Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 6, 1994 TAG: 9401200322
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They told their pastor, the Rev. James Parke, that ``there ought to be a Catholic voice in the Roanoke Valley.''
Recalling their insistence, Parke finally decided to take seriously their request that he start a Saturday night talk and devotional show on WFIR. But he didn't mean it to be a counteraction to the many Protestant shows that clergy pay to air on several other stations.
``I wanted it to be more general, something the ecumenical religious community could relate to, something to stimulate thinking,'' Parke said. ``I finally came up with a title, `Religion and Life in the '90s.'''
The decade had just begun, and the Roanoke Valley's four Catholic parishes had started rotating the televising of their Christmas Eve services as an evangelism project, Parke said. His talk show seemed to fit well with that effort to spread the good news of Christ's way of life to people other than Catholics.
Today, four years later, ``Religion and Life in the '90s'' has many listeners, though Parke says no effort has been made to measure them. But people from all walks of life tell him and his guests that they hear it on Saturday nights at 10.
The show, which always needs financial sponsors, is a combination of interviews and a short devotional time in which the priest reads a Scripture passage appropriate to the church season, comments briefly on it and plays a hymn.
Call-in comments and questions are occasional and welcome, Parke said.
The show, he thinks, fills a void left several years ago when Roanoke Valley radio stations ceased to give a few minutes daily to a message by ministers who worked through a professional clergy group.
Keeping time available for the hour-long show continues to be a challenge. Sporting events may preempt Parke's time, sometimes with little notice. The priest, who says he can adapt to change better than he can plan, has brought in a cross-section of religion-oriented people in the valley.
Guests on his show have discussed AIDS, cancer, the homeless and family life. The Episcopal and Lutheran bishops have talked with the Catholic master of ceremonies about the potential for cooperation among their faiths.
Early workers in Habitat for Humanity were on the show, as were representatives of Roanoke Area Ministries, the City Rescue Mission and the Alternative Education program for Roanoke schools.
Late in 1993, Parke interviewed two newspaper religion writers. The following week, he discussed some moral issues in the community with Roanoke Mayor David Bowers.
Generally, he says, he tries to remain ``pastoral'' in his approach to his guests. He defines that as understanding their backgrounds and respecting their views, even if he does not always agree.
On one issue, however, he reflects the Catholic position. He is strongly against abortions. Guests sharing his view have appeared on the show several times, but he said he does not feel obligated to give time to opponents.
``I want this show to be a discussion, not a debate,'' said Parke, noting that his most hostile comments from listeners have come when abortion is the topic.
When arrangements were made for Parke to have his show, he soon discovered challenges other than having his time preempted and finding a guest each week. He learned, in about four practice sessions, how to ``run the board,'' the technical process of getting his words on the air.
Working now with Donna Wood of the WFIR evening staff, the priest punches buttons, adjusts earphones and shoves tapes into appropriate slots during his hour on the air. At the proper time, he announces weather and other spot news and inserts advertising. He has learned how to monitor incoming phone calls so he or his guests can talk with callers.
"That part terrified me at first," he said. "I had no training at all for radio technology. It's been an education in itself."
Parke, 54, was trained for the priesthood from his youth in the Pittsburgh area. He taught in Catholic schools before coming to the Diocese of Richmond 18 years ago. As a white clergyman, he served an all-black parish in Richmond before joining Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Salem more than eight years ago.
Under the policy of Bishop Walter Sullivan, he will remain at the 1,500-member church for 3 1/2 years.
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