Building on decades of tradition, it’s always been our privilege to deliver news to you about our local Catholic community and beyond. Likewise, we always appreciate the patronage of our readers, who have been essential to making this newspaper a success for 138 years.
Today, however, I share some news with you about the future of the newspaper itself.
Currently — like many businesses in the area — The Michigan Catholic is facing some difficult financial realities. Not unlike other newspapers, this means that we need make some changes.
Beginning with this issue, The Michigan Catholic newspaper will be published every other week, instead of every week.
We at the newspaper realize the magnitude of such a change, and promise you that it wasn’t made lightly.
The history of The Michigan Catholic as a weekly paper dates all the way back to the 19th century. And we take much pride in its recent history of being one of the nation’s leading Catholic newspapers of its size – as testified by numerous national awards from the Catholic Press Association.
Unfortunately, as you may have read about in Detroit’s secular newspapers, this scaling back has also meant layoffs of five employees here at the newspaper.
Our people are important to us, and that is always an option of last resort.
I realize there may be some questions as to what you might expect from The Michigan Catholic going forward.
First, I want to assure you that this newspaper will continue its proud tradition of bringing you local, relevant news about our faith community and about the Church nationally and worldwide.
In fact, I invite all readers to experience The Michigan Catholic in a new way as we launch improvements to our Web site as of this current issue date, July 16.
Secondly, for our subscribers, I invite you to keep an eye on the Web site and on the pages of The Michigan Catholic in future issues for important information about your subscription.
Once again, I thank you on behalf of The Michigan Catholic staff for your support over the years. We look forward to delivering news to you well into the future.
We will keep you in prayer and respectfully request you do the same for us.
Msgr. Thomas G. Rice is Editor-in-Chief and
Associate Publisher of The Michigan Catholic, and
pastor of St. Louise de Marillac Parish in Warren.
