Mike StechschulteWell, at The Michigan Catholic, we’re not perfect, but we are working to improve what we offer you, our loyal reader — which is why, starting with this issue, you’ll notice some changes.
The first thing you’re bound to notice is the updated look. Starting with The Michigan Catholic flag (that’s journalese for “nameplate”) at the top of Page 1 and working throughout the paper, you’ll notice a more modernized look and feel we hope will make reading the paper a bit easier.
You’ll also notice a new Michigan Catholic “logo” — comprised of the Michigan mitten, a cross and the letters “MC.” The cross and letters you might recognize — they were part of our original 1887 nameplate that appeared atop issues again in 2012-13.
But our look isn’t the only thing we’ve updated. As a direct response to the New Evangelization and readers’ requests for more useful and inspirational material, we’re also rolling out several new features with our design refresh. Our latest study of Michigan Catholic readers found a full 50 percent said “learning more about the faith” would make the paper more interesting and relevant. That’s what we hope to offer.
To that end, we invite you to check out several new sections, including a revamped Commentary page, our brand-new “Catholicism” section, a Spirituality page and a new take on entertainment, called “Arts & Faith.” You might even recognize some of our newest contributors, such as local radio host Al Kresta and local apologists and authors Gary Michuta and Dave Armstrong.
And that’s not all. When you visit www.TheMichiganCatholic.com, you’ll also find a brand-spankin’ new website. In addition to easier navigation and a cleaner look, we’ve also incorporated daily national and international news updates, video and social media features, and even a digital front page of the print product. And if you’re a smartphone user, you’ll find our new site is mobile-friendly, too.
The best part about all this is the features you know and love aren’t going anywhere. You’ll still find unparalleled local Catholic news coverage, Q&As, priest assignments, calendar items and everything else.
Let’s take a tour.
Page 1: In addition to the new flag, you’ll also find highlights to inside stories more prominently displayed near the top of the page, and more room for the main story on Page 1. The index has also moved, which brings us to…
Page 2: Here you’ll find the familiar index, as well as several other “quick hits,” as we call them. Replacing the Nation/World briefs, which will move inside the paper, will be priest assignments, social media cues, “By the Numbers” infographics and others items, plus a regular feature we’re calling “Religious Rights Watch” — a look at the contemporary challenges to religious liberties here and abroad.
Local News: Starting on Page 3, you’ll continue to receive your full complement of Catholic news from in and around the Archdiocese of Detroit. Award-winning local news coverage is what we’re known for, and we’ll continue to offer the best we have.
Commentary: Our revamped Commentary page will include a regular feature called “Catholic in America,” written by local Catholic radio personality Al Kresta (990-AM, Ave Maria Radio) of “Kresta in the Afternoon.” Al’s column will focus on current Catholic issues and events, and other columnists, such as George Weigel, Paul Stuligross and Paul Long, will continue to appear as well.
“Catholicism:” The heart and soul of our redesign, this section will be dedicated to an in-depth look at what Catholics believe and why. It will include:
- “Apologetics,” written by local author and professional apologist Dave Armstrong, will focus on answers to tough questions about the Catholic faith in a charitable way. Topics such as God’s existence, praying to Mary, purgatory, etc., will be treated, with the Catholic response offered.
- "Behind the Bible," written by author and speaker Gary Michuta, will be a study of those questions you’ve always had about Scripture, but were afraid to ask. This feature is designed to give readers a fuller understanding of what’s going on in the Bible — the times, places, history, and of course, its eternal message.
- “Know Your Saints” will be a regular look at a particular saint and the many ways God’s presence has been made manifest throughout the Church’s history, often through their intercession.
- “Questions and Answers,” will include the familiar column by Fr. Kenneth Doyle, but we’ll also add a canon law component, written by the Archdiocese of Detroit’s chancellor and canon lawyer Michael Trueman, that will focus on common questions about Church law and governance.
Spirituality: Our new Spirituality page will include a “Prayer & Devotion” column written alternately by Sr. Maria Veritas Marks and Sr. Mary Martha Becnel, of the Ann Arbor-based Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. The sisters’ column will offer readers advice for how to live a more Spirit-filled life, including prayer habits, devotions and reflections on living out the beatitudes. This page will also include a short message from the pope’s weekly audience, and his monthly prayer intentions.
Arts & Faith: Our revamped entertainment page, Arts & Faith will focus on a broader range of culture, from movie and book reviews to music, theater, technology and art. Don’t see a review for a movie you’re interested in? We’ll also have regular reviews on our newly updated website.
We hope you enjoy this “refresh” as much as we’ll enjoy bring it to you, but like Churchill said, change is never finished. We hope to make it our priority to rethink, reimagine and renew on a daily basis how we serve you as readers and our fellow man as brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mike Stechschulte is managing editor of The Michigan Catholic. Contact him at [email protected].
