National Catholic Forester

National Catholic Forester 22 Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan The NCSF Diocesan Communication Grant will be used to cover part of the cost of a video to reach out to a new and younger audience. The annual Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) has been around for generations and while many older parishioners are familiar with the appeal and the importance of it, the Grand Rapids Diocese is not connecting with the younger generation. Their video would allow the Grand Rapids Diocese' Department of Communications and parishes to promote the CSA in a new compelling way through diocesan and parish websites and social media channels. The diocese will be working with DQRXWVLGHSURGXFWLRQŅUPRQWKLVYLGHR Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Montana The NCSF Diocesan Communication Grant will be used to create a brochure. This brochure will help the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings to communicate in a more direct and effective manner with their parishioners regarding the great need for philanthropic funding for current operational shortfalls in ministry and church administration and, perhaps more importantly, the future of the Church. Their brochure, once completed, will be made available at all Great Falls-Bilings diocesan parishes; it will also be available for download on their diocese's website. Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon The NCSF Diocesan Communication Grant will allow the Archdiocese of Portland to purchase the equipment necessary to "meet people where they are." They are making VWULGHVWRZDUGVWKDWEXWDQ\ŅQDQFLDOKHOSWKH$UFKGLRFHVHFDQUHFHLYHWRDLGLQWKHSURFHVV is always greatly appreciated. Archbishop Sample is a great proponent of using media to spread the Gospel, and the new equipment will help him to realize many of his pastoral goals. "In the Information Age, we must take our message to the people, rather than having them search us out," wrote the Portland Archdiocese. Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado The NCSF Diocesan Communication Grant will be used to support the Diocese of Colorado's online communication efforts. The grant would be used to offset costs associated with a monthly email blast available to the entire Catholic community in Southern Colorado. The email blast gives them the ability to reach more of their parishioners more frequently. These funds would also help support a weekly email blast sent to all members of the diocese staff. This includes all staff members at each of their parishes and mission churches across the diocese (there are over 100) along with all chancery staff and diocesan priests. Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri The NCSF Diocesan Communication Grant will help the Archdiocese of St. Louis utilize video, social media, and the web "as diligently as Moses used stone tablets and St. Paul used his letters in the cause of spreading the Gospel," wrote the St. Louis Archdiocese. Because there is so much confusion with regard to Church teachings on current issues, the Archdiocese of St. Louis is attempting to craft a message to a different and, perhaps, younger demographic via social media. There they want to clarify, instruct, and engage younger adults who can, hopefully, take what they learn from the archdiocese's efforts and go out and instruct others. DIOCESAN COMMUNICATION GRANT RECIPIENTS continued from page 7 © CAN STOCK PHOTO PESHKOVA

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