It has a very challenging year on many fronts and we all look forward to a return to what will be a new normal in the months ahead.
Despite navigating the difficulties and potential dangers of reporting and producing a newspaper during a global pandemic, Rhode Island Catholic, and its sister Spanish language publication El Catolico, achieved its greatest success in the annual international Catholic Media Awards, garnering a total of 29 accolades for our work, one of the highest totals of any participating Catholic newspaper in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
While some other large diocesan newspapers became casualties of the coronavirus pandemic, forced to close their operations permanently or move to online only delivery of their services, Rhode Island Catholic has been fortunate to weather the storm so far. By adjusting our efforts, publsihing online only in the first weeks of the crisis to conserve our resources at a time when advertising — a crucial part of our annual operating budget, along with paid subscriptions — completely ceased in the shutdown.
When we returned to print, we did so judiciously, publishing biweekly as advertising slowly begins to take root again. Next week, we will return to our weekly printing schedule as the new liturgical year begins.
Like all businesses, including ours, whose core mission is to evangelize to the faithful, we need to remain on the firm financial foundation that we have worked hard to build if we are to continue our mission. That is why we are reaching out to you, our loyal and faithful readers, with a special request to please support our ministry this Christmas season in any way you can.
Enclosed with this edition is an envelope you can use to make any offering that you are able to which will support Rhode Island Catholic’s mission — one which began in 1875 — to bring comprehensive coverage of the faith, family and life of the Diocese of Providence into thousands of homes across the state each week. Donations can also be made online at
thericatholic.com/donate.html.
Every gift makes a difference and will help our newspaper to continue its long-standing mission.
Our publisher, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, has said that the newspaper continues to be an essential part of the communications effort of the Diocese of Providence, featuring news and information about the Church from near and far, while also serving as a useful source of information for parishes, schools and organizations.
We are all most grateful for your support of our ministry and wish each of you and your families a Blessed Christmas and a very
Happy New Year!
