BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AMERICA
 | www.byzcath.org |
 DEVELOPING A PARISH HOME PAGE

 
Developing a Parish Home Page

Byzcath.org has received a number of requests for help in setting up parish home pages - from choosing a web host to designing the web site.  This page is a summary of that information which can be used as a starting point.  In general, we recommend the following:

  1. Always check with your pastor before starting work on a parish website.  Having his support will help ensure that you can obtain accurate, timely information on what's happening in your parish as well as to make sure you are not already duplicating the work already in progress by someone else.
  2. Identify the software you will use.  There is no need to purchase special software.  If you know html (the programming language of the internet) you can design a simple page in Notepad or any word processor.  Both Microsoft Word and WordPerfect offer html development in the more recent versions of their word processing software.  If you're good with computers you can use Netscape Communicator (which can be downloaded for free) or Microsoft Front Page (which costs $).  Both are fairly easy to learn and will do a great job in helping you create a page.  There are a host of html editors (Adobe Acrobat, Homepage, Hot Dog, etc.) that you can use - choose wisely before your purchase. We recommend that you start with the free ones.
  3. Identify where you will host your web page.  Byzcath.org will be happy to host your page or help you find a free place to host your page. There are now hundreds of places that will host your web page for free (do a web search or go directly to the list at Yahoo).  Some force you to accept advertising at the tope of the page, others add a "watermark" that floats in the bottom right of your page.  We recommend choosing one that does not force advertisement except maybe advertisement for the web hosting company.  A watermark is also acceptable (hey - if it's free they need some recognition). Investigate thoroughly and choose wisely. 
  4. Choose the URL (address) for your page.  Some web hosting companies allow you freedom to choose the name of your page. Other provides assign you a URL.  If you are allowed to choose the name of the directory choose an easy to remember abbreviation of your parish's name or town.  Then name your home page file "index.html".  This allows your URL to be something like: "www.byzcath.org/p/boise" (for a parish located in Boise, Idaho) or "www.freepage.com/HolyResurrection" (which emphasizes the parish name).
  5. Gather information and graphics for your your home page.  You'll need an icon of the name of your parish, pictures of the parish (outside and/or inside) and some action shots of liturgy or of the gathered Church.  Don't go overboard or you'll wind up with a crowded page that will take a long time to load.  Develop the text (see the page below for ideas) and organize the page.  See the St. George the Great-Martyr Home Page for a sample of one under construction.
  6. Create the page with the appropriate software and upload to the web host. Using the software above create your own page and upload it to the host you chose following their instructions. Keep your page relevant to your parish and its witness of Jesus Christ.  Do not define 'Byzantine Catholic' in terms of anything but 'Byzantine Catholic'.  Byzantine Catholics are (to quote Pope John Paul II) "Orthodox Christians in communion with Rome", not 'Catholics of the Byzantine Rite'.  Avoid lots of personal links, too many dancing images and all information not specifically approved by the pastor.  Don't attempt frames or anything too complicated since they will take more time to develop and maintain.  Keep it simple.
  7. Let Byzcath.org know your page exists.  We can add it our Parishes with Home Pages list to direct traffic to your site.  Let your pastor know so he can add the URL to the bulletin or parish calendar as he deems appropriate.
  8. Update your page regularly.  Nothing is more annoying than seeing a calendar for "Upcoming Events of 1997".  If you don't have the time to keep the page updated then offer it to someone else to maintain.  Inaccurate and outdated information shows your parish in a poor light and dilutes your effective Byzantine Christian witness.
Below is a sample of a good starting point for a home page.  Feel free to save this page and use it as a model for your page.

Holy Resurrection
Byzantine Catholic Church
Do not use the terms "Byzantine-Rite", "Catholic Church of the Byzantine rite",etc.
since they do not correctly describe a suri iuris Church.

11 Main Street
Hometown, MT 12345-6789
If the mailing address is different than the geographical address list both and indicate which is which.
Always include 9 digit zip code.

Fr. George F. Dragonovich, Pastor
Fr. Deacon Michael J. Nicholas

Phone: 987-654-3210
Fax: 987-654-3211
Parish Center: 987-654-3212
Always include area codes.


 
Icon of the Resurrection
Include a photo of your patronal icon (ideally  from your icon screen).
Liturgical Schedule
List all Divine Services that occur on a regular basis.
 Sundays:
Vespers (Saturday Evening) 6:00 PM
Sunday Matins 8:00 AM
Sunday Divine Liturgy 9:00 AM

 Holydays:

Vespers (Eve of Holyday) 7:00 PM
Matins 8:00 AM
Divine Liturgy 9:00 AM

Confessions are heard 1/2 hour before Vespers and by appointment.

During Great Lent the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts is celebrated on Wednesdays and Friday Evenings at 7:00 PM.  On the Sunday Evenings during Great Lent, Vespers are celebrated at 5:00 PM and are followed by a Great Fast soup and roll supper.

List all Divine Services that occur on a regular basis.

Join Us!
Join us for Sunday Divine Liturgy and the Coffee Hour that follows.
For other Divine Services please consult the bulletin or phone.
Include a general invitation to invite newcomers to your parish with reference to your coffee hour, religious education programs, and etc.
Date of Event
Description of Event
His Eminence, Metropolitan JUDSON blesses with thr trykyrion and dykyrion.

Include one or more pictures (limit to about 50 k file size for each for quick loading) highlighting a recent event in your parish (perhaps a visit by your bishop, the reception of converts or other appropriate celebration. Be sure to identify the "who, what, where, when, why and how" of the event.

Directions
Holy Resurrection Church is located at the corner of Main St and 3rd Avenue in Hometown, MT.  From Interstate 90, take exit 450.....

Provide detailed directions on how to get to your church from a major interstate that can be found on any map.

History
Provide a short history of your parish including when it was founded (year), when the building was built.  It should include reference to major events in the parish (25th, 50th or 100th anniversary, reception of a large group of converts, new iconostasis, construction of new buildings, etc.).  The last major event should be within the last year or so.
Ministries
Provide a listing of the ministries provided by your parish, meeting times and contact persons.  Include phone numbers and e-mail address, where possible.

Holy Resurrection Outreach - Provides a food pantry for those in need in the Hometown area. Contact Mary Smithsky at 987-654-3219.

Holy Resurrection School of Byzantine Christian Formation - provides ongoing education for young and old about our Byzantine Catholic Faith.  Youth Education (pre-school through 12th grade) meet every Sunday following Divine Liturgy.  Adults meet Tuesdays at 7:00 PM. Contact David Pliska at 987-654-3213.

Byzantine Catholic Youth - Provides activities for the youth of Holy Resurrection Parish and their friends.  Meets every Wednesday in the parish center at 7:00 PM.  Contact John & Laura Hadid at 987-654-3217 to volunteer or for questions.

Holy Resurrection Men's Club - Provides for the physical upkeep and growth of the buildings and grounds, sponsors annual neighborhood picnic.  Meets 1st Monday of each month at 7:00 PM.  Contact Men's Club President, Randall Koso at 987-654-3233.

Holy Resurrection Women's Guild - Provides outreach to the sick and elderly of Holy Resurrection parish by visiting regularly and remembering them in prayer and with cards.  Sponsors various parish activities including the hospitality committee that welcomes visitors and parishioners to our parish.  Meets 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 PM. Contact Olga White at 987-654-3299.

Holy Resurrection Liturgical Planning Committee - Consists of the pastor, deacon, cantors and all those interested in planning the liturgies throughout the year.  Prepares special handouts and works with the youth (of any age) to teach them the liturgy and music of our Church.  Contact the pastor, deacon or any of the cantors for more information.  Meets as needed.
 

Educational Programs
Provide a detailed explanation of the educational programs in your parish (don't just repeat the brief mention in the "Ministries" section above.  Make sure to list all events, special workshops and lectures, etc., who the presenters are, etc.
Parish Contacts
List the key parish contacts (trustees, etc.) who could be contacted directly for information on specific events so that all information does not have to go through the pastor. 
2000 - 2001 Calendar
List, in calendar order, the upcoming major events within the parish.  Include special liturgical celebrations, visits by the bishop, parish retreats, lectures and workshops, picnics, and etc.
ABOUT HOLY RESURRECTION PARISH
Include information on your parish linking it to your bishop.

Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Church is a parish of the Byzantine Metropolitan Archdiocese of Pittsburgh which is under the spiritual direction of His Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop Judson M. Procyk.  The parish is served by Fr. George F. Dragonovich,  pastor.  The deacon is Fr. Deacon Michael J. Nicholas.

LINKS
Provide links that are relevant to your parish.  Always include your eparchy. Links to neighboring parishes or special hometown events in which your parish takes an active part can be included.
| Byzantine Catholic Church in America |      http://www.byzcath.org/links/hometown Always include your URL on the page.
    Last updated 06/11/2000.  Send updates to yourname@youremailaddress.com.