Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/884397
National Catholic Forester 26 DIOCESAN COMMUNICATION GRANTS CONT. FROM PAGE 16 by such an outdated web presentation. The NCSF Diocesan Communication Grant will help pay for the design and hosting of an updated, mobile-friendly website for youth and young adults, as well as to receive the necessary training to maintain it. Diocese of Joliet, Illinois The Diocese of Joliet is creating a podcast network so that diocesan-level agencies can broadcast audio shows to the public, sharing interviews and stories of interest as part of the New Evangelization, which can not only be heard by people in the diocese, but by anyone in the world. The NCSF Diocesan Communication Grant will help buy audio equipment to set up a broadcast studio at the Blanchette Catholic Center. Podcasts are digital audio programs that people can download on their computers or mobile devices to listen to at their leisure. As of 2016, 21 percent (57 million) Americans ages 12 and up have listened to a podcast in the past month; that is an audience of the same percentage of Americans who use Twitter. Also, future new models of cars will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which will make podcasts more easily available to listen. Most importantly, 70 percent of podcast listeners are Millennials. What an incredible way to reach young Catholics! Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota In 2016, more than 3,500 people viewed live-streamed liturgical celebrations, special parish events, or an educational faith formation class through the Rapid City Diocese's Livestream platform accounts. Another 2,150 people viewed Pastoral Ministry Days talks by keynote speaker, the Rev. Thomas Richter, via the website. The NCSF Diocesan Communication Grant will help increase the number of podcasts and live-streamed events it can produce for online and social media platforms utilizing various diocesan programs and ministries. This will help improve access to distance learning opportunities for approximately 26,000 Catholics registered in their diocese, especially the 9,000-plus Catholics who live and worship in parishes far from the diocesan headquarters in Rapid City. Diocese of Toledo, Ohio Approximately 62% of Toledo Diocese parishioners are aged 55 years or more, which means they use or seek services and amenities targeted to older individuals and families. Publishing an annual Senior Life and Resource Guide would allow the diocese to connect with their senior parishioners in a very meaningful way. The guide will contain detailed listings on where to find services for seniors, such as assistance from Catholic Charities, Social Security, and Veteran's Administration services; assisted living facilities and retirement communities, managing estate planning, selecting hospices and planning funeral services, as well as upbeat stories and interviews. The publication would reach 100,000 parishioners while helping to reestablish a strong connection with a key demographic that still wants to be a part of their faith community. The NCSF Diocesan Communication Grant will help defray the costs associated with the writing, design, production, and distribution of the Senior Life and Resource Guide. The grant would also give them the ability to raise additional funds through receipt of matching contributions from local businesses.