June 6, 2018 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. Well, here we go, ladies and gentlemen. It’s my first week as the official editor of the North Country Catholic. I can’t tell you how excited, grateful and blessed I feel to have this opportunity. In terms of my professional life, and many other aspects of my life, in fact, I’ve been blessed. What started as a college extracurricular activity – a hobby, essentially – has turned into a career. After thoroughly enjoying journalism and communications electives in college, I started writing for the student newspaper and eventually became that paper’s editor. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history and government with an additional major in English, I quickly discovered I wasn’t qualified for a whole lot of career opportunities. The summer after graduation, I learned of a reporter vacancy at The Malone Telegram. I had a portfolio of news clips. I knew the graphic design software they were using. My journalism career was born. I’m convinced being a reporter is the most fun job on earth. A reporter gets to be at the center of major happenings, but as I like to say, “a reporter’s only responsibility is to write down what he or she sees, and what people with real jobs do and say.” It can be exciting. It can be heart breaking. It can be inspiring. As I moved away from journalism to corporate communications and later human resources, I frequently said, “if I win the lottery, I’ll go back to newspaper work.” It seems I’ve won the lottery. In fact, I think I’ve won something better. I’m now in a position where I can use the skills and passions I’ve been given in the service of God, the one who gave them to me. That’s amazing! “Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man” before starting his public ministry. In the next chapter of the Gospel, we’re told Jesus was “about thirty years of age” when he began that public ministry. While I’m trying, I’m certainly not at Jesus’ level. I’m a little behind on that “advancing in wisdom” thing. I’m still learning. I’m still growing. Unlike Jesus, I will make mistakes. I will make decisions that don’t leave everyone completely happy. It will likely take me some time to get up to speed on current issues and events. Please bear with me. As a diocese, we’ve been blessed to enjoy the skills, insights and wisdom of Mary Lou Kilian for nearly four full decades. Mary Lou is a tough act to follow. While I had the opportunity to work with her for two weeks prior to the transition, I’m fairly certain it’s impossible to absorb 40 years of knowledge in such a short time. I’m grateful to Mary Lou for her support and assistance through the transition, as well as her years of distinguished service to the diocese. Luckily, I have the continued support and assistance of Christine Ward, the NCC’s longtime editorial assistant. Though she works largely behind the scenes, Christine is an invaluable part of the NCC team. Her dedication and work ethic are overshadowed only by her positivity and kindness. With Christine, along with the NCC’s dedicated reporters, columnists and photographers, as well as diocesan staff, I look forward to working with Bishop Terry R. LaValley to advance the good news – both the Gospel and the stories of how we’re living it out here in the North Country. I also look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the coming weeks, months and years. |
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