When my five-year pledge to the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine was completed this year, I debated on where to direct my charitable giving. I thought about contributing to
a new ministry, increasing the amounts given to the current charities and more. Whatever I decided to do, it meant a shift in my habits, more payments to keep track of, maybe a little research on a new ministry... it could get complicated. On top of that, I had an attack of the “what ifs.” What if I experienced an unexpected expense? What if the new charity merged with another that was unknown to me? What if a family member needed financial help? Wouldn’t I want to be prepared to help?

It might be easier, I reasoned, to table a decision for now. My conscience nagged at me a little because my sweet niece Melissa came to mind. As a little child, whenever Melissa was challenged to perform better or try something new, her response was, “I am going to do that when I am 8.” Waiting until I was 8 was no longer an option for me. By putting off action for worthy causes, I was allowing fear to paralyze me and block the help I could supply. That was enough for me to dispense with my phantom contingencies and embrace the change.

Maybe, like me, you have fulfilled your pledge to the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine. If some new possibilities are opening up for you, one idea you might consider is to “build” Oklaho- ma Catholic Radio in the same way you did your part for the construction of the shrine. Put aside your own “what ifs” and turn a potential OKCR radio- thon donation into a pledge.

A commitment of a monthly amount to OKCR uncovers the potential for reaching all of Oklahoma with Catholic radio. The current OKCR stewards carry an additional aspiration to broaden the appeal of Catho- lic life and devotion with diverse Catholic programming. Our sacrificial giving can transform the potential into reality. The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine is evidence of that.

One reason I advocate for your support of OKCR is that I like a good value for my efforts. I have been educated in my faith and evangelized by listen- ing to OKCR. Since we are all called to evangelize, I have a great tool to accomplish that in Catholic radio, as well. OKCR travels far beyond what I can do individually by my contribution or my testimony. It is a way to bring hope, the person of Jesus Christ, on a large scale, beyond my own capacity to everyone I know. These are benefits I do not deserve, but I have been blessed to receive them because I am not sitting on the fence and waiting to see what hap- pens. Do not “wait until you are 8” to begin sharing in the mission of Catholic radio.