Many of us find ourselves in a new ministry environment unable to attend Mass, go to meetings, engage in activities in person. However, we have not stopped ministering. Necessity has given many ministers who were not inclined to use technology for engagement the courage to jump in with both feet. The creativity and effort it has taken to do that testifies to our desire to be with our people in…
Category: parish
87 Posts
-
-
Coronavirus Challenge for Online Ministries
We are in a new place today, facing a new challenge. The words pandemic, quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, and shut down, containment zone, hot spot, drive-through testing, state of emergency, travel bans, are now part of everyday conversations. Concern for our own health and the health and well-being of our loved ones is uppermost in our minds. Worry about food for children who get their main nutrition from schools that…
-
Effective Parish Website, Part IV: Homepage Design
The most effective parish website homepage designs address the needs of the intended audiences: visitors, seekers, and members. We recognize that active parishioners are the least likely to visit the parish website, because they get the information they are seeking through Church announcements, fliers, and the parish bulletin. So we place a high priority on content for visitors and seekers.
-
Effective Parish Websites Part II: Intended Audiences
It is widely understood that a parish website is a basic utility. For most Internet users, if you do not have a website, you do not exist. This is especially true for younger generations who have grown up “googling.” And many in older generations are coming to the same conclusion. While many parishes have websites, they differ based on: Intended audiences Design choices Content and Content Management Skills and priorities…
-
The Effective Parish Website Part 1
Someday parish leaders will view their online parish presence as an essential professional pastoral ministry. Members and visitors already expect that. Unfortunately, they are often disappointed. The measure of the effectiveness of the parish website is a combination of quality of design, the usefulness of content, and the overall message. A professional pastoral website design invites visitors in and facilitates easy access to their interest points. This is done through:…
-
The Evangelizing Parish Business Card
In August, I put on my Parish Facebook Photographer hat to take pictures at the St. John Bosco 4-day International Festival. I take pictures of all the events, the performers, the vendors as well as guests who give me their permission. I introduce myself, ask if I can take the photo and let them know that they can download it from the parish Facebook page within 24 hours. Each…