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the long island catholic, December 20, 2006 WebShepherds using technology to help nurture modern flock by mary gorry staff reporter holbrook — At the Church of the Good Shepherd here, members of the "WebShepherds" use technology to look out for the spiritual needs of the parish flock by maintaining a comprehensive parish Web site, providing free e-mail accounts to parishioners, and teaching them how to better use their computers and accessories. This parish ministry was the brainchild of Nick Hernandez, the parish webmaster, who started it in March 2000 "as a way to provide more information about our parish." The primary job of the WebShepherds is to build and maintain the parish Web site. Seven active members usually meet once a month to develop new ideas for the parish Web site as well as brainstorm about other ways to help the parish. The parish Web site features the weekly bulletin and calendar of events, pages devoted to the different parish ministries, photos from different parish events, and links to liturgical, prayer, and social justice resources. "Our most useful tool on the site is our consolation ministry pages," said Hernandez. To help make what can often be a difficult task in a difficult time a little easier, the pages are set up so that an individual or family can plan an entire funeral from home, including choosing the readings and listening to music files of songs that may be used. "Once you have everything set up, you can submit the funeral on the Web site and it will go to our book makers, musical director, and the head of the consolation ministry." "The Web site was originally planned to be just a few pages, but over time it just continues to grow," explained Hernandez. "People kept asking us to put up information on their ministries or post a resource. We now have a 'fan' base of people from all over the world. I get e-mails telling me how something on the site was found useful or how it inspired someone and that fuels you to keep adding more content." Parishioners can also sign up on the Web site for a free e-mail account. "One of the things you are constantly trying to do is give people reasons to keep coming back to the site," Hernandez noted. "Free e-mail accounts are great for that. To check their e-mail, people log on to the site, which has upcoming events right on the front page. The e-mail accounts also allow people to feel more attached to the parish." Another way the WebShepherds serve the parish community is by offering an annual Computerfest. At Computerfest, WebShepherd members set up several computer stations and give lectures teaching people how to improve their digital photos, how to build a home network, how to set up a secure wireless network, and how to build their own digital video recorder. Hernandez noted the importance of using computers and technology and helping people to use it themselves when ministering to parishioners. "Pope John Paul II wrote a wonderful paper on the Internet (in which he) said that the Internet is the new forum for proclaiming the Gospel," explained Hernandez. "One of the advantages of the Web site is that it allows people to keep up with everything going on at the church, which helps people feel more connected. The Web site also provides a way for the homebound members of our parish to remain connected. We also have reflection questions posted on the Gospel readings, which allows people to grow spiritually by applying the Gospel to their everyday lives."
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