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Email a FriendConsidering that enjoy just about everything you produce, I’m in, and looking forward to seeing the new magazine! God bless your efforts, Danielle! 
News From Faith & Family
With Catholic Digest, Our Mission Changes and Grows
by Danielle Bean in News on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 12:02 PM
I am excited to share some news with you today.
Beginning in the new year, Catholic Digest is going to be an all-new magazine, and I will be its new editor-in-chief. (See press release from Bayard at the bottom of this page.)
With the March 2012 issue, Catholic Digest will re-launch with a larger size, an updated look, a contemporary focus, and a new voice. I have been working hard to make this new magazine inspiring, relevant, faithful, and fun, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
As we began the work of updating Catholic Digest, however, it became clear that there would be overlap, in mission, style, and content, between the new Catholic Digest and Faith & Family. As a result, the decision was made to cease publishing Faith & Family magazine in its current form, in order to focus on this new initiative. We are notifying subscribers of this change, along with details about their options, with a letter going home with the Winter 2011 issue (which is arriving in mailboxes this week).
The new tagline of the new Catholic Digest is “Faith & Family Living.”
As we work to make the new Catholic Digest a fresh, relevant Catholic publication, featuring content from Faith & Family’s award-winning writers and editorial team, we remain committed to the Faith & Family mission of supporting and encouraging you in Catholic living. That same mission will also continue here at Faith & Family Live, where we support and encourage Catholic families in our active online community.
I am thrilled to be assigned the task of making Catholic Digest the kind of joyful, faith-filled publication you have always trusted me to produce, and I thank God for the opportunity to continue to serve the Church in this capacity. I am grateful for the ways many of you have supported Faith & Family magazine in the past, and pray that you will support Faith & Family Live and Catholic Digest as we begin this new endeavor.
Please consider giving me your vote of confidence today by beginning or renewing a subscription to Catholic Digest.
We are here to serve you and support you in the joyfully challenging work of Catholic living. I am confident that the future holds good things for Catholic Digest, and I want to be sure you are along for the ride.
God is good. I can’t wait to find out what we can do. Together.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
PRESS RELEASE FROM BAYARD, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Bayard, Inc. Announces Catholic Digest Re-launch
NEW LONDON, CT (November 29, 2011) - Bayard, Inc. announces a new direction for its landmark publication, Catholic Digest. With the March 2012 issue, Catholic Digest will relaunch with an updated format and a fresh focus, under the direction of new editor-in-chief, Danielle Bean.
Bean, an award-winning author, blogger, and editor of Faith & Family, brings a new voice and an updated look to the publication. “I am thrilled about the new direction we are taking with Catholic Digest and can’t wait to share it with our readers,” said Bean.
Bret D. Thomas, president and CEO of Bayard, Inc., said, “As our new editor-in-chief, Danielle is committed to making the all-new Catholic Digest inspiring, relevant, faithful, and fun. With the relaunch, Catholic Digest will publish in a larger size, with a fresh look and a contemporary focus.”
With this change, Dan Connors, former editor-in-chief of Catholic Digest, will take a larger role in editing Living with Christ, for which he has served as editorial director. He also remains editorial director for Bayard, Inc., including Catholic Digest and continues his work with the book division of Twenty-Third Publications, a division of Bayard Inc.
Visit us at catholicdigest.com.
###
Contact Information:
Bret D. Thomas
860-437-3012
bthomas@bayard-us.com
Danielle Bean
danielle.bean@bayard-inc.com
Comments
Posted by Lisa R T on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 1:52 PM (EDT):
I subscribe to both and love them for different reasons. I would hate to lose anything from “Faith and Family”, especially the articles about family living and the unique items targeted at women, but this is really a plea to keep on with “Patrick’s Corner” from Catholic Digest. Sean Patrick is a wonderful story-teller in a league with James Herriot in his ability to take a bit of everyday life and find the extraordinary in it. Thanks for the opportunity for a little input!
Posted by anita on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 3:11 PM (EDT):
OHH NOO! I’m so sad! I have a nearly 2 foot tall stack of F&F’s that I’ve been receiving through almost all of my married life. I will miss it. Maybe you can have someone put together some books—the best of the liturgical year activities,etc. and a cook book! That would console me somewhat.
Posted by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 3:30 PM (EDT):
Congratulations, Danielle! I’ll look forward to the new look of Catholic Digest. May God bless your endeavors!
Posted by Mary Palmer on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 3:43 PM (EDT):
Danielle,
Personally, I love Catholic Digest just like it is. I am however, open to new ideas and with them I am just hoping that Sean Patrick will contue his “stories”. These are so very special and so very Catholic. If that is not possible, maybe there will be forthcoming publication of books containing his stories. Thank you for years of a wonderful magazine and all it’s valuable and helpful information. God bless your new endeavor and God bless Dan Connors and the wonderful work he has done and will be doing in his new position.
IHS,
Mary
Posted by Kate Wicker on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 5:06 PM (EDT):
Congratulations, Danielle! As a loyal reader and contributor, I’m sad to see the end of Faith & Family magazine. Yet, I’m equally excited about this new beginning and the launch of a new Catholic Digest!
Blessings to everyone involved in this endeavor!
Posted by Lisa Hendey on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 6:11 PM (EDT):
Danielle, I’m happy to share in this good news and will do everything possible to support you in your new role. Catholic Digest is blessed to have such a capable, eloquent and strong leader at the helm! You are in my prayers!
Posted by Gina on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 6:41 PM (EDT):
Congrats Danielle! I am happy to hear that Catholic Digest will be making some changes with you in charge. I recently cancelled my subscription and can’t wait to renew again. Many blessings and prayers to you and your family as you enter this new and exciting time in your life and vocation. And thanks for letting me know my Winter Faith & Family Magazine is in the mail this week!!! God Bless
Posted by Karen Edmisten on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 10:41 PM (EDT):
Congratulation, Danielle! I know you’ll be steering the ship with your eyes on the best of both worlds!
Posted by Sara on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 2:19 AM (EDT):
This is such exciting news, Danielle! I tried out Catholic Digest (as well as the other Catholic mags) when I reverted a few years ago, but F&F is my only subscription. I think I might be a bit younger than their target demo? 
But I know with you at the helm and with the new focus, I will be a loyal subscriber!
Posted by Pam Barnhill on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 8:18 AM (EDT):
Not familiar with Cathlic Digest but looking forward to checking it out. Would you consider a digital version? I don’t like paper clutter.
Posted by Melissa G on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 10:00 AM (EDT):
Congratulations Danielle! Be assured of my prayers. I hope Rebecca Teti’s articles will not go away. It sounds like you are trying to combine the best of both magazines!
I let my subscription to Faith and Family run out, but hope to put the new “Catholic Digest” on my wish list.
Posted by Gen on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 8:12 PM (EDT):
I have never seen the Faith and Family magazine but always pick up the Catholic Digest.
Our pastor buys in and leave it at the church for us.
Personally, I like the size…easy to hold and read like the Readers Digest.
Also, enjoyed many of the articles. Good luck on your new project.
Posted by Marina Solis on Thursday, Dec 1, 2011 1:42 PM (EDT):
I received my Winter issue of Faith & Family along with the letter explaining the future plans of the magazine. I had to read it twice because, at first, I was in disbelief that this wonderful magazine was to stop. But I understand now. Strange, I had been thinking of the Catholic Digest recently; I had subscribed to this magazine at a very young age. I was 19 years old and I kept a subscription with them until I was 34. I married and had four children, which is when I began to subscribe to Faith & Family and have enjoyed it for many years. I’m 51 now. Now the two magazines are to be combined. Oh my goodnes! For me, it’s a feeling of fresh new beginnings and of ‘coming home’. Very sure of the success of the magazine. Am looking forward to seeing the first issue in March of 2012. Blessings to you and your forthcoming ‘masterpiece’!
Posted by Faith on Thursday, Dec 1, 2011 3:47 PM (EDT):
As it was I wouldn’t even take the *free* copies of C.D. at the back of church. Reader’s Digest was better, in my opinion. (sorry to be negative—maybe I should have given it a better shot..) I’m so looking forward to Danielle being at the helm!!!
Posted by Amy on Friday, Dec 2, 2011 10:36 AM (EDT):
I am glad that CD will become a faithful magazine (as it has NOT always been), however, at the expense of losing F&F!? I am quite saddened. I wonder who the intended audience will be, as I subscribed to F&F because it was focused on those raising children. I am having a difficult time imagining CD doing the same. But I trust you, Danielle, so I am (like another reader above) going to take the wait and see approach. Here’s hoping!
Posted by Cheryl Howald on Friday, Dec 2, 2011 11:41 AM (EDT):
I am so sorry to hear that faith and family magazine will no longer be in print. I looked forward to receiving them and passing along to friends. To what address do we submit a request for a refund? I have tried catholic digest in the past and it does not fit my needs.thank you.
Posted by Melissa on Saturday, Dec 3, 2011 12:40 AM (EDT):
Quite frankly, I’m devastated at the loss of Faith & Family magazine. It was a breath of freshness, a light at the end of the tunnel, a joy to receive in the mail and I knew that everything in it would be a treasure. A shot in the arm to my spiritual, parenting and homemaking life. Each month, I receive (for free, I’d never pay for this stuff) a sea of secular magazines where I wade through ads for artificial contraception, the “joys” of life with a “married” celebrity couple of the same sex, and graphic sex “tips” for the occasional parenting/cooking/homemaking ideas. Some months I’m not even in the mood to do that and into the recycle bin they go. In contrast, I have saved every issue of F&F and gone back and re-read them. I’m glad F&F lasted as long as it did, and for the website staying—and staying the same.
Like the poster above, I’ve never, ever been impressed with Catholic Digest. I, too, wouldn’t receive it for free. I’d take secular over the tepid, uninspiring CD content. And as much as I know that Danielle is a blessing and a gift to any magazine that she will contribute to, it will take a lot to persuade me that CD could be anything like F&F. Regardless, I wish you the very best Danielle and pray for you and your new venture.
Posted by Susie on Sunday, Dec 4, 2011 10:27 PM (EDT):
Received Catholic Digest a few years ago because my kids got a prize from their school as it was a “bonus” magazine. It was OK, but not good enough that I considered renewing it. I’m willing to give it a try again next year as I think it will be on the magazine sale for school again.
Posted by Deanna on Monday, Dec 5, 2011 3:08 PM (EDT):
Congratulations, Danielle! I am, however, very sad to see the end of Faith and Family. I have been a subscriber from the beginning and have kept every copy. It was the only magazine subscription that I never let lapse. I especially loved the large, colored photos, and hope that they will be incorporated into the the new version of Catholic Digest. I am looking forward to my first copy so I can give it a try.
Posted by Nancy B on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2011 8:01 PM (EDT):
This is very interesting. I subscribed to Catholic Digest when I was in college 10 years ago, but I let my subscription lapse. I was pleased with it when I received it and I have a few back issues, but in retrospect, I guess there wasn’t a “spark” there to keep me subscribing. I was recently thinking about subscribing again. Currently, I read Our Sunday Visitor every week because we receive it at Church. I like the balance of news, spiritually encouraging and edifying content, and opinion pieces. I was a one-year subscriber to Faith and Family, but I check out your web content (usually the blogs) every now and again. I enjoyed some of the content of the print magazine, but, honestly, a few things put me off. The first issue I received, there was an article about “How to Talk to Gay People.” I found that very strange—-gay people shouldn’t be handled with kid gloves—-they should be treated with the respect and love we would give to any other brother or sister in Christ. We shouldn’t over-think it! Also, the article was written by a woman who described herself as a former homosexual, but her conversion was never discussed in the article! I thought that was a missed opportunity because I was fascinated to hear THAT part of the story! In another issue (and I’m so sorry I can’t remember which specific one it was and which article), the author described herself as an orthodox Roman Catholic, and I felt that she was poking fun at other Catholics that might not worship the same way as she does. Catholic publications should strive to bring Catholics together, not divide those who prefer the guitar Mass over the organ Mass, etc!! Perhaps this marriage of Faith and Family and Catholic Digest can foster this. Honestly, I also wasn’t a fan of the housekeeping and beauty tips in the magazine—-they weren’t what I was searching for in your magazine—-I want religious and family content. Perhaps you can move away from that in your new incarnation. I will seriously consider subscribing to your magazine. $22.95 seems like a lot to shell out for something I haven’t seen, but less than $2 a month will support a Catholic publication, so maybe I will go for it!
Posted by Karen - RPV, CA on Saturday, Dec 10, 2011 12:32 AM (EDT):
I’m so sad that Faith & Family is going away. It has been a fabulous publication. I have also subscribed to Catholic Digest for 15+ years, and find lots of value in that publication, although at times its emphasis is a little too political (and left-leaning) as opposed to religious/spiritual. Dan Connors’ columns were always good food for thought, and I wish him well. Danielle’s talents are tremendous, so I am confident that she will take CD in a good direction. Like Nancy B, I also don’t need to get housekeeping or beauty tips from my religious magazines - I have plenty of other avenues for getting that information. I hope that Bayard will do a check of both magazine’s subscriber lists to ensure that carry-over subscriptions from F&F are added on to the end of existing CD subscriptions, so that I don’t receive two copies of CD, rather than a lengthened subscription.
Posted by Jada on Friday, Dec 30, 2011 10:32 PM (EDT):
If we gave gift subscriptions of F & F before receiving the letter/seeing this post will those automatically be switched to Catholic Digest as well? I have loved F & F and look forward to trying Catholic Digest out.
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