“We’re elated about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which will provide in-home reception not only throughout Omaha, but will include all of Lincoln and surrounding areas as well,” said Jim Carroll, KVSS executive director.

KVSS will be partnering with Kolbe Media, a lay-run group from Lincoln. Kolbe Media announced plans to launch a Catholic radio station last year.

“By joining together, we can reach far more people with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, with much better reception and greatly reduce the overall expense,” Carroll said.

KVSS celebrated nine years on the air in January.

Carroll said the station has assisted more than two dozen cities with Catholic radio station plans and is viewed as a model station across the United States, which now has more than 160 Catholic stations and over 400 applications on file with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for new stations.

“We’re excited about becoming a part of the Spirit Catholic Radio family and partnering with a pioneer like KVSS,” said John Soukup, executive director for of Kolbe Media in Lincoln.

Carroll said $1 million has already been raised in Omaha to cover some of the costs associated with the project.

KVSS and Kolbe Media face a deadline of May 26 to work out the details and raise another $2.5 million.

“Yes, it’s a large sum of money needed in a short period of time, but we are undaunted because this mission of evangelization over the airwaves is just too important,” said Msgr. Peter Dunne, spiritual director for KVSS. “God has all the money we need. It’s just in people’s pockets.”

Those wishing to direct gifts of cash, appreciated stock or securities, real estate or life insurance toward this project should contact Jim Carroll at 5829 N. 60th St., Omaha, NE 68104, by phone at 571-0200 ext. 11 or by e-mail at jimc@kvss.com.