When did you start and what were some of your first duties?
I started on June 30, 1986, as assistant editor, staff writer and circulation manager. In those days the circulation addresses were typed on the back of used punch cards then a list of changes was sent to the printers to add to their list for labeling.

How has the process of producing the paper changed over the years?
A lot. At first, we typed stories on the back of Catholic News Service stories (we did not use fresh paper) and sent them to a person who used a typesetter at the printers. They retyped the story on one machine and set the headlines on a different machine. Everything came out on skinny strips of waxable paper. Our photos were sized and sent to a darkroom manager who reprinted the photos with a dot pattern the press could reproduce.

During “paper week” we assembled the paper in the basement of the now defunct Rapid City Guide. All text, photos, borders, and ads were put together by hand on a flat (grid sheet.) We cut items with a box knife, hot waxed them, and rolled them down. When the Guide was put out of business by an out-of-state buyer we drove to Sturgis during paper week to work at the Tri-State Livestock News followed by the Meade Country Times-Tribune.

An early development in publishing was sending text by modem so it did not need to be retyped. In the early 1990s desktop publishing software was being developed and we lost the assistance of typesetters and darkroom personnel — two layers of people who could help spot errors were gone. The paper was sent to Sturgis on flats. It was still cut with box knives and attached with hot wax. Eventually everything morphed into digital sending. For the past several years the staff of the Rapid City Journal have been very helpful getting the paper printed and mailed.

What was it like changing from Assistant Editor to Editor?
It was an adjustment. I took over from Eileen Sullivan Rotert. I discovered several small details I did not know were part of the job. I think they were so routine she didn’t mention them.

What has been your favorite part of the job?
Traveling and meeting people. I have met hundreds of people in the last 40 years. In addition to driving around the diocese I was a member of the Catholic Press Association and the South Dakota Press Women. Through those organizations I went to many conferences where I could learn from professional speakers and journalism colleagues. I always tried to implement the suggestions I was given.

What was your first project?
My first story appeared in the July 1986 edition. It was based on a homily by Fr. Kerry Prendiville summarizing the history of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help icon. At that time he was Assistant Pastor at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City. Part of the story was about a family from Eritrea (on the border of Ethiopia) who had been sponsored in the United States by a Lutheran Church. The parents were concerned the pastor did not say Mass “right.” After seeing the icon in the cathedral, they were excited — the parish they came from was named Our Lady of Perpetual Help and it had the same icon. I believe, Catholic families took over helping the family adapt to their new country.

Worst project? Nothing stands out, but when I make a mistake, I have 12,000 copies printed and mailed out to half the state.

What project was the most fun?
In August 1993 I was sent to cover World Youth Day in Denver. First, we had a Hub City gathering in Spearfish with then-Bishop Charles Chaput, at least one archbishop, as well as bishops and priests from several dioceses. At the old Passion Play amphitheater, 8,000 pilgrims crowded in for Mass. They came from S.D., N.D., Minn., and Canada. The Diocesan Youth Director at that time, David Lesmeister, let me pick any bus to ride. I traveled with the folks from Philip, who kept me going that week — walking for miles with water bottles, backpacks and duffle bags; lining up for crowded McDonald’s food tents; and trying not to get trampled by the enormous crowds. I carried a big Canon camera that became an essential tool for news coverage. I loved sitting in the Mile High Stadium with dark clouds circling, guessing which of the four circling helicopters was carrying the pope. I still have a t-shirt with Pope John Paul II standing on stage with storm clouds gathering behind him. When I got home we printed three large tabloid pages of photos featuring people from every part of our diocese.

Best photo?
There have been many photos I loved, but it always amazes me I can shoot in the dark, without a flash, and get great photos of the Easter Vigil fires. Peoples’ faces are just glowing.

Do you have a parting message for the people of the diocese?
Thank you for helping me connect with people and stories over the years. I am in awe of the many times I had a front row seat to witness something wonderful. I will always be grateful to the late Msgr. William O’Connell — he was the founder and guiding spirit for the West River Catholic. Best wishes to you (Becky Berreth) and future diocesan story tellers.