The Evangelist names new editor, staff Paper bids farewell to long-time employees

Award-winning local journalist, teacher and author Christopher D. Ringwald has been selected as the new editor of The Evangelist, starting June 9.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard said: "It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Chris to the diocesan family. His long and distinguished career, along with his knowledge of the Church, makes him an obvious choice to fill this important position.

"The Evangelist serves as a vibrant and vital Church resource for Roman Catholics who worship in the 14 counties that comprise the Albany Diocese."

Mr. Ringwald was educated at Georgetown and Columbia Universities and earned a Master's degree from St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester. He has written on religion, books, social policy and mental health for The Wall Street Journal, Commonweal, Newsday, The U.S. Catholic, The Washington Post and others.

From 1989-2008, he worked at the Albany Times Union, where his series of articles on drug and alcohol treatment led to state hearings and new legislation.

His books include "The Soul of Recovery: Uncovering the Spiritual Dimension in the Treatment of Addiction" and "A Day Apart: How Jews, Christians, and Muslims Find Faith, Freedom, and Joy on the Sabbath." He is working on a new book on spirituality and madness.

He was a 1997 Kaiser Foundation media fellow and was named Albany's Author of the Year in 2002. He is a visiting scholar at The Sage Colleges and a journalism lecturer at The University at Albany.

Mr. Ringwald speaks on religion, spirituality and behavioral health to audiences around the country. He lives in Albany with his wife, movie critic Amy Biancolli, and their children.

Mr. Ringwald succeeds James Breig as editor. Mr. Breig, who recently retired, worked at the newspaper for 37 years as a staff writer, assistant editor and, for the last 25 years, as editor.

During his tenure as editor, he led The Evangelist through significant changes, including its transition to a tabloid format and its adoption of modern production methods.

As an editor and writer, he received dozens of awards from the Catholic Press Association. He was thrice nominated as the best Catholic journalist in North America.

Among Mr. Breig's awards were citations for feature writing, reporting, editorial writing and his column, "Tuned In," a weekly critique of the media. That column was syndicated for close to 30 years to dozens of other Catholic newspapers in the U.S. with a cumulative circulation of nearly a million people.

As a freelance writer, Mr. Breig contributed to several Catholic publications, including Our Sunday Visitor, U.S. Catholic and St. Anthony's Messenger. He also edited newsletters for families and teens, and wrote several booklets on such topics as fatherhood, Scripture, the Blessed Mother, saints and Jesus' emotions.

Said Mr. Ringwald: "I'm honored and humbled to be named editor of The Evangelist. I plan to continue and enhance the excellent work of the staff and my predecessor, Jim Breig, who served so well for 37 years."

Other staff changes at The Evangelist

The Evangelist has also welcomed Dina Roman as its new business manager, replacing Barbara Oliver.

Ms. Roman joins the staff after three years as parish support specialist in the Albany diocesan Comptroller's Office, where she trained parish bookkeepers. Previously, she worked for 18 years for Senior Services of Albany.

Ms. Oliver, who has accepted a position as pastoral associate for administration at Assumption/St. Paul parish in Mechanicville, was business manager and editor of The Catholic Directory of the Diocese of Albany for 21 years. She had previously worked as a reporter for The Evangelist.

In addition, artist Mary Lou Samaha, who drew the "Little Love" cartoon that appeared on The Evangelist's youth pages, has retired after 23 years.

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