Inside
NCR
Best
vacation parishes; new doings @ NCR
In the June 19 issue, NCR
editor-at-large Arthur Jones wrote about vacation friendly parishes
around the country: churches on or off the beaten track where the pilgrim is
welcomed and the liturgy special. Aware that his list was but the tip of a
liturgical iceberg, Jones solicited further examples. A handful of readers
responded, and their recommendations will soon get an airing. But surely there
must be others who know a special place where weekend liturgies leave big
impressions. Write to Arthur Jones, NCR, 2060 National Press Building,
Washington DC 20045; describe whats special about the parish of your
choice, and if possible give the parish phone number, time of Masses and any
tantalizing special features.
A momentous occasion is upon us.
NCR, as practically the whole cyberworld knows, has been on the Web for
some time. Surfers may already have noticed that the entire issue (except wire
stories and such) of July 31 was on the Web, as this issue of Aug. 14 is. After
that, beginning with the issue of Aug. 28, only subscribers will have unlimited
access to our Web site. In a perfect world, we would throw the site open to
all, but publications are increasingly finding they cant afford to do
this.
What to do now? If you are a subscriber, go to the NCR
website, click on NCR Online and follow instructions. NCRs
Webmeister Pierre Jorgensen has done a spectacular job of preparing the site
and preparing us for this event. When asked if there were other ways of signing
up, he responded, If they cant go to the site, then theyre
not yet ready for access anyway. In other words, its easy for those
who know even a little bit about the Internet. Jorgensen is aware that some
people are nervous about fishing for connections on the Web, so he promises to
be at the other end (here) to help subscribers with the process.
Its a big bonus for subscribers, at no extra cost. And a
bigger bonus for readers abroad, especially those who receive their NCR
by surface mail. They will be able to read it online weeks if not months
earlier than before.
To give a little of the game away: When readers follow the
aforementioned instructions, they will be given a user ID and a password.
Bureaucracy has been streamlined, so you will have access within one working
day.
Ellen Conroy, by happenstance, found that she was proud possessor
of the very first ID number, which caused her to E-mail Jorgensen: As
yesterday wore on, I began to realize how extraordinary a privilege it was to
be given ncr1 as my user ID. ... I realized how many important people would
have really been gratified to have ncr1, and then I began to realize what a
gift you had given me.
Rather, Id say, Conroy is a gift to NCR.
We ask readers to begin every conversation from now to Christmas
with the words, Have you seen NCR on the Web?
And do stand by for another momentous
occasion, probably in September -- the launching of National Catholic
Reporters new design. Were so excited, further words fail us at
this time.
We continue to receive readers
letters commenting enthusiastically on Tom Foxs Asian synod coverage.
Some have asked that we compile his reports into a pamphlet. We have no plans
to do this. However, NCRs Asian synod coverage, including some
reflections Fox wrote for our Web site, are all available at the NCR Web
site. Or go directly to the synod coverage at:
http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives/synod/
-- Michael Farrell
National Catholic Reporter, August 14,
1998
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