A new kind of radio show in Ipswich

On September 19, Father Tim Smith will start the 88.9 FM Real Presence Radio Broadcast from Holy Cross in Ipswich from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Holy Cross will feature a monthly broadcast from Ipswich, and will feature guests and local personalities who share stories and encouragement about their faith.

This is not the first time Father Smith has been behind the radio microphone. “Back in 2005, I used to have a radio show on 94.5 FM at the University of Sioux Falls. I was a rebellious college student at that time in my life and I played a lot of loud heavy metal music on the radio. This was definitely NOT the kind of music that you hear in Church,” Father Smith said. “Not too long after those radio days, I had a big conversion to my faith and God became the center of my life. I never thought I would be on the radio again when I went into the ministry.”

In 2017, the Bishop of Sioux Falls, Paul Swain, asked me if I would consider volunteering for Real Presence Catholic Radio and lending my voice a few times a month, Father Smith said. There is no salary or pay for the radio volunteers and hosts, but the rewards are eternal. The Real Presence Radio Network does not charge the local Churches anything for its services, but is entirely listener supported through fundraising drives and individual donors. In the past three years, the faith based radio network has grown to broadcast throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. National programming is syndicated through Eternal World Television Network, EWTN which is most known for its faith based programming on cable television.

Real Presence Radio will broadcast live from Holy Cross in Ipswich once a month, on the morning show Real Presence Live. The Holy Cross Facebook page will let people know who the local guests will be on the air. New Technology makes broadcasting live radio coverage over three states possible and affordable from the most unexpected places, including the Church.

“I am glad that we are able to share the stories of faith, family, and farming from Ipswich. When we broadcast our stories of faith, we let the light of Christ shine,” Father Smith said. “As Jesus said, ‘No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.’ I hope that our time on the radio each month will give light to everyone who listens.”