An image shows the front cover of the forthcoming 2022 Catholic Directory of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

By Matthew Gambino • Posted October 14, 2021

It seems nothing, not even the COVID-19 pandemic, can stop the Catholic Directory of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from publishing – including even last year’s lockdowns.

The annual 324-page book’s listings of every parish, school, social service organization, religious order, clergyman and much more have become the go-to source of information in the archdiocese for a century.

At this time, however, the economic fallout from COVID is wreaking havoc with supply chains for every product around the world.

The forthcoming 2022 edition of the directory is ready to print, but the challenges that are hitting the publishing industry hard mean there will be a delay in production of the directory this year.

Instead of its usual delivery in the fall of each year, customers will not receive the new edition until the middle of next February. Delivery takes several weeks, so completion might not be complete until the middle of March 2022.

Our printer is facing numerous problems, as are all other printers. For example: the availability of paper has diminished and, therefore, its costs have risen; replacement parts to keep printing presses in good working order are hard to come by; plant workers are scarce, and thus the printing and hand-assembly of the Catholic Directory has become very challenging; finally, the pandemic has impacted the number of truck drivers who can transport finished directories out of the printing plant and into the delivery stream.

Everyone who has ordered a 2022 Catholic Directory can be assured that it will be sent beginning next February, according to the best estimate available now. Customers who have placed an order will receive an explanatory letter from CatholicPhilly.com, publisher of the directory, in coming days.

Those who have not yet purchased a directory can still do so at the discounted price of $24.99. After the directory publishes, the regular price of $29.99 will be in effect.

Order now and receive the 2022 edition, even if a later than usual.