Lansing Non-Profits Taking Advantage of the Web

Two of Lansing’s Catholic publications are taking advantage of the web by updating their on-line publications and expanding their Internet presence. Both Faith Publishing Service and Liturgical Commission Publishings are making a move to reach more readers.

According to excerpts from the article:

Faith Publishing Service and Liturgical Commission Publishings together will "cover from the pulpit to the pew" by offering resources to priests and to parishioners nationwide, said Patrick O'Brien, president and chief executive officer of the nonprofits.

"Both companies are successful, but the challenges facing the church require us to invest in new technology, the modern way of reaching people," said O'Brien, who previously was in charge of FPS. "Because we've merged, we can pool our resources to better serve the church, rather than doing this independently."

FPS publishes faith-based magazines that can be customized locally. LCP distributes prayer and promotional materials to priests and parishes. Both have Web sites but plan to expand their online capabilities.

O'Brien said digital enhancements could include starting subscription e-mail editions of Faith Magazine and LCP materials, launching new products and archiving old online content. He hopes technological improvements will come in one to two years.

Bill Perrone, a Faith Magazine reader who lives in East Lansing, said making the publication available on the Web would allow him to read it when he is on the go or out of town.

"I think that'd be a terrific service. You wouldn't have to carry the magazine with you," said Perrone, 56, who is managing partner of the Lansing branch of Detroit law firm Dykema Gossett PLLC. "I tend to carry a laptop with me. I could log in whenever I want to and review the magazine. You'd have access to an enjoyable magazine and a great resource."

Read the entire article here.