Countless blessings. That’s what I’ve received in my 16 years with the Denver Catholic Register. It has been a gift and a privilege to serve the Church in her work of evangelization through the Register.
This issue marks my last as editor, a position I’ve served the last 13 years. My tenure as editor is the second longest in the 114-year history of this venerable newspaper (after the incredible 47-year term of Msgr. Matthew Smith, founder of the Register System of Newspapers)—and it has been pure joy.
My job here was always bigger than my ability but God, in his tender mercy, provided for me every day—often in miraculous ways.
Gratitude
As I say goodbye to our wonderful readers and my amazing teammates I am filled with gratitude and awe.
I thank God, who led me to the Register and kept his hand on me these many years. I never aspired to be an editor, but it was God’s plan for me. The Lord’s plan was far greater than I ever dreamed for myself and it gives me confidence that moving forward his plan, to paraphrase, is to “prosper, not harm me; to give me hope and a future” (Jer 29:11).
I am grateful to the prelates I’ve served—Archbishop Charles Chaput; Archbishop José Gomez, Bishop James Conley and Archbishop Samuel Aquila—for granting me the honor of sitting in the editor’s chair for their newspaper, the flagship communication tool for the Denver Archdiocese.
I never did this work alone. I always had wonderful teammates who labored alongside me. The list is too long to mention everyone from the past, so I’ll just say, you know who you are, know that I carry you in my heart. Special mention goes to Peter Droege, Greg Kail, James Baca, Cynthia Kuznia Kann and Jeanette DeMelo, as well as my current team—reporters Julie Filby and Nissa LaPoint, production assistant Filippo Piccone, general manager Karna Swanson, and the ad staff led by Michael O’Neill.
The future
I am taking with me a wealth of graces from the historic events I’ve covered, the places I’ve visited and the extraordinary people, both high profile and lesser known, I’ve met. These experiences have humbled and enlightened me about the vital importance of the Register’s mission to inform, inspire and engage the faithful with Christ’s Gospel and his Church.
The Register’s mission continues through its talented, hardworking team, who aim to take the newspaper’s proud legacy of service to the Gospel far into the third millennium in print, online and via social media.
It’s an exciting time in Catholic media as journalists strive to claim the digital continent for Christ. May God continue to richly bless the Register’s efforts with its print and new media methods to promote the new evangelization, and may he continue to bless its readers.
My prayers will be with you all, please pray for me as I embark on the next chapter of my life! Peace
