Brothers and Sisters:
The peace of Christ!
I am writing to update you on how the coronavirus crisis is affecting our work at America Media and to let you know what steps we have taken to continue our service to you during these trying days.
First of all, thank you. Last week, for the first time in 111 years, America Media produced and shipped America magazine while all of our staff were working remotely. This was possible because we recently instituted an all-digital production process—a three-year project to move the organization from paper to screen and from print-first to digital-first.
Your support made that work possible. You are the reason we are able to continue to bring you our coverage of the church and the world, in the pages of America magazine and every single day at americamagazine.org.
Thank you.
Second, I want to thank our dedicated staff, who are working harder than ever to provide the news, analysis and spiritual resources you need at this time. Our editorial and business departments are shifting priorities and resources to respond to this unprecedented event. As you might imagine, delivering this coverage to you from many time zones and across multiple content platforms while we are locked down along with the rest of the world is no easy feat. Our staff is the smartest, hardest working team in publishing. Thank you for your support of them.
Above all, like you, we have faith in the One who ultimately guides our earthly pilgrimage, the One of whom Saint Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Third, I want to make sure you know about all the resources we have marshaled for you in response to this event. Our team is producing content about this emergency every day on every platform, from print to podcasts, social media and video. You can find all of that content in one place: americamagazine.org/coronavirus.
In the coming days, many of you will receive our spring appeal letter. As you know, the annual America Appeal is a major source of support for our work. It is planned weeks, if not months, in advance and the letter you will receive was sent to the printer before the coronavirus crisis began. I ask you to bear that in mind when you receive it.
I also ask that you carefully consider supporting our annual appeal when you receive it. I know that this is an anxious and challenging time for all of us, and that you face many pressures on many fronts. Please consider our request to the extent your circumstances permit.
Lastly, please know that we are praying for you and that because of you, we are hopeful. For 111 years—through two world wars, the Great Depression, 9/11—America magazine has been a witness to our national life. Our experience has taught us this: We can rely on the essential goodness, charity and courage of the American people to meet the challenge of a perilous hour.
Above all, like you, we have faith in the One who ultimately guides our earthly pilgrimage, the One of whom Saint Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Matthew F. Malone, S.J.
President & Editor in Chief
