Catholic radio is now available in the Elmira/Corning area 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
The new Catholic programming format, on WMTQ 88.1-FM, took effect Feb. 7. This station is a part of the nonprofit The Station of the Cross Catholic Radio Network. According to network officials, WMTQ has a potential reach of 150,000 people in the Southern Tier region.
"We feel blessed to be able to serve the Elmira and Corning area with quality, inspirational Catholic programming," Mary Ellen Capece, cofounder of Holy Family Communications — owner of The Station of the Cross — said in a statement. "Our mission is to serve our listeners and to inspire them, whether they are listening at home, at work or in their cars."
This marks the second station in the Diocese of Rochester — and fourth overall — for The Station of the Cross. Since 2003 the network also has operated WHIC 1460-AM in Rochester. The other Station of the Cross affiliates are WLOF 101.7-FM in Buffalo, which became a Catholic radio station in 1999; and WQOM 1060-AM in Boston, which began Catholic programming in November 2010.
Monastery of Mary the Queen in Elmira was instrumental in Holy Family Communications’ acquisition of WMTQ, which became official Feb. 1.
"We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Dominican Monastery of Mary the Queen and to the many volunteers from the Corning/Elmira area who helped make this a reality," Joanne Wright, another cofounder of Holy Family Communications, said in a statement.
The Station of the Cross is an affiliate of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), which produces its programming. All of the programs are Catholic, with a variety of talk shows and devotionals offered. For more details about The Station of the Cross, visit www.thestationofthecross.com.
