How important do you think a parish web site is?

[anp1215]

In my experience, the quality of the website was a decent indicator of how efficiently the parish/school was run on the business end of things.

YES.

The parish I referenced above, with the out of date website (wrong time listed for Rosary and bulletins never uploaded) is managed poorly, along with the school. This is based on my experience of trying to get very simple requests fulfilled (such as a sponsor card), which was like pulling teeth (never did get it). My parish’s website is always up to date, bulletin is posted every single weekend, and is a dream to work with. The staff answers the phone and emails in a timely manner. A world of difference.

 

[Domnall]

I think that it’s super important to have a parish website. Especially in this day and age, with people traveling so much it is beneficial to have Mass times especially listed.

My parish, for example only posts the parish bulletin online. However, it is posted by Wednesday so any pertinent information is available.

I guess I’ve seen this as more of an issue with Eastern Catholic Parishes however. I understand that they many not have the money to support a site, but as other posters have mentioned there are free options. I guess maybe the communities are tighter and communicate easier.

 

[babochka]

I guess I’ve seen this as more of an issue with Eastern Catholic Parishes however. I understand that they many not have the money to support a site, but as other posters have mentioned there are free options. I guess maybe the communities are tighter and communicate easier.

I am the webmaster for our very small Byzantine Rite parish. I took on the job because nobody else would. I had no previous experience designing a website and I wish ours looked better. I wish I kept it better updated. (I frequently run a week or more behind on posting bulletins, but I always try to keep the calendar updated.) I do my best, but this really isn’t my “thing”. We regularly get visitors to our parish, and many of them comment that the friendly and welcoming tone of our website made them feel comfortable visiting our parish. I think that it is very important for us to have a web presence.

When traveling, I always look at the website of parishes nearby. I use the information on their websites to determine which parish to attend, if I have a choice. The links on a website can often give you a hint as to the orthodoxy of a particular parish.

 

[Cat]

How long did the RCC survive without a website?

I think its totally over rated and being up to date is easier said than done. As I still pick up the phone and call due to mis information on the website.

How long did the RCC survive without telephones?

Time marches on, fellow Christians! And that’s OK–God actually encourages humans to study their world and invent new things. (Book of Job).

A website and Facebook page are not just an “option” nowadays, but necessities.

And I agree–up-to-date websites are so useful to those who are travelling or are just visiting an area. Just last weekend, I made use of websites to select which parish I would visit in the St. Louis area. A lot easier than trying to phone the parish office on a Saturday morning!

If there is no adult in the parish, just ask the teenagers to volunter to keep the website up-to-date. It might be wise to proof-read their product before it goes live, though!

 

[Bill_Martin]

I think it’s very helpful. I like to be able to look up Mass times, Confession times, etc. Plus, you might have visitors to the area who want to look this stuff up, or get contact info. It doesn’t cost that much for a website and I think the benefits outweigh the costs.

 

[Stylites]

How long did the RCC survive without a website?

I think its totally over rated and being up to date is easier said than done. As I still pick up the phone and call due to mis information on the website.

And how long did the RCC survive without a telephone in the parish office? For that matter, how long did the RCC parish survive without an office?

 

[garn9173]

Here’s my Parish’s website:

olih.org

The homepage is constanly updated, but my only beef is that the minutes for the Pastoral Council and Finance Council are hardly uploaded nor is there a Facebook page.

The bulletin for the coming week is always posted Tuesday, no later than Wednesday, which I like.

I suggested earlier this year, that in the event winter weather forces the cancelation of Mass, that in addition to the normal ways of getting the news out (TV, radio, etc.) that they should send out a text as well (I get all of my local news online and haven’t watched a newscast on TV from start to finish in years).

 

[Sarabande]

I think updated websites are helpful. As a worshiper, I like being able to look up the bulletins, as well as looking up events and other special information with the parish. I also like to look up parishes when I’m traveling. My family and I also like to attend parishes when we travel with good music programs. I find that the parish websites which have a page dedicated to their music ministry with information on the music director, musicians and the type of music they provide, is very helpful.

As a professional musician, most of my wedding and funeral work are at many different Catholic parishes throughout various dioceses and states. The parish websites are very helpful for addresses and other contact information I may need. I also like to see pics of the church from the outside so that I have a visual to look for when traveling to a church I have never been to before. Many do have information on their music ministry, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, so that I’m able to contact the music director prior to the wedding to coordinate and discuss repertoire for the couple. Some couples don’t have that information available.

 

[YoungTradCath]

I think a well-designed and highly functioning, regularly updated parish website is extremely important.

 

[babochka]

The homepage is constanly updated, but my only beef is that the minutes for the Pastoral Council and Finance Council are hardly uploaded nor is there a Facebook page.

.

Can you offer to start (and maintain) the Facbook page yourself?

 

[DarkLight]

I might add to the “up to date” category - please put holy day schedules up well in advance! Many workplaces require requests for time off to be done a month in advance.

 

[babochka]

I might add to the “up to date” category - please put holy day schedules up well in advance! Many workplaces require requests for time off to be done a month in advance.

HaHa! That would be nice, but we usually don’t know the Holy Day schedule for sure until Father announces it on the preceding Sunday.