By now our alert readers should be saying to themselves, "There's something different about this issue of the newsletter." Every year the American Benedictine Academy evaluates this publication and renews its commitment to it. Every so often, the board comes round to a discussion about how it looks. Over the years, they have toyed with many ideas, but very few actually are implemented. A popular question is often, "Why is it always that same old grey color. Do you think it's kind of boring?" Then we ask some people what they think. A good number of them don't pay any attention to color at all. A few just like anything that is not white because it stands out in the pile. The most vocal have been those who not only like the way it stands out but have come to associate the grey color with ABA (stationery and many other publications of ABA are also grey). It may not be the loveliest color available, but people tell us that this is one of the things they will reach for in that unread pile because they know immediately what and where it is. Fast recognition and identification is not something to take lightly in this world of paper proliferation.
A second question is whether we need photographs. Illustrating an article sometimes adds interest but anyone who has done any publishing, even the high school paper, knows how hard it is to get good, clear, interesting pictures. The fact that we have no movie stars, disasters or game-winning plays upon which to report makes it even more challenging. The nature of many of our articles is not so visually exciting. To how many pictures of abbots at meetings or fronts of monasteries do we really attend? Is it worth the difference in cost of production to see them? Does anyone really care? Our managing editor, Sister Renee frequently compares it to the Wall Street Journal, which she says, "is not something you go to for the pictures."
Perhaps a compromise would be more graphics. This is something which might have some appeal, but only when we have extra small spaces to fill and not as a substitute for giving you more of what you pay for. We are especially interested in monastic cartoons (we make this plea regularly, surely someone out there has a sense of humor!). One suggestion which has real merit is that readers share with us their community logos and an explanation of them. This would give the eye appeal of a graphic, but be more than a mere marginal decoration. Please consider sending us a sharp copy of your community's logo if you would like to see more visual effects in this publication.
Finally, there is the one suggestion which you will note that we accepted. Every few years we try to update the front cover. There is no more fitting time than now as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of ABA to give its newsletter a little facelift. We hope you like it. We hope that if you do not, you will forgive our little attempt to embrace change and will still be happy with the content. If you have any other suggestions for improvement, please let me know. This is your publication and we depend on you to help us make it better.
Judith Sutera, OSB, Editor
Mount St. Scholastica
Written Proceedings of the August 1998 American Benedictine Academy Convention, held at St. Vincent's Archabbey, Latrobe, PA, entitled "Hospitality: Prism for the 21st Century," will be available in March 1999. Copies may be purchased at the following rate (includes postage):
ABA sponsors and members: $12.00
Non-members: $15.00
Checks should be made out to the American Benedictine Academy and should accompany the order. To order a copy, write
Renee Branigan, OSB
Subiaco Manor
2441 10th Ave. W #10
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