Frequently Asked Questions

A parish website should be approached as a pastoral, apostolic and community building project, not as a technology project. The goal should be connecting and building your Catholic Faith Community through improved evangelization, formation, pastoral care, and communication. Technology is simply the tool to help you achieve this.

What is Transfigured's Mission?
We provide the technology, services, resources and ongoing support to help Catholic dioceses, churches, schools and organizations leverage traditional and new media to promote their brand, deliver clear messaging, improve communication, reduce costs and connect with their members.

What is an Interactive, Dynamic Website and why is it important?

The keys are communication and relationships. Most parishes have a website that resembles an unopened book. Your parish book should be read and studied. People at home should open it. It can have unlimited pages organized in as many chapters. It’s an encyclopedia and a picture book; a family history and a blueprint. It should be relevant and beautiful–above all, inviting and welcoming. Familiar but always new. A few parishes have taken active steps to use the new technologies but most haven’t…yet. The relationships you build digitally are the building blocks to “preach the truth of Jesus ever more boldly from the housetops”.

We already have a parish website! Why do we need you?
Most websites are difficult, if not impossible, for non-technical people to manage and maintain. Our websites are easy-to-use. We can create an entirely new website or easily convert your existing website to a Transfigured website so that you get all the features and functionality that we can offer.

What is included with a Transfigured Website?
Everything! All our website packages include software license, design, setup & installation, staff e-mail accounts, training, ongoing telephone support, access to online training tutorials, access to our members only Transfigured Network of Catholic content, images and resources, and website enhancement tips. We design, create, and launch your website and provide ongoing support.

How long will it take to create a website?
Usually we can have your custom website up in just a couple of weeks. Faster if you already have your content or we are converting your existing website content to our website platform. Much will depend on your ability to provide the content needed.

Is having a website a good strategy for a parish community?
Communication is the foundation of vibrant parishes. Parish involvement and growth, evangelization programs and stewardship campaigns succeed only when members are engaged and effective communication programs are in place. A website is the most cost-efficient, fastest and most reliable way to distribute information to parishioners with the greatest frequency and the least amount of effort. The Internet is only going to increase in popularity and use. Younger, more technical-savvy parishioners will expect you to have a dynamic and up-to-date site if you want them to be engaged.

Why should parishes use a website to build their faith communities?
Your parishioners are already waiting for you! 80% of all US adults today use the Internet on a regular basis.  70% of households today have access to the Internet. 80% of people who work have broadband access at work. 95% of youth access the Internet everyday.

What if we already have a volunteer web designer for our parish?
Our technology will make their job easier. But when things change and people move, our technology and support will allow you to keep your website current without any hassle. And, because our websites are so easy-to-use, even beginners will learn how to use our web tools quickly.

What happens when our web designer moves from the parish?
Training is readily available to get the next person up to speed quickly. They'll have access to our online tutorials. In a short period of time we'll have them managing your website. Our online tutorials will also be available at their convenience for ongoing support and reference.

Can we post our own articles online?
Yes. Anyone who knows how to send an email can post articles. If you can shop on line, you can manage your own website. Our technology empowers parish staff and ministry leaders - and makes it easy for them to post a variety of content, announcements, newsletters and photos quickly. When you click Save & Publish, your content is automatically loaded to your site. We’ll also help you recruit journalists and photographers from your parish family to help you develop new content.

Will we really get more people to read our new website?
Yes, but it will take some time and a proactive effort on your part to get them to use it. We’ll help there too. People need to see the value of the content you provide. Parishioners that use the internet everyday for work and other purposes will appreciate your effort and will begin to frequent your website because of the content and convenience it offers.

What type of content should we put on our website?
Publish all the things your parishioners are interested in. It’s more than just parish news and announcements. Links to gospel readings and homilies (videos & audio if you like), event calendars and schedules, ministry and volunteer opportunities, links to bible readings, reflections, Saints of the Day, new member introductions, lifestyle stories, Catholic News and more. Our syndication feature and growing Catholic Link Library will allow content from a variety of Catholic sources including the diocese and recognized catholic news sources to be placed on your website. Pages on Church History, Traditions, Theology, Mariology, Spirituality and more are available. Much of this content will be available to you through our Transfigured Network.

Is the answer just a invigorated website?
Absolutely Not! Transfigured offers you creative solutions that engage all of the newest technologies and apply them to your entire ministry. Those solutions may include a mobile website, using social media, e-communications and e-mail management, branding your parish, and simplifying the work you must do with limited time, budgets and personnel. So, even though you already have a website, you can envision doing much more!

Is a website a better way to communicate with parishioners than a parish bulletin?
Absolutely. First, the bulletin only gets a casual glimpse from the parish members who attend mass on Sundays. Your Transfigured.com website can include your bulletin and so much more about what is happening in your faith community. And it is conveniently available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the world. Next, your website offers two-way communication between the parish and its members; members can pose questions and leave comments. Once we launch your solution, we would recommend emailing your bulletin to parishioners every week.
 
What type of training do you offer?
Transfigured.com will provide all the training you need to use your website to its full potential. We will work at your own pace. The more aggressive you are, the quicker you can take advantage of everything our technology offers. Online tutorials, webinars and step-by-step phone assistance is available exactlywhen you need it.

How much time commitment will this require from our parish staff?
Initially, perhaps 4-5 hour a week. Over time, we estimate only 1-2 hours a week, depending on the amount of content that needs changing and how extensive site maintenance is.

What are the features and benefits parishes enjoy with Transfigured.com?
Proclaiming the Word. Building community. Saving money. Conserving resources. Communicating better and more often. We feel our technology is the easiest to use for non-technical staff. That, combined with its features, functionality and scalability, and there really is nothing else that compares.

What can we expect in the future from Transfigured.com?
We are committed on ongoing improvement in all area of our business including technology, service and support. We will continue to grow our business and respond to the requests of our customers.

What is content syndication?
Where does your diocese fit into this picture? If your diocese uses our technology, it will be able to post articles and announcements onto your website and all the other diocesan parish websites that use Transfigured's technology. Diocesan staff update with the same ease as your own parish webmasters.

What does ‘Sponsored Supported Websites” mean?
Our Sponsor Supported Sites defray the cost of our services to the parish. These can also provide a much needed reoccurring stream of revenue to parishes through our profit-sharing program. Sponsors will benefit by being able to communicate their message cost-effectively to a local audience that most likely knows them and shares a common bond of faith.

Will sponsors really jump on board?

They already do the same thing when they advertise on your bulletin backpage. We offer more bang for their advertising dollar and give them real incentives to continue supporting your parish. Transfigured Communications will communicate with your sponsors, manage the details, and help them appreciate the mutual advantages to Website Sponsorship.

How do we get started?
Easy. Simply click here or click on the red "Get Started now" link button at the top of each page.  Be sure to provide complete information about your parish and detailed comments about your needs. Feel free to call us at 1-320-266-1393.