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COVID-19 - Parish Recommendations
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by the COVID-19. Our primary concern lies with the health and safety of those in our diocese. In an effort to continue the practice of our Catholic faith in these trying times, we are offering the following assistance to you and your parish.
Assistance for Parishioners
Website/Social Media- Visit the diocesan website daily for updates
- Communicate and educate your key leaders and families – Changes are happening quickly, so update your website daily, make personal phone calls and send email messages (note from the pastor – Sunday obligations, spiritual communion, practicing your faith when unable to gather, saint of the day, pray together as a community, www.catholicstewardship.com, etc.). More than ever, put yourself in their shoes. Share good news!
- Social Media – add daily content to engage parishioners on social media
Live Streaming
- Facebook Live Event - How to display on your eCatholic website
- It’s important that during the Liturgy you still invite those watching to make their normal tithe in addition to the spiritual communion. Include a link on how to give or a link to the giving section on your website (link for sample text).
- Show the text of the Spiritual Communion on the screen during Communion time or invite viewers to recite the prayer with you.
- Add links to all communications with daily Mass options
- Tips for livestreaming:
- Tips on livestreaming the Mass
- Toolkit from Facebook on keeping your faith community connected
- Set up live streaming at your parish for Mass, weddings, funerals, special liturgies, etc. using the options below
Fundraising/Collections
Keep communicating with your donors (phone calls, emails, handwritten notes, etc.). Reaffirm your parish mission and continuously remind donors of the impact of your work and that their support is important.
Electronic Giving Improve your ability to receive donations by adding an online option to your website by one of the below options:- contact your website provider to set up a donate page on your website
- Vanco - (800) 675-7430 or sales@vancopayments.com
- Abundant - contact Ashley Perry at (800) 736-7425 x8270
- eCatholic - (877) 932-1776 x1 or sales@ecatholic.com
- Acceptiva - (800) 507-3871
- OSV - (800) 348-2886 x3000 or envsales@osv.com
- Faith Direct - (866) 507-8757
- PushPay - (844) 787-4729
- WeShare - (800) 950-9952 or www.4lpi.com
Other giving options Be prepared to receive gifts by mail or by phone (walk a donor through the process of making a gift). Have an option for donors to drop off donations at the parish. Post these options on your website or Facebook page.
Resources- Online Giving Pastor Letter - sample
- COVID-19 resources for dioceses, parishes, and Catholic schools
- Good Friday Intercessions for Parishes
- Holy Week from Home Resource Guide
- Catholic Stewardship in Uncertain Times: Best Practices During COVID-19
- Wisdom from ICSC Strategic Partners
- Catholic Faith response resources
- Messaging Ideas for the Pastor's Consideration
- Timeless Principles for Fundraising: The Coronavirus and Philanthropy
- Free webinars for Catholic Parishes from Prenger Solutions Group this includes a webinar about many digital tools being used by parishes around North America to continue ministry amid the coronavirus restrictions.
- How to create a successful online giving launch strategy
- eCatholic Launch Resources help you make the launch of eCatholic Payments more successful.
- Pastor's first letter to parishioners
- Pastor's first letter to parishioners (SPA)
- Let There Be Light Campaign: a free communications campaign to help parishes engage with parishioners digitally (offered by Sherwood Fellows and Dr. Italy)
Parish Bulletin- Continue to produce – post on your website and send to your families by email
- Reduce your print quantities (keeping some for your records) and reduce page count if needed.
- For special cover options from 4lpi click here.
Projects- Form prayer teams – say the rosary together via phone or other media platforms
- Tackle “rainy day” projects
- clean up your database, office, files, etc.
- handwrite thank you notes and/or call donors (personal touch)
- invite families to follow the parish on social media
- plan for the future
- catch up on your spiritual reading
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Stewardship Practices and Approaches Series
Stewardship is more than just the 3 T’s—Time, Talent and Treasure. Stewardship is about the BIG E—Everything. The Stewardship & Development office will be hosting best practice sessions in order to share some of the latest trends and practices being used in and around the Diocese of Austin.
Maintenance to Mission Session
Stay tuned for future dates!
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PREVIOUS SESSIONS
Did you miss the session "You Can Count on Me!" presented by Rev. Mark Hamlet and Elizabeth Carrillo, Sacred Heart Parish, Austin?
Click the links below to get a copy of the presentation or go to Sacred Heart Parish:
Stewardship Campaign and You Can Count on Me!
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