Meet Our New Communications Director Annie Barney: Connecting with Our Parish in Exciting New Role

The typical first day on a job is usually fairly quiet, with tasks devoted to setting up a workstation, being introduced to fellow employees, and learning the way around the building.

Annie Barney, our new parish Communications Director, did not have that kind of a first day.

“I got to jump right in,” she says of her first day on May 1.

On that day, she began working with the livestream for the 4 p.m. Vigil Mass, making sure it was properly recorded for broadcast Sunday morning, then working on the May Crowning ceremony and Confirmation.

“I was there on the first day learning our system and the best practices for it,” Annie says. “During the first two weeks, I was mainly learning the livestream and getting insight about the behind-the-scenes work to make meaningful faith experiences for the people here and at home.”

Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish is Annie’s home parish, and she joined the parish staff at the right time in her life. While she had stayed at home for several years when her children were younger, she felt it was the right time to return to work now that they are older and attending John Paul II School. In her position, she will be handling all messages and communications sent to parishioners and, when needed, to the wider community. She will be taking care of Mass livestreams, as well as other spiritual events, managing the parish website, and maintaining the parish’s social media presence.

Annie Barney is our new parish Communications Director.

Annie brings a wealth of experience to our parish. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo. She has a strong theater background, having worked in the Kansas City film industry and teaching theater at Rockhurst High School. Annie also worked extensively in promoting events and marketing, as well as handling open casting calls.

“When the opportunity presented itself to work in our parish, it came at a good time for me personally to go back to work, with the kids back in school,” she says.

Annie is looking forward to offering her talents to our parish.

“I want to spread the good news of our parish to as many people as I can,” she says. “It’s very welcoming. My goal is to make sure as many people know about the wonderful parishioners here and attract people to our parish. I also want to show our parishioners — families and young people — how they can get involved.”

Annie is particularly looking forward to expanding our social media presence and using it to re-engage people as they return to in-person parish life. She considers her biggest challenge to be the parish website, as she looks to make it more attractive and functional for parishioners and the larger community. The website often is our introduction to those outside the parish.

“It’s a good opportunity to wake people up and show them that everything is starting to happen again, and will happen more as we start to come back to in-person events,” she says. “We’re still here, still sharing the Good News and remembering how rewarding that is.”