Ponder for a minute how life would be affected without using the technology that society has come to rely on over the past two decades.
Text messages, social media, scrolling for information from hand-held devices, browsing the internet, online chat and remote meetings have become woven into the fabric of society. Used properly and with discretion, all of these communications tools are good things that keep the world connected.
During Lent, some Catholics fast from social media, not only as a means of sacrifice but to detox from the culture. In doing so, a spiritual and mental cleansing often takes place.
The diocesan men who last fall entered their first year of seminary, now called the propaedeutic stage, embarked on essentially a yearlong fast from their cell phones to help them discern whether or not they’re called to continue studies for the priesthood.
They spend a large portion of their week praying, reading, studying and contemplating a life with God with limited access to technology. Interestingly but probably not surprising, they report greater clarity in their thinking, more time to engage in various activities instead of scrolling on their phones and in general a feeling of contentment.
Two first-year seminarians interviewed last week by The Catholic Times described how this experience has profoundly impacted them in a positive way. Others have undoubtedly been affected in a similar manner.
These are the types of stories that The Catholic Times brings to light throughout the year. And just as the diocese needs the support of the faithful for “A Good and Growing Need” special collection the weekend of Feb. 24-25 to provide funding to meet the rising costs of forming an increasing number of seminarians, The Catholic Times asks its readers to renew their subscriptions for another year.
The annual observance of Catholic Press Month in February is when a large portion of subscription renewals take place. Some subscribers may have received a reminder invoice from the diocese directing them to go to www.catholictimescolumbus.org to re-up or to mail a check to 197 E. Gay St., Columbus, OH 43215.
In some parishes, The Catholic Times remains part of the envelope system for renewals or new subscriptions. If payment is submitted through the parish, disregard the invoice.
Regarding questions about the recently implemented price increase for an annual print subscription, some parishes had printed their collection envelopes several months before the change was made and so the former rate of $17 will still be accepted this year. The diocese does not want a subscription to be cost prohibitive for anyone in the diocese who wishes to receive the print version.
A free online version of the newspaper is available at www.catholictimescolumbus.org as well as local articles and columns and national and world news from Catholic News Agency.
Catholic Press Month also provides an opportunity to thank the many readers of The Catholic Times for their patronage. Without readers, there would be no need to produce a newspaper that hopefully informs and inspires Catholics to live their faith with great devotion.
So much has changed in media over the past few decades. Social media, radio, websites, magazines, podcasts, e-newsletters and more have drastically altered how the public consumes information. While everyone realizes that print versions of newspapers, books and magazines are continuing to die a slow death in today’s digital world, some encouraging signs have emerged that show Catholic print publications still have some life.
In a 2023 study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, 42 percent of Catholics responded that they read a diocesan newspaper at least once a month. Meanwhile, 43 percent agreed that the having a print version of a diocesan newspaper is important to them while 26 percent disagreed. And 41 percent said they would be upset if a diocese suggests that it would cease providing a print publication.
Breaking down the survey numbers further, 62 percent of those who attend Mass weekly believed the print version or a diocesan newspaper or magazine is an essential means of communication for a diocese.
Surprisingly, the survey found that the number of adult Catholics reading a diocesan newspaper increased after the pandemic. In 2023, 49 percent said they read a Catholic newspaper either online, in print or both. By comparison, only 26 percent said in 2011 they read a diocesan newspaper or magazine and just 25 percent in 2005.
When CARA survey participants were asked about their most frequently used sources of content and information about a parish, diocese or the Catholic faith, print and online copies of parish bulletins came in No. 1 at 45 percent. Word of mouth/discussions was next at 22 percent, diocesan newspapers or magazines (online or print) at 21 percent, Catholic television at 20 percent, Catholic websites and blogs at 17 percent, Catholic Facebook accounts at 17 percent and Catholic radio at 11 percent. Unfortunately, 23 percent of adult Catholics indicated that they were not plugged in to Catholic media of any type.
The societal tread toward increased use of electronic media was reflected in the survey numbers.
Forty-five percent of adult Catholics reported in the survey that they had watched religious or spiritual video content in the past three months compared with 24 percent in 2011. A similar increase in Catholics listening to religious or spiritual content was observed (29 percent in 2023, up from 12 percent in 2005). Additionally, 44 percent of adult Catholics said they visited a parish website in the three months before being interviewed, 18 percent viewed a diocesan website and 13 percent looked at a Catholic school website – all of those numbers doubled or tripled from 2011.
In the Diocese of Columbus, the communications office has ramped up its efforts since the start of this decade to reach Catholics through a variety of channels in addition to The Catholic Times that include a new website, YouTube, Facebook, livestreaming, podcasts and other forms of social media. Bishop Fernandes offers weekly exhortations on the Sunday Mass readings that have grown in popularity in this diocese and beyond. And more enhancements are coming to evangelize and connect with the faithful.
Meanwhile, The Catholic Times renews its commitment during Catholic Press Month to press on to the best of its ability – despite declining advertising and circulation, increased production costs and a small but hardworking staff -- to provide information in the same manner that Catholic print publications have done so in the diocese since 1875.
In 2022, the initial 50 years of the first diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Columbian, were added to the Catholic News Archive, a digital collection of Catholic newspapers and periodicals from across the United States. This database, which serves as a valuable tool for researchers, highlights the important role that the Catholic press plays in preserving the nation’s Catholic history.
As dissemination of media content continues its transformation and newspapers fade away much like the Studebaker or a Rambler while authentic journalists become the blacksmiths of this generation, pray that the truth never stops being told.
