Fewer issues ahead

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

With the start of 2004, The Compass makes a slight change in our publication schedule.

In 2003, after several years of publishing 45 issues in a year, we cut that number to 44. This year, that will drop to 42.

The reason for the change in both years is financial. The Bishop's Appeal did not reach its target last year. That, combined with lower returns on the stock market, mean there are fewer dollars available for all diocesan programs and services and all departments had to accept cuts.

While running two fewer issues may cost us a little in advertising, we have few advertisers who run in every issue. At the same time, eliminating two issues will save us on printing and postage and a small amount on fees paid to columnists and free-lance writers. It also means we will not have to increase individual or parish full-coverage subscription rates.

To continue serving our readers with this slightly reduced publication schedule, we will run the Sunday readings and commentaries for two weekends in the issue before a skipped edition.

So how does our new schedule look? This year, we will publish a paper weekly except: Jan. 16, April 16 (Easter Friday), June 4 and 18, July 2, 16 and 30, Aug. 13 and 27; Sept. 10; and Dec. 31.

As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions.