25
May
When we have a profound sense of gratitude resulting from viewing everything as a gift from God to us, we are motivated with a desire to return some of this abundance to God. This giving back to God is stewardship.
Stewardship: A Multi-faceted Concept
Stewardship is a multi-faceted concept that addresses all aspects of faith and spirituality and includes prayer, service and sharing. Resources are available to help parishes implement a stewardship program based on these concepts often experience a revitalization and renewal of faith.
Parishes grounded in stewardship report increases in:
Personal and household prayer
Mass attendance and participation
Volunteers for parish and related events
Financial giving
COVID-19 Parish Outreach Tips
Click for Sample Pandemic Parish letter to mail or email to all parishioners which calms their fears and reminds them of the importance of assisting with offertory support. Include the link to your on-line giving or the temporary one set up by the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation: vermontcatholic.org/donatetoparish
Set an online giving sign-up goal in the letter and then update parishioners as you go as a way to continually promote online giving.
Set up a call campaign using staff, members of councils (or other volunteers). Click for Parish Call Campaign Tips and Sample Script. Focus first on older parishioners, or those who might be isolated, and ask:
How are you doing?
What are your needs or what would help you?
Do you have any prayer intentions?
Use social media platforms to stream daily and/or Sunday, Rosary, faith engagement opportunities on Facebook Live or YouTube and post on your website and/or share in emails (see tips below).
Create an online portal to share intentions, a day of prayer or social outreach (pointing people to a local food bank, where to donate blood or how to help fellow parishioners with tasks) or use email.
Online Giving Options
Each parish should have their own platform. These are a few options that parishes are using but this is not an endorsement of any particular platform. Click for more information on each:
- Gabriel Stripe Online Giving Setup Instructions for Parishes: Cost = 2.9% + .30 per transaction. Contact: info@gabrielsoft.com
- eCatholic-Pricing: Pricing is $20 a month plus processing fees (pg. 4 of attachment). Contact: vipsupport@ecatholic.org
- Our Sunday Visitor
- WeShare
- Parish Giving
- Vanco
Social Media Tips
DO:
Keep username and profile image across platforms
Post frequently (daily if possible)
Use images
Use videos
Use #hashtags
Tag organizations and people
Add a location (Facebook and Instagram)
Ask for input/reactions
Share diocesan content and content of other organizations
Use a scheduling app (e.x. Hootsuite)
Like comments and respond back
DON’T:
Go more than a week without posting
Speak with an individual voice, but rather with the voice of the institution
Use divisive words (us/you, our/your). For example, “Join us for….” say “Join Msgr. Lavalley for…” or “Join the St. Francis Xavier Community for…”
Use copyrighted material without permission
Use photos/videos of people who haven’t given consent
Share from individual’s accounts
WHAT TO SHARE:
Profile someone/something
Live-streams, Daily Mass, Rosary
Behind-the-scenes
Volunteer/service projects
Links to resources
Q&A
Quotes
Thanks/recognition of donors, volunteers, parishioners
Other Resources
How to use Facebook: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-use-facebook
How to use Instagram: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-use-instagram
How to use Twitter: https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-setup-twitter-search-hashtag-and-login-help/
Social Media Guidelines (USCCB): usccb.org/about/communications/social-media-guidelines.cfm
Click links below for free Images:
Wikimedia Commons (must be labeled “Public Domain” or be given proper attribution
Social Media for Non-Profits Infographics: Mobilecause.com
