The most important component of every parish website is its content. This is especially true for the home page. Most visitors spend less than 15 seconds on a website. The homepage either turns them off or invites them in. The most challenging task for the…
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Our Stories Matter
The 2020 World Communication Day Message from Pope Francis, released last week, is based on a passage from the book of Exodus “So that you can tell your children and grandchildren…” (Exodus 10:2). This Message affirms that our life stories are part of the story…
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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…
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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…
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Twenty Years of Learning Curves
Happy New Year! Happy New Decade! I cannot believe that the turn of the century was 20 years ago and that we are, at this moment, living through the ever changing and continuing technical revolution. It is a good time to reflect on how these…
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Celebrate John the Baptist on the Second Sunday of Advent
The Gospel for the 2nd Sunday of Advent features St. John the Baptist, the one who “prepared the way” for Jesus. He is a main figure during this season. He calls us to “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He tells his followers:…