DeoWeb is a diocesan-wide system for communication using the internet. It helps to connect parishioners, parishes and the Diocese with one another. DeoWeb enables direct communications with all of its members. DeoWeb consists of:

1. A diocesan web site, where you'll find:

• Information from pastoral services (music, youth, liturgy, etc.), the bishop and diocesan-linked organizations (retreat houses, charities, etc.).
• A parish directory with contact information and links to parish web sites.
• A section of material on faith topics.
• Library of diocesan resources. You can borrow books, periodicals, audio, video by requesting them on-line and have them delivered to you by mail.

2. Parish web sites (more information on parish web sites below).

3. An on-line newspaper with content published from across the diocese.

4. Librarie Emmanuel, diocesan bookstore. Order books, cards, religious articles, audio, video.

• The Church is not online… but the majority of her people are... we must connect. We are communicating the message of life - shouldn't we be leading the way online?
• "It is necessary in order to communicate effectively with people - especially young people - who are steeped in the experience of this new technology." (Pontifical Council for Social Communications). One of the most popular searches on the internet is for spirituality.
• "It is important that people at all levels of the Church use the internet creatively to meet their responsibilities and help fulfill the Church's mission." (Ibid)
• Being on-line breaks down geographical barriers, enables sharing of ideas across diocese
• Significant costs saved in print and postage.

What Does It Mean For My Parish?

Reach people in your parish and in your community by having an active presence on the web. Your parish will have its own web site to call home on the internet. Some of the key features are:

1. Parish and pastoral services information. Each pastoral service has its own section of the site and manages its own information. With DeoWeb, your parish can:

• Publish all the latest news and put events into an on-line calendar.
• Upload photos of parish events. People love to see themselves on-line!
• Provide lay ministers with schedules, policies and procedures
• Upload forms for parishioners to download and fill out
• Answer the typical questions on sacraments with FAQs
• Enable those who missed mass or who don't go to mass to read or listen to the homilies
• Host live chats and continue discussion of faith topics in discussion forums
• Publish mass schedules, pastor profiles, a parish history, patron saint, and virtual tour.

2. Controlled access to content. People can publish content to the diocesan newspaper, to the parish or to members only, depending on their level of access.

3. Group-based communication. Send messages to groups in your parish, in the diocese, or to other parishes. Messages delivered by fax / email, based on preferences.

4. Online donations. Receive / give donations by credit-card for tithing and fundraisers.

5. Parish directory. Lookup contact information for people in your parish or in other parishes. Access to these directories is restricted to approved DeoWeb members only.

6. Subscription-based newsletter. Subscribers receive a weekly email of the latest published content from the parish, the region of the parish and the diocese. This keeps people informed, and helps to draw people back to the site and to your parish.

7. Resource library. Set up an online lending library like the one at the diocesan site.

Parishioners will benefit from DeoWeb in many ways, including:

1. Keeping up-to-date on what is going on in the diocese, in their region, in their parish and in the ministries important to them. Parishioners who are shut-in or out of town can keep in touch with what is happening (e.g., snowbirds).

2. Access to resources and information to help in their faith journey, when they need them.

3. Interacting with other people of faith on discussion boards, online chats, commenting on content.

To become a member of DeoWeb, go to any page and click on 'join'. Becoming a member entitles you to manage newsletter subscriptions, request library resources and participate in online discussions. Your parish and the diocese will also be better able to communicate with you more easily.

The diocese values your privacy. When you join DeoWeb, you are requested to enter some personal contact information. There are several measures in place to ensure your personal information is used appropriately and kept away from intruders:

· You manage your personal information. Only a name and email address is required, so that you can retrieve your password if you have forgotten it. You can update your profile at any time. You also choose whether or not to include your contact information in your parish directory.

· Restricted access to personal information. Only people approved by your parish or by the diocese can access your information. The parish directory is restricted to approved DeoWeb members only. Anyone can join DeoWeb, but cannot access the directory without approval first.

Contact us if you have questions, ideas or concerns about matters relating to DeoWeb:

email: support@diocesessm.org phone: 705-674-2727 web: www.diocesessm.org/support

Diocesan web site - www.diocesessm.org
Newspaper - http://news.diocesessm.org
Store - http://store.diocesessm.org