Newark Shuts Down Publication of Archdiocesan Newspaper

Another voice falls silent.

Details, from a statement released last week:

Dear Readers,

The June 19, 2013 edition of The Catholic Advocate is the last one that you will receive in the mail or pick up at the back of the church after Mass.

For a number of years now, we have struggled to manage or contain the costs of producing The Catholic Advocate. Unfortunately, we have not been able to meet those expenses through advertising and subscription income or donations alone. Although staff has done everything possible to improve efficiencies in production, printing and distribution, readership has continued to fall. Further, the Archdiocese has had to provide several hundred thousand dollars annually to make up the difference between expenses and revenues – a practice that cannot continue at a time when other ministries are in need of funding.

The Catholic Advocate is not alone in this situation. Numerous publications – both diocesan and secular – across the country are facing similar challenges. Although The Catholic Advocate has served the people of this Archdiocese well for more than 60 years, a new way of communicating is necessary.

Print Publications Still Important

We know that print communications are still highly valuable ways to “speak” to the full range of parishioners in the Archdiocese. For that reason, we will introduce in October New Jersey Catholic, a new glossy color monthly magazine published in partnership with Faith Catholic Publishing and Communications. Faith Catholic produces magazines for some two dozen dioceses, colleges and religious communities.

Through New Jersey Catholic, readers will provide stories and articles that are more “formational” than informational. We’ll focus on individual faith stories from Archdiocesan Catholics, highlight the benefits of being Catholic, and explore Catholic faith and spirituality. Columns on parenting, workplace issues and many other topics will help you apply faith to everyday life.

All recipients of The Catholic Advocate will automatically begin receiving New Jersey Catholic when it debuts this fall. We know you will enjoy its new focus and outlook. You’ll be hearing more about New Jersey Catholic in the weeks to come, and we hope you will support it financially.

A Move to On-line Communications

It is important to keep some form of communications with the people of the Archdiocese about what is
happening in the Archdiocese and in the Universal Church. For that reason, later this summer, The Catholic Advocate will resume publication as an on-line newsletter. Through the Internet, The Catholic Advocate Onlinewill keep current and future readers in touch with what is happening in the parishes, schools and agencies of the Archdiocese, as well as learn about significant Archdiocesan events and activities.

We also maintain a presence on the internet through Facebook and blogs, and you can reach those social media sites by logging on to www.rcan.org. What’s more, New Jersey Catholic will have an on-line presence as well to round out our communications.

These new ventures allow us to bring information about the Archdiocese to new audiences and to a wider range of options such as smart phones and other devices.

I thank all of you, on behalf of The Catholic Advocate staff, for your faithful readership over the years.

We look forward to your enjoying many new years of faith-filled reading about this local Church of Newark using our new on-line and print publications and resources.

Jim Goodness, KHS
Director of Communications