Each month in this column, I try to give our readers a glimpse into the work of publishing this magazine and covering the Diocese in general.  And while we don’t say it outright, the fact that this is considered a ministry by those of us who are engaged in it hopefully comes through. Judging by some of the feedback we get, I suspect that it does, and I am very grateful.

It’s always nice to have our work recognized but my personal gratitude runs deeper than that. When people acknowledge the importance of our work, it helps all of the staff and freelance professionals who work so hard to cover the Diocese – in print, on the web and on video – understand how very much they are valued.

These are people who work long hours – including nights and weekends – without complaint.  They do whatever must be done to get the job done . . . to cover events; to write and edit stories; to get the pages to the printer; to finish the video in time for posting; to keep our social media updated . . . and on and on.

You see, when we don’t intentionally recognize and affirm the valuable role that Catholic media plays in the life of the Diocese, its parishes, its Catholic schools and its social service agencies, it is very easy to take it for granted.  When it is not understood, it becomes vulnerable to those who may not think it necessary or worth the funding that keeps it going.

Today we received difficult news that draws a bright line under the need to value and support our Catholic media.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced that it will be shutting down its domestic news department – Catholic News Service – at the end of this year. If you have read The Monitor over the years, either as a newspaper or now, as a magazine, you will recognize that name as the source of news about the Catholic Church in the United States and around the world.

The announcement indicated that the Rome bureau would remain open, but CNS offices in New York and Washington would close and staff would be cut.  We do not yet know what this means for all the diocesan and national organizations that rely on CNS for their quality reporting on important news impacting all of our lives.  I expect that more will be reported in the coming months.

I personally know many of the staff of Catholic News Service after working in the Catholic press since 1990. Most of those I know have worked there for decades and their dedication and professionalism was reflected in everything they did.  This has to be a serious blow for them, and I feel very badly for my colleagues.

But most importantly, this is a profound setback for Catholic communications overall.  There is no substitute for real Catholic journalism, particularly at a time when active participation in the Church is waning and the need for evangelization is greater than ever.

We all have a part to play in supporting Catholic media.  As readers and subscribers of this magazine, you are already doing more than many.  But more is needed.  I hope that you will seek out Catholic news and share it among your family and friends – whether from The Monitor or another outlet.  It offers a view that you will never get from the secular media.

And I ask you all to consider lending your support to the upcoming collection for the USCCB’s Catholic Communications Campaign, which will be taken up in your parish churches the weekend of May 28 and 29.  Fifty percent of the amount collected stays here in the Diocese of Trenton, where it will help to fund our digital and print communications work.  The kind of work that makes it possible for us to send you this magazine each month, and keep pushing out news, photos and videos on our websites and social media.

And finally, I ask for your prayers that Catholic communicators may continue to serve the Church and tell the inspiring stories like the many that are found in the pages that follow.  May God bless you.