The September issue of the Catholic Review magazine may appear different to regular readers. Over the summer, our team overhauled the logo and inside pages of the magazine. But the beauty is not only skin deep.
Last fall, the Archdiocese of Baltimore conducted research, including a survey to gather feedback on how parishioners and subscribers use the Catholic Review magazine and other communications offerings. The survey results revealed very high satisfaction with Catholic Review Media, including the magazine. Even more important was the fact that two-thirds of respondents had read all four of the prior four issues, and 86 percent consider the Catholic Review important in telling the story of the Catholic faith to parishioners like them.
Then, in the spring, the Catholic Review received a combined 73 awards from three journalism and press associations.
But even with all those awards and affirmation from the survey, another aspect of the research results pointed to areas where the Review could grow and where improvement and modifications are needed. We need to reach more-diverse audiences and improve our reach to younger demographics.
In a late August note sent to the faithful via Flocknote, Archbishop William E. Lori said, “The Archdiocese of Baltimore fully supports the Catholic press and firmly believes we should not be dependent on others to tell the news and stories of our faith, but that we remain at the forefront and continue to be an accurate source for our faithful and beyond.”
Catholic Review magazine is an essential part of telling those stories. The survey shows 85 percent of the Catholic Review audience are committed readers who prefer the print version over digital.
But Catholic Review Media is more than a magazine.
• Our website at CatholicReview.org welcomes more than 85,000 unique visitors per month, with more than 140,000 page views and 95,000 engaged minutes.
• Tens of thousands of folks follow us on social media – Facebook (CatholicReview), Twitter (@CatholicReview and
@CRMedia_Vatican) and Instagram (@TheCatholicReview).
• Our twice weekly e-newsletter delivers the latest news to your inbox via email or text. Text CRMEDIA to 84576 to subscribe.
• Catholic Review Radio airs on three radio stations – WMET, WSJF and WVTO – on Sundays and is available as a podcast the next day, offering interviews, news and inspiration.
In August, Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communications, told Signis, the World Catholic Association for Communication, that good journalism must be creative and promote communication that focuses on dialogue, intelligence and helping build active communities.
Some of those same themes came up when the Catholic Review Media team brainstormed about our new vision: information, inspiration, education, community, dialogue and connections.
Information comes at us in a torrent these days – almost too much to absorb. The Catholic press exists to help provide context for news and information that matters – or should matter – to you as a Catholic in the 2020s.
We will continue helping you make sense of your community and your world. That’s why we landed on a theme that you’ll start seeing with our Catholic Review brand: “Real Life. Real Faith.” You can help your family, your friends and your community be better examples of Christ in the world, but not if you don’t know about it yourself.
We’re here to help you view the world through the lens of real life and real faith.
Email Christopher Gunty at editor@CatholicReview.org
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