The Parish Directory

  • Thread starter Thread starter Reverent_Howler
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Reverent_Howler

Guest
A number of parishes publish pictoral directories to commemorate some milestone. Parishoners usually come in to be photographed in their “Sunday Best” and get a free set of photos in the process. The complete directory has everyone’s photo with names and contact information. Is this always a good thing?
 
Might not be allowed anymore in Europe due to the new GDPR laws.
 
Actually, parishioners are supposed to be given the option to opt out of listing in the directory. As privacy concerns become more and more prevalent, the number of parishioners who want to be listed in a public directory is dwindling.
 
I’ve been in the same parish all my life and always enjoyed look through the old directories remembering people who have passed away or moved. At the same time our parish has been clustered with six other parishes so if we had a new one it would be the size of a phone book.
With people more and more wanting to keep their privacy I think we will see less and less directories being made. Not sure how I feel about that,
 
I would love an updated directory for my church, not so much pictures as it would be too large.
 
I always liked having a directory because I liked being able to find people in the parish. I can’t even find anyone in the phone book anymore and the web is useless as a replacement for the old white pages.

I’m not sure why privacy is such a concern. Many people put their whole life on Facebook with no qualms.
 
I agree with your first paragraph but think that the photos should be optional.

I don’t use Facebook or Twitter and am pretty possessive of my privacy.
 
I would not participate in anything like that. Not saying it’s either good or bad, but as a very private and reclusive person it’s just not for me. If any church pushed the matter it would be the last time I darkened their doors.
 
Reverent_Howler said:
A number of parishes publish pictoral directories to commemorate some milestone. Parishoners usually come in to be photographed in their “Sunday Best” and get a free set of photos in the process. The complete directory has everyone’s photo with names and contact information. Is this always a good thing?
Click to expand...
I’ve participated in this at several parishes. Privacy wasn’t a concern for me because the directory was only available as a hard copy.

I would not participate in a directory that was available as an electronic copy - no way.
 
The problem I see with such efforts is their potential for misuse. One has no control as to where such a hardcopy of such a compilation may end up. Such as the local thrift shop or rummage sale.

On a more immediate level, I have known individuals to receive solicitations to purchase additional photos. Also mailings for match-making services and certain magazines. It seems possible that some would mine this resource for other reasons. Stalkers, for one.
 
Is this a real want-to-know question? If so…
of course the answer is “no”.
 
I saw a directory from my church (no pictures); it had a disclaimer asking parishioners to keep the information private and not to share it with any groups/organizations. It was meant for personal use only. Just FYI - school yearbooks (in the U.S.) are considered directory information and the names/pictures are available to anyone. Our local library has copies of most high school yearbooks. We used to print addresses, too, but that ended up being too fluid so we stopped.
 
On the plus side, one can identify that troublemaker who keeps singing the original, pre-inclusive language versions of beloved hymns at Mass.
😏
 
Information may be mined and sold or provided to various entities as mentioned earlier in this thread. A possible shopping list for home invaders, stalkers, sales associates, private detectives…
 
Nowadays you have all kinds of groups on Facebook where you can meet up with people from your old neighborhood if you care to.

Taking pics and selling parish directories I think are something from the pre-internet age.
 
I get what you are saying. However other than this forum, a KISS (band) forum and a bass player forum I really don’t use social media. I don’t have Facebook anymore or a Twitter, Myspace, LinkedIn and ect. I try to keep as little of a digital foot print as possible. To much of a chance of stolen identity and other things that I wish not to deal with, happened in my family. Also got tired of all the politics on Facebook, and I don’t care if someone went to the store bought a loaf of bread and some milk. Usually things I don’t want to see or don’t care to see/hear about.

While it would be nice having a directory with Parishioners pics in it, i would rather not have my pic or info in it. I would rather someone talk to me in person more personal that way. I enjoy talking with people but I am also really private and a bit shy when I first meet people so just not that comfortable with the directory. I know that is kinda funny/ironic to hear from someone who played in hard rock/metal bands but when I am playing music I am kinda in my own world, haha.

I don’t always socialize a lot, just with family and a small group of close friends. Oh and I do functions with the KofC. I guess joining was me trying to get out of my shell a little bit more, lol.
Working on being more outgoing though😉
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top