PROVIDENCE - Bishop Thomas J. Tobin announced Feb. 8 that after an exhaustive search, he has appointed award-winning editor and journalist Marcia Grann O'Brien to the newly-created position of General Manager/Editor of the weekly newspaper, The Providence Visitor and the monthly publication, The Providence Visitor en español. O'Brien will participate in a redesign process that has already commenced.
"The Catholic press plays an important role in the life of the Catholic Church, particularly in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and in promulgating our teachings and beliefs," said Bishop Tobin. "The Providence Visitor is a unique source of information for news involving the church on a local, regional, national and international level. The newspaper and all who read the Visitor will benefit from Marcia's professional experience and her commitment to and personal interest in the quality and content of the paper."
O'Brien, who will assume her new duties Feb. 23, will be responsible for the daily operations of the newspaper and will participate in its redesign and restructuring. Adopting recommendations made by consultants from the Catholic Press Association, Bishop Tobin has commissioned an effort to make a number of dramatic changes to the Visitor, including more local news, less national news; a new look for the paper; and a change in name to better reflect the strong local Catholic identity for which the Visitor is known. The new publication will be introduced later this year.
"I honestly can't think of anything I would rather do than serve in this position," said O'Brien. "Whatever the talents, experience and abilities God has given me, the chance to put them to work directly in the service of God for the people of God is awesome."
O'Brien, who has served as editor of The Narragansett Times since 1998, comes to the Visitor with a distinguished career in journalism. From 1994-98, she served as editor of the Warwick Beacon and from 1975-90, was a reporter, managing editor and publisher of a number of community-based newspapers in Long Island, N.Y. O'Brien also served as editor of Amnesty International/USA publications in New York City.
In her many roles, O'Brien has earned dozens of awards from press organizations recognizing her work in editorial writing, government, education, religion, environment, medicine, health and investigative reporting. She was also recognized in her capacity as a publisher for advertising, design, circulation and community service efforts.
O'Brien is a member of Christ the King Parish, Kingston, where she serves as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and a greeter on the Hospitality Committee. She also contributes to the parish newsletter. A convert to Catholicism from Lutheranism nine years ago, O'Brien has also served as a sponsor for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. She is a mother of three and grandmother of four.
O'Brien is a member of the board of directors of the New England Press Association, Rhode Island Press Association and South County Tourism Council.
"This is a challenging and exciting time for the Visitor, particularly as we work through a restructuring and redesign of the paper," added Bishop Tobin. "With so many wonderful things taking place in the church, both within and beyond the Diocese of Providence, it is essential that our paper be as effective and as attractive as possible."
The Providence Visitor was founded in 1875 during the episcopacy of the first Bishop of Providence, Bishop Thomas J. Hendricken. Originally intended to provide the influx of Irish immigrants into the Rhode Island area with news from Ireland, the paper is one of a handful to mark its 125th anniversary in the state. Today, The Visitor and the Visitor en español provide the Rhode Island community with news about parishes, schools and charitable acts of the Catholic faith here in the state and beyond.
(This article originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)
