BLYTHEVILLE — Sometimes listening to the radio pays off.
After hearing about Lighthouse Catholic Media’s compact disc and literature program on EWTN Radio, Jonathan Schilling thought it would be a good idea to start the program at Blytheville’s Immaculate Conception Church. It turns out he was right.
Schilling, along with the local Knights of Columbus council in Blytheville, started the program at the church last fall and it has blossomed since, spreading the faith to members of the parish and the community.
“It’s having an impact, and we’re already seeing the fruits of it,” Schilling said. “The more we spread, the more people come up and say, do you have another one of those CDs. I want to give one to my friend.
“That’s what it’s all about — knowing our faith, listening to it, understanding it and handing it on.”
The 60-minute compact discs and brochures from Lighthouse cover a variety of different subjects, such as “The Holy Eucharist,” “Understanding the Bible,” “How Teens Can Live Out Chastity” and “Why We have a Pope.” Some of the speakers on the CDs include Blessed Mother Teresa, Dr. Scott Hahn and Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR.
Overall, there are 65 CDs available in English or Spanish. Twelve brochures are also available.
Terry Barber, founder of Lighthouse Catholic Media in West Covina, Calif., said 1,150 parishes in the United States, including five in Arkansas, are distributing the CDs and pamphlets.
“We are trying to reach out to the fallen-away Catholics and for Catholics looking for reasons to believe,” he said. “If you can give them a CD that they can listen to in the car and learn about the faith, they are going to learn positively … It gives people information that they desperately need.”
The CDs and brochures are offered free, but a $3 donation for each CD and a 50-cent donation for each brochure are suggested. Schilling said proceeds from the program go toward restocking the CDs and brochures, and any remaining money is used to fund projects in the parish.
Schilling also spreads the CD program to other areas. As an over-the-road truck driver, he takes the CDs to truck stops to spread the faith.
“I go into the TV lounges at the truck stops, especially on Sundays when I’m away from here, and go to their local services. They usually have truck stop ministries,” Schilling said. “I’ll give them the Catholic point of view.
“Afterwards, I’ll offer them a CD. I’ll let them look through the titles. Whatever’s on their heart or mind, even if it’s not for them, it might be the Holy Spirit prompting them to pick out something for somebody else that might need to know the information.”
Seeing CDs from other denominations gave him the inspiration to add Catholic materials to the places he visited.
“Everywhere you go, you see all these other CDs from all these other churches,” Schilling said. “But there’s nothing Catholic in the truck stops. It’s something that I felt I could do.”
Lighthouse Catholic Media also has a Catholic CD of the Month Club where individuals can join for $5 a month. For information or to place an order, contact CDClubInfo@LighthouseCatholicMedia.com or (866) 526-2151.
Malea Hargett contributed to this article.
