Article from July 2003 -
Monsignor Cirrincione can be heard on 1460-AM
-by Mike Latona/Catholic Courier(July24,2003)
Accompanied by some revisions, the long time running Family Rosary
for Peace has returned to early evening radio after a two week hiatus.
The show went back on the air July 16,2003 on Rochester's WHIC 1460-AM,
formerly Christian format WWWG. IT is being broadcast four evening per
week with an air time of 7 p.m., slightly later than it former slot of 6:30.
Although tapes of the late Msgr. Joseph Cirrincione's program have
continued airing seven days per week on two other Rochester stations-9:30p.m.
on WLGZ 990-AM and 5 a.m. on WDCZ 102.7 FM - followers of the show apparently
felt a void in the early evening, where Family Rosary for Peace has run
continuously since its inception in 1950.
"A lot of listeners had called and contacted us, saying 'I miss
Msgr. Cirrincione.' We certainly took those comments into serious consideration,"
said William Purcell, general Manager of Buffalo's Holy Family Communications,
which acquired WHIC on July1, 2003. " Catholic devotions are important to us,
and obviously a tradition with such local impact is something important to continue.
"
"Many people were calling us and the Diocese, added Father Paul Tomasso,
director Family Rosary for Peace. " Were very happy that it's back. We're working
with(WHIC) in order to continue it as the great tradition it is."
Family Rosary for Peace had previously aired seven days per week on WWWG,
but it is only running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday on WHIC. However,
Purcell emphasized that WHIC- the first all Catholic Radio station in Rochester-
has greatly increased the overall offering of rosaries on 1460-AM. Nationally
produced rosaries air seven days per week at 11 p.m., as well as Monday through
Friday at 10:30 a.m.. The Thursday 7 p.m. slot features a Buffalo bases rosary
show with the Luminous Mysteries.
Purcell said copies of the Family Rosary for Peace have been edited for
better quality and transferred from audio to compact disc to enhance preservation.
Unfortunately, Purcell said, evening prayer by Msgr. Cirrincione that followed the
rosaries are in such poor shape the they're being replaced on the WHIC broadcasts
by different prayers.
The time switch on WHIC from 6:30 to 7p.m., Purcell explained, is due to a
time conflict with Catholic Answers, a live indicated call-in show that runs from
6 to 7 p.m. that is Holy Family Communications' most popular program.
Family Rosary for Peace has aired on 1460-AM since 1979, when WWWG acquired
the program following a 29 year run on WSAY 1240-AM. WSAY and WWWG have served as the
program's flagship stations; many other radio outlets across the Rochester Diocese
have also carried the show in the past. In recent years, tapes of the show were run
after Msgr. Cirrincione's failing health prevented him from doing live broadcasts.
Msgr. Cirrincione, who died in November 2002, served as the show's director from it's
founding until 1998, when Fr. Tomasso became the director.
WHIC, a 5000-watt station, offers national Catholic programs, devotionals and
Masses. Locally generated programming is also expected to increase as the station takes
root. Purcell said station management has, thus far, received "tremendously positive
feedback from the community- a number of phone calls and e-mails. People are truly
glad to have Catholic radio in Rochester."
Purcell invites listener feedback by calling 877/888-6279, or emailing
info@holyFamily.ws
The Family Rosary for Peace can still be heard on WHIC-1460AM