Newsroom Incense

It’s been a year now since I’ve been contributing these “publisher’s notes” to the Register every week. Thank you for your patience as I’ve tried to determine just what the content of this little corner should be.

This year, based on your feedback, I plan to give you occasional updates on the Register and also update you often (but not too often!) on our fundraising plans.

I recently heard from a reader who wondered what our newsroom was like. Sometimes it’s a bustling, noisy place, and other times it’s surprising how quiet it gets. But the thing that sets us apart in our office, I think, is its spiritual dimension. The office has a chapel, where we say the Angelus at noon, and I remember at Mass the intentions of everyone involved in our media apostolate.

Once a month, we also have Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, followed by the Celebration of the Eucharist for the intentions of our associates. Then, instead of the smoke-filled newsrooms of the past, the newsroom smells strongly of incense. Once a week, the employees have organized a company Rosary to pray for the health of our staff, and also for the intentions written in a book we maintain in the chapel. All of this fuels the atmosphere of peace that visitors notice.

That intentions book includes many prayers in it about our financial situation. And they’re getting answered. You’ll notice Bob and Monica Mylod’s gratifying letter on this page: They give voice to the convictions, motivations and generosity of the many readers who are stepping forward to ensure that our mission continues. Thank you all so very much, and be assured of this newsroom’s prayers!

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne attends a German Synodal Way assembly on March 9, 2023.

Four German Bishops Resist Push to Install Permanent ‘Synodal Council’

Given the Vatican’s repeated interventions against the German process, the bishops said they would instead look to the Synod of Bishops in Rome. Meanwhile, on Monday, German diocesan bishops approved the statutes for a synodal committee; and there are reports that the synodal committee will meet again in June.

Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis