The following letter from Atlantic Catholic editor Brian Lazzuri appeared in the final issue of The Atlantic Catholic:

This is the last editorial for these pages. It is a bittersweet time for the staff of the Atlantic Catholic. Of course, we would rather not be saying farewell, but we are grateful for the opportunity we have had over these last eight years to be a part of “spreading the good news.”
In many ways, eight years is a greater duration than we could have anticipated. When we began in September 2002, there were probably more naysayers than supporters, so, to say the least, the future was uncertain. What was certain was our mission to “inform, educate and inspire” local Catholics on their faith journey. Through numerous experiences, letters and feedback, we know our mission was accomplished in several readers’ lives, and that is a gift we cannot underestimate.
There is no doubt that the Church in our area is enduring a period of suffering, which is a source of profound sadness for many, including those of us who have put together the Atlantic Catholic. It seems, at times, that the majority of the discussion about our Church revolves around financial concerns and legalities, which, while sometimes necessary, cannot be all-consuming. What the people of this area need more than anything right now is spiritual nourishment, the comfort of a loving and merciful God, the familiarity and graces of the Sacraments, and knowledge that they are not alone in their daily struggle to live out their faith.
What has also emerged in the last scandal-ridden year and to us as we have encountered many opinions about the Church over the last eight years is that the need to “inform, educate and inspire” Catholics about their own Church is more pressing than ever. Too many people are misinformed about their own faith and when the time comes for that faith to be tested, as is happening now in our midst, it is becoming evident that too many shaky foundations will not withstand the earthquake.
A woman of great faith recently told me, with a heavy heart, that she fears the biggest problem local Catholics are facing is a lack of love for the Church. She noted that love can only stem from knowledge and with knowledge of the Church sorely lacking, that deep love rooted in Christ, the love that sustains faith no matter what the circumstances and tests may be, is also lacking. Again, the mission of the Atlantic Catholic remains more pressing than ever. It is the same mission to which every Catholic is called by virtue of their baptism – to know, love and evangelize God’s word.
We are not foolish enough to think that this newspaper should be published indefinitely, despite real financial concerns. We are, however, realistic and hopeful enough to know that the paper’s mission can and will be carried out in new and vibrant ways that will attract people to, once again, get to know, and subsequently love, their faith.
Some of our readers may have noticed over the years that at the conclusion of all our homegrown stories there was an icon of a cross. We deliberately chose that symbol as a silent reminder of what we are about as Catholic media. We were set apart from our secular counterparts because everything we tried to accomplish, every story we tried to tell, was to be united to the message of the Cross of Christ. We existed to proclaim His message of salvation to His followers, and any others who cared to listen, conscious of our baptismal duty to spread His Gospel.
Producing the Atlantic Catholic over the last eight years has been a gift and a privilege. To our many supporters, thank you, and remember that although the paper is gone, the mission continues.
God Bless.