Chapter I - GETTING STARTED

This user manual is for content editors at parishes who are new to the ParishWorld network and are just beginning to know our system for the first time. It is likewise for those who have been using us for a while but want to learn more. Whether you're one or the other, this manual is filled with information to know and understand. This chapter will cover the steps to getting started, plus a guided tour of each individual page of your new parish website.

1.1 THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Unlike ordinary parish websites, your new parish website addresses a wider set of goals. It offers capabilities never before seen in the Catholic community. So, as you begin your journey with us, we ask that you remove any pre-conception you currently may have about how a parish website can and should function.

We ask that you "think outside the box." In fact, throw the box out and run with the possibilities. And be prepared to take the evangelization efforts of your parish to a whole new level. Welcome to the exciting world of ParishWorld.net.

1.2 PARISHWORLD'S UNIQUE ROLE

Your website is unique among all Catholic parish websites. This section gives you a better understanding of the uniquely dynamic way your website can help you achieve your parish evangelization and administrative goals.

- Majority of Catholics are spiritually challenged
- A Magazine-style approach
- Why ParishWorld.net works
- How we're helping many parishes

1.3 THE ROLE OF YOUR PARISH

While we do a LOT of the work for you, your parish will need to step up and do its share of the work to "personalize" the website to your unique requirements. While the information we put in is generically Catholic and applies to all Catholics in the U.S. and throughout the world, the information you put in will transform your website so it reflects the face of your parish and address its needs. With proper organization, this should be an easy and enjoyable process.

1.4 GETTING STARTED

Let's get you started. The sections below will walk you through the process of collecting the necessary information needed to get your website functional.

1 - Decide who will be entering your articles
2 - Collect the required initial information
3 - Process your "dynamic" articles weekly
4 - Process your other required "static" articles
5 - Manage your ministry blogs
6 - Develop your loyal base of subscribers
7 - Promote your website and generate revenues

1.5 A GUIDED TOUR OF YOUR WEBSITE

If you are to use your new website to its full potential, you need to know every page and its role in the overall dynamics of your website. Each section offers unique ways for you to disseminate information, grace and blessings to your parish members. We offer below a description of each section as well as live links to each section. Some of the links open to actual parish sites and some open to demo sites in our model parish website. These links offer suggestions and ideas on how parishes can most effectively use each individual section.

DYNAMIC SECTIONS EDITED BY PARISHWORLD.NET

These sections come with articles that are provided by ParishWorld.net. You do not have to lift a finger. Each section includes about 8-10 articles provided by us every week. The lead articles on the front page will be changing every day. We change this for you. Each one of these headline sections in your front page opens to a complete section page that displays all the other articles currently contained in that section. We encourage you to explore each section and get a flavor of the different stories each section offers.

CATHOLIC NEWS - news stories about matters Catholic
KNOWING OUR FAITH- whole community catechesis, homilies, reflections
DIOCESE NEWS - latest news stories from your Diocese
YOUTH LIFE- stories of interest to our youth
DAILY READINGS - daily Mass readings and reflections
ESPAÑOL - Pastoral Hispana is a bilingual Spanish Catholic magazine we provide
DIRECTORY CATHOLIC - a comprehensive yellow-page type directory of all things Catholic

DYNAMIC SECTIONS EDITED BY THE PARISH

These sections will be populated with articles by your parish. You enter articles and stories at your own schedule and pace. We recommend that you change the lead story that appears on your front page for each of the following sections as frequently as you can. You will find instructions on how to do this in the following sections.

AROUND THE PARISH - your headline stories to the parish members
NEWS BULLETINS - more stories and announcements from the parish
PASTORAL CORNER - pastoral articles from the parish
YOUTH LIFE - your parish youth stories get priority over our global stories
SHARE YOUR TIME - your online center for parish volunteer needs
CALENDAR - calendar of parish events
PARISH BLOGS - listing of all parish blogs and global blogs

STATIC SECTIONS EDITED BY THE PARISH

These sections contain information that does not change on a frequent basis. In most parishes, these sections comprise the entire bulk of their websites. We have populated these sections with initial information. We encourage you to add, edit or remove items as you see fit. As you do this, however, keep in mind that the intent of each of these sections is not just to provide basic parish information. The main objective of your website and each one of these sections is to provide ongoing evangelization and Catechesis.

PARISH INFO - basic parish info, Mass schedules, contacts, mission, etc.
MINISTRIES - complete list of parish ministries, calendars, contacts, etc.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - the information and communication center of your Rel. Ed. program
SACRAMENTS - Theological, catechetical and administrative information on the Sacraments

MORE GLOBAL ARTICLES IN PARISHWORLD.NET

Our global website contains more dynamic articles that are available to your parish readers by clicking the blue ParishWorld logo on the top left section of your website. View these additional sections here. These articles cover a wide range of current event articles, reflections and stories that are of great interest to all Catholics.

TOP STORIES - headliners, current events, opinion pieces and more for Catholics everywhere
STORIES OF HOPE - stories to inspire and warm the heart
LIFESTYLE - general living articles, health, media, food, and more
VOCATION NEWS - articles about the priesthood and other related vocations
PODCASTS - a compilation of Catholic audio and video Catholic podcasts

SAMPLE BLOGS EDITED BY THE PARISH

Below are samples of blogs or mini-websites prepared by live parishes in our network. They cover a wide range of topics and should give you a good bird's eye view of how to make blogs work to full potential in your parish.

Parish Prayer Request & Blessings
Voices from the Pews
Youth Ministry
Humble Servants of Divine Mercy
Knights of Columbus
Men's Ministry

GLOBAL BLOGS PROVIDED BY PARISHWORLD.NET

We have compiled a wide cross section of blogs by some of the finest Catholic writers on the Internet today. These blogs are also accessible from your own parish website under the Blogs section. We exhort you to explore all of them and be amazed at the amount of grace and information that can be gleamed from these truly inspired works.

Voices from the Parish
Prayer Requests, Grace Blessings & Testimonials
Burning Question of the Week
No Crying at my Funeral
Bezalel Blogs
Exploring Relics
Historical Christian
Catholic Q&A with Fr. Mike
Bo's Soulfood
A Patchwork Quilt
Lights, Camera, God!
A Place at the Table
Fe y Razón
The Rosary Bowl
Today I saw God...


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USEFUL NAVIGATION BACK LINKS:
Chapter 0 - WELCOME TO YOUR USER MANUAL
Chapter I - GETTING STARTED
Chapter II -THE GOALS OF YOUR WEBSITE
Chapter III - CREATING YOUR ARTICLES
Chapter IV - MANAGING YOUR WEBSITE
Chapter V - GENERATING REVENUES
COMPLETE TABLE OF CONTENTS