Please feel free to add comments and ideas below! I am trying to brainstorm some ideas!

thank you!

I think it would be great if they all answered the questions that everyone really wants to know... like
Are they in communion with Rome?
Are they traditional or modern?
Do they wear the habit or not (always or part-time)?
What is the application process like?
How many visits are required before entry?
What is the formation process like?
Are there age limits - or do they consider each person individually?
How do they support themselves (or do they rely on alms)?
Are visits from family allowed - how often?
How many sisters are in the community at the present time - what are their ages?
How many postulants, novices are there?

I am sure there are a million more questions -- but it would be nice if the web site addressed all of these and more -- a FAQ page??

I cheated... I chose 4

Sister's stories are always inspiring! Photos are great too. I think it's really important for people to know the prayers and the Saints of the order, too, because it helps bring familiarity with the order's charism.

I cheated... I chose 4

Sister's stories are always inspiring! Photos are great too. I think it's really important for people to know the prayers and the Saints of the order, too, because it helps bring familiarity with the order's charism.

What a lovely idea !! Sisters & Aspirant stories are important and together with an introduction from the Vocation Director are most helpful for the discerner...........the most important, however, would be PRAYERS for the continuing growth of the Community.

What I like to see on vocation websites is to follow them a day, with pictures

I think I did five! Tons of pictures, the BXVI Generation and those of us left from the John Paul II Generation need a visual, you'll be surprised. Defeinitely postulant/aspirant stories, they effect people, youth, etc...in such an intimate way. Question box is a good idea, theres alot of us/people seeking - THE SAINTS YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY we need an example to follow after.

I think most of us here on PM would readily admit that we look at a lot of vocations websites. One site, which was entirely redone quite recently, that I personally think is great is the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I think it's easy to navigate. It has pictures, stories, saints, questions, etc. So, I voted above, and added my little comment down here!

Excellent ideas! I will definitely keep these in mind!



Hmmm... sounds like a plan.



I will take a look at it! Thank you for the link.



Keep the ideas comin'! This is incredibly helpful!

I love the day in a live in photos idea! And I despise small pictures that you can't blow up. I love reading some of the special community prayers, it always gives me a feel for the spirituality. I enjoy reading a bit about the history of the order, and what the founders ideas were, and how a particular order lives out the ideals of the founder.
Photos tell alot, and we are such a visual world today. I loved the photos you have posted thus far, gives one a feel for the community. And a place where you can ask questions but not feel obligated would be nice.

I'm just repeating what others have said: pictures! They are very effective at catching someone's attention, and perhaps getting them to read the rest of the page.

Saints' stories can be interesting, but they are usually pretty vague on why the person is considered a saint. The stories just say something like "and because of his/her great holiness, people flocked from all around to listen." Tell what the person did to make them considered holy, and make it relevant to today. Caring for mill girls is fine, if I studying the 19th century in New England. What about now?

I'm not Catholic, but I know what would catch my eye if I was both Catholic and discerning. I hope that doesn't make my suggestions seem less valid. Think of it as a perspective from the "other side."

I definitely appreciate your input - and no, it is not less valid! You have good thoughts. Thank you!

Stories with pcitures of those discerning and entering a convent, those are always so inspirational.

Prayers of saints are always my favorite!

Jessica
http://www.xanga.com/ADiscerningSoul

Hi everyone,

I want you to know that I started working on the new website and your throughts have been SO HELPFUL. It is probably going to take a while to get it finished, but as soon as it is done I will post the link!

Thank you so much!

I think it would be lovely to include little stories (maybe a weblog link?) about why some of your sisters decided to join your order-novices and aspirants but also professed sisters. Discerning is a long and personal process and hearing why some sisters took the plunge may help others in their journey. For myself, just finding the Phatmass phorum was a blessing! There really are people out there who are into religion!!
Prayers and blessings for the new website.

LOTS AND LOTS OF PICTURES - pictures of the sisters, monks etc - their way of life - and LOTS and LOTS of vocational stories of postulant, novice stories

I LOVE pics.

I second that!

Rachel

Ok... here is a "dummy" site that I have been working on. What do you think in terms of how it looks and feels? Obviously I used a blog and made it into a website (we will have "real" website when we are done) but I just wanted to get some input.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?

Much Appreciated!

http://salesiansisters.wordpress.com/

It's GREAT! I really enjoyed it. It gave a lot of vital information, showed an abundance of pictures, and the vocation stories were an excellent bonus! All around, it is fabulous! Nice job, Sister! I can't wait to see the real website when you are finished!

Rachel

Cogratulations on producing such an excellent ,informative site........it doesn't need any "fine tuning" .WELL DONE Sister.

Good job, dear sister

Looking awsome!

Hopefully the *real* new website will be out later this year... we hope some time in Oct/Nov... it is going to be AWESOME.