Student's online ticketing guide is bright idea for parishes

A US student stuck in St Andrews used his lockdown time to help parishes get ready for reopening - with a guide to using Eventbrite.

Matthew Matisz (18), of Pittsburgh, produced simple instructions for using the free ticketing system so parishes can consider if they want to use an online method to help them regulate numbers.

The theology student, a parishioner at St James' Church (both main picture) said: "I found that many other dioceses throughout the world, including Rome, were using Eventbrite. It's a user-friendly and accessible way for people to be able to register to go to church and keep the amount of people in the churches within Government limits.

"I worked with my parish priest Fr Michael John Galbraith on coherent instructions that are easy for anyone to understand.

"I don't think priests and their parishes should be deterred from giving this a shot. If they have a better way, by all means go with that, but we wanted to make this option available to them."

Not all churches will use an online system. Some will use paper tickets, while others may simply operate a queue for those who turn up to their church, all while following guidelines issued recently by Scotland's bishops.

Matthew is now looking forward to returning to the US next month to see his family ahead of his second year at St Andrews University.

Describing his lockdown experience in the picturesque Fife town he said: "There's no better place to go for walks! I've been catching up on reading and trying to keep close to God in prayer. It's been an interesting experience."

Fr Galbraith said: "Many thanks to Matthew for helping our parish trial the use of Eventbrite. We have posted further details on Facebook about how it will work and we'll see how it goes. Those not online will be able to phone to book a slot on 01334 472856 when we know reopening dates and times."

View and download Matthew's Eventbrite guide here.