Christian Retailing

Liguori Publications acquires Franciscan Media’s parish resources Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Monday, 21 July 2014 04:19 PM America/New_York

LiguoriLiguori Publications, a Catholic publisher and Redemptorist ministry, has purchased Catholic Update and many other parish resources from Franciscan Media. Liguori will continue to provide those resources to parishes and looks to expand its reach among parishes. The purchase is part of a collaborative agreement that enables both companies to use their strengths to better serve Catholic parishes and individuals. Financial details were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, the Catholic Update newsletter and Catholic Update on Demand, the Faith Formation Update newsletter, and Bringing Home the Word lectionary-based resource, as well as related books, videos and other products, joined Liguori’s parish resources and solutions.

“The Catholic Update name has always been known for trusted, well-written adult

formation grounded in Catholic teaching and tradition, and we are proud to become Catholic Update’s publisher, as well as the publisher of other fine parish resources,” said Virgil Tipton, Liguori’s publisher. “This purchase enables us to become a more comprehensive provider of resources and solutions that parishes need today.

“Our offerings include a variety of resources for sacramental preparation to adult faith formation and on to evangelization, RCIA [Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults] and more,” said Tipton. “It also furthers our commitment to serve all parishes, helping them reach out to seekers and grow in ministry.”

The Rev. Don Willard, Liguori’s president, sees the acquisition as “an opportunity for Liguori Publications to continue to evangelize to the poor and the most abandoned,” he said. “The message of the ‘Good News of Plentiful Redemption,’ will reach thousands of people in a new way that can only come from working with, and collaborating with, our publishing partners.”

The Rev. Dan Kroger, OFM, publisher/CEO of Franciscan Media, said: “Franciscan Media is delighted to pass the Catholic Update torch to Liguori Publications. Liguori has always had a prominent role in parish resources, faith formation and renewal programs. I am confident the Catholic Update publications and other resources will flourish in Liguori’s hands. We look forward to more collaboration in our future ministries.”