News

Compass brings news with Catholic perspective

Fourth in a series on the Bishop's Appeal

By Marie Gunderson

	PAPER CREW: Compass staff gathers in the editor's office. From left are, Barb Gauthier, circulation assistant/receptionist; Tony Staley, editor; Amy Kawula, advertising/marketing representative; Chris Rosera, proof reader/typist; Jeff Kurowski, assistant editor; Patricia Kasten, associate editor, is not pictured. (Rick Evans photo)

The day Fr. Ron Rolheiser came to speak in Green Bay a few years back, Tony Staley, editor of The Compass, was hoping for a decent turn out - 50-75 people. Though the popularity of Fr. Rolheiser's column was sure to bring a few spectators, the overwhelming response left only a few vacant seats in St. Bernard Church.

"There was a real spiritual need that Fr. Rolheiser filled that night and he does so every week in his column," Staley said. Along with Fr. Rolheiser, The Compass staff dedicates itself each week to feeding the spiritual needs of today's Catholics.

Amy Kawula, advertising consultant for The Compass has worked for the diocese for more than 18 years. "[The Compass] keeps you grounded in your faith," she said. "It sparks ideas and makes you want to learn more."

The Compass provides a different approach to news and society. In a world where violence and tragedy dominate the news media, The Compass offers a refreshingly positive attitude.

The Compass puts great care into its work to ensure every article is presented from a "moral and ethical standpoint," Staley said, which is what readers consistently find from reading the paper.

Readers of The Compass are "people like you and I that attend church and are looking for a tool to help them deepen their faith and stay connected to the Catholic Church," Kawula said. From parenting issues and drug addiction to clergy news and world updates, The Compass offers a Christian point of view to everyday situations, Staley said.

A distinctive characteristic of The Compass is that it offers us a chance to get to know the leaders of the church and community. "It is a communication tool for Bp. David Zubik to be able to touch lives. His articles really impact a lot of people and give them a chance to get to know our Bishop better as well," Kawula said.

Bishop's Appeal What: Bishop's Appeal, the Green Bay Diocese's annual fund-raiser to support diocesan programs and services offered to parishes and individuals. Where: All parishes in the diocese. When: Right now. How: Making a cash, check, credit card (MasterCard, Visa and Discover) or pledge donation. Materials have been sent to homes and also are available through parishes. Some employers offer matching gift programs, for which Catholic Charities may qualify, since it serves the general public; additional information is available through Human Resources departments. Theme: Faces of Faith. Target: $4.8 million. More information: Contact Josh Diedrich at: Phone: (920) 272-8197 or            1-877-500-3580, ext. 8197 Address: P.O. Box 23825               Green Bay WI 54305-3825 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.gbdioc.org • Related Compass articles

In addition to providing positive information about the world and local community, The Compass is created by the people of northeastern Wisconsin, for the people of northeastern Wisconsin, Staley said.

"The newspaper is very interactive, we rely on people to let us know what is going on in their parishes. In return, we are able to take their story and share it with others who will benefit from hearing it," Staley said.

Beyond the individual, The Compass helps parishes grow in their ministry. By presenting them with information about services throughout the diocese, parishes can support current programs, or model new programs off the success of others.

"The diocese offers so many services and programs to schools and parishes throughout northeastern Wisconsin for people who do not have any other options or places to go," Kawula said. "The Compass is the tool of communication for the Diocese for individuals and parishes on the outlying borders who may not hear of these programs otherwise."

Staley said he hopes that by featuring certain parishes or individuals, other communities will be able to say, "maybe we could do that here too."

By sharing people's stories and ideas with each other, The Compass seeks to help the diocesan church grow in love and service. It also helps people understand the traditions of our faith and to stay connected with Christians throughout the diocese.

Renae Bauer, assistant director of Communications said she enjoys The Compass because "it is a way of finding out what is happening in our Christian Faith." Also important to her is the quality information and topnotch journalism The Compass provides.

Creating a newspaper that is able have an impact on others takes a lot of time and dedication. In addition to this it also needs support from the people who give to the Bishop's Appeal.

Because The Compass receives assistance from the Bishop's Appeal, Kawula believes that "without the Bishop's Appeal, The Compass wouldn't be possible."

(Gunderson, a St. Norbert College student, is an intern in the diocesan Development Department.)