As we celebrate the beautiful gift of Jesus Christ’s birth in this world, I take a moment to reflect on the many gifts of Our Church.

Certainly, the ability of our Archdiocese of Agana to proclaim the love of Christ and the Good News of the Gospel to the people through the medium of a Catholic newspaper such as our Pacific Voice, must be counted as a blessing.

Just last November, Pope Benedict XVI described how the Catholic press has an irreplaceable role in forming Christian consciences and reflecting the church’s viewpoint on contemporary issues.

While secular media often reflect a skeptical and relativistic attitude toward truth, the Pope said the church knows that people need the full truth brought by Christ.

“The mission of the church consists in creating the conditions so that this meeting with Christ can be realized. Cooperating in this task, the communications media are called to serve the truth with courage, to help public opinion see and read reality from an evangelical viewpoint,” he said.

A primary task of the Catholic newspaper, Our Holy Father said, is to “give voice to a point of view that reflects Catholic thinking on all ethical and social questions.”

I have been privileged to be a part of the storied history and legacy of The Pacific Voice for the past eight years serving as its Editor. Now, as in all things, seasons pass, and changes come.

This December 26, 2010 Christmas issue of The Pacific Voice marks my last as Editor. I will still serve in the Archdiocese as its Director of Communications.

Stalwart staffers Mariquita Cruz (Production Supervisor) and Luz Oberiano (Production Assistant) have served faithfully in “Jackie-of-all-trades” capacities at the Pacific Voice for incredible 35 and 13 years respectively. They will remain with the paper. They are the backbone of the newspaper and you, the Church are the heart.

I extend sincere gratitude to Tita and Luz for all they have done and all they will continue to do for our Church through our Archdiocesan newspaper. I also thank our Shepherd, Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron and all the wonderful people of our Church who contribute in many different ways to this ministry of communication.

Look for very exciting and wonderful things in The Pacific Voice starting with the very next issue, January 2!

Major changes and improvements at the hands of extremely talented and capable people … but the mission remains the same: bringing Christ and the Good News of his love to everyone in the Church and community.

Please continue to support this Voice of the Church, which the late Bishop Apollinaris Baumgartner first established 60-plus years ago as the Umatuna Si Yu’us.

It is indeed a gift. We continue to celebrate it as one Church, dedicated to Our Loving God. Si Yu’us Ma’ase!

Tony C. Diaz