radio to more people. However, just two months after their initial meeting, a radio broker contacted Maben about expanding WSOU to 89.3 FM. The owners of 89.3 FM wanted to sell the station, and Maben encouraged the broker to call Manfredonia.

On September 2, 2005, 89.3 FM hit the airwaves as the first full-time Catholic radio station in the state. Its signal is transmitted from Holmdel, New Jersey, and reaches Monmouth and Middlesex counties in New Jersey and Staten Island, New York. Listeners can hear original programming produced by the Manfredonias, in addition to EWTN programming and broadcasts produced by the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton. Visit www.893fm.org for a program schedule.

"God is calling us to do more," Manfredonia says. "Through the foundation, we hope to establish a greater Catholic radio presence in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. If God wants it to happen, it will happen." He says that with additional funding, the Manfredonias could purchase FM translators, which would enable 89.3 FM to further its broadcast reach. They also hope to secure financial support to lease or purchase additional radio stations.

For information about supporting 89.3 FM and future Catholic radio stations in the tristate area, contact Manfredonia at jim@domesticchurchmedia.org or 1-866-883-9357.