Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines joins Deacon Mark Campbell and Jeanne Thill for the final hour of Iowa Catholic Radio's 2026 Fall Fundraiser, "The Harvest is Abundant," on Max Out the Match Friday. Longtime listener Jeff Parikh shares how Catholic Answers and local Catholic radio deepened his faith and fueled his ministry to boys and young men across the diocese. Jeanne reflects on 21 years of Catholic radio in Iowa, and listeners from Fairfield to Polk City give to keep the mission of connecting people to Christ on the air.
Help bring in the harvest! Support Iowa Catholic Radio's 2026 Fall Fundraiser: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options or text GIVE to 515-223-1150.
It's the final hour of the on-air 2026 Fall Fundraiser, "The Harvest is Abundant," and Deacon Mark Campbell, executive director of Iowa Catholic Radio, and Jeanne Thill bring it home on Max Out the Match Friday. Every gift was triple-matched by Iowa Catholic Radio's Challenger Club members until 10 a.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. With about $7,500 in matching dollars left at the half hour, maxing out the match would set a new on-air Fall Fundraiser record.
IN THIS HOUR
- Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines on his show Making It Personal, how ICR serves as a platform for Iowa's four bishops, and why the "vacuum" left by silent Catholic radio would be filled by voices that don't have our good at heart.
- Jeff Parikh of St. Augustine Parish in Des Moines on how Catholic Answers "filled in the gaps" of his faith, why local shows matter, and the St. Michael's group, a diocesan-wide ministry for boys in grades 3–8 led by high school leaders and seminarians.
- Jeanne Thill looks back on 21 years of Iowa Catholic Radio, from the early days at the old Norwalk studio to stations across the state.
- A gift from Fairfield honoring Mary Lou Francis, who helped bring 103.5 FM to the Fairfield area.
- Listener testimonials from parishes across Iowa, plus Deacon Mark's "It's a Wonderful Life" take on a Catholic Iowa without Catholic radio.
HOW TO GIVE
- Text GIVE to 515-223-1150 to receive a safe, secure giving link.
- Call 515-223-1150.
- Give online: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options
- Consider committing $25 a month for the next year, less than a dollar a day, so Iowa Catholic Radio can keep connecting people to Christ.
EVENTS & LOGISTICS
- First Friday Mass: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in the St. Gabriel the Archangel Chapel at the Iowa Catholic Radio studios, 1355 50th Street. All are welcome.
- Dowling Catholic football homecoming game: Friday night, Oct. 2, on Iowa Catholic Radio.
- Wedding anniversary Masses with Bishop Joensen: Sunday, Oct. 4, at St. Peter's in Council Bluffs, and Saturday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. at St. Ambrose. Couples celebrating any marriage milestone are invited.
- Prayer requests: Submit yours at IowaCatholicRadio.com: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/
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