Dear Friends of The Catholic Post,

By now, many of you have probably heard of my difficult decision to cease publication of The Catholic Post newspaper. As I noted in a letter to readers in early January, rising costs and staffing challenges — in particular a lack of success over many months in finding a permanent replacement for longtime editor Tom Dermody — forced me to make the decision.

At that time, I wrote that it was our hope “to publish a final issue of The Catholic Post in the coming month — an issue which will honor the legacy of this great publication.”

Unfortunately, for various reasons this is not to be. Although I’m sure this is a disappointment, I have also heard the view that the best way to honor the Post’s legacy is to let the paper’s work be its testament.

The Catholic Post’s last issue was Dec. 24: Christmas Eve. As we know, Christmas Eve is a beginning, not an end. In this confident hope, a wider diocesan communications strategy is being developed, and I am committed to exploring new opportunities to share the stories of our faith in the Diocese of Peoria.

Changing times continue to present us with realities we may not feel quite ready to embrace. Nonetheless, while it is true that the faithful light of The Catholic Post newspaper will be sunsetting after 89 years, it’s also true that photographers tell us pictures of a sunset and a sunrise are technically indistinguishable.

We ask for your prayerful support toward a new sunrise of diocesan communications efforts. In the meantime, we will begin to post stories and images from across our diocese-and some of the popular columns that appeared in The Catholic Post — once or twice a week to The Catholic Post website and Facebook page.

For instance, as this is Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 28-Feb. 3), stories in upcoming days will feature some of the good things unfolding in our diocesan schools.

I pray that communications carried on under the banner of The Catholic Post will continue to spread the saving message of Jesus Christ: faithfully informing, forming, and uniting members of the Diocese of Peoria. Furthermore, I pray that Venerable Fulton Sheen, our native son, and pioneering communicator will guide and inspire our efforts today, tomorrow, and always.

Sincerely in the Lord,

+Most Reverend Louis Tylka

BISHOP OF PEORIA