For 50 years, the Catholic Herald has been more than newsprint and ink, web headlines or social media posts. It’s been a community built on a shared mission of faith.
While chronicling historic papal visits, bishop installations and the growth of the Arlington diocese, the true engine of the newspaper has always been its people. From the frantic energy of deadline days to quiet mentorship in the newsroom, former employees look back on five decades of storytelling, revealing that the “Herald family” was more than a metaphor — it was the heart of the work.
Hear the stories that defined careers and faith during the first 50 years, all for the people of the diocese.
Peg Albrecht
Advertising Manager, 1976-97
“In the late 1970s, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh had his Christmas party and he used to give everyone gifts. The bishop gave Editor Charles W. Carruth a huge piece of white paper that was folded many times. Carruth kept unfolding it over and over until it was the size of parking space. Carruth was totally puzzled. And Bishop Welsh, in his usual dry humor, said, ‘That’s your coveted parking space in the garage.’
“The thing I loved most about working at the Herald was the people I worked with. It was very much a team where people supported each other. It was a family. And I still keep in touch with my former coworkers.”
Elizabeth Troiani
Circulation Manager, 1978-98
“I kept the mailing list up to date, fulfilled subscriptions and met U.S. Postal Service regulations. I started Oct. 17, 1978, the same day Pope John Paul was elected.
“What I loved most about working there was the camaraderie, loyalty and devotion within the Herald family.”
Michael Flach
Editor and General Manager, 1982-2020
“A favorite memory is working on the special issues that welcomed the new bishops. They were rewarding and challenging.
“I went to Rome to cover the ordination of Bishop Anton Justs. I also traveled to the Dominican Republic twice to cover the opening of the diocesan missions.
“The Herald was like a family, a close-knit little community. I loved working with many talented Catholic journalists over the years.”
Clare MacDonnell Lazzuri
Staff writer, editorial assistant, 1998-2000
“I was an intern during the summer of 1997; then a staff writer and later an editorial assistant.
“I covered the Diocesan Rome Pilgrimage in November 1999, along with Ann Augherton. We traveled to Rome with Bishop (Paul S.) Loverde, priests from the diocese and several pilgrims. We had many great experiences with the group, and it was a privilege to get know everyone and share such an important spiritual time with them and then share their stories with the people of the diocese.
“I learned a tremendous amount about journalism in general from my colleagues at the Herald. My editors Mike Flach and Ann Augherton were great (and patient) teachers and encouragers, and they were always open to new technologies and teaching us all how to use them.”
Brian Lazzuri
Ad sales rep, 1998-2001
“My favorite memory, I would have to say, was meeting my wife there and growing in my faith.” (Clare and Brian married in 2000 and returned to her native Nova Scotia where they are raising their six children.)
“I worked on the installation issue for Bishop Paul S. Loverde. I believe it ended up being 104 pages.
“I enjoyed taking to Catholic business, schools, and charities, and helping them reach a market of Catholics and helping spread the Gospel message.”
Stacy Rausch
Production coordinator, 2005-20
“I loved the comradery and teamwork that went into every issue we put out. Even when we had struggles, such as the time we lost power on deadline day and didn’t get it back until almost 8 p.m., about four hours after our deadline to the printer, we always worked together to get the job done.
“I recall Bishop Loverde’s retirement; Bishop (Michael F.) Burbidge replacing him; Pope Francis visiting the U.S. It was all hands-on deck for that visit, and we did a special issue. I got assigned to take photos of the pope’s drive around downtown D.C. in his popemobile. That is a sight I won’t forget anytime soon. The thousands of people waiting to catch a glimpse of him were so happy and patient. It was inspiring.
“Another huge moment for the Herald was when we redesigned the paper. It was so interesting being involved in choosing new fonts, masthead, templates for layout and more.
“In addition to the big bishop specials, the yearly advertising special issues, sometimes 60-100 pages, had to be completed in the same amount of time, or earlier, than a normal 24-32 page issue. It’s amazing to me now that we were able to always accomplish what we did in such a short amount of time — and be an award-winning newspaper time and again.”
Gretchen Crowe
Editorial assistant, senior staff writer, 2004-13
“My best memories are the people — the people on staff who poured their hearts and souls into the work that we were doing, and the people of the Diocese of Arlington who I would get to talk to regularly. I loved being able to tell their stories, about how the Lord had been working in their lives, and how they were changed because of it.
“There was always something new and interesting to work on, and Mike Flach and Ann Augherton were so supportive of me. That environment showed me what a healthy workplace was like, when you can talk easily with co-workers and explore new ideas and initiatives. I am really grateful to all my wonderful co-workers, many of whom I stay in touch with regularly today.
“I got to cover Pope Benedict XVI’s visit with President Bush at the White House (and managed to get inside the Oval Office for a photo op I will never forget!), and also covered Pope Benedict’s Mass at the then-brand-new Nats Park. I got to be on the field shooting that along with the Vatican media pool, and it was so exciting to be so close.”
Katie Scott
Editorial assistant, staff writer, 2009-16
“One of the most memorable pieces I wrote was the most difficult to write. It was on miscarriages and the need for greater pastoral care and understanding from church leaders around pregnancy loss. I was a new mom at the time, so it was especially powerful hearing from women who had loved their tiny babies so fiercely and then lost them. One of the greatest privileges of reporting is when people share their experiences with such vulnerability and trust.
“I helped cover Pope Francis’ trip to D.C. in 2015, including his address to Congress in the Capitol. I always will remember the tears that came when I first glimpsed Francis at Mass (at the shrine); how he spoke with force and wisdom in the Capitol, challenging both Democrat and Republican lawmakers; and how much the people (myself included) loved Francis.
“The Herald was where I fell in love with reporting and where I learned the tools of the trade. It’s where I mastered AP style (thank you, Gretchen Crowe) and was encouraged to write in-depth pieces. Then-editor Mike Flach and Ann Augherton both mentored me as a young journalist, and I have deep gratitude and respect for them both.
Dave Borowski
Staff writer, 12 years
“I always enjoyed Christmas at the Herald. Covering parish and school events was a great part of my enjoyment of the holiday.
“The visit of Pope Francis to D.C. was one of my favorite memories. I was one of a group of staff writers who covered that. I also was invited to visit the Holy Land and that was a great experience of a lifetime.
“I most enjoyed the friendly people and the great work environment. I always said that the Herald was the best place I ever worked.
Maria-Pia Negro Chin
Staff reporter, Spanish page writer, 2013-14
“I loved most: the care every single person put into every story, every issue, every special issue. Covering the vibrant Hispanic community in the diocese. I also loved how much editors and colleagues taught us: be it debriefing with an editor after a weekend event, learning the ropes at my first non-internship job in Catholic media, learning from the copyediting marks to polish the story to where it needed to be; how readers would call just to ask questions about what is happening in the community because of how trusted the Herald is; how editors had our backs and supported, trusted, and encouraged us to try new things. The Herald taught me what Catholic journalism is all about and how important it is for the community in each diocese.
“I (appreciated) being so close to the cathedral and later having a chapel in the chancery building.”
Ashleigh Buyers Kassock
Multimedia designer, writer, photographer, 2013-19
“One of my favorite projects was the consecrated life video series and the Poor Clares story from that. It was the first video series I did for the Herald and it was just so awesome being able to go and speak with these communities that were really out of the way of everyday parish life.
“The biggest story was Pope Francis’ visit. Ann, our managing editor, worked tirelessly to get the Herald as much access during his visit as possible for the Herald but also for us personally. Some papers only received access to one event while we covered more than six, I believe. My job was organizing the photo equipment beforehand, making sure we had enough batteries, the right lenses and enough memory cards for each event just in case staff writers were not able to bring the equipment back in time for the next staff writer. I also took pictures at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington. I bought a lens just for the occasion. I still call it my Pope Francis lens. It’s something I hope to tell my grandkids about one day.
“What I loved most was the people: my coworkers and my bosses were so encouraging and helped me grow. My coworkers were incredibly patient and generous with their time as they taught me the craft and also were open to new ideas. I loved the people I was able to meet on assignment. They were inspiring and gave me a diocesan perspective I would never have had otherwise. I believe I am a better Catholic after working at the Herald.”
Zoey Maraist
Staff writer, photographer, 2015-23
“I loved having the freedom to write stories about all the accomplished, zealous and interesting Catholics in our diocese. Inspiration was always easy to come by with all their good works.
“I’ve been blessed to cover many noteworthy stories, such as when St. Mary in Old Town was named a minor basilica or when Catholic pitcher Trevor Williams moved to our diocese to join the Washington Nationals. But probably the story I tell most often is when I went to prison.
“Ahead of time, I interviewed the Fairfax volunteers who selflessly minister to inmates at Buckingham Correctional Center in Dillwyn, Va., and the schoolchildren who made the prisoners cookies before their big weekend retreat. On Sunday morning, I drove three hours to see the men give their post-retreat testimonies. Despite having cleared my visit with the prison officials, I forgot one important rule: the men are all dressed in denim, so visitors cannot dress in denim. When it came time for me to enter, the guards said my blue jeans and me were not allowed. Frantically, I drove to the nearest discount store open on Sunday in this tiny rural town and bought the one pair of pants in my size — maroon, crushed velvet sweatpants with the word ‘Love’ down the leg. Totally mortified, I now was allowed in the all-male, medium-security correctional facility. Thankfully, no one said a word about my pants, and I got to witness the men sharing how sweet treats and Christ’s love had transformed their outlook on life.”
