From the editor: What can the Catholic Voice offer you?

This issue of the Catholic Voice is special for three reasons.

As you’ve no doubt seen, this issue not only has the usual content of our paper, but a special 16-page wraparound section on ArchOmaha Unite. In it you’ll find inspiring stories we wrote about several local Catholics who gave faith testimonials at the event, as well as superb photography and Archbishop George J. Lucas’ heartfelt homily message delivered at the event’s Mass.

Secondly, this issue is special because of its wider distribution. The CHI Health Center arena holds about 15,000 people, a small fraction of the 230,000 Catholics in our archdiocese. Archbishop Lucas wanted everyone, regardless of whether they could attend ArchOmaha Unite or not, to experience something of this once-in-a-generation event. So we are mailing this issue of the Voice to more than 70,000 families, about 40% more than our usual distribution.

Lastly, the June issue of the Voice is always somewhat special. It contains a comprehensive list of new priest assignments and retirements to take effect on July 1 of each year. Our readers are always interested in the priests coming to their parishes, as well as the destinations of those who are leaving. Our website metrics tell us that this is one of the best-read articles we publish annually. This year’s list, which includes a special map to help you locate the assignments in our rural areas, can be found on pages 12 and 13.

Noteworthy among those receiving new appointments is the archdiocese’s newest active priest: Father Bill Cremers. Archbishop Lucas ordained Father Cremers to the priesthood June 1 at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha. Typically, priesthood ordinations are among the most jubilant celebrations of the archdiocese over the course of the year, and no one covers this event like the Catholic Voice. This year’s coverage is on pages 8 and 9.

ENGAGING CONTENT

While you’re enjoying the special features of this edition, don’t forget about the other content that makes the Voice an indispensable source of news, information and inspiration for our local church. I’d especially like to direct your attention to the following:

Faith stories: These features are a mainstay of the Voice’s coverage. They highlight how Catholics are growing in their relationship with Jesus, leading others to the faith and living out the Gospel call to love one another. This issue features the story of how the faith community at Roncalli Catholic High School in Omaha welcomed with open arms two students who, though having significant challenges, just wanted to fit in like anybody else. See pages 4 and 5.

Faithful citizenship articles: Do you believe that the animosity characterizing our current political discourse is insurmountable? The solution may well lie in a rediscovery of the social doctrine of the church. The Nebraska Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of our state’s three Catholic dioceses, represents this point of view at the state Capitol as they advocate for specific legislation, and we follow their activities closely. Our commentators also bring this perspective to the fore as they discuss the burning political and social issues of the day. See pages 2 and 21.

Coverage of local church events: Read about the 25th anniversary of the Institute for Priestly Formation, a cherished local institution with national impact, on page 10. It’s one of a large variety of archdiocesan and church-related organizations whose activities appear in our pages. We cover them not only to recognize them for the good work they do in transforming our world in Christ, but also because their stories are edifying. They help to renew our confidence in a loving God in the midst of a world all-too-often oppressed by evil.

Atypically, one feature you won’t find in this issue, but which you’ll almost always find on page 2 of our paper, is Archbishop Lucas’ column. In it he conveys his latest pastoral message to the faithful. For about the last two years, this feature has been presented in a Q&A format. Always highly relevant to Catholics in the archdiocese, his message is now more appealing and easier to read than ever.

And while you’re perusing this issue, please take a moment or two to glance at our ads. Our advertisers include some of the hardest working and highly respected organizations in the archdiocese. They promote their products and services in the Voice because they believe that our Catholic audience will take a special interest in them. Their advertising dollars also go a long way to support our ministry. So please consider patronizing them.

Turning our attention away from our print product for a moment, it’s important to note that almost all of the Voice’s content is available online. Our website, catholicvoiceomaha.com, is constantly being updated with stories from our paper, and a few are developed specifically for the web. Our Facebook page also is being updated with photos and links to our stories. So please visit us online and add us to your browser favorites! You don’t always have to wait to receive our newspaper to see the latest story that the Voice is covering!

WHO GETS THE VOICE

Because the archbishop sees it as so important, the archdiocese distributes the Catholic Voice, free of charge, to all registered members of parishes in the archdiocese, provided they receive contribution envelopes. So if you regularly give to your parish, you should receive the Voice. If you contribute and do not get the newspaper, please let your parish know so that they can add you to their list. You can also call our office (402-558-6611) and we will be glad to help you.

If you do not regularly contribute to your parish, there’s an easy fix. Why not just start now? Consider this an invitation to participate more fully in the privileges and responsibilities of active membership. And when you ask your parish for your envelopes, please be sure to tell them you’d also like to begin receiving the Voice. You’ll be glad you did!

Thank you for reading this issue of the Catholic Voice. I hope you enjoy it. And if you have any suggestions on what you might like to see in our pages in the future, please call me at the number above or email me at  djrossini@archomaha.org. Your suggestions are always welcome!

Dan Rossini is editor and general manager of the Catholic Voice.