I have been a commuter since I first moved to New Jersey 21 years ago – 1 hour 45 minutes each way for my first journalism job in the state; an hour each way for my second and third, and 1 hour 30 minutes up until recently.
Because these commutes took part mostly on the Garden State Parkway in what I call Central Jersey (let’s table this geographical argument for another time), often accompanying me on these commutes was CBS 880 AM and the whimsical Charles Osgood.
“The Osgood File,” which I recently found out aired for 46 years, was Osgood’s daily commentary; in his serene voice, Osgood covered everything from national news to the human interest stories, often with good-naturedness, humor, song, poetry – but most importantly, truth.
Osgood – an Emmy Award-winning journalist, longtime “CBS Sunday Morning” host and product of Catholic education – died Jan. 23 in New Jersey. He was 91.
This bowtie-wearing news veteran was on my mind as I was thinking ahead to February – Catholic Press Month – and the stories the Catholic Star Herald is working on bringing all of you loyal readers.
“Powerful are those who chose, the items that make up the news, And yet in spite of all that power, it’s much like singing in the shower, For it’s clear from card and letter, that you all think you’d do it better,” was one of Osborn’s quotes cited in obituaries and final farewells.
Powerful, indeed, are those who choose the items that go into your newspapers, magazines, television broadcasts and the like. In the journalism world, they are called gatekeepers. It’s a job I have done for more than 20 years and one in which I take very seriously – and from some of the phone calls, letters and emails I receive, it’s a job some readers would like a crack at, too!
With this in mind, we at the Catholic Star Herald would like to invite you to take part in our reader survey, which can be found at catholicstarherald.org/2024-survey. We would like to hear from you – what you like about your diocesan newspaper – and what you want to see more of on our pages and website. Want more national/international news? Perhaps more about what’s happening in parishes in the Diocese? Do you like the growing sports section and South Jersey Catholic Schools coverage? Fill out the survey, and let us know.
Along the same lines, the Catholic Star Herald is always looking for stories from every parish, school ministry and more in the Diocese. Ideas can range from an upcoming event to a person who is making a difference in your community. Send your news tips to news@camdendiocese.org. If you’re a business owner, reach out to us, too, as we are starting a new feature highlighting businesses and employees who exemplify Catholic teaching. And don’t forget to advertise with us at advertise@camdendiocese.org.
In his 2001 message for World Communication Day, Saint Pope John Paul II wrote, “The global communications network is extending and growing more complex by the day. … Thus, the relationship between reality and the media has grown more intricate. On the one hand, it can blur the distinction between truth and illusion; but on the other, it can open up unprecedented opportunities for making the truth more widely accessible to many more people. The task of the Church is to ensure that it is the latter which actually happens.”
For more than 50 years, the Catholic Star Herald has been dedicated to making the truth more widely accessible through our news reporting, photos and columns. In Fall 2023, we launched a redesign of our website, bringing you daily updates on local, national and international news and movie reviews; a photo gallery from which you can purchase photos from our South Jersey events, and a place to view all our videos and awarding-winning Talking Saints and Talking Catholic podcasts. Plus, wanting to interact more with our readers, we started online contests and sweepstakes, including our popular Pet Costume Photo Contest during October and Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish in November. We had entries from around the world! There is more fun coming, so keep an eye on catholicstarherald.org/contests.
As you can see, there is a lot happening at the Catholic Star Herald – both in print and online.
Recently, we had a former New Jerseyan tell us that he has the Catholic Star Herald delivered to his residence in Florida because reading all the news from the Church of South Jersey “reminds him of home.” Like “The Osgood File” lifted my days with its hometown feel, I hope you find yourself reflected in the faith-filled pages of the Catholic Star Herald.
Jennifer Mauro is the managing editor of the Catholic Star Herald.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
