Editor of Salina, Kan., Catholic newspaper steps down at age 93

But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to retire from his other full-time job of more than 60 years, as a priest in the Diocese of Salina, known as the Diocese of Concordia until 1944. He also hopes to continue assisting the Register staff when his expertise is needed.

As a newspaper editor, Msgr. Menard has chronicled the changes in the Kansas landscape through the eyes of a Catholic priest. Growing up in New York state, he never thought he would spend most of his life in Kansas.

"I came out here (to Kansas) for the priesthood, even though I was ordained in Syracuse, N.Y.," Msgr. Menard said. Bishop F.J. Tief of Concordia "adopted me into this diocese," he added.

The move was a decision he never regretted.

The bishop felt strongly that a Catholic newspaper could serve as a media outlet, and the Register was established in 1937.

Msgr. Menard oversaw an eight-page weekly edition of the paper for more than 30 years. He served as editor for about five years in the 1940s, years that included a stint during World War II. He was appointed the full-time editor in July 1980 by then-Bishop Daniel W. Kucera of Salina, who later was named the archbishop of Dubuque, Iowa, and is now retired.

His newspaper appointment "was providential," Msgr. Menard said with a smile. "It kept me from attending a marriage tribunal, which would have been dull. I felt this was something worthwhile that I could do. I didn’t feel I was particularly adept at parochial work, but I could do a good job."

He has served in large parishes and small parishes, from tiny New Almelo in northwestern Kansas to Manhattan, the home of Kansas State University.

During that time he made sure that Register readers knew what was going on in Kansas, the nation and the world. He also provided news about the selection of bishops (he has worked with seven), the assignments of priests, baptisms, deaths, the rebuilding of churches and communities and relief projects.

"The purpose of the Register is to solidify opinions and inform readers about issues that are important in the diocese," Msgr. Menard said. "At the same time the Register provides a way to teach the Catholic faith through appropriate articles."

He has served as a full-time priest in the small communities throughout the Salina Diocese and as a hospital chaplain. He recalls his sermons following the death of Pope Paul VI and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

"When President Kennedy was shot I knew I had an important sermon to deliver to people of all faiths," he said. "In a way, I had the gift of gab, but it was important to share the message of hope."

His work has not gone unnoticed by people of other faiths. One of his biggest honors was being named an honorary canon by the Episcopal Church of Western Kansas. He was the only Catholic at the time, in 1992, to receive such recognition.

Although Msgr. Menard said he won’t miss working the holidays and weekends as editor, he said he has absolutely no regrets about answering the Lord’s call to his vocation.

"I have never regretted being a priest or working on an assignment of this type," he said.

Effective April 3, Doug Weller, 49, succeeded Msgr. Menard as editor.

Weller, who holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, previously served as assistant editor of the Salina Journal and executive editor of The Hays (Kan.) Daily News.