Dear Parishioner
We would be grateful if you could take a moment or two to read this email and consider whether you can assist us in ensuring the viability of our diocesan newspaper, the Northern Cross.
The diocesan family is one we are familiar with. Here in Hexham and Newcastle, we take pride in our rich legacy, stretching back through the ages and including saints like Bede and Cuthbert.
Today, our parishes, schools and numerous diocesan organisations and activities continue to keep the flame of faith burning brightly.
There are many links, structures and bonds of relationship that help to pull our family together. For more than 60 years, Northern Cross has played its part ensuring that news and views are spread the length and breadth of our diocese.
The lockdown and church closures have caused our sales at weekend Mass to cease. We have reached a “Northern Crossroads”. A new approach is needed - as is a price increase - if the newspaper is to survive.
We are looking for 2,020 subscribers in 2020 and are asking for people to consider signing up on an annual basis. For £36 subscribers would have the printed newspaper delivered through their door. For £20, subscribers would have access to the digital edition each month.
We would like to pay tribute to our loyal and generous postal subscribers for their patience.
We are truly sorry we have been unable to send your printed copies since March. We plan to extend your subscription period so that you do not miss out when we get back in print. We also thank the hundreds of people who have signed up for the digital edition in the past few months and those who have sent donations and messages of support.
The Northern Cross trustees and its volunteers ask you to spread the word and encourage others to subscribe. If the 2,020 target is reached, the newspaper can look forward to a healthy future.
How you can help
Take out an annual subscription - and encourage your friends, family and school to do so.
Restrictions on church attendance numbers and our reliance on volunteers will make it extremely difficult to distribute Northern Cross for the rest of the year.
We encourage you to take out a postal print subscription for £36 a year including post and packing costs. If you prefer reading it online, you could sign up for the digital edition at £20 a year.
Please email editor.norcross@btconnect.com or call 01325 464008 for more information. You can pay by cheque made out to Northern Cross and posted to: c/o WM Fortune & Son, Collingwood House, Church Square, Hartlepool, TS24 7EN or make a BACS transfer to: Northern Cross. Account number: 81602292. Sort code: 40-43-11
Advertise with us
Do you have a local business or service to promote? Are you a school with an upcoming open day? Our design team can create an eye-catching, effective advertisement for you. Our rates are competitive and we offer discounts if you book more than one ad with us. Email editor.norcross@btconnect.com or call to find out more.
Send us your stories
Northern Cross is your newspaper and we would love to hear what you have been up to over the past month. You can email your news to editor.norcross@btconnect.com, write to us at Northern Cross, c/o WM Fortune & Son, Collingwood House, Church Square, Hartlepool, TS24 7EN, or call us on 01325 464008.
Thank you for taking the time to read this appeal.
With all best wishes
Fr Dennis Tindall, Northern Cross Chairman and the Board of Directors of the Northern Cross