March 2017 When Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart, the fifth bishop of our diocese, launched the North Country Catholic in 1946, he understood the important role that newspapers played in the lives of Americans at that time. Everyone listened to their radios and pored over newspapers to learn about what was happening in the world. It would be another decade before families brought televisions into their homes and no one could have predicted the changes in communication that we have seen here in the 21st century. We now have instant access to news through the internet on websites, Facebook and Twitter. So, we wonder, is there still a place for a diocesan newspaper? Absolutely. The North Country Catholic continues to be the most efficient and effective way for me to communicate with Catholics in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. During these challenging times, it is more important than ever that families welcome into their homes a Catholic perspective on the news of the day. For the New Evangelization, we must reach out to Catholics who are less than fully active in our faith, who don’t worship with us on a regular basis. We must go to them. The North Country Catholic delivered into homes does this, maintaining some connection with them to the Church, perhaps encouraging them to a deeper practice of their faith. Since the publication of its first issue, the North Country Catholic has remained a critical source of communication for our local Church which covers such an expansive area. During the coming year, a primary focus of the NCC will be an examination of how we are meeting our diocesan priorities as we continue to realize our Diocesan Pastoral Vision: “Find Your Home in Christ: Renew Faith, Nurture Hope, Discover Love.” This past weekend, the annual North Country Catholic subscription campaign began in all our parishes. I ask that every Catholic family subscribe to the paper. Those who read the North Country Catholic enjoy timely and relevant articles on prayer, scripture, Church and religious news that are featured every week. If you are a current subscriber to our diocesan newspaper, please renew your subscription in this week’s campaign. Why not consider obtaining a subscription as a gift for a family member? I invite those who don’t currently subscribe to consider how important it is today to be an informed Catholic Christian and allow our diocesan newspaper to be a vehicle to help you and your families grow in faith. I hope that you accept my invitation to welcome the North Country Catholic into your home. |
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