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The Albany Diocese has hired local spiritual author, blogger and retreat leader Mary DeTurris Poust as a consultant to enhance its social media presence.

Her first steps were to create a Facebook page for the Diocese (see that new FB page here), and a Twitter account, @AlbanyDiocese. Both were launched on April 10, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger's first anniversary as Bishop of Albany.

Ms. DeTurris Poust has introduced a professional Facebook page for Bishop Scharfenberger www.facebook.com/AlbanyBishopEd, who already has a personal page and a Twitter account, @AlbBishopEd.

She will continue to boost the Diocese's Facebook page and Twitter feed, and will consult with diocesan departments -- including The Evangelist, Communications, Catholic Charities, Information Technology, Stewardship and the Catholic Schools Office -- about their social media platforms.

Ms. DeTurris Poust "has considerable experience," the Bishop said, citing the consultant's seven books, hundreds of articles and media commentary on faith-related issues.

A parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar along with her husband, Dennis (who is director of communications for the New York State Catholic Conference) and their three children, Ms. DeTurris Poust has worked in the communications offices of the Dioceses of Metuchen, N.J., and Austin, Tx. She is the former managing editor of Catholic New York, the newspaper of the New York Archdiocese, for which she still writes a monthly column on family life called "Life Lines."

At this year's Spring Enrichment, Ms. DeTurris Poust will offer a course the afternoon of May 13 titled, "Stealth Evangelization: Using Social Media to Subtly and Successfully Spread the Good News." The four-day series of courses and workshops on faith will be held May 11-14 at The College of Saint Rose in Albany and at a satellite site at St. Mary's parish in Oneonta. (Go to www.rcda.org and click on "Spring Enrichment" for information.)

Ms. DeTurris Poust's blog, "Not Strictly Spiritual," and her published works have previously been profiled in The Evangelist. Her website is www.notstrictlyspiritual.com.

"Social media raises the profile of the Diocese," Ms. DeTurris Poust told diocesan department heads.

Bishop Scharfenberger said that what the Diocese, its entities and clergy post online "has to be prudent and deliberative -- and effective." He said he's looking forward to collaborating with Mrs. Poust on his own digital media presence.

"This is something the leadership from Rome has encouraged us to do," he added, noting that Popes Benedict XVI and Francis have Twitter accounts. Social media, said the Bishop, has "tremendous potential" in reaching inactive Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

A memo on Ms. DeTurris Poust's engagement by the Diocese said she would "recommend strategies in the field of communications in order to maximize opportunities for evangelization and advance the mission of our parishes, Diocese and the universal Church."[[In-content Ad]]

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