Filling Big Shoes

A SCHOLAR TAKES OVER FOR
THE LATE, GREAT AL KRESTA

Catholic Radio suffered a profound loss recently, when Al Kresta succumbed to cancer.

Al was a true pioneer of religious broadcasting. Working with the philanthropist Tom Monaghan, of Domino’s Pizza fame, Al created the Ave Maria Radio apostolate.

He also hosted what has undoubtedly been the flagship Catholic talk show, “Kresta In the Afternoon.” It’s now heard on about 300 stations across the country, distributed by EWTN.

Al was a dear friend and colleague. In many ways he was responsible for my own start in Catholic Radio.

I was honored to host his show on several occasions in the early 2000s, while he was recovering from the loss of his leg to necrotizing fasciitis, the horrible flesh-eating bacteria.

And he indulged my wild flights of creative fancy by encouraging me to produce a series of music and comedy specials for Ave Maria.

My most vivid memory of working with Al was our shared experience on September 11, 2001.

He was left with no interviews for that day’s show, when shock and uncertainty caused by the terrorist strikes had forced his scheduled guests to cancel. I offered to sit in with him, and together we kept up reporting and analysis, as information trickled in through our two hours on the air.

Al’s death was unexpected, rapidly following the diagnosis of liver cancer. And it’s understandable that listeners and station operators alike would wonder how the show could continue without this unique man who had such obvious deep faith and a truly encyclopedic mind.

His replacement is Dr. Marcus Peter, a scripture scholar and Catholic communicator with a unique background and distinctive gifts of his own.

Marcus knows he has big shoes to fill. And in the latest episode of my show, “Free Expression,” he reflects on his remarkable personal journey, on the mentoring he received from Al, and on the future of “Kresta In the Afternoon,” now called “Ave Maria In the Afternoon.”

The episode also includes excerpts from an interview I had conducted with Al after his struggle with the loss of his leg. That conversation provides insight into the mind and Christian commitment of one of Catholic Radio’s towering figures.

May God take Al Kresta to His bosom, and comfort all whose lives Al touched.

 

Listen here…