In this last issue of The Catholic Post’s 75th anniversary year, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and close out the first decade of the new millennium, we wish to express words of gratitude for some of the many gifts that have come this newspaper’s way.

First, we thank our readers for your gift of encouragement. These are days of challenge and opportunity for newspapers, and as we negotiate the changes of technology and reader preferences we want you to know you are valued. Some of you have been with us for much of our existence. For others this was your first year subscribing. Serving you is our mission and joy.

We thank all who have contributed their writing or photography talents to augment the efforts of our hard-working, small staff. Covering nearly 200 parishes in 26 counties with two reporters is a daunting task. Our many correspondents and columnists surprise and delight us every week, and we are grateful.

We thank Bishop Jenky, our advisory board, and the pastors of the diocese for the gift of trust you bestow on us.

We thank our advertisers for your gift of support. Our pages remain a wise investment.

We thank our critics, for your gift of challenge.

Mostly, we thank God for the gift of calling us to work in such a rewarding vocation.

As our “Looking Back” column on page 5 notes, 75 years ago this week Bishop Joseph Schlarman’s Christmas message called the first-year diocesan newspaper the diocese’s “greatest blessing of God in 1934.” We want you to know, as we turn the page on another year, decade, and even era, it is our blessing to serve you.

Merry Christmas, and thank you! — Thomas J. Dermody and the staff of The Catholic Post