Issue 1.8 - June 9, 2025
Effective communications are essential for engaging your community in the Mercy Initiative. This week, we focus on planning and producing these materials to ensure your message is clear, consistent, and inspiring.
Promotional materials serve as the visual and verbal invitation to join the Mercy Initiative. Whether you're reaching people through parish bulletins, posters, digital platforms, or postcards, well-designed and thoughtfully timed materials can spark interest, build momentum, and encourage participation.
PLANNING YOUR COMMUNICATIONS
- Identify what you need: Think through the types of materials that will work best in your setting—flyers, posters, postcards, bulletin inserts, social media graphics, web banners, or short videos.
- Tailor your message: Use clear language that resonates with your audience. Emphasize the accessibility of Works of Mercy—small acts of kindness count, no act is too small!
- Incorporate visuals: Use the Mercy Initiative sample materials and include engaging imagery such as photos of works of mercy in action.
- Create a timeline: Map out when materials should be created, approved, and shared. Factor in lead time for printing and mailing where necessary.
- Include a clear call to action: Invite people to participate, log their acts at www.Mercy2025.org, and spread the word.
- Leverage all channels: Promote through announcements, bulletin boards, school newsletters, email, social media, and more to reach a wider audience.
Sample Promotional Materials:
- General graphics for Mass PowerPoint, website, bulletin, etc.
- Banners for your facilities
- Bulletin covers, flyers, pastor's columns, and announcements
- Social media graphics and suggested posts
- Postcards and direct mail pieces
- Prayer Cards
MERCY TIP OF THE WEEK
Create a consistent visual identity for all your Mercy Initiative materials to build recognition and excitement.
Reminder: Begin scheduling your social media posts - we recommend at least twice a week to twice a day leading up to your Mercy Event.
BOOST PARTICIPATION
Family-Centered Mercy Activities
Families that serve together grow together! Here are ways to engage entire families in the Mercy Initiative:
Family-Friendly Ideas
- Create "Family Mercy Kits" with age-appropriate suggested activities for the whole family
- Host a "Family Mercy Event" with stations designed for all ages
- Develop a "Family Mercy Calendar" with daily or weekly suggestions
- Create "Mercy Bingo Cards or Passports" where families track Works of Mercy
At-Home Activities
- Declutter closets to donate clothes to those in need
- Create care packages for the homeless
- Writing letters to elderly relatives or nursing home residents
- Preparing a meal for a neighbor in need
- Pray together for specific people or community needs
Remember: Begin scheduling your social media posts - we recommend at least twice a week to twice a day leading up to your Mercy Event.
OTHER PASTORAL PLAN NEWS & UPDATES
A Call to Conversion 2025 - 2029
www.CallToConversion.org
PASTORAL PLAN GOAL #9.2
“The Pastoral Center, in collaboration with parishes and schools, will create a broad, multi-faceted effort to invite people to Mass, participate in the sacraments, and engage or re-engage with the Church.”
We have launched a media campaign to invite visitors back after Easter. Evergreen billboards and paid social media ads will encourage people to find a local Catholic Church through wwwMyCatholicMass.org to go to and pray.
