Bret D. Thomas, President and CEO of Bayard Inc. (USA), is pleased to announce the appointment of Therese L. Ratliff to the position of Publisher of Twenty-Third Publications, a leading publisher of books, multimedia, booklets, and resources serving the Catholic community in the United States. Therese will oversee the strategic growth of Twenty-Third Publications including the editorial, marketing, and sales departments.

For nearly 20 years, Ms. Ratliff was with Pauline Books & Media participating in content creation, new project initiatives, market development, and organizational re-dimensioning. Her experience in both the retail and the publishing sectors gives her a unique insight into the wide spectrum of Catholic perspectives today and the diverse needs of the contemporary Church. Ms. Ratliff holds degrees in Writing and Publishing, Systematic Theology, and a PhD in Theology and Education from Boston College.

"Her passion for supporting the catechetical and pastoral needs of today's Catholics and her focus on Adult Faith Formation make her a unique match for Twenty-Third's outreach to pastoral ministers and catechetical leaders," says Thomas. "Our commitment to continue the rich history of Twenty-Third Publications and the global publishing ministry of Bayard will be well served by Therese."

About her appointment, Therese says: "I have long respected Twenty-Third Publications and look enthusiastically to embarking on a new and challenging adventure in Catholic publishing in the United States and to supporting Bayard's worldwide mission of evangelization through communication."

Twenty-Third Publications, founded in the spirit of Pope John XXIII, is dedicated to producing publications that educate and empower all members of the Catholic Church to be leaders in their parishes and ministries. The company focuses on parish life and catechesis as its primary market, and its audience includes pastors, deacons, directors of faith formation, catechists, teachers, catechumenate teams, liturgy planning teams, and all other Catholics who are involved in parish life and ministries.

About Bayard Inc.

Bayard Inc. is part of an international publishing network based in Paris, France and supported by the Augustinians of the Assumption. Bayard's operations in the United States include Creative Communications for the Parish in St. Louis, Missouri, and Twenty-Third Publications and the Bayard Magazine Group, both in New London, Connecticut. The company's imprints include Catholic Digest, Living with Christ, Living Faith, RTJ's Creative Catechist, the Good News Planners and others. For more information about Bayard Inc. please go to www.bayard-inc.com.

Contact Information:

Jean Bingham
860-437-3012
jbingham@bayard-us.com