INTRODUCING NEW LOOK: GIVE US FEEDBACK

We think this is the first time The Evangelist, now 76 years old, has undergone a head-to-toe redesign by a professional. Previously, changes had been done by the staff. This time, however, we approached the alterations in a more planned manner that began in 1999. With the approach of the millennium in 2000 and The Evangelist's 75th anniversary in 2001, the staff began to reflect on the future of the paper and outlined for the board of directors several ideas about content, look and direction.

The board discussed those ideas, rejecting a few, accepting others and putting some on hold for further examination. The next step was to go to readers for their input. That was accomplished through a series of focus groups, held throughout the Albany Diocese. Laity, diocesan leadership, priests and religious, youth, and other groups served by The Evangelist were invited to share their ideas, comments, criticisms and wishes. (Our appreciation goes to Bob Provost, marketing director of The Albany Times Union, who generously volunteered his time and expertise to conduct the focus groups so they would be done independently of The Evangelist.)

From those discussions, we realized that the first idea to be implemented was a redesign; among other things, readers wanted a publication that was more lively and easier to access. To achieve those goals, we went to Jennifer George-Palilonis, who teaches at Ball State University in Indiana, one of the few colleges that specializes in newspaper design (see page 4 for her comments on the process that ensued).

Months of planning and training have come together in this issue, and now it's literally in your hands. The staff eagerly awaits comments from you about what you like -- and don't -- about the changes, which aim to make the newspaper more attractive to look at, more appealing to read and more modern in its approach.

Please note that we have done more than transform the physical appearance of the newspaper; we have also altered some of its content. One example is this page. Previously, we published opinion pages only when we had room for them. We are now committed to printing an opinion page every week so that letters, columns and editorials are a regular part of The Evangelist.

Another significant change is the addition of pages for Catholic young people. Every week, the last page will actually be the first page of a youth section. (Sports fans who read the New York Daily News or Post are familiar with this style of presentation.) We hope adults will call the attention of their children and students to these special features.

There are other changes throughout the paper; rather than point them out, however, we prefer that you find them on your own as you explore The Evangelist this week and in coming weeks. Let us know what you think about what we've done (see page 4 for how to communicate with us by letters and e-mail). We're open to your comments, questions, criticism, advice and -- we hope -- praise.

(05-30-02)