www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Vestal Publishing -- Church Bulletins

Every week in the U.S., most Orthodox parishes pass out their weekly bulletins; and many of them have covers that are published by Vestal Publishing. ("Our Weekly Bulletin" by Vestal Publishing, in Cliffwood, New Jersey).

On the back is a blurb about the saint or feast of special commemoration for the week.

On the front is an icon or a photo of an icon --usually of stunning quality-- for that saint or feast.

These bulletin covers are works of outreach and teaching and beauty.


Three Questions:

1) Does anyone know how to find Vestal Publishing on the internet? I looked for its website via Google, but I couldn't find it.

2) Do they ever cite the icons that the publish on the front (i.e., giving the title, author and location of the icon for that week)?

3) Is there a comparable service -- besides Eastern Christian Services-- for Catholic parishes?


What made me think of this was going through a folder of old bulletins which I kept for the art.

Just by looking at the front covers (in order) gives a visual outline of the Church Year and the Gospel. What a teaching tool, as well as a collection of art!

I wish Roman Catholic parishes did that with its weekly bulletins ...

-- John

John,
The BCA parish that I went to had bulletins that were very similar to what you are describing. I don't know if we kept any so I can't say (write?) who published them.

They were very good bulletins and were very good for evangelization.

Vestal Publishing does not have a web site since their business is pretty well defined and who they serve. They do a series of mailings each year to the parishes and clergy of the various Orthodox jurisdictions outlining their products and updating their prices.

I believe that what is available for Eastern Catholic Churches, is a bulletin series from Eastern Christian Publications. One of our members, JLF runs that publishing concern, and if you PM him, I am sure he could give you whatever information you are seeking. Eastern Christian Publications does maintain a web presence that I am sure can be had by a Google search.

From what I also noticed over the last few years, many parishes are abandoning the use of bulletin covers like Vestal's and opting to create a more customized bulletin format using their office computer, various resources and clip art that is available. This way bulletin production can be varied for the season and time of year and not limited to a predefined subscription service.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Thank you, both of you, for your replies !