“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” ― Alan Wilson Watts
“Nothing endures but change.” ― Heraclitus
“Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.” ― Eckhart Tolle
“Change is the law of life.” John F. Kennedy
“So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away: behold new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
There are quotes about change everywhere: in literature, in songs, in history and in our faith.
We just experienced a big change with the arrival of Easter and the death of Pope Francis. Christians have just observed an annual season of change that we began with ashes and now celebrate in hope and joy. Lent and the promise of the resurrection teach us annually about evolving ourselves, transforming ourselves by facilitating those changes through our Lenten promises, sacrifices and almsgiving. We shed our sinfulness so we can be with Christ here and in heaven.
And if we don’t believe change is constant, just consider the weather. Even though we might acknowledge that change is an inevitable reality of existence, we seem to be resistant to it. Change makes us uneasy and uncomfortable. Sometimes it can even make us downright mad. But change isn’t always bad and more times than not, it is good for us, or, at the very least, brings about good things.
For instance — we enjoy a beach in the sunset. That scenario is the sun brought by the turn of the earth, the crush of rock into sand and water that becomes a wave to change the course of the land it laps. That moment of enjoyment is brought by change.
The Observer is that way too.
In 1935 Bishop Edward Hoban began The Observer in the hopes that it would impart knowledge and inspire devotion “for Him who came into the world for our salvation.”
It began as a weekly paper, then became part of Our Sunday Visitor — a national Catholic newspaper, then later, again became a solitary product. In the late 1970s and 80s The Observer was published every other week. For a time it was published twice a month and once a month in the summer. During Bishop Thomas G. Doran’s episcopate The Observer resumed a weekly publication schedule, expanded its website and adopted social media. Even though Bishop Doran wasn’t much of a fan of social media, he believed strongly in making sure Catholic content was everywhere and was readily available. He believed that Catholics couldn’t leave their news and views and teaching in the hands of the secular world. He didn’t want to risk our stories — most especially our parish and local Catholic stories — going untold.
And here we are in 2025.
Time again for change.
In order to fulfill the mandate of our bishops and of Christ Himself to go out among the nations and share the good news, The Observer must evolve again.
For more than two decades we have kept the price of our paper low and local reporting high all while absorbing the constant increased costs of production, postage and delivery. Over those years we tried to increase revenue through increased advertising, special projects and cutting staff. All wise changes. But the costs keep increasing.
So to continue the mission set by Bishop Hoban, and continued and supported by Bishop Malloy, we must change. Instead of raising the cost of The Observer again (there was an increase in subscription cost last year for the first time in 20 years), we have made the decision to publish The Observer twice each month — coming to your home on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. Digital subscribers will continue to have The Observer available to them on Thursday mornings twice each month.
Our new schedule begins after this issue.
So the next time we arrive in your home will be May 9.
You will still enjoy great local and parish news and events, interesting feature stories, inspirational columns, news and teaching from Bishop Malloy, our Holy Father and your favorite local columnists. But like a good relative and houseguest, our visits to your home will be fewer but still of great quality.
So, if you haven’t subscribed or renewed your subscription, please do so today. We look forward to being part of your ever-changing, ever-transforming Catholic faith in the exciting months to come in our diocese.
