
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Parish Links
I've started adding to the parish links. The ones I've started with have both good buildings and tolerable websites. I may have missed a couple, so absense doesn't mean anything.
Sts. Peter and Paul, Sandusky

Cardinal Stritch

Thursday, December 28, 2006
Announcement

A Slight Complaint About Parish Websites, and the Lack Thereof
I've been going through the diocesan website, which is excellent, looking for parish websites. The results are discouraging. Most don't have them. Some seem to have started them and lost interest. A couple of the links on the parish section of the diocesan site lead directly to advertising sites that have nothing to do with the parishes. When, lo and behold, I actually find a site, it's a mixed bag. Some are very good, some competant, some completely awful.
Let me tell you something. The internet, like it or not, is your first line of outreach. Someone new to the area is likely to go there first. If your parish doesn't have a website and the one next door has a good one, what do you think will happen? And another thing, I found some sites that bent over backwards to talk about how welcoming and open their "communities" were. Guess what? They're among the worst. They're usually poorly designed and boring as all get out. All that yapping is just going to drive people away in sheer boredom. Others just list events and news. Good, but don't forget to update. Your bulletin from September is not all that interesting in December. But at least they're all trying.
I attribute a lot of this to what I call The Toledo Time Warp. When I moved here, it was like stepping back in time. I felt like shouting "come on, people! Wake up. The sixties are over and so are the seventies." Building a website is not a terribly difficult thing. I had very little knowledge of computers before I started blogging this year. My family basically ignored the 20th century and was a bit uncomfortable with the 19th. I'm not, by nature, a technophile. Far from it. But look at what I'm doing here. Any parish has someone who can get the ball rolling. Get the youth group involved. If you don't have a youth group, don't bother. You need to concentrate on correcting that first. But do something. It's the beginning of the 21st century and opting out is no longer an option.
What should a good parish website have? Absolute minimum: 1. A good picture of the church building. A nice building is a priority for most people these days, contrary to what we all heard spouted in the seventies. If you have an ugly building ( And, oh, my, some of you do! ), use a good picture of some detail. Whatever looks beautiful. 2. Location, Mass schedule, office contact information. This is not negotiable, but some people forget anyway. 3. Everything else is just bells and whistles. Those are the essentials.
And, please! Skip the high-faluting "mission statement". We're all Catholic, we're supposed to know the Church's mission. Most people coming from out in the real world feel that way, at least. If this offends anyone? Too bad, you need to hear it.
Let me tell you something. The internet, like it or not, is your first line of outreach. Someone new to the area is likely to go there first. If your parish doesn't have a website and the one next door has a good one, what do you think will happen? And another thing, I found some sites that bent over backwards to talk about how welcoming and open their "communities" were. Guess what? They're among the worst. They're usually poorly designed and boring as all get out. All that yapping is just going to drive people away in sheer boredom. Others just list events and news. Good, but don't forget to update. Your bulletin from September is not all that interesting in December. But at least they're all trying.
I attribute a lot of this to what I call The Toledo Time Warp. When I moved here, it was like stepping back in time. I felt like shouting "come on, people! Wake up. The sixties are over and so are the seventies." Building a website is not a terribly difficult thing. I had very little knowledge of computers before I started blogging this year. My family basically ignored the 20th century and was a bit uncomfortable with the 19th. I'm not, by nature, a technophile. Far from it. But look at what I'm doing here. Any parish has someone who can get the ball rolling. Get the youth group involved. If you don't have a youth group, don't bother. You need to concentrate on correcting that first. But do something. It's the beginning of the 21st century and opting out is no longer an option.
What should a good parish website have? Absolute minimum: 1. A good picture of the church building. A nice building is a priority for most people these days, contrary to what we all heard spouted in the seventies. If you have an ugly building ( And, oh, my, some of you do! ), use a good picture of some detail. Whatever looks beautiful. 2. Location, Mass schedule, office contact information. This is not negotiable, but some people forget anyway. 3. Everything else is just bells and whistles. Those are the essentials.
And, please! Skip the high-faluting "mission statement". We're all Catholic, we're supposed to know the Church's mission. Most people coming from out in the real world feel that way, at least. If this offends anyone? Too bad, you need to hear it.
An Amazing Resemblance

St. Mary's in Tiffin

Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Running Late
I'm behind schedule but I'll try to add another post later, and some links. A reader e-mailed me some interesting material that I'm going through, including St. Mary's in Tiffin. I'll get something up about it as soon as I can.
Immaculate Conception, Old south End
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Merry Christmas
There are special posts at Just A Comment , with the Christmas story as illustrated in the Tres Riches Heures of the Duc de Berry, and at Triumphant Baroque on an Italian Nativity scene.
The Cathedral Gets Noticed
I just found a good review of the Cathedral on one of the most popular Catholic blogs. It's run by a group of students and graduates at Notre Dame and has the curious name The Shrine of the Holy Whapping . Matthew Alderman, who did the post, is a very good architect himself. His opinions are always worth noticing.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Immaculate Conception, Old South End
St. James, on Colburn

Monday, December 18, 2006
Looks Different, Doesn't It?
The Irish Madonna of St. Stephen's


For a more detailed account of the story, click HERE.
St. Francis de Sales


Coming Later Today
Interior pictures of St. Francis de Sales and an interesting postcard of the Cathedral.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Old Saint Patrick's
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Friday, December 1, 2006
St. Patrick's on Avondale
A Few Useful Links
I'm adding some links to the sidebar today. The heading is "Resources" and more will follow.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
A Bonus Post
Saints In The Neighborhood

A Busy Week
Things are rather hectic, but they should settle down enough for me to get back on a regular schedule of posts by next week.
A Request For Information

Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Please Bear With Me
I've had some good news today that has me in too good a mood to think clearly. I'll catch up when the euphoria wears off.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Always Look Up
Darby Homecoming

Saturday, November 25, 2006
St. Francis de Sales

An Interesting Thought
I was reminded of an old question this morning. If you were arrested for being a Catholic,( there's been more danger of that happening in the last century than ever before ) would there be enough evidence to convict you? Think about it.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos

Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos was brought to a village in Jalisco by Father Juan de Bologna, in 1542. The image stands about twenty inches tall and is made in a manner common to the Tarascans of neighboring Michoacan. Corn pith and orchid juice is blended and molded over a frame of cane or wood. Then a layer of gesso is applied and the figure is painted. At some time in the late 16th or early 17th centuries, a wide flaring frame was added to dress the figure. The crown and the crescent moon at her feet date from the same time.
The image was venerated from an early date. According to the story, Our Lady's intercession saved the life of an Indian girl who was either close to death or already dead. In a very short time San Juan de los Lagos had become a popular destination for pilgrims. The present church was built in 1732, and was made a basilica by Pius XII. For more information about the veneration of Our Lady in this guise, click HERE.
Though little noticed, Toledo's image of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos, Our Lady of San Juan of the Lakes, is worthy of respect and reverence. Perhaps all of us should pay her a visit.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
A Note Of Honor And Thanks
To all the people of the Diocese, past and present, who gave their time, their talents, and their hard-earned money to build, furnish, and maintain our beautiful churches. May God honor their sacrifice and reward their faithfulness.
Stay Tuned
Later in the week, I'll be posting more pictures, particularly some of St. Francis de Sales, on Cherry Street, Toledo's first cathedral, of St. Patrick's on Avondale, and of St. Joseph's in the Vistula Historic District. We'll also have a series on saints and potential saints with ties to Ohio. I'm working on a list of links to internet sites that will be useful to us, especially parish websites. ( every parish should have one. ) Feel free to e-mail pictures of your parish and any suggestions or comments. We'll also have occasional posts on churches in Toledo, Spain, and in Toledo's sister cities around the world.
Immaculate Conception

Sts. Peter and Paul

The rectory, at the left, was built in 1867 and once had a widow's walk on the roof. I'll be attending a Thanksgiving Mass here tomorrow, so I'll try to comment on the interior later in the week.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Mission Statement
This blog will be dedicated to presenting short historical research, photographs, and discussion regarding the churches of the diocese and related buildings. From time to time, short posts will present other information about Catholic history in northwest Ohio and generally try to increase interest in the heritage of each parish. My time and mobility are limited, so if you have a contribution, either of photographs or information about your parish, don't hesitate to contact me. I'll post any pertinant contribution gladly, and with attribution. My e-mail address is rovingmedievalist@yahoo.com. Check back later in the week for some pictures of churches in Toledo's Old South End and the first of a series about saints, and potential saints, in the area. Stay tuned.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)