Testimonial: Alessandra A.
My love for radio began in my childhood in Sao Paulo, Brazil. My parents listened to the same radio show every morning on the old kitchen radio. It was a family ritual — hearing those voices, jingles, and ads, so perfectly coordinated and synchronized.
In college, I chose to study communications with an emphasis on radio and television. My goal was to get a job in a radio station, but God had other plans, and I ended up working at a TV station and writing for the Catholic newspaper of the Church of St. Hedwig, which inspired me to return to school for a journalism degree as well.
One day, I knelt before the statue of St. Hedwig and asked for her help in finding a job at a radio station I had visited days before. That specific job didn’t materialize, but instead, I received a three-month internship at a major TV station in Atlanta. Those three months eventually turned into years, and the longing for my family was eased through my involvement in church activities. I also had to learn how to pray in English, discovering much more about our Catholic faith in the process. My husband, Victor, who is originally from Bolivia, and I met in Atlanta. After we got married, we became parents to an amazing son, Victor Jr.
As our faith journey continued, EWTN became a vital source for learning more about Catholicism. In 2010, we made our first family trip to Irondale, Alabama, to visit EWTN, and then to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville. It was a blessing to see firsthand the place where such a tremendous ministry had been created by Mother Angelica.
We continued following EWTN programs at home and online until we discovered a flyer for an Atlanta Catholic radio station — The Quest. We couldn’t have been happier to listen to Catholic programming in our cars! The Quest gave us the opportunity to learn something new about our faith, or to deepen an aspect we may not have reflected on recently. It helps us grow in faith even while stuck in traffic! We especially enjoyed listening to Called to Communion while waiting to pick up our son from school.
Our first visit to the studio was for a Mass with Father Kevin Peek, where we met Carol, The Quest’s founder, and some of the volunteers. I knew then that I wanted to be involved with The Quest in other ways and began volunteering wherever needed.
Our first visit to the studio was for a Mass where we met Carol, The Quest’s founder, and some of the volunteers. I knew then that I wanted to be involved with The Quest in other ways and began volunteering wherever needed. An opportunity to contribute with production ideas for the launch of The Morning Quest introduced me to some of Atlanta’s finest Catholic broadcasters: Dave, Allison, and Josh. It was also a blessing to be able to work with Mari from The Family Room to organize The Quest’s coverage for the canonization of St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati.
What drew me to The Quest was its clear purpose: to bring people closer to Christ. Everyone at The Quest truly believes in the power of radio to touch hearts. I am happy to be part of that mission to help spread the faith and to offer others the same encouragement I’ve received as a listener.
Alessandra Alcoreza
St. Monica Catholic Church
Duluth, Georgia