Communication & Communion: How Flocknote Keeps Us Connected

By Anna Martin, Evangelization Liaison

February 1, 2026

Flock (noun): 1) a group of animals (such as birds or sheep) assembled together; 2) a group under the guidance of a leader; 3) a large number. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Dear Parish Family,

For the past two weeks, we’ve “herd” a lot from Scripture about shepherds and sheep. Our daily readings have followed the story of King David, the humble shepherd given leadership over Israel. This weekend’s first reading envisions God’s people tending their sheep in peaceful pastures. In keeping with the theme, I’m here today with a few thoughts on Flocknote!

What is Flocknote?

If you didn’t know, Flocknote is the email software that our parish uses to communicate with the “flock” at Assumption. The name was inspired by Luke 15:4, the Scripture verse about leaving the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost (which the founders of Flocknote have named Uno and adopted as their mascot). Flocknote helps parishes connect with their members through easy-to-create emails and text messages.

Connected Yet Isolated

Now, if you’re anything like me, you probably receive far too many emails and text messages on a daily basis. Yet perhaps you’ve also experienced the great irony of modern technology and communication: that we are more connected than ever before, but also lonelier than ever before. Why?

“The definition of communicate is to give, to impart, or to transmit something in order that you might share it in common. Its Latin root (communicare) means to make common, to share, or to join with. The very purpose of communication is to bring about communion.”

–Matthew Warner

Matthew Warner, founder of Flocknote, answers that question in his book, Why They Follow: Lessons in Church Communication from That One Lost Sheep. He makes the case that technology too often connects us with information, not with authentic human relationships. Our inboxes get flooded with special offers and notifications of varying importance, but personal messages are few and far between. Even when a note is addressed to us by name, often someone is trying to sell us something.

For example, I recently made the mistake of giving my email to Ranger Rick magazine when ordering a subscription for my godson. It turns out you can’t trust a raccoon even if he works to protect nature and wears a cute park ranger hat. Due to never-ending “limited-time-only” offers, I’ve unsubscribed from him a dozen times, but he still snuck into my inbox with a special promotion on Raccoon Appreciation Day. (I was not appreciative.)

Having experienced email overload like this, I’m always hesitant to give out my email or to sign up for another newsletter, and you probably feel the same way. Yet as Assumption’s “e-vangelist,” I also know that email is a key part of our parish communications, and I would encourage you to make sure you are receiving our Flocknote emails for several reasons.

Why Join the Flock?

On a practical note, the weekly emails ensure that you won’t miss out on announcements or reminders from Assumption, even when you’re under the weather, traveling, or just forgot to grab a bulletin. We also use Flocknote to communicate about unexpected schedule changes, inclement weather (read: polar vortex), or other unforeseen circumstances. If the power goes out or there’s an emergency, having current contact information helps us keep everyone safe and up to date with a quick email or text.

Above all, our messages are meant to keep our parish family connected. Even when you can’t be with us in person, we hope to brighten your day, remind you of our prayers and support, and invite you to join us when you can! In the end, I pray that our communications lead to communion with the fellow members of our flock and with our Good Shepherd.

Next weekend, February 7/8, I will be in the gathering space after both Masses to answer questions about our Flocknote communications. If you aren’t on the list, need to update your contact information, or want to learn more, just stop by, and I’ll be happy to help you! You can also email me with any questions or concerns (my contact information is on the front of the bulletin).

Communication & Communion

I’d like to end with a reflection that inspires my communications work: God isn’t content to connect with us “remotely” or on an intellectual level; in fact, his Word took flesh to personally communicate his love for us. Because of this, Matthew Warner reminds us, evangelization is much more than simply sharing information; it’s sharing our friendship with Jesus in the context of a relationship with one another. May our communication always find its inspiration in Jesus, the living and loving Word of God, who calls us to communion!

Anna