Documentation

Parishioner Portal

A mobile-friendly web app for parishioners to view their ministry schedule, chat with an AI assistant, and receive parish notifications.

Overview

The Parishioner Portal is designed for members of your parish who participate in ministries and events. Unlike the main Outward Sign application (which is for staff), the Parishioner Portal provides a simple, focused experience for viewing your personal commitments and staying connected with the parish.

Who Is This For?

The Parishioner Portal is for:

  • Ministry volunteers (lectors, altar servers, musicians, etc.)
  • Parish members involved in groups or committees
  • Anyone who wants to stay informed about their parish commitments

Getting Started

Accessing the Portal

1. Your parish administrator will invite you to the portal

2. You will receive an email with a magic link

3. Click the link in your email to access your portal

4. The link will log you in automatically - no password needed

Magic Link Login

The Parishioner Portal uses a secure, password-free login system:

  • Each time you want to access the portal, request a magic link
  • Enter your email address on the login page
  • Check your email for the magic link (it should arrive within a few minutes)
  • Click the link to access your portal
  • The link expires after 48 hours for security

Tip: The magic link can only be used once. If you need to log in again, request a new link.

Portal Features

The Parishioner Portal has three main tabs:

1. Calendar Tab

View all your upcoming ministry commitments and parish events in one place.

What You'll See:

  • Your Ministry Schedule - All ministries you're assigned to (lector, altar server, usher, etc.)
  • Family Schedule - Commitments for family members in your household
  • Parish Events - Upcoming masses, sacraments, and parish-wide events
  • Blackout Dates - Dates you've marked as unavailable

How to Use:

1. Switch between List View and Calendar View using the tabs

2. In List View, see upcoming events organized by date

3. In Calendar View, see events on a monthly calendar

4. Click on any event to see full details

5. Filter by event type to focus on specific ministries or events

Marking Unavailable Dates:

You can mark dates when you're unavailable to serve in your ministry:

1. Go to the Chat tab

2. Tell the AI assistant which dates you're unavailable

3. Example: "I can't serve on July 15th through July 22nd"

4. The AI will mark those dates as blackout dates for you

5. Your blackout dates will appear on your calendar

2. Chat Tab

Talk to an AI assistant that knows your parish schedule and can answer questions about your commitments.

What the AI Can Do:

  • Answer questions about your upcoming ministry assignments
  • Show you when you're scheduled to serve
  • Help you mark dates when you're unavailable
  • Provide information about parish events you're involved in
  • Answer questions about your family members' schedules

How to Use:

1. Type your question in the chat box

2. Press Send or hit Enter

3. The AI will respond with relevant information from your schedule

Example Questions:

  • "When am I scheduled to be a lector this month?"
  • "What events do I have coming up?"
  • "Mark me as unavailable from August 1st to August 10th"
  • "What's on my family's schedule this week?"
  • "When is my next altar server assignment?"

Voice Input:

You can also use voice input instead of typing:

1. Click the microphone icon

2. Speak your question

3. The AI will transcribe and respond

Note: The AI assistant has access to your personal schedule and family data. It provides helpful answers but is not a substitute for contacting parish staff with important questions or changes.

3. Notifications Tab

View and manage notifications from your parish.

What You'll See:

  • Messages from parish staff
  • Updates about your ministry assignments
  • Reminders about upcoming events
  • Important parish announcements

How to Use:

1. Unread notifications appear with a badge

2. Click on a notification to read it

3. Mark notifications as read by clicking the checkmark icon

4. Delete notifications you no longer need

Notification Types:

  • Ministry Reminders - Upcoming service assignments
  • Event Updates - Changes to scheduled events
  • Parish Announcements - General parish news
  • Schedule Changes - Last-minute adjustments to your commitments

Language Toggle

Switch between English and Spanish throughout the portal.

How to Switch Languages:

1. Look for the language toggle in the top navigation

2. Click EN for English or ES for Spanish

3. The entire portal will update to your selected language

4. Your preference is saved in your browser

Note: Currently, language preference is stored in your browser only. If you use a different device, you'll need to select your language again.

Tips for Using the Portal

  • Check Regularly - Visit the portal weekly to stay up-to-date on your commitments
  • Enable Notifications - Turn on browser notifications to receive alerts (if supported)
  • Add to Home Screen - The portal works like a mobile app - add it to your home screen for easy access
  • Use Voice Chat - Voice input makes it easy to ask questions hands-free
  • Mark Unavailable Early - Let the parish know as soon as you know you'll be unavailable
  • Keep Email Current - Make sure your parish has your current email address for magic links

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I didn't receive my magic link email. What should I do?

A: Check your spam or junk folder. Magic links sometimes get filtered. If you still don't see it, wait a few minutes and try requesting a new link. If the problem persists, contact your parish office to verify they have the correct email address.

Q: How long does my login session last?

A: Once you log in with a magic link, your session lasts for 30 days. After that, you'll need to request a new magic link to access the portal.

Q: Can I change which parish I belong to?

A: Parish assignments are managed by parish staff. Contact your parish office if you need to update your parish affiliation.

Q: Can I access the portal from multiple devices?

A: Yes! You can log in from any device (phone, tablet, computer) using your magic link. Your session will work on any device you log in from.

Q: What if I see incorrect information on my calendar?

A: Contact your parish staff to update your ministry assignments or schedule. The portal displays information entered by parish administrators.

Q: Can I decline or swap ministry assignments through the portal?

A: Not at this time. Use the Chat tab to mark dates you're unavailable, or contact parish staff directly to request changes to your assignments.

Q: Is my information secure?

A: Yes. The portal uses industry-standard security including encrypted connections, secure authentication, and access controls. Only you can see your personal schedule and family information.

Q: Can I see other parishioners' schedules?

A: No. You can only see your own schedule and the schedules of family members in your household. All other parishioner information is private.

Need Help?

Contact Your Parish Office:

If you have questions about your ministry assignments, need to update your contact information, or have technical issues with the portal, contact your parish office for assistance.

Common Issues:

  • Can't log in - Request a new magic link and check your spam folder
  • Wrong information displayed - Contact parish staff to update your records
  • Technical problems - Try refreshing your browser or clearing your cache
  • Missing notifications - Check your notification settings in the portal

Related Features

  • Managing People - How parish staff manage parishioner records
  • Groups - Learn about ministry groups and member management
  • Mass Scheduling - How masses and ministry assignments are scheduled