by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In July 2020, The Leaven launched a new website to give Catholics in the archdiocese an even more enjoyable reading experience.
With a clean look, quick load time and language options, users can expect to breeze through the site and visit it often.
The redesign’s purpose, said managing editor Anita McSorley, is to keep the Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas connected — especially during the summer months.
The Leaven’s last weekly hit homes on May 21. From then until September, it publishes biweekly.
McSorley sees the irony in The Leaven hitting its biweekly schedule just as pandemic restrictions are being lifted and parish activities are gearing up.
“Summer is always a tough time for us because you can’t provide very timely news on an every-other-week basis,” she said.
“But this year will be particularly challenging,” she continued, “because so many parishes and ministries that have had to scale back for so long because of COVID will now be hoping for help in promoting their programs and events.”
That’s where The Leaven’s online offerings come into play.
“Fortunately, we have multiple other ways to move the news,” said McSorley. “We have an excellent new website that loads much faster than our old one did, looks better on mobile and converts the stories to Spanish and other languages at the touch of a button.
“And we also push a variety of content out through our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter platforms.”
“Finally,” she added, “we’ll be starting up our blog again in order to help keep folks up to date between issues.”
Last March when COVID-19 took the nation by storm, it became clear how crucial The Leaven’s website and social media channels were to spread news instantly.
The publication will continue utilizing those outlets to share information quickly and spread content that doesn’t always make it in print.
Explore with us
Want to discover the latest local stories? Catch up on your favorite column? Watch a short video from Catholic News Service?
Or are you hoping to learn more about The Leaven staff? Find an old story in the archives? Listen to audio versions of The Leaven? Peruse the classifieds?
For all those features and more, go online to: theleaven.org.
Reach out
We want to share your content! When something unique happens at your parish, school, home or organization, let us help you spread the good news. Although we can’t always fit it all in print, we can always use our website and social media platforms to reach an even broader audience. Don’t hesitate to connect with social media editor Moira Cullings at: moira.cullings@theleaven.org for any future ideas and collaboration goals you might have.
Just a tap away
Don’t miss a beat this summer! Download The Leaven’s app onto your iPhone for quick access to the latest stories and breaking news.
Open Safari and visit: theleaven.org. The option “Install this web app on your iPhone” should pop up. Follow its instructions.
If you don’t see this option, simply tap the box with the up arrow on the bottom bar of your screen. When a box pops up, drag your finger up until you see “Add to Home Screen.” Tap that, then tap “Add.”
Catching up on the latest stories in the archdiocese will now be right at your fingertips.
App for Android? Not in Google Play Store.
Working on that . . . I’ll be patient