Recently, the father of a Catholic school student here in our Diocese reached out to me, grateful for coverage the Catholic Star Herald had given his daughter’s fundraiser. Not only had coverage helped bump up donations, the article that published in print and online was seen by local secular media, which in turn, wrote their own articles on the 9-year-old girl.
Needless to say, her fundraiser was a success – not only for her, personally, but for the community at-large, as more than $7,000 will go to help area homeless.
This, my friends, is spreading the Good News.
This weekend, May 20-21, is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign, which supports all forms of media that connect the faithful with Christ. Fifty percent of what is raised is sent to the Office of National Collections and used for Catholic communications in the United States and abroad. The remaining 50 percent remains in the Diocese of Camden, and supports the evangelization efforts of the Diocese’s Office of Communications.
Last year, the Diocese collected $55,928 for this campaign, with $27,964 staying in the Diocese. I thank you for your generosity and plead for your continued support of Catholic communications in South Jersey.
To me, it’s fitting that this campaign, which coincides with World Communications Day on May 21, is exactly one week before Pentecost. Retired priest of the Diocese Father Edward Kolla once wrote, “After Pentecost, infused with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, [the apostles] were clear about their life’s work and mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus among the nations.”
We, too, in the diocesan Office of Communications are responding to a call to mission, to bring the Word of God to all in the world. We do this in a myriad of ways.
In addition to the Catholic Star Herald newspaper, website and social media platforms, our Office of Communications produces a plethora of media aimed at evangelization. There’s the award-winning Talking Catholic and Talking Saints podcasts, and the Joyful Disciples, Young Adult Ministry Insights (YAMI) and Changing with the Tides YouTube shows.
The Office of Communications staff also works tirelessly to promote the Good News and services of our diocesan departments, Catholic schools and parishes. They livestream major events – such as the Chrism Mass during Holy Week, recent iRace4Vocations Mass and the upcoming transitional deacon ordination – and those that soothe the soul, such as the series of pipe organ recitals at Camden’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. They also help parishes spread their news across the Diocese – both in secular and Catholic media – and serve as the liaison between all diocesan entities and media outlets.
All of this work is evangelization. It’s for the glory of God. And it’s not a job – it’s a vocation.
This weekend, as the second collection goes around for the Catholic Communication Campaign, I will be thinking of all of the stories I’ve been blessed to tell – the Good News, even when it’s not good news – and I will be praying. Praying for all those in Catholic communications, and praying with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all of you who support this calling through your acts and deeds.
Reflecting back on the 9-year-old philanthropist, I must admit it’s not often that I hear how our articles, columns, photos, podcasts, videos and more impact our South Jersey community – and beyond. But when I do, the news fills me with pride for the hardworking members of our staff, and leaves me feeling humble, for I thank God every day for calling me to the vocation of Catholic journalism.
To learn more about the Catholic Communication Campaign, visit usccb.org/committees/catholic-communication-campaign. To subscribe to the Catholic Star Herald, visit catholicstarherald.org/subscribe or call 856-583-6142.
Listen Online
In anticipation of World Communications Day on Sunday, May 21, the Talking Catholic podcast invited some of the most notable Catholic communicators from across the state on the show to chat about their vocations and what keeps them motivated to be professional evangelizers. Check it out at talking.catholicstarherald.org.
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