With One Heart update— Diocese begins a six-month pilot to unify social media presence

Staff Report

The Diocesan communication team is taking the next step in advancing the communication goals outlined in the “With One Heart” Diocesan Pastoral Plan. During the information gathering phase in developing the pastoral plan, one of the key priorities that emerged from the parish listening sessions, focus groups and Deanery strategy sessions was the desire for a more unified and dynamic social media presence across the Diocese.

To help make this vision a reality, the Diocese is launching an enterprise-wide, 6-month pilot of the “Catholic Social Media” platform by Prenger Solutions Group. This content development and distribution tool will allow the Curia to upload social media content, which parishes and schools can select and share on its own social media accounts.

“Many of our parishes and schools have vibrant social media platforms with engaged subscribers and followers,” said Laura Keener, communications director. “The listening sessions conducted by With One Heart have confirmed that the faithful are eager to gain insights into Diocesan events and happenings. Social media has emerged as a desired platform for them to seek and disseminate this information.”

Already, staff in the offices of Catechesis and Evangelization, Catholic Charities, Stewardship and Missions Services, Youth Ministry and the Messenger have met with the Catholic Social Media team on how to use the platform. They care currently working to load content to Catholic Social Media.

Parishes will be brought onboard in four waves. Pastors in wave 1 have already been contacted and will be onboarded in late March, early April. The following waves will be starting soon.

“We’re excited about the possibilities and can’t wait to see how this collaboration will bring our Diocese closer together as we share the Gospel message,” said Mrs. Keener.

Numerous (arch) dioceses and parishes in the United States utilize the Catholic Social Media platform to oversee their social media operations and have discovered its advantages. The Diocese of Covington will assess the platform’s benefits at the conclusion of its pilot program in June 2025.