Salford diocese launches iPhone app

The Diocese of Salford has launched an iPhone app updated daily with Mass readings, a thought for the day and a saint of the day.

The app, created by Manchester-based Cuckoo Design company, has a four out of five star rating and is free for all iPhone users.

The diocese’s website features a video of Fr Anthony Kay VG, financial secretary, trying out the app to the accompaniment of dramatic violin music.

Fr Kay said he was “extremely pleased” with the work of Cuckoo Design. The company revamped the diocesan website as well as creating its new app.

He said: “From the start, we were looking for an attractive, simple and efficient means of communicating the work of the local Church over the internet. For that purpose we wanted the content of the site to be not simply informative but also educational.”

“We wanted it to be a tool for the “new evangelisation” of the United Kingdom and further afield.

“It was thus envisaged that the website would be accessible to, and useable by, all, Catholics and non-Catholics alike,” Fr Kay said.

Steve Wheatley, deputy managing director of Cuckoo Design, said: “The iPhone app was an idea we had fairly late in the process. It was a perfect opportunity to make important content even more accessible remotely, gain valuable attention and ultimately drive up visitor numbers. Anything that can help a client reach out and genuinely connect with their audience is hugely beneficial.”