If you're old enough to remember the Apollo 13 mission, you'll remember the famous words: "Houston, we have a problem." While things at the Four County Catholic are thankfully much less dramatic, we do have a problem of our own.
We simply have more good news than we have room to print.
Every two months, our editorial team faces the same challenge. We gather inspiring stories from our ministries and parishes across Eastern Connecticut — people serving the poor, young people growing in faith, families celebrating milestones, new ministries taking root, and Catholics quietly living the Gospel every day. Then comes the hard part: deciding what has to wait or simply cannot fit.
No editor enjoys leaving out a good story because there isn't room.
Years ago, our newspaper was published every month with 32 pages. Today, the Four County Catholic is a full-color magazine published six times a year with 24 pages. Those eight additional pages would make a tremendous difference—more parish stories, more photos, more ministries, more events and more of the good news happening throughout the Diocese of Norwich.
That's also why you've probably heard us mention our free weekly email newsletter more often. It lets us share stories and information we can't always fit into the magazine. Every week, thousands of readers receive diocesan news, parish events, features and announcements directly in their inboxes.
If you aren't already receiving it, sign up at NorwichDiocese.org/newsletter.
So, can we get back to 32 pages?
We can — but this is where I need your help.
Years ago, we included contribution envelopes with the newspaper. Today, printing, inserting and mailing those envelopes simply isn't the most cost-effective way to ask for support.
So instead, I'm asking you right here.
If just one out of every ten households receiving the Four County Catholic made a gift of about $5 a year, that support could cover the additional cost of expanding the magazine from 24 pages to 32.
That's it. Five dollars. Once a year. From just a portion of our readers.
Some of you already generously support the Four County Catholic throughout the year, and to you, thank you. Your generosity helps us continue telling stories of faith, service and hope from across our diocese.
Our problem isn't finding stories worth telling.
Our challenge is finding enough pages to tell them.
And especially in this All Saints and All Souls issue, we're reminded that lives of faith matter — and their stories are worth remembering and sharing. The saints whose names we know, and the countless faithful souls known only to God, still have something to teach us about living the Gospel.
With your help, perhaps we can find a few more pages to tell those stories, too.
By Wayne Gignac
Four County Catholic
Help us make room for more good news.
Your gift helps The Four County Catholic share more stories of faith, service and hope from across the Diocese of Norwich.
Make your gift today:
NorwichDiocese.org/FCCGive
or mail to:
Communications Ministry
Diocese of Norwich
31 Perkins Avenue
Norwich, CT 06360
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