RENEW International Takes to the Airwaves as "Innovator"

Sky Radio Network features interview with President of RENEW International, global Catholic organization, in its in-flight programming for RENEW's innovative approaches to bring spiritual renewal to parishes.

Sr. Theresa Rickard, OP, President and Executive Director of RENEW International, can now be heard coast-to-coast on the Sky Radio Network show, "America's Innovators", airing on Delta Air Lines and US Airways through the end of April 2010. This show, which features leaders from the business, civic, and non-profit realm, highlights people and organizations that are achieving their missions in new and creative ways.

In the 3-minute segment, Sr. Terry is interviewed by Dennis Michael, Sky Radio Network host and former CNN correspondent, during which she discusses how RENEW International brings fresh, new approaches to the pastoral services it offers dioceses, parishes, and campuses. She highlights the positive role that modern communication technology and marketing techniques can play in revitalizing the outreach to today's Catholics.

In her remarks, Sr. Terry points out, "Many churches have good spiritual programs, but no one comes because they don't get the word out. It's not enough to put it in the parish bulletin or announce it from the altar. You have to use good marketing techniques. For us, we're using the web more and more, and social networking, to get the word out to people to be more involved and connected to the Church, and help them to connect faith with life."

RENEW International puts technology to good use in the organization's work with thousands of parishes in the United States, as well as with numerous college and university campuses. These efforts promote ways to reach out to Catholics, active and inactive, in a way that revitalizes their faith and spiritual life, and invites them to be part of the larger Catholic faith community. Examples include:

• An award-winning web (www.renewintl.org) serving as a hub of valuable resources for the parish, campus, and diocesan leaders
• A members-only web library with documents to download, and video to view
• Podcasts, video streams, and newsfeeds on the site for web visitors
• Web-based seminars for many of the most popular parish/campus workshops
• Email blasts to parish leaders
• Guidance using Facebook and other Web 2.0 social media in trainings on RENEW Theology on Tap for young adults
• Downloadable faith-sharing resources for sale in our online bookstore for parishioners and small groups

Sr. Terry's interview can be heard by visiting www.renewintl.org. The Sky Radio Network reaches air travelers on some of the world's largest airlines through their in-flight news, business, and entertainment programming. Sr. Terry's interview will reach over 10 million air travelers on more than 40,000 flights.