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“It is fitting that we honor Bishop Yanta, who was one of the first individuals in the San Antonio Archdiocese to recognize the value of the television medium as a tool to share God’s word in this community,” said Mary Ullmann Japhet, chairperson of the CTSA Board of Directors. “On a personal level, Bishop Yanta has been an inspiration to me, and I am grateful for his leadership.”
Robert A. Kiolbassa was the honorary chairman for the gathering, which featured an invocation by Archbishop José H. Gomez. The keynote address was given by Msgr. James Lisante, who is a Catholic media pioneer in his own right, filling the role of host and executive producer of the award-winning “Christopher Closeup” television program. The show is internationally syndicated on over 100 broadcast and cable outlets.
Once again this year, Time Warner Cable was the event’s official Archangel sponsor, with a donation of $10,000. Guardian Angel sponsors included Clear Channel Communications and Mama Margie’s Mexican Café. Each contributed $5,000 in support of the luncheon.
“We are grateful for Time Warner Cable’s generosity and look forward to building on our unique relationship,” said Deacon Pat Rodgers, communications director of the archdiocese and general manager of CTSA. “I want to thank all our sponsors who have shown their support through significant gifts.”
The Leadership Luncheon, which raises $80,000 annually, also provides CTSA with the opportunity to place the spotlight on the pioneering work of many who have been instrumental in using the television media as an effective tool of evangelization.
“Our relationship with the archdiocese through Catholic Television has been a rewarding partnership for both our company and our viewers,” said Jon Gary Herrera, vice president of governmental and public affairs for Time Warner Cable of San Antonio.
The luncheon’s honoree, Bishop Yanta, was ordained on March 1, 1956, in San Fernando Cathedral. In 1981, then Archbishop Patrick F. Flores named him editor-in-chief of Today’s Catholic newspaper and archdiocesan director of communications. At the same time, he also was involved in pioneering Catholic Television of San Antonio.
Bishop Yanta served in many ministries in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, including director of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and continued his dedication to youth when he started SANYO (San Antonio Youth Organization) in 1965. SANYO was created to help underprivileged youth of the city. As a priest of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, he also served at many parishes, including St. Ann Parish, Our Lady of Grace, St. Pius X and St. James, all in San Antonio. He was named an auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese in 1994, a post he held for two years. In 1997 Bishop Yanta was appointed to lead the Diocese of Amarillo.
He was introduced at the event by Msgr. Lawrence Stuebben, vicar general of the archdiocese and a friend of the honoree for more than 60 years.
Msgr. Lisante, the keynoter, is frequently a spokesperson for the Catholic Church and has appeared on the “Phil Donohue Show,” “Nightline,” and ABC radio’s “Religion on Line.” He was Fox Television’s special commentator during the visit of Pope John Paul II to the United States. He is a regular contributor to the Fox News Channel.
Since the founding of this ministry in 1981, CTSA has grown from 48,000 homes reached in 1981 to 330,000 homes on the Time Warner Cable System today. Catholic Television of San Antonio provides religious programming on Time Warner Cable Channel 15. It produces 20 local programs weekly in both English and Spanish and also offers the Eternal Word Television Network and various syndicated programs throughout its 24-hour broadcast day.
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