Experts say that Christmas time is especially hard for those that are grieving. And even if the stages of grief have passed, the holidays can still bring memories and the pain of having lost loved ones to death. 

 

This year I, along with many colleagues across the United States, are mourning the loss of the Catholic News Service which will end operations on Dec. 31. Even though the good news is that the delivery of news and information from around the country and, we hope, around the world will continue under the leadership of Our Sunday Visitor, we grieve for the losses experienced by friends and colleagues who have served publications like The Observer so well for so long.

 

I have known many dedicated journalists at CNS and so many have become dear friends. My heart is heavy for those who will lose their jobs after so many years of dedication.

 

I grieve too for the friends and colleagues at Catholic New York and the Catholic Sentinel and El Centinela in Portland Oregon who will start the new year jobless after their publications were shuttered. 

 

When we grieve, a common stage is blame. Who can we blame for the silencing of the printed voice and legacy of our diocesan churches and our national news service? Are we to blame the bishops? Are we to blame the accountants? Are we to blame the readers?  Or is it just the Internet that went forward at breakneck speed and never bothered to consider the price of free information?

 

But here we are. As the editor of this publication, I know all too well the financial strain. It is exhausting dealing with the skyrocketing price of paper, production, postage and gas while keeping the cost of The Observer at $28. The same price since 2002. Think about that, dear reader. What other cost do you have that has remained constant for 20 years? 

 

As I was reflecting on the losses and sorrows of my friends in the Catholic press and praying for them and their families, I thought about all of us at The Observer and in the Rockford Diocese. 

 

The moments of mourning also served as renewed reminders of the blessings we have, Take a good look at the pages of our paper. Even without a price increase, The Observer has been able to expand the reach of the news with its award-winning correspondents, especially those like Lynne Conner, a dedicated Catholic professional and ministry formation graduate who has traveled the diocese to cover stories more than 20 years. There is Patricia Szpekowski and her husband Dan, media professionals who cover the active eastern corridor of our diocese. And of course, there is our office staff of Amanda, Megan, Margarita, Gary and Jill along with retired and now part-time Sharon Boehlefeld and all our many, many faithful contributors.

 

In my mourning I try to remind myself of the picture of goodness, diversity, faithfulness and charity our stories paint for you. 

 

Our pages give you stories of people helping people. In this issue alone there are KCs collecting coats, churches helping people be more knowledgeable about energy assistance, expressions of excellence and gratitude, Catholic leaders keeping up their skills at National conferences, inspiration on how to make your Advent more meaningful, the richness of the devotion to our Lady of Guadalupe, words of inspiration from our Holy Father and the list goes on … and that’s only 12 pages worth!

 

Yes, mourning can be a reminder for me and all of you who read and support the mission of information through The Observer and El Observador that our work, the written word, is not an expense but an investment. It is an investment in our collective mission as Catholics, in our legacy and history and an investment in bringing folks back into the pews to receive the blessing and hope God gave us when he brought forth His Son to live and teach among us so many years ago in Bethlehem. 

 

Merry Christmas and thank you for your support in our service to you and your family.