By George P. Matysek Jr.
“Review in the Pew,” a biweekly update published by CR Media on weeks when the Catholic Review is not published, will be distributed to all parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore beginning the weekend of Sept. 15-16.
The publication, launched in April in 12 pilot parishes, will expand in size to a minimum of six pages and will have a circulation of 75,000 – six times the circulation in the pilot parishes.
Christopher Gunty, associate publisher/editor of the Catholic Review, said expansion of Review in the Pew is part of a strategic plan implemented earlier this year when the Catholic Review changed its frequency from weekly to biweekly and underwent a major redesign. CatholicReview.org was also enhanced, as were e-letters distributed via email.
“The idea behind Review in the Pew is to have short, quick-read bits of information,” said Gunty, noting that people still read voraciously, but want to see stories on multiple platforms and multiple frequencies. “We are giving readers short bites, and then telling them where to go in print or online to read more.”
Review in the Pew gives Archbishop William E. Lori a venue to have his column published every week – alternating between the Catholic Review and Review in the Pew.
“Archbishop Lori really wants to use this as a way for people to get to know him and learn what kind of teacher he is,” Gunty said. “He takes that role very seriously.”
Gunty said Review in the Pew will be inserted into parish bulletins or handed out when bulletins are distributed. The publication features short stories, a calendar of events, the archbishop’s column, photos and information about what is available on CatholicReview.org and in the Catholic Review.
Monsignor Joseph Luca, pastor of St. Louis in Clarksville, said Review in the Pew has been a welcome resource for his faith community – one of the pilot parishes.
“I think it’s a good way for the Catholic Review to be brought to the awareness of the people – even those who don’t get the paper,” Monsignor Luca said. “It’s a great idea to keep everyone connected. It seems like it’s going very well.”
Expansion of Review in the Pew was made possible by a lead advertising sponsor committing to a year’s worth of advertising, said Gunty, noting that there are no subscription costs for parishes.
“We are hoping people will respond well, like what they see and find some stories they wouldn’t have read otherwise,” Gunty said, “and we hope they would subscribe to the newspaper and visit the website.”
Copyright (c) Sept. 14, 2012 CatholicReview.org