If there were any doubts in my mind that God uses Catholic radio as a vehicle to increase both faith and the faithful, Carly Rae Van Zant cemented my belief. She is a volunteer for Oklahoma Catholic Radio, who offers a variety of skills and expertise she has acquired from her career in communications and radio broadcasting.

We visited recently about some upcoming events and changes for OKCR. What
was compelling in our conversation, however, was how God drew her to Himself and invited her into the Catholic Church. She was not theatrical nor sensational in telling her story. In fact, she was quite modest, but with a certitude that the events which appeared coincidental amounted to much more. There was an unspoken wonder at God’s providence that became evident as she talked.

Van Zant’s journey to the Catholic Church began at the funeral of Ralph Tyler who had been her employer at Tyler Media. She was impressed by the Catholic funeral and said as much to a friend.

“That’s because it was holy,” her friend replied.

That remark was a catalyst and contributed to Van Zant’s impulse to become a Catholic. She wanted the reinforcement of a friend who was familiar with Catholicism in this undertaking. She resorted to asking a long-time friend to join her at Mass. Her friend, Chitra, was not herself Catholic. She was from Malaysia and had attended Catholic school there. Chitra agreed because, conveniently, she and another mutual friend of the two women had also invited Chitra to attend Mass and inquire into Catholicism. As it turned out, their plan involved attending Mass at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church. She pur- sued her study of the Church, entered and was confirmed in 2020.

This story is an illustration of how God’s magnanimous favor spills out over us and beyond what we can imagine. In Van Zant’s case, not only did she become part of the Epiphany parish family, but she also literally joined a family as the RCIA leader at Epiphany became her father-in-law! Chitra also experienced God’s direction and blessing. She needs a kidney transplant, but her hopes of finding the perfect match as a Malaysian living in the United States were almost impossible. Despite the odds, Van Zant volunteered to be tested. Incredibly, she is a perfect match for Chitra and will become her donor.

Van Zant continues her nostalgia for her years of employment with Tyler Media when they owned 97.3 FM, KKNG.

“That’s how I learned about Catholic Radio. When I buy a car,” Van Zant said. “I program the radio to 97.3.”

She was introduced during drive time to programs like “Called to Communion” and “Catholic Answers Live.” These programs bolstered her faith.

“Catholic radio is not just for cradle Catholics,” Van Zant said.

She has volunteered for OKCR, doing voice overs in ads and serving as a radiothon host. Currently, she is applying her talents in producing a benefit for OKCR.

“Ask the Father” is planned for February 2024.

“We want to appeal to a larger audience, beyond the radiothon, that does not listen to Catholic radio yet. The emphasis is on connecting with our faith and education,” Van Zant said.

The content Van Zant described is similar she said to what people might hear on “Catholic Answers Live.” OKCR will host a dinner and a panel of four priests who will answer questions about the faith.

Participating in “Ask Theh Fathher” will be an avenue for me to continue developing friendships and to nurture my faith that Catholic radio has provided for me for many years. The time Van Zant and I spent discussing her faith journey allowed the two of us to marvel at how God sought her out and used Catholic radio to reveal himself to her in the Catholic faith. In Van Zant’s story, I recognized that even as I seek God’s face; it is he who calls after me.