The Catholic News published its first edition on May 6, 1892 . This means that this weekend our paper celebrates its 114 th birthday!

The death, on April 23, of our longest-serving editor, Fr Peter Nicholson CSSp, presented an opportunity to go back in times, remembering persons who have been part of this paper's history.

This file picture, taken in 1977, was among Fr Nicholson's belongings.

In the picture with him are Neil Hokan, Sr Marie Thérèse, Andy Pitman, Margaret Deane and Benedict Fortuné (then accountant, now deceased).

Neil Hokan's work as photographer, besides appearing in our bound volumes, can be seen in Sr Marie-Thérèse's publication Parish Beat. Sr Marie-Thérèse served for 19 years, Margaret for some 37 years.

Fr Nicholson holds the record as the longest-serving editor in this paper's 114-year history, but the record for the longest serving sub-editor belongs to Andrew “Andy” Pitman, who in February 2006, completed 30 years working at the Catholic News.

Over the years there have been many changes, particularly in the technology of getting the paper out every week, but Andy's dedication to his work has not wavered.

The management and staff of Printing Services Ltd, publishers of the Catholic News take this opportunity to thank Andy Pitman for his thirty years of dedicated service. Ad multos annos !