There are 46 days between Christmas and Ash Wednesday this year-a little more than 6 weeks. The liturgists and the adult faith formation directors among us have undoubtedly started and even finalized their preparations for Lent. But what about those of us responsible for websites and social media? Have we finalized our plans for Lent?
Category: website
120 Posts
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Christmas Prep in Your Parish
Even though we have Thanksgiving and Advent, and the opening of the Year of Mercy to celebrate first, Christmas plans are already in the works. Parishes have sent the Christmas Mass schedules to their envelope companies. Choirs are planning their extra Christmas rehearsals. The environment committees are planning the decorations for inside and outside of the Church. The social concerns committees are organizing the food collections, the giving trees and…
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Web Presence as Ministry
During the weeks since my last blog I had two very enjoyable opportunities to share my passion for an evangelizing use of websites and social media with others. I am writing about them today
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Say Welcome on Your Parish Home Page
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the verb to welcome as “to greet (someone) in a warm and friendly manner.” A gracious welcome, whether it be to our home, our school, our workplace, neighborhood, religious community, social group, or parish, opens our world to the other person and invites them in. It helps the visitor feel at ease and lowers the anxiety of those who may be hesitant to enter. Whenever, I…
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Why a Welcoming Parish Homepage is Important
Pope Francis is constantly urging us to reach out beyond the sanctuary, beyond church walls to bring the Gospel of Jesus to those not celebrating with us. He is calling us to witness to the mercy and tenderness of God in our daily lives and in the public square. He and his predecessors have pointed out repeatedly that the Internet provides an immense opportunity to share our faith with the…
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Four Areas of Parish Website Development
In last week’s blog, I observed that while many parishes are updating their websites to more attractive designs, they are not upgrading their websites to be channels of pastoral ministry or hospitality to visitors. A number of readers commented on the blog and I have grouped my reflection on their comments into four areas. 1. Audiences and message priorities The audiences of an evangelizing website are visitors, new comers, seekers,…