Northern Apostle Radio

Claves Regni Board of Directors; (front) Brian Boehmer, Sheila Gutierrez, Fae Presley (back) Paul Scamperele, Neil Newcomb, Msgr Michael Steber, Greg Bussone, Tim Presley(radio committee)

Claves Regni Ministries, like so many movements in the Catholic Church, came into being by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Motivated by the desire to lead all people into the fullness of truth found in the Catholic Church, Kevin and Jen Branson, along with Brian Boehmer, laid the groundwork for Claves Regni (Latin for “keys of the kingdom”) Ministries in the summer of 2011. Michigan non-profit and IRS 501(c)(3) status were applied for in July, and in August, bylaws were adopted and a board of directors was formed.

Claves Regni Ministries (CRM) then sought the approval and blessing of the Bishop of the diocese of Marquette. Bishop Alexander Sample issued a decree designating Claves Regni Ministries as a Private Lay Association of the Christian Faithful in May 2012.

CRM’s early activities included “Keys of the Kingdom,” a half-hour TV show featuring host Kevin Branson and guest speakers, including Bishop Sample and Fr. Ryan Ford. Symposiums, dinner speakers, and panel discussions on timely apologetic topics also helped to educate and evangelize.

Enter Mother Angelica! Tim and Fae Presley were praying the rosary with Mother and her nuns on EWTN TV one July evening in 2013 when an opening for low-power FM radio licenses from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) was announced. This was only the second time since 2000 that these licenses would be offered. Tim and Fae, members of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, had been interested in Catholic radio for years and saw this as a sign from the Holy Spirit to investigate the possibility of bringing Catholic radio to the Marquette area.

Tom Kilpela and Josh Rapavi

One of the first requirements for the low-power FM license holder is to be a non-profit organization. God’s timing is so perfect! After more than two years, 501(c)(3) tax status was finally approved for CRM in August 2013. This was the precise moment when the efforts for Catholic radio needed just such a non-profit organization in order to apply for the radio license. CRM’s mission of evangelization was a perfect fit with Catholic radio, so with Msgr. Michael Steber’s prayers and support, Northern Apostle Radio became CRM’s primary work.

With the help of an FCC attorney, the Catholic Radio Association, and plenty of God’s grace, a permit was obtained to construct the radio station. Technical assistance came from radio engineers Coral Howe and Allan Augustyn. The next step was to name the station and request a four letter call sign from the FCC. WNOA-LP (an FCC requirement to add the LP to indicate a low-power station) and Northern Apostle Radio were agreed upon, reflecting the spiritual heritage of the diocese of Marquette in the person of Venerable Frederic Baraga, the first Bishop and a tremendous missionary and evangelizer (the Northern Apostle).

Fundraising began in earnest in 2014. Representatives from Northern Apostle Radio visited area parishes presenting the new opportunity and seeking prayers and financial support. The Diocese of Marquette gave a start-up grant through the Legacy of Faith Foundation and Catholic Extension Society provided a matching grant. All this support enabled the purchase of equipment and the technical expertise to build out the station.

It was December 16, 2014 when WNOA-LP first went on the air, broadcasting 24-hour EWTN programming. Tim and Fae Presley have served as station co-managers since the beginning, relying on God’s grace, engineers Coral and Al, EWTN, and CRM’s board of directors. Looking back in wonder at how it all happened and how taking little steps, focusing on the task at hand, brings to mind the words from St. John Henry Cardinal Newman’s hymn, Lead Kindly Light: “…one step enough for me.” Praise and thanksgiving to the Lord God and all the many donors and supporters who have made this powerful means of evangelization a reality!