Three Church Bulletin Myths Debunked!

Church bulletins have been a staple of church communities for decades. While they serve as an important source of information and communication, there are several myths that have developed around them. Let’s debunk some of these misconceptions and shed light on the incredible value your parish’s bulletin brings to your community.

Myth 1: Print Bulletins are Irrelevant and Nobody Reads Them

This is an all-around FALSE statement. According to this 2023 research study on Catholic Media Use by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate from Georgetown University, the best way, by far, to reach Catholics in the pews or outside of them is the through the parish bulletin. This study found that:

• 90% of weekly Mass attendees read their parish bulletin — most often in print-only (46%).
• 61% of respondents had read their parish bulletin in the three months prior to being interviewed.
• 25% read their bulletin only in print. 11% read both print and online versions.
• 40% of those who attend Mass a few times a year or less often read their bulletin — both in print and online.

If you catch yourself thinking that your bulletin might be irrelevant, then make it relevant! We have timely and reverent content, ready for use in WeCreate, LPi’s digital art and content library. We also have loads of bulletin ideas on content and design inside our blog to help you out!

Myth 2: Bulletins are Just Filled with Announcements

While announcements are a part of most church bulletins, we hope your bulletin offers much more than that. If you need some ideas of what to put in your parish bulletin other than upcoming events and announcements, consider adding these content fillers. Some of these ideas are available in WeCreate.

Fresh Bulletin Content Ideas:

• Weekly Gospel reflections and with LPi’s original weekly Gospel illustration (available in WeCreate)
• Inspirational messages from your pastor or other church staff members
• Educational/Catechetical pieces
• Ministry activity recaps
• LPi’s scripture discussion questions (available in WeCreate)
• Calls to action and volunteer opportunities
• Pictures from recent parish events like retreats, service projects, or youth group meetings
• LPi’s original saint biographies and illustrations (available in WeCreate)
• Parishioner spotlights highlighting different members of your parish (find an example here)
• Special prayers for holidays and feast days (write your own, use the USCCB, or find them in WeCreate)
• LPi’s Catholic trivia (available in WeCreate)
• Catholic cartoons and comics — we have a large selection in WeCreate

Myth 3: Only Regular Churchgoers Benefit from Bulletins

Even if you're a visitor or an occasional attendee, church bulletins can be incredibly helpful. They often include details that can ensure that everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the church, can actively participate in your community and worship experience! Printed bulletins are also often sent home to those who are home-bound or hospitalized and provide a real, tangible bridge for those people to connect directly and still participate in parish life with the parish they love.

We hope these facts and ideas were illuminating and that you’ve concluded, like us, that church bulletins are far from the outdated, ignored artifacts they might be mistaken for! Interested in a free parish bulletin for your church? Learn more about our ad-supported bulletin service here.