One Voice, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama, is moving. More accurately, it’s evolving – into a new format and a new schedule this September.

When One Voice launched in 1971, who could have foreseen the world in which we live today, particularly from a communications perspective? How, when and where people seek news, information, and inspiration has changed dramatically, and far beyond the capabilities of a weekly newspaper.

A diocesan communication team launched a review of One Voice earlier this year, in context of how individual communication habits have changed, where people throughout the diocese find information about their faith, and how to best pursue the mission given to us by Christ and His Church. The team’s findings and recommendations were affirmed by Bishop Steven Raica, his diocesan Leadership Team, and the College of Consultors. The results: the evolution of One Voice.
 

Format

Our One Voice weekly newspaper, which has served the diocese nobly and was undoubtedly the right medium for our needs for many decades, is evolving into a new 32-page, full-color One Voice magazine. Portions of each edition will be published in English and Spanish.

Production Schedule

Delivering in-depth, original and local feature content, the new One Voice magazine will be produced six times throughout the year. The first edition, for September/October 2021, will be mailed to households in late August. As that initial edition of the magazine ships, the final edition of the weekly newspaper, Aug. 20, will also be mailed.

Mission

Where the weekly newspaper was centered on local, national, and world news, the opportunities for Catholics to stay updated today are vast and easily accessible, 24/7. The One Voice magazine will build on its roots as a teaching newspaper and squarely focus in on the mission of the diocese -- Evangelization. Each edition will feature stories of personal witness, Catholic life, theology, culture and more.

Receiving One Voice

The One Voice magazine will be mailed to all households registered with a parish in the Diocese of Birmingham. The subscription model used for the weekly newspaper will end and an automatic assessment of each parish will begin this summer. All households currently subscribed to the newspaper will be transferred automatically to receive the One Voice magazine.

New Digital Communications Coming

In addition to the launch of the One Voice magazine, new digital tools will be launched including a twice-monthly diocesan e-mail newsletter and an easier-to-find news section on the diocesan website, which will include real-time news from around the diocese. Watch for more information on how to sign up for the newsletter and reach the new website in the coming weeks.

More details will be featured in upcoming editions of the One Voice newspaper; however, if you have questions in the meantime, please contact the staff by email at onevoice@bhmdiocese.org.