Catholic schools turn to Spanish-version social media

For Maria and Pablo Hernandez of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Omaha, Facebook plays an important role in staying connected with Spanish-speaking family members and friends in the United States and Mexico.

And since May 31, they’ve been able to pass along on Facebook news in Spanish about the Catholic schools their children attend in Omaha – and other news about archdiocesan schools and activities.

That’s because Beatriz Arellanes, coordinator of Latino School Enrollment, has introduced Facebook and Twitter accounts in Spanish to share photos, news and events.

The new efforts complement the Catholic Schools Office’s English-version Facebook and Twitter accounts. And they join the product of last summer’s initiative, an all-Spanish version of lovemyschool.com, the archdiocesan English-version schools website.

The latest accounts are an important expansion of social media, another way to raise awareness, bring Catholic schools into conversations, prompt requests for information and increase advocacy, school officials said.

"Facebook is a tool that our community uses very, very often," and Twitter also is used, said Arellanes, who will help keep news and photos flowing to the social media accounts.

"I am so proud of our Catholic schools and I’m so happy to (inform) our community about the beautiful work our Catholic schools are doing for us, to know us and realize what is going on in our schools, day by day," she said.

Hernandez said she and her husband were born in Mexico and met in Omaha. They have two daughters, Stephanie, who attended Ss. Peter and Paul School and will be a freshman this fall at Mercy High School in Omaha, and Johanna, who will be a third grader at Ss. Peter and Paul.

And now, in addition to sharing family news on Facebook, Hernandez will visit the archdiocese’s new Spanish Facebook site to share with family and friends school photos, news about upcoming and past activities and other information.

"For me, people (will) see what we do … who we are," in Catholic schools, Hernandez said. "I think it’s important. We use Facebook every day."