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Inside
NCR
Here in the Midwest, there are signs
that winter is around the corner. On the nightly news, TV meteorologists (in a
less high-tech era, known simply as weather forecasters) issue frost warnings
and remind us to cover the plants. Weeks before they’ve retired the
Halloween paraphernalia, retailers start devoting prime floor space to
Christmas merchandise, announcing, with due political correctness, that
not-to-be-missed “Holiday Sale!” on everything from car batteries to
pet products.
At NCR, we’re having conversations about “the
Christmas cover” and Advent reflection series. And even though it’s
only October, we’re actually late in doing that. Christmas, it seems,
comes earlier each year.
I have always loved Christmas. I’ll admit that as I’ve
grown older, I’ve come to mightily dislike the commercialization that
makes it difficult to make any connection between the birth of Jesus and
Madison Avenue merchandising. But even that can’t put a damper on
Christmas. I especially look forward to the rich, powerful scripture readings
that begin in Advent. This year in particular, with the world poised darkly on
the brink of war and a church numbed by dark deeds that shame us all, the
promise of Isaiah 9:1 seems more needed than ever: “The people who walked
in darkness have seen a great light; on those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a
light has shone.”
We at NCR are privileged to play a small part in spreading
that light -- sometimes the task is simply to help people remember that the
light, now of hope, now of faith, exists.
The cynics might say there is nothing “lightsome” about
the news business, with stories of scandals and exposés, news that often
cannot be even remotely considered “good.” But we believe that one of
a journalist’s tasks is precisely to shine the light into the dark
corners, ultimately so that truth and change and good can result.
Through the years, NCR
readers have become valuable partners with us in that task. While we’ll
refrain from the “Holiday Sale!” pitch lamented above, we do ask you
to think of National Catholic Reporter as you’re preparing your
gift list. In fact, to make it easier for you to do that, we’ve prepared a
colorful and informative wrap around this issue. We have a loyal reader base,
but we know there are many folks out there who haven’t
“discovered” NCR and others who would appreciate a gift
subscription: seniors on fixed income, college students away from home, grown
children you’d like to help reconnect to the Catholic scene, a favorite
priest or religious. With an NCR gift subscription you can help keep the
light shining all year long.
NCR readers will be
pleased to know that Tom Roberts’ bypass surgery was successful and that
he’s mending well. His wife, Sally, reports that the doctors are happy
with Tom’s progress -- and we’re happy to hear and pass along that
good news. We’re also bringing Tom the many cards, get-well wishes and
promises of prayer that arrive daily in the newsroom. You can send him
greetings at: National Catholic Reporter, 115 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City
MO 64111.
And if you’re missing Tom in “this space,” check
out his letter on the inside of the wrap around this issue!
-- Pat Morrison
My e-mail address is pmorrison@natcath.org
National Catholic Reporter, October 25,
2002
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