Matthew Gambino
Five years after the Catholic Standard and Times newspaper ceased publishing in 2012, people still ask me if we will ever again have a local Catholic print publication.
I explain that since 2012 the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been offering Catholic news, information and faith formation exclusively in digital format on CatholicPhilly.com. I tell them it’s updated every day, not every week or month.
I tell them CatholicPhilly.com today reaches three times more people digitally than the CS&T did in its final days. Though it is an imprecise comparison, the CS&T distributed 35,000 copies of the newspaper each month in 2012. CatholicPhilly.com received 106,000 visitors – people who clicked on the website – in the past 30 days.
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I tell people we’re especially reaching those younger people who prefer to learn more about their faith, and everything else, through their cell phone. More than half of our audience uses a mobile device.
My answer to whether we would ever launch a new publication was sorry, no. Today my answer is, maybe.
Even as CatholicPhilly.com continues to serve readers on digital platforms, we know there are people who either can’t or won’t access this inspiring digital content. That is why I am proposing the possibility of a new print publication to serve those Catholics who feel left behind because they don’t use digital communications.
We’re just starting to assess whether launching a new print publication is feasible. We can’t offer it and simply hope people will buy it. Instead, we need to know from potential readers whether the publication can be financially viable from the start.
Simply put: if we have enough interest from potential subscribers right now, we can launch the publication later this year. If we don’t have enough interest, we won’t launch it.
I propose a $40 annual subscription fee (maybe less, depending on the final projections) for a printed news magazine of around 20 pages, mailed to homes every other week.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a subscriber, please let me know by emailing me (please indicate your parish too) at editor@catholicphilly.com, or speak to the priest or deacon at your parish. They have already been informed of this concept and are now talking to parishioners to assess potential interest in it.
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The only way we can provide a publication beginning in the fall of this year is to forecast the participation of parishes and, especially, of individual subscribers.
By the end of this month, I hope to receive estimates from our clergy of how many parishioners might purchase a subscription, and how many gift subscriptions a parish might purchase for its members.
Whether a print publication comes to fruition or not, CatholicPhilly.com will continue serving Catholics of this region and far beyond with primarily local Catholic news and information, faith formation and inspiration from Catholics in this archdiocese. We’ll also continue offering national and international news plus commentary, catechesis and award-winning feature stories, photos and videos of the Catholic community.
One lesson learned from recent years is that we can’t take for a granted that a newspaper, a company, or a parish will always be there. We have a personal responsibility to support the things we value.
That’s why ministry requires money. The potential proceeds from print subscriptions can support our ongoing efforts to tell the good news of the Catholic faith in our community – both in print and, more and more, digitally.
And recognizing that digital readers remain our core audience, I am also asking for your donation in support of CatholicPhilly.com’s mission to inform, form in the Catholic faith and inspire everyone in our local and global community. Please donate here.
Because even with this potential print publication, we are not limiting ourselves to the way things have always been done. We want to use every means, new and old, to deliver the message of Jesus Christ to a world that so needs to hear it.
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Would like the printed newspaper if it’s not too expensive. I check this e mail frequently and like the news.
Many years ago, long before he became a Catholic, he read the Standard and Times as one of the best written Catholic newspapers. I believe our Editor was sent to Rome.
We spent 1995 thru 2015 in Arizona where we still subscribed to the Philly paper.
Now that we are back in Philly we are both missing local happenings in our Archdiocese.
I just renewed our subscription when he said that he doesn’t like what is happening.
I am the internet person in the family, and don’t read online papers.
I’m sure we would be willing to pay for a subscription of a revised Standard and Times.
We are in our 80’s and are part of a group of active Catholics with a large family to give example.
Our family would subscribe to a catholic newspaper, especially if there is content for all ages. Although we all use social media for a lot of our information, we also like to read a newspaper in hand and would love one that supports family life!
It is important to stay connected. I am a user of social media but the online news from the diocese was not appealing to me. When I read the Wilmington Diocese paper, ( which by the way, the Bishop said they could not afford, then someone stepped forward to help financially) I sense warmth and connection. It is also educational. Evangelization, Adult Faith Formation needs hands on resources. Not everyone uses social media. The challenge will be to make it user appealing. Good luck. Prayers.
A print publication has certain evangelization possibilities. For example, leaving copies (with permission) in a waiting room.
I have to agree with Ted. Instead of reviving the newspaper, though some of the old timers would appreciate, I think we need to reach people where they are. CatholicPhilly.com should seek a partnership with one of the local universities and do some TV programs like Chat with Chaput, profile of the week, Catholic Sportsline, Catholic Philly TV News, et al. I have a background in communication and I can be of service for this up and coming outlet in Greater Philadelphia.
Yes, it would be great to have a paper copy again. As a senior citizen well into my 70’s it is difficult for my eyes to concentrate on a lighted computer screen for more than a few minutes.
But I am not sure that the cost of a $40.00 prescription would fit into our budget. In the past our pastor would leave a few copies in church. That was much appreciated.
Thank you for this opportunity to express my opinion.
Dear Matthew, I use a computer and I have an Ipad and an Iphone, yet I prefer reading a newsprint newspaper and subscribe for delivery of our local news publication. I would be interested in supporting a yearly subscription to a Catholic News Print Publication for our Archdiocese and Philadelphia area, National and International Catholic interests. Thank you. I hope things will go well for your promoting the return of a Philadelphia Catholic News Publication. Sincerely, Helena L. Catherwood, Warrington, PA
It is a challenge to find a way to reach the faithful. I expect the day of the newspaper is over, as paper after paper seem to be going out of business. There may be an opportunity to launch a TV program, which might use – as an example – some video messages from Bishop Barron, or messages from Archbishop Chaput, or spotlights on local Catholics involved in various ministries – soup kitchens, pro-life witness, Marriage Encounter, etc. I suggest this because of the presence of Paid Programming on most of thelocal broadcast stations – which indicates that these stations have less than enough programming. You might start with a once per week 30 minute show (maybe Wednesdays at 8pm). If there is a reasonable response, a second program could be added (maybe Monday at 8pm). But, having some central communication vehicle does seem to be a very important tool. Good luck on your ministry, and God bless you!
I like the online news reports I get now and really don’t want a magazine to sit on a coffee table to be tossed out at the end of the month unread. I just don’t have the time. I like on-line formats with headlines and summary so if the article proves interesting I will read. I do read articles and spend hours reading various news and information articles. I have 3 magazines come to the house now and I can say I have not read a single one.
Please reconsider and put it online.
I would subscribe to a print magazine if it was a reasonable price (under $40) and if it was focused on the Archdiocese (parishes, schools, obituaries, events calendar, etc…. I realize there would be some wider church news. Thank you for
considering this print idea.