Easter 2006
by John Feister

(If you don’t have time to read this now, please take note of the buttons on the right. They are free for the taking, for you to use on your Web site. Click on a button to pick up the html code.)

Q U I C K S C A N

Parish Site of the Month
Worth a Click

We’re moving quickly toward Easter. It’s likely that many newcomers will be checking out your Web site as Easter approaches—people’s curiosity or need for practical information about the Church intensifies each year around Easter. You may notice newsstand magazine covers with images of Jesus, and see prime-time TV shows running religious programming. The increased interest is an opportunity for your site to shine.

We’ve got some links that can help round out your site’s offerings. Of course, we have our Lent feature, chock-full of Lenten readings, practices and meditations, and an audio feature, Lenten Radio Retreat, in both English and Spanish, given by bishops from various parts of the United States.

For Eastertime we’re offering a renewed version of “From Easter to Pentecost,” our annual feature that helps tell the rest of the story—the best part—of the Lent-Easter cycle. Halfway to Pentecost we’ll automatically change the look of the button and content to more of a Pentecost theme, so don’t be surprised! For Easter we’ll have our favorite e-card offerings plus a few new ones at CatholicGreetings.org.

Other Web opportunities:  April 2 marks the anniversary of the death of beloved Pope John Paul II. We have a special feature ready to mark the event, and a link for you to use.

Finally, no doubt you’ve heard the brewing storm over the upcoming (mid-May) Hollywood film, The Da Vinci Code. We think it’s an excellent opportunity to teach people about who Jesus really was, and we’ve created a feature for you to link to help that happen. We call it “Da Vinci Code and the Catholic Church.” Feel free to place a link as soon as possible, to help your visitors understand what the Church teaches about Jesus, and about St. Mary Magdalene, the “Apostle to the Apostles.”

I pray that your Lent is a time of renewal.

John Feister
Editor, AmericanCatholic.org

Parish Site of the Month

St. Francis of Assisi Church (Diocese of New York)
Get to know the people, programs, ministry and history of St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City. Browse the site using it’s drop-down menu to read the pastor's welcome, learn about the “book of the month” at the church's bookstore and submit a prayer request Also, explore the church’s efforts to help others through self-help groups, adult education and a welcome home program.

Worth a Click

SaintCast.org
Podcasts at this site allow you to meet popular Catholic saints through “interviews, sound-seeing tours, news” and more. Each saint is featured on his or her own page, complete with pictures, streaming audio, a podcast summary and links. Visit the latest SaintCast to learn about this week's featured saint, St. Thomas More, and to hear e-mail and audio feedback for last week's SaintCast on St. Joseph.

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