Special Issue Magazines

Creating Impactful Editions for Unique Moments

Meet the Presenter

Rosemary Ford

Rosemary Ford serves as the Editor for Parable magazine at the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire. She grew up just over the border in Massachusetts and graduated from Boston College. She started out in journalism as an editorial assistant at a regional daily newspaper called The Eagle-Tribune. Over the years, she held many positions at the paper, from news and feature writer to feature editor, night news editor and eventually, assistant managing editor.

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Rosemary has won several awards for her writing and editing, from the New England Newspaper and Press Association and the Catholic Media Association. She won an award for her features writing from Suburban Newspapers of America. Her work on “The State We’re In” for the Granite State News Collaborative and NHPBS has been recognized by the New Hampshire Press Association.

Meet the Presenter

Rachel Squibbs

Rachel Squibbs is an award-winning Art Director and designer, and the Design Manager for FAITH Catholic, the nation’s largest publisher of Catholic magazines. Since 2014, she has managed the publication of a variety of titles for dioceses, seminaries, and Catholic organizations, including several titles that have been recognized for excellence by the CMA. She also oversees design for FAITH’s creative services division, managing an array of creative projects, including campaign branding and logo design for diocesan appeals, Catholic Charities, Catholic schools, and more. Rachel holds a BFA from Michigan State University. She and her husband make their home in Denver and are the parents of toddler twins.

Overview

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This session will focus on how to conceptualize, plan, and execute special issue magazines that highlight key moments, ensuring strong editorial content and compelling visual storytelling.

1. Introduction & Purpose

2. Conceptualizing a Special Issue

3. Editorial & Content Strategy

4. Design & Visual Storytelling

5. Practical Exercise

6. Q&A, Key Takeaways & Next Steps

CMC 2025

Special Issue Magazines: Creating Impactful Editions for Unique Moments

June 26, 2025 | Session 3

OVERVIEW: Why Special Issues?

They commemorate significant events (bishop’s installation, vocations, Catholic schools, etc.).

They engage readers with deeper storytelling.

They offer revenue and sponsorship opportunities.

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Conceptualizing a Special Issue

Choosing the Right Theme & Timing

What events warrant a special issue?

• Anything!

How far in advance should planning begin?

• As soon as possible!
• Might differ, depending on the topic and how quickly planning can occur

Understanding Your Audience & Goals

• Is the issue meant to inform, celebrate, inspire, or commemorate?
• What impact do you want it to have on readers?
• Will there be any follow-up or action items for the reader to take away?

Editorial & �Content Strategy

Building a Compelling Storyline

• Defining key sections: Feature stories, interviews, historical context, testimonials, visual essays.
• Balancing evergreen content with timely coverage.

Collaboration with Contributors

Planning.

Define your theme, content, and visual direction in advance.

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Assign Collaborators.

Assigning content to writers, photographers, and designers.

Securing guest contributions or clergy involvement.

Execute.

Work with designers, writers, and other collaborators to execute the layout and finalize the issue.

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Topics for Consideration: �Bishop Transition Special Issue

• Interview with new bishop
• Biography/timeline of bishop’s life
• Feature on bishop’s shield
• Interview with outgoing bishop
• Ordination/installation highlights/photos
• Fact sheet/infographics on Bishop’s life/career

Examples of Bishop Transition Special Issues

Topics for Consideration: �Catholic Charities Special Issue

• Interview with CC executive director or board chair
• Soup kitchen/services for poor feature story
• Fundraiser feature story
• How to get help in crisis
• Fact sheet/infographics on Catholic Charities impact

Examples of Catholic Charities Special Issues

Topics for Consideration: �Catholic Education Special Issue

• Teacher or principal interview
• Catholic family interview/how to afford Catholic education
• Unique curriculum at a school
• Excellence in STEM at a school
• Excellence in sports at a school
• Feature on exceptional highschoolers/siblings/team
• Kindergarten feature story
• Fact sheet/infographics on Catholic schools

Examples of Catholic Education Special Issues

Topics for Consideration: �Bishop’s Pastoral Letter Special Issue

• Interview with bishop on why a pastoral letter
• Reprint pastoral letter
• Ministry focus story on specific ministries implicated in pastoral letter
• Fact sheet/infographics on issues highlighted in the pastoral letter

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Examples of Pastoral Letter Special Issues

Topics for Consideration: Vocations/Ordination Special Issue

• Interview with each new priest
• Bio/timeline/photos of each new priest
• Overview of ordination with quotes from Bishop
• Photo story of ordination
• Q&A with vocation director about vocation trends
• Fact sheet/infographics on vocation trends

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Examples of Vocations/Ordination Special Issues

Other ideas for Special Issues:

• Diocesan Appeal or Campaign, Stewardship
• Annual Impact/Funding Report
• Diocesan Anniversary or Milestone
• Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Confession)
• Liturgical season (Lent or Advent)
• Teens or Youth Ministry
• Catholic Cemeteries
• College/Campus Ministry
• Office of Safe Environment

Examples of Other Special Issues

Annual Appeal

Diocesan Anniversary

Annual Financial Report

Examples of Other Special Issues

Marriage/Sacraments

College/Teens/Youth Ministry

Church in the Pandemic

Examples of Other Special Issues

New Cathedral

Office of Safe Environment

Eucharistic Congress/Special Event

Discussion

What special issues have attendees �produced or are considering?

Design & �Visual Storytelling

Making It Visually Compelling

• The role of photography, illustrations, and typography in creating impact.
• Cover design: The power of first impressions.
• Layout strategies: Creating an engaging reading flow.

Editorial-Design Collaboration

How to ensure editorial and design work in harmony.

• Gather all people involved early and often.
• Gather in person, if possible

�Collaboration from the start is critical and design plays an important role in editorial decisions.

The earlier you involve the designer, the better!

Case Studies

Case Study 1

Pilgrimage special issue from Parable

How it came together

• Started with a phone call from a reader
• Conversations about pilgrimages

The stories

• Two stories from the Camino, written by the pilgrims.
• Essay about the nature of pilgrimages
• Diocesan Road Trip Pilgrimages, a lighthearted Q&A
• Personal reflection on my own pilgrimage bucket list

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Case Study 2

Catholic schools special issue from Parable

How it came together

• More intentional, planned the issue to focus on schools
• Talked to columnists about ideas that work within their framework

Stories

• From the parenting and saint columnists
• Main story about enrollment growing since the pandemic
• Profile of an event that awarded the Teacher of the Year

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Case Study 3

Laudato Si’ special issue from Parable

How it came together

• Editor recognized an anniversary
• Put the word out to see if any parishes were celebrating. Googled parishes with environmental committees.
• This led to sources

Stories

• A feature story about a pilgrim’s appreciation for creation in the Camino de Santiago.
• A priest mentioned an environmental professor who wrote a column.
• The editor put together a brief explainer, along with talking with some locals from a parish that had an environmental committee.

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Case Study 4

Pope transition special issue from Parable

How it came together

• Quick reaction to Pope Francis’ death and news out of Rome
• Talked to columnists and writers, important to include a local perspective

Stories

• Content from Faith Catholic, adapted
• Adapted usual columns on Pope Francis’ legacy, popes in film and literature and his teachings
• Local perspectives on being there and an interaction with Pope Francis

Practical Exercise

Group Brainstorming

• We ask you to split into small groups to conceptualize a special issue on a given theme.
• In your group, outline the magazine’s structure, key articles, sources and visual approach.
• Quick share-out of ideas.

Q&A, Key Takeaways & Next Steps

Open Q&A

Some questions to consider:

• Do you have specific challenges in your diocese or organization?
• Do you have upcoming events or priorities that might lend themselves to a special issue?
• Who might be able to help you plan and execute your special issue?

Key Takeaways

Plan early.

Define your theme, content, and visual direction in advance.

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Balance storytelling and design.

Make sure both elements support the issue’s mission.

Engage the right voices.

Involve contributors who add depth and expertise.

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We Encourage Your Continued Collaboration

• Form a network of Catholic professionals who work on special editions. Include your fellow editors, designers, photographers, communications directors, priests, etc.�
• Don’t be an island – collaborate with others.

Thank you!