Part 3: How-To Engage Your Parishioners, Parents, Students, and Donors in Uncertain Times
Parishes, schools, and nonprofit ministries: You deserve a round of applause. After our last e-newsletter of examples, we thought we'd seen all the ways that you could connect with your supporters... but you've done it again!

In the midst of uncertainty and anxiety, the Catholic Community Foundation wants to support you. We've assembled even more tips on how you all are keeping the lines of communication and engaging with your constituents.
Parishes
Here are three more ways to engage your church community from home:

  1. Give thanks. You care about your community, so show your appreciation! Fr. Charles Benoit of St. Benedict invites parishioners to continue praying for Health Care Heroes. The latest prayer list of medical professionals can be found in Fr. Benoit's e-blasts, as well as on the church's Facebook page. St. Rita thanked its neighbors for helping keep a food pantry box, which is located in front of the church, stocked for those in need during this difficult time.
  2. Lift spirits. Though Holy Week looked very different for parishes this year, St. Francis Xavier is lifting spirits by hosting an Easter art and writing contest. What a great way to engage parishioners of all ages! Fr. Joe Palermo even offered some poetry writing advice in this video on what makes for a bad poem.
  3. Talk about giving back. It's important to discuss how parishioners can support your parishes. Need a little help? Check out sample messaging on giving back from CCF and Fr. Dave Caron. These messages can be read or projected during the "Preparation of the Gifts" portion of your live-stream Masses.

Lagniappe: PSG is offering the webinar "A Recovery Plan for Your Parish Offertory" on April 30 at 11 a.m. CT. Sign up here.

Questions? Contact Director of Stewardship and Parish Services Susie Veters at sveters@ccfnola.org for parish outreach information. Contact ParishSOFT and Data Coordinator Ryan Adams at radams@ccfnola.org for help with the set up and support of ParishSOFT Giving in your parish.
Schools
Here are three more ways to engage your school communities:

  1. Share the love. St. Clement of Rome posted this video to let their students know how much they love and miss them, which also included Fr. Andrew Rudmann singing "Lean on Me"! The Good Shepherd School shared a heart-warming video message for its students, too.
  2. Lead by example. During Holy Week, the St. Paul's student council started a social media initiative to help support the Northshore Food Bank with food and funds that it desperately needs. Read more here.
  3. Meet additional needs. School work isn't the only way that kids learn. St. Dominic is offering "after school special" videos, which include muscle relaxation techniques and how-to plant an indoor herb garden. Ursuline Academy's Fine Arts Festival is going virtual, making art, music, and theatre pieces available online. What fun ways to teach the whole person and encourage self expression!

Lagniappe: NCEA has provided an update on CARES Act Provisions as they relate to Catholic schools. Click here for more.
Nonprofit Ministries
Here are three more ways to engage your constituent communities:

  1. Meet people where they are. We're all at home and online, so join your audiences! The Clarion Herald has suspended print editions for its digital offering. The editorial staff is also posting video "notebook" discussions of the week's events. The Daughters of St. Paul held a Facebook live Q&A session during Holy Week.
  2. Assure constituents that you're here for them. Many people are feeling lonely and isolated. Catholic Community Radio let its listeners know exactly when and how they could tune in. Daughters of Charity Health Centers reminded its Facebook followers that they're available to connect people to critical resources like health care appointments, food, housing, counseling, job training and more.
  3. Partner up. There's no denying that we're stronger together. The Hispanic Apostolate and Catholic Charities have teamed up to distribute food to the community. Fr. Sergio Serrano went live on his Facebook page as the Clarion Herald captured pictures from a recent distribution event.

Lagniappe: Need a good example of how to explain the CARES Act to your donors? Check out the "PS" section of this Boys Town Louisiana e-blast.
Know someone who would benefit from communications like this?
Please feel free to share this resource or email Callie Kamath
at ckamath@ccfnola.org to be added to the email list.