I think it would be great if parishoners could network on the parish website.

Our parish would 1st need a website but I would agree with Claire above.  It would be great if there could be a type of care calendar/sign-up system.  People could use it for seniors needing rides to Mass or appts; all could use it for help after injury, surgery or childbirth; those needing service hours could use it to post availability/skills; groups could use it for sign-ups for baking or other help for parish functions.  It could really be helpful but would need an ombudsman of sorts to help those without computer skills/access to benefit as well.

We have a great Catholic company based in our area (Wichita, KS) that provides websites for Catholic parishes.  The company provides an ad-sponsored website that is easily updated by the people at the parish so the websites stay very up-to-date.  Here is an example of the work they do:  http://seaswichita.com/.

Our parish parish is in the process of revamping our website, but we are very active on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ctknj) and we also have a monthly eNewsletter that goes to all or our parishioners (http://bit.ly/qGIqxn - latest edition). We share mostly announcements of upcoming events, but we also use it as a catechetical tool. Both are very popular with the parishioners. As a wish list, we would love to go even more into providing forms, resources, sign up sheets - all online. Most of our parish carry their smart phones and it is a great way to be in touch with them - teens especially.

I’m from a very small parish and manage our website. It’s nothing too fancy (mostly our bulletin, mass times and any changes to the daily mass schedule) but I’m very interested in seeing how others respond!

http://www.ourladyofhope.net/index.asp is the website of the parish I used to live in. We don’t have anything like it in our new city. The website was great for scheduling (there is a way to log in for different ministries, for example I could sign up to bring a meal on an electronic calendar), the homilies are available, there is a Q&A with the Pastor, and great photos. Most of the parish groups have their own sections too. I would love to see more information about Faith Formation and have the chance to listen to the homily at home at our new parish, with little guys to keep still during Mass, it is easy to miss most of the message, so I just listen to the homily from my old parish.

I’m not very happy with my parish’s use.  The website is well designed, but bland and not often updated.  The last time I went on there looking for mass times, it was so confusing that I showed up for mass when there was none.

I volunteer at another parish as the youth group leader.  We use text messages to remind teens of meetings and such.  They opt-in and really appreciate the gentle reminder about the meeting.

.OLHCparish.org
• Is your parish on Facebook?http://www.facebook.com/pages/Our-Lady-Help-of-Christians/42815181653
• When was the last time you visited your parish’s website and what type of information were you seeking? Did you easily find what you were looking for?  I visited it yesterday.  I wanted to see if anything was posted about my pastor’s going away mass and reception.  I found it easily.
• If you could make a “wish list” for your parish’s use of online media, what types of things would you include?  My parish already uses Parish Pay, and an online schedule for Lectors, EM’s and altarservers, what more could you want ? : )
• How would you feel about your parish being in direct contact with your teen via social media or texting?  Social media yes, texting NO.
• In what other ways can your parish support you in your personal use of the Internet in support of your faith?  Catholic websites could be suggested.

Love our parish’s new website.  Links to the church main Facebook page (as well as pages for the Women’s Ministry and the Youth Group) can be found on the “Stay Connected” drop down list.  I used the website this summer to print forms for Vacation Bible School and occassionally I use it to double-check the schedule of events or access the schedule of litugical ministers (as I’m a lector, 3 sons are altar servers and 2 children are Eucharistic Ministers).  I also like that I can access a printed version of some of Fr. James’ more memorable homilies. I think it is a very welcoming and easily navigable site.

Don’t know why the link to our church website didn’t show up in my original comment, but here it it: http://www.ctkbelton.org/

I agree with anon above in honoring your incredible commitment to your parish over the years. What strikes me when I view your website is an immediate sense of welcome and community. If I were seeking a parish I would be drawn in by the friendly faces and active sense of mission. I hope that you’ll continue to be involved when the new design rolls out, to give it that same sense of community. As a parish webmaster, I can tell you that I’d be thrilled if someone volunteered to help me!