The gift of a century

100 YEARS: Father Morrette, who used to sell subscriptions to The Evangelist, says the work of the paper is needed now more than ever.

The Evangelist celebrates its 100th anniversary on March 19. It was first printed on that date, March 19, 1926.

When I was a student in St. John the Baptist School in Schenectady in the early 1960s, there were two times during the school year when the sisters asked us to take part in special appeals. The first was to donate “soft cookies” for the elderly residents under the care of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Albany. The more cookies, the more merits and prizes! The second was to sell subscriptions to our diocesan newspaper, The Evangelist. There were few good incentives for the first appeal, however, there were great benefits to becoming the best salesperson for The Evangelist — like free milk and snacks for lunch for a month, leading class prayers and being top dog (the monitor) at school recess, and even exemptions from homework and so on. I don’t remember ever being the first in any of these appeals but I do remember getting several consolation prizes for effort which was some consolation. Thus, The Evangelist became part of my life and faith since kindergarten.

As we observe the 100th anniversary of The Evangelist, this is a good time to express our gratitude to God for this great gift. The world was very different when the paper was first published. Bishop Gibbons was our diocesan bishop, and the Church in our area, like in so many other regions, was growing — needing new parishes, churches, schools and ministries. The ’20s were roaring with optimism after the debacle of World War I. Women gained the right to vote during a period of Prohibition. It was a time of rapid industrial growth and the tri-cities were crowded with immigrants ready and willing to work in pursuit of the American dream.

Like other Catholic publications, The Evan­gelist, then and now, has the mandate to offer a Catholic perspective on the world, the country and the Diocese. What a gift it was (and is) to receive the Church’s opinion on events and issues as they arise every week in the mail. The Evangelist also brings a catechetical slant to its readers, providing theological and pastoral articles supplementing Catholic knowledge. I particularly like how it keeps our Diocese together by sharing news about what our Bishop is up to and also notices about events and opportunities for growth and fellowship within the 14 counties of our Diocese. 

The work of The Evangelist is needed now more than ever. Today, most of us get news from the 24/7 news television, social media, podcasts and other information services. Astounding as these all are, and grateful for their services, the secular media today is consistently silent when it comes to the Church’s perspective on world and local issues. When engaging “experts” for authoritative opinions, they choose psychologists, doctors and politicians, rarely someone from the clergy. When was the last time you saw a bishop or priest consulted for moral guidance as it affects the complex landscape we live in? So, we need the Catholic press now more than ever, so that we and our world can hear the voice of Christ and the Church especially in times of upheaval and tension. It’s a sad reality that many people today forge their opinions and beliefs solely on what they hear in the secular media — that “24/7 bully pulpit” that will only rarely mention the voice of the One who can bring true hope and peace to the world.

So, may this great voice of Christ and the Church continue for years to come, here in this land of America’s first martyrs. We continue to need you! Happy anniversary! Ad multos annos!

Father Morrette is pastor at The Catholic Community of Our Lady of Victory in Troy, Our Lady of the Snow Mission in Grafton, Christ Sun of Justice Parish in Troy, and president of The Evangelist board.