Albert Kresta

Happy Heavenly birthday Al! Your Impact on our community will be felt for many many more years. Love, Sandie Weathers

Al Kresta, called home! Owing to his voracious reading and countless interviews with key figures, Al grasped the totality of the Catholic world.....the saints and other people, the events, and issues.....thus one never tired of listening to him. Al´s programs were especially exciting because he normally spoke informally.....not scripted.....with his countless interviewees, thereby plumbing the depths of their ideas and experiences.
Rather than lamenting the loss of this amazing man.....you might call him the `Tom Brady of Catholic radio´.....we rather should thank our Lord for sparing him after his leg amputation and granting us 20 more fruitful years of his iconic leadership at Ave Maria Radio!
We are indeed grateful to Tom Monaghan for, in the 1990´s, recognizing Al´s faith and talents that have been crucial in enriching people´s lives, via the hundreds of Catholic radio stations that Ave Maria Radio has helped spawn throughout America.
Our deepest sympathy to Sally and family. Al Kresta, R.I.P.

Your banter with Dr. Ray was my favorite. Wish we could have met in this life. Thank you for all you did in life.

Al Kresta was a Guardian Angel over Ann Arbor. I met him only once, when Tom Lowe, who sang in the St. Thomas Church choir with me, took me up to the Ave Maria 'broadcast booth' after Al signed off. He was a busy man but talked with me and made me feel important. I also met Sister Sue Small, who was very kind. Everything on Ave Maria radio was great, Al was kind of taking over Ann Arbor talk radio as my close family friend, Ted Heusal, who was credited with creating talk radio ( 'My station didn't have the money for anything else') was winding down his 50 year career around 2002. May light perpetual shine upon Al Kresta.

As a cradle Catholic the conversion story of Al Kresta brought me so much joy. His radio show is and was always on my radio during long road trips. May he rest in Peace, I'm sure his reunion with Mother Angelica brought a smile to her face.

I met Al through our local station - Sacred Heart Radio, Seattle. I loved listening to Al, loved being challenged by Al's reasoned and thought-provoking content and comentary, loved learning from Al's choice guest speakers, etc. Through it all, I grew in my faith as a Catholic in that "Christ-centered worldview" Al shared.

When I learned a bit about Al and his various past health challenges, I was grateful for God's blessing of having Al's CONTINUED wisdom while in the back of my mind wondering what would happen to us when God finally calls home all the "GREATs" of our time such as my beloved Al Kresta.

And He did.

While I mourn Al's personality shining through the air, I trust God will provide - for both Al's soul/Family, and the Catholic listeners nationwide.

Praise be to God for Al's life.
Prayers of comfort for his bride, Sally, and the entire Kresta Clan.

Al's name has been entered into My Blue Book of Prayers that I take to daily Mass with me; in the section NOT as a stranger BUT as "Souls of Friends - Souls with Connections".

PAX.
PhuongChi Nguyen
Olympia, WA

I met Al through our local station - Sacred Heart Radio, Seattle. I loved listening to Al, loved being challenged by Al's reasoned and thought-provoking content and comentary, loved learning from Al's choice guest speakers, etc. Through it all, I grew in my faith as a Catholic in that "Christ-centered worldview" Al shared.

When I learned a bit about Al and his various past health challenges, I was grateful for God's blessing of having Al's CONTINUED wisdom while in the back of my mind wondering what would happen to us when God finally calls home all the "GREATs" of our time such as my beloved Al Kresta.

And He did.

While I mourn Al's personality shining through the air, I trust God will provide - for both Al's soul/Family, and the Catholic listeners nationwide.

Praise be to God for Al's life.
Prayers of comfort for his bride, Sally, and the entire Kresta Clan.

Al's name has been entered into My Blue Book of Prayers that I take to daily Mass with me; in the section NOT as a stranger BUT as "Souls of Friends - Souls with Connections".

PAX.
PhngChi Nguyn
Olympia, WA

I listened to Al Krista on an AM Catholic station each day driving home from work. He was a constant and consistent voice of Truth. He taught me so much about our Catholic faith. May the soul of Gods faithful departed rest in peace.

As a convert to the Catholic Church, I especially appreciated his ministry on EWTN. I know you are now strolling with the Lamb.

Sending my prayers to the Kresta family. I met Al when the introduction of a possible Catholic radio station in Lansing. Love to listen to him on the radio

The Wagner family send their love to the Kresta family. We saw deep courage and joy in Al and all of you. May grace cover you in the days to come.
Mike and Karen Wagner

So grateful for Al's radio show on Catholic Radio, which was a very prominent influence in my own conversion from Protestantism to the Catholic faith. I have particular gratitude for an absolutely wonderful event hosted by Al and Catholic Radio at EMU, where excellent panelists dug deep and debated various aspects of Islam. The topic was interesting with panelists representing all sides, but it was most treasured by me because my Mom, who died a couple months later suddenly, had one of her few 'days out' taking care of my Dad to go to that conference. A fundamentalist Christian she was just energized and appreciative of the intellectual sharing and dialogue there and it was a wonderful day out we had together, learning and listening at the EMU Conference Center but facilitated by Al and hosted by Catholic Radio.

Who knows how many people were influenced by Al's intellect and the way he explored matters of faith and reason--so in depth and so global, prodding the mind to deeper consideration. We are so lucky to have been recipients of his call from God - Cathy Seay-Ostrowski, Catholic Convert

Thanks for everything Al.

I always enjoyed listening to Al´s radio show. Then I was fortunate to meet him as I worked at the book table when he came to Billings for our KJCR fundraiser dinner. It was like meeting an old friend as I had lived in Ann Arbor for a time and we knew many of the same people and places. He was so kind and fun to talk to! Thank you Al for your service to the kingdom!!

A life well lived. When a man is much beloved by his family and the greater Catholic community that is a great accomplishment indeed. Al´s life story is inspiring and a wonderful example for all men to follow.

My first heard Al when he was on the radio on wmuz in Detroit. I would listen to him on my radio at work and one day I realized he wasn't there. Then I found out he became Catholic. I was a fundamentalist Baptist back then and I just couldn't understand it. One day on Al's new show he talked about the fallacy of eternal security well I had to call in of course. I got through wow. All I said was, "Jesus writes our name with His blood in the Book of Life. Not with chalk where you can keep reading it!". With that, Al hung up in me. (I have the radio on so I could hear what he said and he was not happy! And I thought oh good maybe I changed his mind)
Years in the future I don't even know where we were or when but I was talking about his old radio show and somehow the topic came up where he's only hung up on two people in their lives. My good friend Gary Michuta looks at me is it to say don't even...well, I did.
I reminded Al of that particular day and he looks at me go Susan that was you?! I tried to call under the table but it was too late and I suggest it all I'm sorry. He said do you know in my entire career I've only hung up on two people and you were one of them. Al never change how we treated me he always treated me with love respect and laughter. In fact I was even invited to Sally and Al's home one evening for dinner and Sally cooked the meal. I just sat there and listen to everybody talking about the faith and their conversion stories their walks with our Lord and struggles. Al has touched so many lives that he'll never know how many, he may know now. Or to what extent but he did help me on my journey to becoming Catholic and growing in my Faith.
Sally, your 6 children and 21 grandchildren are in my heart and prayers and she go forward in your lives. May the heartache turn into sweet memories. Let the tears flow...they are healing.

I started listening on WMUZ. I listened to that station because it had Focus on the Family. It was the best Christian station at that time. Then one day Al was gone and I had no idea where. Through some unknown grace or process I found Ave Maria on AM! How I cannot recall. Then tuning in one day the message that Al was deathly ill and prayers requested fervently by the station. What a time that was. I have listened for all these years and I cannot believe he and Henry Root, 2 of the most iconic voices, have been silenced. Pray for us Al and Henry, and we will meet again one day.prayers for all the Kresta family.

I first met Al eons ago - while he was working at Eden bookstores. He was FILLED with knowledge and passion for Christ. I was young, just out of college in my early 20´s. Al invited me to come to a special youth event at the church he and his wife Sally pastored. I did and it was packed with young people hungry to know God. It was around this time I also became friends with Christian radio host Robin Sullivan, in the mid 80´s, she worked with Al at WMUZ Christian radio in Detroit. Al had a premiere afternoon program at the station. I loved his show but especially chatting with him off air. In the early 90´s I heard Al and Sally crossed over to the Catholic Church. I wasn´t sure why, but I recall putting it in the back recesses of my mind.

In 2000, the new millennium, I began exploring the Catholic Church myself. I started listening to WDEO Ava Maria Radio in Ann Arbor. Again, loved Al´s program so naturally I called Al about my faith journey. He gladly talked to me at length, answering my numerous questions and invited me to visit Christ the King Parish in Ann Arbor. On August 15, 2000, the Assumption of the Blessed Mother, I attended my first Mass. My life was transformed and I entered the Church at the Easter Vigil, 2001. Thanks be to God and to Al Kresta! I´m sure my story is one of thousands similar stories.

My deepest condolences to Sally and the entire family. God knows the reason why now, we can only trust and take consolation that a heavenly reunion awaits those in Christ Jesus. God bless.

God bless you Al. My sympathies to Al's family and close friends. I'm a "revert". I was sacrementalized but not catecized. Listening to Al in the afternoons helped to teach me about my catholic faith. He asked the tough questions in his interviews. He always put my path on the Way of Truth and not of the world's. I miss him.

The years I worked with Al at Eden Books were some of my best years of growth and maturity in Christ. Al and Sally welcomed me into their circle and it was a place of belonging I'll never forget. My love and sympathy go out to Sally and the family at such a difficult loss. My heart is full of gratitude that we have the great hope of seeing him again.

I was a fan for 30 years. Rip al!!!!

My condolences to the Kresta family. When I would listen to his Catholic radio talk show, I always would hear how he would always defend our Catholic faith. May he R.I.P.

I am a home health social worker in cincinnati. I would often listen to his show. I had the opportunity to meet him when he was visiting Cincinnati. I got so much from his interviews. There was nothing like it on Catholic radio. He interviewed so many interesting people and discussed many topics. He was a man of great faith and joy. He had an enthusiasm for life. He knew his subject. He touched many lives. I hope that his show will continue with the same format. Sending prayers and love to his family. He will forever be remembered.

I alway loved listening to Al Kresta in the afternoon because I could learn so much about my Catholic Church, and Al with his immense knowledge will explain things in a way I could understand and remember. Again, Al shared all his knowledge with everybody in a way that was clear and easy to understand. It is hard to believe he is gone. But now, we have a good friend and intercesor in heaven. Al is going to do so much good, now, for the world -and especially for the United States - from heaven. But I will miss him.

Always looked forward to hearing Al at 4:00 pm on his radio show on EWTN. What a brilliant and humble man he was. I am praying for him, and asking him to pray for us. Wonderful memories,

Al Kresta was always a very important person I will always have fun memories of him and his involvement with the operation rescue that we had and then Metro Detroit area and also we shared the same birthday August 23 thank you for all you did for the Catholics in the area and for the little babies

As a convert through the RCIA program at St. Louise De Marillac in Covina, California, I follow the paths that others have taken towards communion with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, and have become a passionate viewer and listener and reader of EWTN and Ave Maria programming. "Kresta in the Afternoon" was MUST listening, and every episode was enlightening and informative, and invigorating. Al Kresta personified intellectualism, inquisitiveness, doctrinal vigor, compassion, prudence, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the qualities one expects from a host and interlocutor in whatever story or subject he and his guests were discussing, whether a solemnity or a historical event such as the Bay of Pigs or D-Day. The news of his untimely passing still stuns and shocks days after I learned that he died the day before Father's Day. Listening to Mr. Kresta made me a better person and Catholic. Rest in Peace, and condolences to his kith and kin.

I listen to Catholic radio and am sorry to hear about his passing. As I am learning about him, he shares the same birthday as my daughter God bless his family and everyone who he guided in
life.

Al Kresta´s life was a testament to his deep faith and unwavering commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church. I will always remember his clarity of thought and comments on fruitful matters in our lives. His legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched with his wisdom, compassion, and love for God. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May Christ Jesus inspire the minds of those who love Him.

MARK STEPHEN, a Catholic who loved to listen to Albert Kresta.

As an avid radio listener (and seeker of wisdom) I put much stock into Mr. Kresta´s opinions and questions. He was obviously a very knowledgeable man, but one of the most humble persons I have ever come across in the media. I had the honor of speaking to him by phone a few years ago on Kresta in the Afternoon. I admit that I was a little "star struck!" His passing has left a void that no one can fill. Godspeed to Al Kresta, and may He bring comfort to your entire family.

So very sad to hear this. Loved listening to "Kresta in the Afternoon". Peace and comfort to his family.

Al had a great impact on my life. I listened to him on WMUZ everyday and my faith grew during that time tremendously. As a Catholic my admiration only swelled when I heard he was returning to the Catholic Church!