What's Working in Your Parish

Going to the Digital Margins Photo: Unsplash

I1. Is it important that parishes utilize digital and social media? It’s vital. In an age in which the Church in the United States (at least in the Northeast) is facing a crisis in Mass attendance, sacramental celebrations, and Catholic burials, we must use every avenue available to us to preach the Good News and spread the message of Christ.

Pope Francis talks about “going out into the margins of society” to help our neighbors and to spread the Gospel. What about the digital margins? Social media is where many of us spend large portions of our day being exposed to dangerous rhetoric, horrifying images of violence and oppression, fake news, racism, and sexism.

On the other hand, social media has the ability to connect us to distant family members, spur social change, and help others in need. If Christ was physically present in 2020, would He not communicate on Twitter or Instagram, where millions of people are each day?

Parishes should utilize digital media as part of a larger communications strategy. The parish bulletin is still statistically the number one source of church information, but it won’t stay that way forever. You are only reaching people “in the pews” with print materials.

Increasingly, millennials are identifying as having no religious affiliation or are disaffiliating from the Church. How can we reach them when the only way we communicate is a piece of paper we hand out at a Mass they are not attending? The best way for a parish to show the world that they are a loving, warm, and welcoming community is through social media. A Q&A WITH JOHN GROSSO

John Grosso, BC’14, is the Director of Digital Media for the Diocese of Bridgeport. In this interview, he shares his thoughts on why digital media is essential for parish mission and offers practical ideas for pastors and a parish staff. For an in-depth look at how Boston College influenced John’s career and vocation, visit bc.edu/c21parishes. The interview has been edited for length.

2. What are some digital platforms that are effective for parish ministry? I would like to see all parishes equipped with effective websites and good email newsletters. A lot can be accomplished with a well-organized, intuitive website and a weekly email newsletter sent to parishioners. I like Flocknote for email newsletters, because their programs are easy to use and scalable to the size of a parish.

In terms of social media, I always recommend parishes start with Facebook, which usually attracts people already in the pews (due to algorithms and the fact that those who are most active on it tend to be older). I then recommend they develop an Instagram account for the younger crowd. A lot of people can be reached with those two social media accounts.

3. Producing digital content is time-consuming and often a responsibility added to a staff member’s already-full plate. What are some resources available to pastors or a parish staff to ease that burden? When I make the case for social media to pastors and parishes, I always tell them that it is vital to designate a lay member of their staff as a communications person, whether that person is stipended, part time, or full time. Creating content and managing social media does not work unless someone with experience has ownership over it. You wouldn’t have someone without faith formation experience serve as your Director of Religious Education, so why have inexperienced staff members run Facebook pages?

John Grosso reacts to The Diocese of Bridgeport’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in a Tweet dated March 22, 2020.

It doesn’t have to be hard. Graphic design websites like Canva can create beautiful graphics in less than 10 minutes. Nearly all of us have a camera that records images and video at our fingertips and the ability to share that content at any time. One only needs to make use of the tools on the smartphones that we already have.

In my ideal world, every parish would employ someone to manage their communications, but in many cases, this is unrealistic. For those parishes that can’t hire someone, I recommend that the parish designate one person to maintain social media, and that he or she find 2 hours once weekly to schedule social media posts for that week. If they can’t monitor it at all hours, they should designate a time to schedule posts for the week, and then check in once a day for a couple of minutes to respond to comments or update content.

4. What are the most important elements of a parish website? This is something I am very passionate about, and there’s really only one answer here: it has to be easy to navigate. I should be able to find Mass times within 3 seconds of landing on a parish website. Since my wife and I live between the two dioceses in which we work and often work on weekends, we find ourselves searching for Mass times with regularity. I can’t tell you the number of parishes that don’t have their Mass times easily accessible or even updated!

The second most important element would be images and videos that show a snapshot of what it’s like to worship in that community. When my wife and I are trying to decide where to go to Mass on a given weekend, we first check the Mass times, and then we try and get a feel for the parish. Welcoming and warm pictures that convey a sense of community, family, and reverence are a must.

5. Are young adults coming back to participate in parishes that are effectively using social and digital media? The key word there is effectively. The parishes that treat social and digital media as a full-time ministry are having success engaging young adults. There really are some great success stories out there, but it’s hard to measure how many people are coming back specifically because of parish social media efforts.

Social media is only as good as the content it is magnifying, and so it is vital that parishes are welcoming, inclusive, and reverent environments. Social media may convince young adults to give the Church a second look, but if parishes don’t welcome and accompany young adults, encourage their involvement, empower them in leadership roles, and provide opportunities for mentorship, then young adults may be lost to us for good.

The goal of social media is to get people to the front door of a parish, a school, or to an event. The parish community needs to take it from there, creating a welcoming environment, allowing for opportunities to encounter Jesus through His Church, and accompanying young adults throughout their lives.

Social media isn’t a silver bullet that can solve declining Mass attendance or bring young people to the faith, but it does give us the ability to share our message. Social media is a remarkable tool that can be enormously effective when it’s in the right hands. And what better hands are there than that of the Catholic Church? We can use social and digital media to articulate the message of the Gospel to a searching world. There is nothing more authentic, no narrative more powerful, and no message more challenging than the Gospel. We just have to share it with people in the right way. ■

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Want to ensure that your parish bulletin is an effective tool for communication? Read “Ten Ways To Up Your Parish Bulletin Design (So People Will Actually Read It)” by Angelo Jesus Canta (STM ‘20) on bc.edu/c21parishes.

PRACTICES AT WORK E

Feedback from the Flock

Paul Senz Research shows that parishioners’ attitudes about their parish correlate to their perception of their pastor. And many people’s views about their pastor correlate with how much they like his homilies. One author explores how getting feedback from the faithful is an effective way to master the art of preaching. every congregation is different, and every congregation’s response to a given priest’s homily is going to be different. In order to have the most effective communication with the congregation, priests benefit in knowing how their homilies are being received.

But how can this be done? Is it inherently disrespectful to give such feedback? Should priests simply give the congregation what they feel they need to hear, without consideration of preferences?

PREACH THE GOSPEL An important part of seminary formation is homiletics, when future priests learn the art of preaching. Benedictine Father Guerric DeBona is a professor of homiletics at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana. “If it is the priest’s first duty to preach the Gospel,” he said, “then how will we know this evangelization has been effective unless we check with those who have heard the word?” Feedback is the way that priests can see just how that word was received and under what conditions, he said.

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis discusses the homily as a gold mine for concrete images and stories. When the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops (USCCB) released its document on the homily, “Preaching the Mystery of Faith,” it used the story of Emmaus in the Gospel of Luke to call the preacher’s attention to the necessity of the liturgical homily igniting the fire in the hearts of those who hear the word.

OPENING THE WORD “Like Jesus, the preacher must strive to allow the incarnate Word to be fulfilled in their hearing at the celebration of the liturgy and call forth a faith-filled response,” Father DeBona said. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus presented himself to the disciples in a sort of homily, opening the Scriptures.

“Jesus opened up the Scriptures and broke bread for the discouraged disciples, and in so doing was present to them in a new and astonishing way,” he said. “Recalling God’s wonderful works in our lives and in salvation history becomes the locus of the Eucharist, where the assembly is repositioned from a conflicted and discouraged society to remember the risen Lord until he comes again.”

APPROACHING FEEDBACK “Feedback from the Sunday homily is not a time to receive approval ratings or check to see if people like you or not,” Father DeBona said. “Greeting the congregation with the hopes that everyone will say, ‘Nice homily, Father!’ is sad as much as useless.”

Preachers need to approach feedback dispassionately, he said. One concrete suggestion he has is to distribute cards that the faithful can fill out at the end of Mass. “We make time for announcements of all sorts, so why not a minute or two in order to answer the following question: ‘Can you say in one sentence what you heard at the homily?’”

People often report that homilies have too many ideas going on, and there is a general lack of focus. If the congregation cannot follow the homily, they certainly will not get the point.

Father DeBona said that if preachers decide on a focus sentence to guide the homily and then figure out specific tactics to make that focus sentence land, there is a good chance everyone will walk away with the point made.

In response to those who may not feel comfortable giving feedback to the priest about his preaching, Father DeBona explains that it is important for everyone to offer constructive criticism when it’s warranted.

“They are listeners of the word of God, members of the baptized assembly,” he said. “The People of God have a right to hear the word as members of the faithful.”

PREACHING AND EVANGELIZATION Father DeBona sees a link between preaching and evangelization.

“We partner with the assembly as we proclaim the word for the sake of the Church’s mission as mandated by the risen Lord,” he said. “Frankly, it stands to reason that if the people demand more from preaching, they will ramp up expectations for better evangelization.”

He hopes that, if expectations for the homily are high, priests “will also evolve a crucial personal theology of preaching, based on the pastoral growth in the hearts of those who are waiting for the word to be fulfilled in their hearing.” ■

Paul Senz has a master of arts in pastoral ministry from the University of Portland and lives in Oregon with his family.

Selections taken from”Feedback from the Flock” by Paul Senz from The Priest, August 2019. © OSV Publishing. 1-800-348-2440. Used by permission. No other use of this material is authorized. www.osvnews.com.

Boston College Parish Partnership

Boston College School of Theology and Ministry is excited to announce a 50% scholarship for all applicants to our M.A. in Theology and Ministry program working full time in parish ministry across the United States.

The M.A. program is designed to be flexible. It can be completed through on-campus courses during the academic year and summer, or through a hybrid model combining online and summer in-person coursework. Housing is available over the summer.

More information: bc.edu/stmparish Questions: stmadm@bc.edu or 617-552-6506

Drawing God Parish Partnership

“A charming and inspiring book that will help children and their parents begin to understand the beauty and mystery of God, through artful words and expressive art.”

—James Martin, S.J., New York Times bestselling author

Parishes and Catholic schools are using the new book, Drawing God, to creatively ignite the faith imagination of children by engaging them in the art of drawing God. The book shares an important message that we all see God differently.

The Guide at the back of Drawing God shares unique project ideas that are perfect for the parish, the home and the classroom.

Visit the website to learn more about the book and World Drawing God Day 2020. drawing-god.com.

Leaving the Church Doors Open

Terence Sweeney

MThe website of St. Francis de Sales parish in Philadelphia boasts, “Our doors are open every day to all.” In this essay, the parish sacristan chronicles the humorous and touching encounters he has with the many people who take advantage of the openmost churches lock up after Mass or other services, leaving big cavernous halls empty of people and all they bring with them. Several years ago, however, my parish started keeping its doors open after the sisters had walked over to the school to teach, the daily Mass attendees drifted off to their jobs, and the priests retreated to their rectory. I turn off most of the lights, snuff out the candles, lock the sacristy, and leave our half-crumbling, half-sublime church wide open. In the winter, we hang out a sign to say that the doors are unlocked. I come back midday from my writing, reading, or teaching and ring the noon Angelus and then I am back at 6 p.m. to ring the evening Angelus. Only then do the big old doors get closed and locked. I leave and wish Jesus a good night.

All kinds pass through the building; most of them I never see. They leave clues that they were there, often in the form of the three-hour candles lit before various

door policy. Though the risks of such a practice are obvious, the experiences of God’s grace and mercy that he witnesses make the case that the benefits far outweigh them.

shrines. We have the normal ones: Mary, Joseph, and our patron St. Francis de Sales. The most popular candle station surrounds a pillar, which is strange. I call it the shrine of the unknown God. I wonder what people think when they light those candles and say their prayers.

Other people leave candy wrappers, coins at statues, umbrellas, or novena cards. I once found notes stuffed into nooks in our statue of St. Anne and Mary as a child: a grandmother’s prayers for the safety of her grandchildren in a broken home.

I do get to see some people, particularly when I lock up. Some hesitantly walk through the doors, unsure why they are open. Maybe they don’t know that the open doors are always a welcome. Come inside, the doors tell them. Inside the church, I always know the first-timers. Their necks crane up and they take in a deep breath. It is something about the combination of enclosure and vast

ness. Sure, the sky is bigger, but our grand dome with its ring of windows feels like it creates space. I am humbled when I see them look up; I so rarely do anymore. Some people seem nervous to walk too far past the threshold. Maybe they are closer to God in their reverence. One shouldn’t just waltz into the building like I do, rushing across it because it is quicker than walking around.

Other people are more at home. They know where to kneel and get right to it. There are some regulars who pray for long hours. I like them. I feel more stable in the world knowing that my erratic prayer life may be balanced by their consistency. I once watched an old nun praying. She had her Stations of the Cross book, and she muttered the prayers at each station. Our church can be dark some days and she must have had difficulty reading Alphonsus Liguori’s sentimental prayers: “I love you, Jesus, my love.” I chuckled at the old devotion. I suddenly realized she wasn’t looking at her book. The dark corners of the church didn’t bother her; the prayers had long since been written in her heart. I am not sure what has been written in my heart.

The homeless and the broken come in too. They give me the creeps sometimes. One man always has me touch the scar on his scalp. Another asked me about the celebrant’s chair: “Do you know why the black angels sit on the chair?” I said I didn’t know as I sidled away from him. “To watch over us black folks and keep Satan away.” I thought him addled, but maybe I am. Why don’t I see the angels? He asked me for money; I told him I have none. He held my hand—“blessings, then”—and walked away. He has moved on now. I hope his angel is watching out for him; I hope my angel keeps an eye on him, too.

One time a photographer and a classical guitarist came in for a photo shoot. He played his guitar during the photos. The camera flashed and the songs he played reached up to the cupola. They liked the light and the long lines of the pews. I sat and read. I thought the church was just right for a classical guitarist. It was pouring out and a woman came in from the rain. A good reason to walk into a church with its doors open. To stay dry and hear a little music.

I like talking to people when they come in. I tell them a little history: “We are called the cathedral of West Philadelphia,” or “We have had three albums recorded in this church,” or “Yes, the organ still works, it is a French-style organ … although I don’t know what that means.” When people come in and ask me about the place, I look up at the dome with them. I bring them up to ring our bells. People love to ring the bells. Their eyes go wide with their first ding; they stay wide for the second dong. I am always banging away at those bells. It probably bothers people in the neighborhood, but I love to ring. When I talk to people, they tell me how lovely it is that the church is open. The church is here for you, I tell them. These days, it is hard to believe that this statement could possibly be true, and yet I still believe it.

Sometimes, I don’t want to talk to people. Mostly based on their looks. The attractive, the young, the hip-looking walk in and five minutes later they are ringing the bells. A frumpy fellow comes in and suddenly I am busy putting out bulletins. But love is not meant only for the easily loved. Jesus spent time with lepers because it is hard to be with the sick. I should be able to spend time with the frumpy.

Recently, a woman came in wearing her pajamas. I had seen her earlier hugging a statue of Mary in the garden (we keep that open, too). I quietly thought to myself, “What a nut!” and went to fold some vestments. I was just about ready to lock up when she came in. I wanted to get home, have dinner, drink beer, not talk to her. The lights were mostly out; I was so close to getting out of there. She asked me if she could come in. She gasped when she saw the windows in the dome. She muttered something about the sixteen chapels and the angel of David. I was thinking about Miller High Life. She looked at me and asked earnestly, “Is he here?” Jesus, I presumed. I said yes. I walked next to her up the center aisle, the lingering light shining off the golden tiles on the high altar.

She started to cry. “I just want a hug,” she said. This made me nervous. But she went on, starting to cry, “I want a hug from Jesus.” It was so corny, so hokey; I felt some tears swimming in my own eyes. She looked at me expectantly. I surprised myself and pointing at the crucifix replied, “He is hugging us all, he is hugging you.” Looking at the cross with none of my tired irony, she said: “He is right now.” I believed her words more than mine. We walked slowly out of the church. She looked back at his open arms, and walked out through the open doors. ■ Terence Sweeney is a doctoral candidate in philosophy at Villanova University. He has written for America Magazine, First Things, Church Life Journal, and Dappled Things, and is a contributor to the Genealogies of Modernity Project. He is a sacristan at his parish, St Francis de Sales in West Philadelphia. Originally published in Plough Quarterly No. 23 (Winter 2020) digital edition. Copyright © 2020 by Plough Publishing House, www.plough.com. Reprinted with permission. When I talk to people, they tell me how lovely it is that the church is open. The church is here for you, I tell them.

DIGITAL SUPPLEMENT

non-profit organization u.s. postage paid boston, massachusetts permit no. 55294

PARISHES IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC

This supplement to the C21 Resources issue, “Catholic Parishes: Grace at Work” highlights and celebrates the work of Catholic parishes in the face of the pandemic. You can see the Spirit at work in the creative solutions and practices shared.

Visit bc.edu/c21parishes

FEATURED RESOURCES

Agape Latte

AGAPE LATTE

Agape Latte is a national faith-storytelling series, started at Boston College, that shares personal narratives in comfortable settings to offer transformative life lessons.

Visit agapelatte.org for more information

FAITH FEEDS

This new program is for individuals in parishes or other Catholic communities who are hungry to share faith conversation over a potluck meal with old and new friends.

To host a Faith Feeds, visit bc.edu/faithfeeds

GODPODS

This podcast series shares conversations about our Church and our Catholic faith with featured guests. Drawing from Ignatian spirituality, GodPods helps you find God in all things.

Listen on c21engage.org/godpods