How to Announce News at Your Catholic Parish

Announcing news and important information at your parish is crucial for keeping your congregation informed and engaged. To effectively communicate with your parishioners, you should utilize a variety of channels outlined here. Read on for ideas to spice up your parish announcements and reach a wider audience with the good news!

1. The Parish Website

Your parish website is the digital hub of information for your community. Here's how to maximize its use.

• News Section­ — Create a dedicated "News" section on your website where you can post updates, announcements, and other important information. Make sure it's easily accessible from the homepage.
• Regular Updates — Keep the website up to date with your latest news and events. Set a schedule for posting updates and stick to it.
• User-Friendly Design — Ensure your website is easy to navigate, so visitors can find the information they need quickly.
  
  

2. Social Media
Social media platforms are excellent for connecting with your parishioners in a more informal and interactive way. Consider these tips.

• Official Accounts — Maintain official parish accounts on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and make sure to follow parishioners, community accounts, and diocesan accounts from each. Need some tips, we have a blog on Social Media Strategy 101 for your parish that might be useful.
• Keep it short — Remember that social media content is usually very visual-heavy. Keep your post copy short and sweet while relying on beautiful visuals like those that can be found in WeCreate to spark initial interest.
• Links — Always link announcement posts to whatever extended information your viewers may need. It’s best to always link back to your parish’s website where news and announcements should be available in longer formats.  

3. Church Bulletin
The church bulletin remains one of the most effective methods for communicating with your congregation. In fact, a 2023 study done by the Center for Applied Research at Georgetown University found that 90% of weekly Mass attendees read their parish bulletin!

• Weekly Bulletin — Include important announcements, upcoming events, and contact information in your weekly bulletin. Ensure that your bulletin is easily accessible to all parishioners by making sure to use not only print bulletins but also digital copies of your bulletin that can be linked from your website as well as emailed out to parishioners.
• Professional Format — A beautifully designed and professional-looking bulletin can aid your readers in finding relevant information like announcements inside of it. In fact, all of our LPi bulletin customers receive one FREE bulletin design refresh when they print their bulletins with us. For some ideas, check out these before and after images of bulletins we’ve designed.
• Relevant Images —Nothing helps announce your news like the right image. You can find professionally designed graphics for every occasion, perfect for you to drop into your bulletin (and other communications) inside of WeCreate, our library of Catholic content.

4. From the Pulpit at Mass

Speaking directly to your congregation during Mass is a powerful way to make announcements.

• Clear Communication — Keep your messages concise and clear. Encourage your priests and speakers to engage parishioners in a friendly, welcoming manner.
• Timing — Make announcements at a suitable point in the Mass to avoid disrupting the flow of worship.
• Repetition — Repeat essential information a few times to ensure that it's absorbed. Consider making an important announcement two or three weeks in a row.
• Visual Accompaniment — If your parish has a screen that projects slides and videos inside the sanctuary, be sure to accompany the announcement with a slide image. Remember, including visuals during announcements at Mass helps include those who may have a disability that can be assisted by visuals.

5. Press Releases

For major events, initiatives, and staff changes, consider sending out press releases to local media outlets.

• Professional Approach — Write parish press releases in a professional and concise manner. Include quotes from church leaders and contact information for media inquiries.
• Local Connection — Don’t forget to highlight in your press release how the announcement benefits the local community or shares a message of hope and faith.
• Share — If local news agencies or others pick up your press release and publish it, be sure to share links to the press release on your social media accounts!

Additional Ideas and Considerations

• Text Alerts — Explore using text messaging services for urgent news and last-minute changes to events. Often, it’s enough to send out a quick text with a link to the news on your parish’s website.
• In-Person Announcements — Utilize gatherings outside of Mass, such as parish meetings, faith formation events, service projects, coffee and doughnuts, and more to make important announcements in person.
• Multilingual Approach — If your parish is culturally diverse, make sure that you are offering news and announcements in every language spoken to ensure inclusivity.
• Accessibility — Make sure all announcement communications are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Consider providing printed materials in large print, and always having audible announcements for important news, not just text announcements.

Remember, effective communication is key to keeping your parish vibrant and connected. By utilizing various channels and adapting to the preferences of your parishioners, you can be sure that important news and information reach everyone in your community.

How beautiful upon the mountains

   are the feet of the one bringing good news,

Announcing peace, bearing good news,

   announcing salvation, saying to Zion,

   “Your God is King!” -Isaiah 52:7