1 minute read
Communications
FAST FACTS
Find a Mass App: 6000 downloads
Advertisement
The Southern Cross website: 89,000 users
Archdiocese of Adelaide website: 124,000 users
YouTube: 3852 subscribers
Facebook: 2199 followers
Archdiocese of Adelaide 937 followers
The Southern Cross
Communications
The unexpected death of Archbishop Philip Wilson on January 17 prompted widespread media interest which was followed by coverage of the funeral by television and print media. The Communications team produced its own special tribute in The Southern Cross.
The easing of COVID restrictions meant that churches could welcome people back to Mass at Easter, albeit at 75 per cent capacity, and this was communicated via secular media and through Church communication channels.
Promotion of events was a focus during the year, with an emphasis on ensuring attendees were aware of COVID-safe practices such as registering and wearing masks.
The Archdiocesan website and social media were important tools for keeping people abreast of the latest developments with COVID. A major revamp of the website was completed after livestreaming and other developments prompted a redesign of the home page.
Following extensive consultation and preparation work, the Communications team provided support for the Diocesan Assembly held in September and the Plenary Council in October. The distribution of 11 editions of The Southern Cross newspaper returned to normal after some changes in 2020 due to COVID. The Easter and Christmas editions, inserted in The Advertiser, attracted strong advertising revenue and positive feedback from readers.
Downloads to the Find a Mass App continued to increase after it was upgraded in 2020 to include the capacity for people to give to their parish, clergy and special appeals. Further promotional material was distributed to parishes and migrant communities to encourage people to use this method of giving.
During 2021 the Communications director was part of a task force comprising representatives of Catholic Health Australia, Calvary and former MPs who ran a campaign against proposed euthanasia legislation. Although the Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation was eventually passed after a lengthy Parliamentary debate, amendments that protect an institution’s right not to be part of the scheme were included. This was a significant improvement on legislation that had been passed in other states.
