It’s hard to believe that 2017 is almost over.
It was a year of big expectations. The Fatima Centennial. Unusual signs in the heavens. Growing global instability. The much hoped-for “formal correction of the pope.”
What we got was actually quite different, but certainly newsworthy. In fact, much of what was expected never materialized. Still, we were surprised by the unexpected death of two dubia cardinals. We saw a story about how some of the cardinals who elected Pope Francis were ready for him to resign to stop the amount and extent of the damage his governance was doing. We saw the pope force Cardinal Müller to fire three of his best priests at the CDF for no reason — and then Müller himself got the boot. We heard stories about a scandalous drug-fueled gay orgy in a Vatican apartment — an apartment occupied by a priest who worked closely with one of Francis’ trusted prelates, Cardinal Coccopalmerio of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. We witnessed the publication of the Filial Correction and the letter of Fr. Weinandy (and the latter’s summary dismissal from the USCCB.) We saw a deeply controversial and heterodox text published in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis in an attempt to make it an official act of papal magisterium. We saw the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s abominable reformation. We saw the publication of the book The Dictator Pope, which continues to send shockwaves through the Church.
And that’s just scratching the surface.
Through it all, we’ve been with you every step of the way. We’ve continued to grow, serving up nearly 7 million pages of content (a figure we’ll likely surpass by year’s end) to readers from literally all over the world. For goodness’ sake, we’ve logged over 2,700 visits just from within the Holy See — not bad for a country with a population of only 451 — and have been assured by Vatican insiders that the work we do here is very much on their radar. We’ve made important contacts with faithful Catholic thought leaders from many countries and built collaborative relationships with them. We are now working with the very best men and women Catholicism has to offer in resisting the progressive agenda that seeks to undermine the most fundamental teachings of our faith.
As one donor wrote to me yesterday, “I don’t exactly what niche it is you’re filling, but whatever it is, don’t change a thing. You have amazing contributors, and the articles are fantastic!”
He is hardly alone in that sentiment. You’ve told us time and again that you’ve come to look to us as one of the few sources of information on Church affairs that you can really trust. And big part of why we’ve been able to maintain that credibility is that we rely on you — the readers, who want to know the truth — to keep us funded. We’ve had a few large donations this year from anonymous benefactors (thank you, whoever you are!) but they have all done so with no strings attached. Not one of those donors has asked for a single story to be written — or written differently; not one has made their support conditional on us taking a more diplomatic line, or avoiding certain topics. They, like the rest of our supporters, want us to keep doing what we’re doing.
And so we will. I don’t know what to expect next year any more than you do, but I know that if we’re in it together, we’ll make it through.
With that in mind, I ask you to consider helping us to finish the year on a strong financial footing. We’re already at a little over 50% of our goal for this month. 100% is in reach. We know that not everyone who gives in support of our work is eligible for the tax deduction, but for those who are, we want to remind you that OnePeterFive is a is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All US donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law — and this month is the last chance to get those in for 2017.
I would also like to thank all the donors this year who made our work possible. You don’t get enough credit, but I know who you are, and I am extremely grateful for all that you do.
And finally, whether or not you can contribute financially, please know that we need your prayers now more than ever. In turn, we will pray for all of you.
As we finish out the year, all of us at OnePeterFive would like to wish you a grace-filled advent, a blessed and merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!
In Christ,
Steve Skojec
Publisher & Executive Director
OnePeterFive.com
Steve Skojec is the Founding Publisher of OnePeterFive.com. He received his BA in Communications and Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2001. His commentary has appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Crisis Magazine, EWTN, Huffington Post Live, The Fox News Channel, Foreign Policy, and the BBC. Steve and his wife Jamie have eight children. You can find more of his writing at his Substack, The Skojec File.
Steve: Would you ever consider publishing an estimate of what you need from regular donors? For instance, if you could indicate how many donors 1P5 has making recurring donations and how much you need per annum from each?
A monthly amount taken from your credit card account soon seems like nothing at all. I’ve come to understand that this is the way to donate to both charities and first-class sites like 1P5. There’s no forgetting on your part then, and it makes life much more predictable for those in charge of the recipients’ finances, an important consideration. I have a short prayer that is useful each time you do this: “Jesus, if not for you, I would not do this.” It reminds me at once of what I know to be my sorry human inclinations and the only way to truly overcome them.
Couldn’t agree more. We don’t have much to give but 1P5 is among three sites that we give to. I’m just wondering if we’re doing enough…
Steve–I just made a contribution but it took 3 tries to make it happen. Oh, I wish you hadn’t dropped Paypal–it is so very much easier to use and I like the control it gives me.
Steve, would you please provide a mailing address where we can send checks to you?
If you click on the donate button at the top of the 1P5 website it will give you the option of donating by mail (I have used it myself.) It asks you kindly to fill out this form:https://onepeterfive.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CheckDonationForm.pdf
for tax purposes and gives you the mailing address:
OnePeterFive
P.O. Box 15116
Scottsdale, AZ 85267
May God Bless You,
Fr. RP
Thank you, Fr. RP, for the mailing address.
On another note, please pray for the soul of Austin. He was in his early 20s and took his own life by overdosing on drugs.
Thank you, Father.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to this worthwhile apostolate for Our Blessed Lord and His Holy Bride, Our Mother the Church.
May God richly reward you for your gracious support. Amen.
Pax Vobiscum,
Fr. RP
Thank you, Father RP!
You are welcome.
I just clicked on “donate” and filled out credit card details and amount then I was expecting another window to open for “pay now” or equivalent, but no further window opened; the “donate” option just came back a second time. On well, I guess I will receive an email if it failed.