Phil J

Catholic Dad of 4. Comms/Policy/Writing for work. Runner when I have the time. Chair of Governors for a Catholic primary.

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

I’ve somehow managed to reach 2,000 followers. Thanks to everyone who has stuck around!

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@TheAlanNoble You just know. Downloaded a book on kindle last week. I just knew it had been AI edited. Got a few pages in and had to stop

[Henry von Blumenthal @PaulinusOfTrier]

Many of you will be aware of the SATOR AREPO cryptogram found at Pompeii.

One theory is that it is a Christian code, because the letters can be arranged to spell A PATERNOSTER O twice, in the form of a cross. I dont have the technical savvy to set this out here so you can look it up.

However, I want to point out that if this interpretation is correct it means that
a. The Pater Noster was already in common use in Latin before Vesuvius' eruption in 79 AD and
b. Since Jesus is only referred to as the Alpha and Omega in Revelation, it implies that Revelation was written down before 79 AD and so probably was the entire Johannine corpus (his Gospel Letters and Revelation). Plenty of eyewitnesses to the Crucifixion would still have been alive; and furthermore
c. As it is generally agreed that the Synoptic Gospels antedate John's Gospel, this means that Matthew and Luke would have been composed several years earlier than 79 AD, and Mark, upon which they draw, earlier still, say, in the 50s AD.

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@Cime_Ignivome @Cocolettii Got them - all 6,600 of them - saved in a PDF

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

In his later years before he died, due to his condition my dad went entirely deaf. The best way for me to communicate with him was via FB messenger and I have years worth of back and forth with him on there. I must somehow download these and maybe even print them before they get deleted for ever.

[Alan Smith @AlanJLSmith]

One thing that people overlook is their digital assets – a friend’s father passed away and the family couldn’t access the 6000 photos he had on his phone.

We are about to trial this https://t.co/6epqCsaC35

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@edmsren @LibbyMag Thanks

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

This is very surprising as the NG Director, Sir Gabriele Finaldi is a sensible and sound chap as far as I know. What is going on?

[Alexander Adams @AdamsArtist]

The bell tolls for National Gallery, London. Yesterday, the NG announced plans for sweeping changes. Phrases such as "taking an audience- and customercentric approach in everything we do", "removing barriers to engagement" and "reach new, more diverse visitors" will send a chill down your spine. (1/2)

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@LNJStokes I love that GWR from the West to London - particularly on a crisp winter morning

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@kalezelden It usually it usually somehow ends up working out

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@MattWalshBlog We’ve recently banned all screens apart from select TV programmes. Best decision.

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@Cantwara_ Definitely Root-um!

[StripMallGuy @realEstateTrent]

In 2018 I was 38 and single.

This is today.

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

No but there should be one. I would start with something like:

1. Are mass times, confession times, and emergency contact details for the sacrament of the sick easily accessible?

2. Is there clear and up to date information about other sacraments and RCIA?

3. Is it clear where the church is, who the priest is and how to contact the parish?

4. Is it easy to navigate, following a logical order, and with a limited number of click through to get to where you want to be?

5. Is the information up to date and do you have a system to keep this so? Keep an eye on any news pages in particular

6. Are you able to download newsletters? Is this up to date?

7. Is the website easy on the eye - no garish colours, graphics etc

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

Church websites. 95% are frankly not good enough.

A local audit I conducted this morning looking for confessions:

Parish 1: has a new page but not linked to old domain, so when you search the parish it brings up an old website and you can only get the new URL from the newsletter.

Parish 2: has been “under construction” for the last month and so has a temporary website which gives an error message when you try to download the newsletter.

Parish 3: Better website but lists the Bishops’ message for people to return to church after COVID as it’s top news item…

Parish 4: functioning website but no mention of confession time at all even in their newsletter.

Parish 5: up to date, mass times well signposted with online version of newsletter, but website looks terrible and can’t find confession times.

That’s just a selection locally and I’m sure it’s a similar picture in most areas.

Most people looking for information about their local Catholic Church will look online first.

We are neglecting one of the biggest tools we have in our missionary arsenal.

You can create a website entirely in Claude now - you don’t need to pay astronomical amounts to a web agency, or even have much skill.

What’s the issue here - is it a lack of knowledge of clergy? Lack of willing volunteers? Or a lack of caring?

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@HeatherTomli Prayers assured

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@Cantwara_ That’s good to know - I wonder what they are doing differently

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@EWaddy03 Yes I think that’s right. There is problem higher expectations for websites to look a certain way so it’s put in the too difficult box where as a 00s html website with the key details worked just fine

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@EWaddy03 I was thinking the exact same thing - it’s definitely regressed - no idea why

[Phil J @PhilJC2]

@Flippin_Joe Because a parish isn’t volunteer-run, it has a paid parish priest with the backing of a diocese. There is funding available for other professional services like maintenance etc, why not for a website?