The Catholic Chronicle welcomes submissions of stories, photos and ideas for use in both the printed and online editions. The following are guidelines for submitting information to us for consideration. Please note publication of any material submitted to the Catholic Chronicle is not guaranteed, but every story is given consideration. When a story cannot be published in the print edition, it will be considered for the online edition at www.catholicchronicle.org. Purchasing advertising in the Catholic Chronicle does not guarantee an accompanying feature or news story. To purchase advertising, contact Christopher Dougherty or Sara Strick at 419-244-6711.

Click on a link below for specific guidelines.

How to get your news, information and story ideas to us
E-mail is the preferred method. Information may be sent in the body of the e-mail or as a Microsoft Word attachment. Please note: For Microsoft 2007 or other document type, save it as "text only" in the format window. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mail:
Catholic Chronicle
PO Box 985
Toledo, OH 43697-0985

Fax: 419-244-0468

News/Events Coverage Requests
Story planning for each print issue of the Chronicle begins at least six weeks prior to publication. Requests for coverage should be made early and contain compelling information to warrant coverage by Catholic Chronicle staff. The editorial staff consists of the editor, one full time writer and a few freelance writers.

While we know parish and school staff and volunteers put a lot of energy into planning many wonderful events and programs, it is not possible for Chronicle staff to cover every worthwhile event in a given month. We can best respond to requests for coverage when ample time is given to work it into our schedule or to make a request of a freelance writer.

Program and event flyers sent without explanation will be considered a submission for the events listing. If you believe your program deserves consideration for Chronicle coverage, please explain why when contacting the Chronicle.

When requests for coverage cannot be fulfilled by the Chronicle, the parish or school is more than welcome to submit photos and a story written by someone who did attend the event. This type of coverage should be discussed with the editor prior to the event for word count requirements and deadlines.

Publication of any submission is not guaranteed, but every story is given consideration. When a story cannot be published in the print edition, it will be considered for the online edition at www.catholicchronicle.org.

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Feature Stories
As a monthly paper, the Catholic Chronicle print edition contains stories that have a feature focus. Story planning for each print issue begins at least six weeks prior to publication, so suggestions for feature-length articles should be submitted at least six weeks prior to anticipated publication date. Publication of any submission is not guaranteed, but every story is given consideration. When a story cannot be published in the print edition, it will be considered for the online edition at www.catholicchronicle.org.

Questions to consider before suggesting a story:
1. Is it Catholic in nature? Is it happening at a Catholic parish or institution? Does it involve Catholic people?

2. Is the story one that would appeal to or interest people outside of your immediate area? If your story is in Crestline, could someone in Blakeslee find the story inspiring or informative?

3. Is your story a unique solution to a challenge faced by Catholics throughout the diocese? Does your school use a unique approach to teaching a particular subject? Has your parish found a new way to get more people involved in the ministry or evangelization?

4. Does the story relate to current events or trends?

5. Does the story exemplify people living the faith?

6. Does the story highlight the diversity of Catholics in our diocese?

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Events Listings
The print edition of the Chronicle contains a listing of events offered throughout the diocese. All events to be included in this listing must be received in the Chronicle office by the 10th of the month prior to publication. For example, if your event is happening in February, information for the listing must be received by Jan. 10.

Events listings are limited to date, event title, place, cost, time and contact information, including name, phone number and/or e-mail address. While many events are worthy of publication, those at Catholic institutions have priority over other listings. When space is limited, non-Catholic programs will be cut first.

Occasionally, a small space may be available on a page to provide more information on an event. This is never guaranteed, however if we have additional information on your event, we may use it to fill in these spaces. Priority is given to events with a diocesan-wide audience or appeal.

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Deanery Stories
Each deanery is featured one time during the year. Unlike general news or feature stories, this is the time to showcase your region of the diocese. Some examples of stories we like to print in the deanery sections include, but are not limited to:
• people we can profile who have made a difference in their parish and/or community
• events we can cover or promote in advance that would interest our readers from around the diocese
• happenings in your parish that bring to light an interesting issue - ex: a social action group or a group of volunteers addressing a need they have observed
• unique programs you have to spiritually inspire and form Catholics in their faith
• major building or renovation projects

While you know your area will be featured this time of the year, story suggestions can come at any time. The following is the schedule for deanery sections:

January: St. Francis of Assisi (southern Wood, Hancock, parts of Henry and Seneca and most of Wyandot counties)

February: Blessed Junipero Serra (Van Wert and Allen counties)

March: St. Maximilian Kolbe (Defiance, Paulding and southern Henry counties)

April: St. Juan Diego (Crawford, Richland and southern Huron counties)

May: St. Philomena (Sandusky and Ottawa counties) and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (cities of Toledo, Oregon, Bono and Walbridge)

June: St. John Neumann (northern Huron and southern Erie Counties) and Our Lady of the Lake (northern Erie county and Lake Erie islands area)

July: No publication

August: Our Lady Queen of Peace (Williams, western Fulton and northwest Henry counties) and St. Luke (eastern Fulton and western Lucas counties)

September: St. George (Putnam County)

October: St. Katharine Drexel (northern Wood County and southern Toledo) and St. Agnes (west Toledo)

November: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (central Toledo)

December: Precious Blood of Jesus (eastern Seneca and northeast Wyandot counties)

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Columns & Opinion Pieces
Unsolicited columns and opinion pieces are not accepted.

Letters to the Editor
The Chronicle welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must contain a full name and verifiable address as well as daytime and evening phone numbers and parish. No anonymous letters will be published. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. If referring to an item previously published in the Chronicle, please include the issue date. Letters to the editor are only published in the print edition.

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People & Places
Accomplishments of individuals, schools, parishes and others are included in this section. Examples include wedding anniversaries of 50, 60, 65 or more years, awards and major accomplishments. Students involved in programs such as science fairs and other academic and sports programs must compete at the state level for consideration. Submissions should be only for members of the Catholic church or Catholic parishes, schools or institutions. Because of the volume of pieces received for this section, publication is not guaranteed. Submissions should be 250 words or less. Photos are also welcome.

Please be sure to identify the person’s or group’s parish or school and hometown with the information submitted. Also include a contact name and email or phone number for questions or clarifications.

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Photos
Digital
If you are taking photos with a digital camera or cell phone, be sure your camera is set to “fine” or best quality. Fewer photos will be able to be stored on your device, but they will have a higher resolution and more likely usable in print. For best reproduction, photos should be at least 5 inches by 7 inches (1050 by 750 pixels) with a resolution of 300. Larger sized original photos may have a lower resolution. Please do not make any changes to the original photo before sending it to the Chronicle.

Print
Photos printed from inkjet printers cannot be used by the Chronicle. Photos printed by a professional lab may be used.

If you are submitting a photo taken by a professional photographer, you must also submit a copyright release signed by the photographer before we may publish the photo.

If you would like your photo returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. All other photos become property of the Catholic Chronicle.

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Obituaries & Death Notices
Obituaries are printed free of charge in the Chronicle for priests, deacons, sisters and those who have performed extraordinary service to the Diocese of Toledo.

Death notices, (name, parish, age and date of death) submitted by parishes and funeral homes are published for registered members of churches in the Diocese of Toledo.

The deadline for submitting information for obituaries and death notices is the 10th of each month. Any notices received after the deadline will be held until the next publication.

Due to space limitations, photos do not accompany obituaries or death notices.

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