Communications

The following guidelines have been adopted to facilitate the processing of communications between parish programs and ministries and the faithful of Our Lady of Consolation.  These announcements serve as a first line of communication with parishioners and often create a lasting impression of a parish program or ministry.
 
General Guidelines
 
All items should be submitted in writing, preferably by email, to eliminate the possibility of items being lost or misplaced.  Please include timeframe the item should run.  Items should include contact information: name, phone, and/or email address to include with publication.
 
All requests should be made through the Parish Administrative Assistant who is responsible for their publication.
 
Articles and announcements may be edited for content and may be condensed due to space constraints.
 
Ministry chairs are responsible for sharing these guidelines, any updates to the guidelines or announcement schedules with their membership, especially members in charge of publicity, communications, and visibility.
 
Events that conflict with parish missions or other parish-wide events, as determined by the Pastor, will not be promoted through parish communications.
 
All announcements listing a parish site as the location of an event should have an approved room request; speakers must have the written approval of the Pastor prior to publication.
 
Bulletin
 
All bulletin items are to be submitted by Tuesday, 5:00 PM for publication two Sundays ahead.  Every effort is made to publish current and accurate information.  We regret any inconvenience due to early deadlines or to our errors.
 
The bulletin deadline may change with various holidays, depending on the publisher’s and/or the editor’s schedules.  Every effort will be made to send out a timely email to ministry heads to allow for earlier submission of announcements. Please anticipate an abbreviated schedule around major holidays and make adjustments accordingly.
 
In order to keep the bulletin fresh and appealing with new and up-to-date information, the bulletin items will run for a maximum of three (3) consecutive weeks.  All items should be updated substantially in order to run longer than the prescribed time.  This determination will be made at the discretion of the bulletin editor.  Ministries may be highlighted on a monthly basis as space allows.
 
Flyer pages are reserved on a first come, first served basis.  Requests should be made as soon as possible once an event has been approved by the Pastor and placed on the parish schedule.  There is no bumping.
 
All bulletin inserts must have contact information in text: Name, phone number and/or e-mail address.
 
Only bulletin inserts for a ministry will be printed in the parish office.  They are printed in black and white only.  Other inserts must be submitted to the pastor for his approval and must be copied at the requester’s expense. 
 
All parish/ministry programs must have an approved facility request before an event will be published in the bulletin. Ministry must fill out room request form through the parish office, and it must be entered in the master calendar prior to publicizing the event. 
 
Mass times and intentions are listed in the bulletin as well as special events that affect majority of the parish.  Routine and regular meetings are not listed due to space constraints.
 
Prayer/Deceased list names may be submitted to the parish office for publication in the bulletin and the parish website.  They should be accepted only from the person or close family member due to privacy issues.
 
Preference is given to all parish programs and ministries.  Archdiocesan news will be published as space allows. 
 
Pulpit Announcements
 
Pulpit announcements must be submitted to the Pastor by Thursday at 5:00 PM for inclusion in the weekend Mass announcements.  Emergency announcements will be accepted after the deadline with the approval of the Pastor.
 
Pulpit announcements should run the weekend before the upcoming event. 
 
Website
 
Information, activities and events sponsored by OLC may be submitted for inclusion on the parish website.  All events must be approved and not conflict with any major parish activity or mission as determined by the Pastor. 
Updates will be made on a weekly basis as time permits. 
 
Please monitor your webpage, calendar of events, and forms for any necessary changes and contact the parish secretary with change requests.
 
The website is administered by the Parish Administrative Assistant and the communication technology team.
 
 
We look forward to working with you and sharing the Good News through your efforts on behalf of the faithful.