By Mary DeTurris Poust
For Catholic singles, life in a Church focused heavily on family can take its toll. Look at any parish bulletin and you're likely to find groups and ministries dedicated to school students and seniors, couples and widows. Singles are often the forgotten demographic of the Catholic Church.
Tobias, a new national magazine dedicated to Catholic singles, is hoping to change all that by focusing on issues that impact one of the largest segments of the Church, issues such as single parenthood, finances, vocation discernment, dating, caring for elderly parents, and how to live life until marriage.
"I feel like we've hit on a real void; the response we're getting is terrific. Dozens of singles are signing up for free subscriptions every day," said Christina Capecchi, editor.
"I'm really excited about the chance to reach this huge, under-served demographic. There are more than 22 million Catholic singles in the U.S., and frankly, they don't receive nearly the respect or ministry they deserve. I hope Tobias can make a small difference."
Although the magazine has only a very basic website at this point -- really just one page where readers can order a complimentary subscription -- there is a presence on Facebook that explains the magazine's mission in more detail:
"Too often single Catholics are thought of as young people who find their future spouses while in college or shortly after at their first job. The reality is that the average, single Catholic is older than ever and their issues are much different than for an early twenty-something just venturing out into the world. Because more people are delaying marriage, high divorces rates and increasing annulments, the struggles of a typical single Catholic are much different today.A preview of the summer issue highlights some of the topics that will be tackled, everything from travel and house hunting to romance, relocation and "healing and dealing with divorce." The cover story, "Singled Out," focuses on what it feels like to be, well, singled out for being single. For a complimentary subscription, click HERE. To join the Facebook page, click HERE.
"...While the gospel values apply to single, married and religious equally the practical application of these values is not often addressed enough at the local parish which is often because of the demands on priests and religious. In addition, with so much of the focus on family life often times the empathy and community required by single Catholics is not easily found. We hope our magazine can be one small part in changing that."
