Communication Days To Focus on New App
November 9, 2017
DIOCESE—A workshop, to be offered both Nov. 15 and 16 in the diocese, will focus on teaching parish workers how to best use the new service.
Identical sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m. both Wednesday and Thursday next week.
The Nov. 15 session will be at St. Mary Parish Hall, 10307 Dundee Road, in Huntley.
On Nov. 16, the session will be at St. Rita Parish Wahl Hall, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford.
Both sessions are free. Parish personnel are welcome to choose the one most convenient for them.
The myParish app is produced by Diocesan, a new firm that combines the former Diocesan Publications and Trinity Publications.
“Our new partnership with myParish app is so exciting because of how it allows us to communicate and evangelize ourselves,” said Penny Wiegert, director of the diocesan Communication Office.
“The app opens up communication not just for parishes but for the diocese as well, in addition to being a great resource for Catholics to stay connected with their faith and prayer life no matter where they are,” she added.
Free to all parishes in the Rockford Diocese for the first year, the myParish smartphone app is available for both iPhone and Android platforms.
It offers a variety of features, such as a means for parishes and the diocese to send messages to Catholics in the 11-county diocese, but also for groups with the parishes to communicate among themselves.
“The app also allows our bishop to speak directly to Catholics about matters of faith and on special occasions,” Wiegert said.
“My prayer is that this great technology helps us all to be better, more informed and formed Catholics,” Wiegert said.
— Sharon Boehlefeld, features editor
Nov. 15-16 Communication Workshop Schedule
9 a.m. — Gathering and Registration:
9:30 a.m. — Opening Prayer and Welcome
9:40 a.m. — The Heart of Communication: Balancing Maintenance and Mission
10:20 a.m. — Break
10:30 a.m. — Understanding and Optimizing Your Channels
12:00 noon — Lunch and Ask the Expert Q&A Panel
1 p.m. — Roundtable Workshops
2 p.m. — Break
2:15 p.m. — Discussion Group 1: Increased Engagement with myParish App
Discussion Group 2: Effective Online Engagement
Discussion Group 3: Transforming the Parish Bulletin
2:45 p.m. — Closing Prayer and Wrap-up
3 p.m. — Reception