 |
|
|
Catholic Press Month: Deadline at the DCR—and writers’ favorite stories
By Roxanne King
|
Photo by Robert Linn/DCR |
February is Catholic Press Month. It is also the month the Denver Catholic Register launches its annual Join the Mission stewardship campaign, whereby readers who get the Register complimentary as part of parish membership are invited to voluntary contribute the yearly subscription cost of $35 to help offset expenses. To read more about Join the Mission, see the ad on Page B8. Below is the second column in a series honoring Catholic Press Month and Join the Mission.
You’re probably aware that the Denver Catholic Register has a talented group of writers. What you may not know is they’re also a fun group to work with. One day last week the reporters gathered in my office to stage what deadline on press day looks like—and what we all are thinking (see photo above!). We really don’t gather in my office—it’s too small for that! But it is a time of frantic activity as we polish up the Denver Catholic Register for publication. Below my reporters and I share our thoughts on a highlight story we covered last year.
Roxanne King, editor
“I had the privilege of covering the Denver Archdiocese’s pilgrimage to the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, Ireland, last June (July 4, DCR). I was moved and inspired by the faith and Christian love of the pilgrims in our group, who ranged in age from 11—a girl preparing for her confirmation—to 84—Bishop James Conley’s mother, Betty! I was also warmed by the hospitality and lively spirit of the Irish and by the shared faith of the thousands gathered in Croke Park Stadium for the congress’ highlight, the closing Mass called the Statio Orbis. Another favorite moment: watching and listening to a lone bagpiper play on the shore in the fishing village of Ardmore in County Waterford as I collected seashells. The entire pilgrimage was like a dream come true! And of course it was: God’s vision for us is always so much greater and more beautiful than our own!”
Julie Filby, reporter
“It’s tough to pick one. I really enjoyed covering Olympian Missy Franklin (April 25, DCR) a senior at Regis Jesuit High School; as well as another young person, Peter Srsich (Nov. 7, DCR), a grad of Mullen High School who’s now attending Regis University. Missy has a contagious spirit and her faith guides her decisions. Peter, a cancer survivor who met Pope Benedict through Make-A-Wish, has tremendous faith and trust in God. Both have been influenced by their experience in Catholic schools, and as a mother of two grade-schoolers, I am grateful for these two young role models.”
Nissa LaPoint, reporter
“It’s hard to pick just one story that I really enjoyed, but the story about the Neocatechumenal Way members and their door-to-door evangelization ministry (May 23, DCR) during Easter was truly an experience. I love to cover stories out in the field about exemplary Catholics and newsworthy events in the community. This was one such story. Catholics evangelizing on people’s doorsteps is a unique ministry and I got to see this firsthand. I won’t forget the raw emotion and pain of one woman who shared with The Way members at her door—through sobs and tears—that she wanted to amend her life, confess and return to the Church. Seeing Christ’s love through these ministers and the Holy Spirit’s work was a blessing!”
Jean Torkelson, reporter
“How to pick a favorite from everything I’ve been privileged to write for the DCR in the past seven months? Talk about a historic time—the arrival of Archbishop Aquila, the opening of the Year of Faith, the resignation of Pope Benedict. But one springs to mind because it was quiet and unexpected. One day I was trying to find a story about how worshiping in an adoration chapel changed a person’s life. For absolutely no reason, out of the blue, I called Denver’s St. Anthony of Padua Parish. ‘You should talk to Lydia Castillo!’ the receptionist said. Lydia—cheerful, joyful—and survivor of stage three cancer (Dec. 12, DCR). A longtime adorer, she learned to trust Jesus even more during that time—“Stand firm and believe,” she said. Lydia and her quiet courage—her story got told only because of a chance phone call. I love those stories.”
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||