Finding the Stories that Echo Our Faith with Dennis Kellogg of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska
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July 29, 2026You already know the stories are there. Somewhere in your parish or diocese right now, there's a family whose faith carried them through the unthinkable, a volunteer whose quiet ministry has never made the bulletin, a parishioner who found their way home to the Church in a way that would move anyone who heard it.
The hard part isn't finding worthy stories; it's finding the time, the confidence, and the strategy to tell them well.
That's exactly the ground this episode covers. Recorded live at the 2026 Catholic Media Conference, host Mike Josephs sits down with Dennis Kellogg, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska — a role he stepped into four years ago after 35 years in broadcast journalism. He didn't leave storytelling behind when he left the newsroom. He brought it straight into his ministry.Stories that Point to Christ
Dennis shares two stories that show exactly why this work matters. One is about a sixth-grade girl named Mila, given no chance of survival after a sudden brain injury — whose family trusted God, prayed for a miracle through the intercession of Father Flanagan, and watched her recover completely within weeks. The other is about a convert to the faith who, days before a surgery that would take away his voice permanently, asked to sit down for one final recorded interview so his family would always be able to hear him talk about what he believed.
The stories are there. We've just got to share them."
– Dennis Kellogg, Director of Communications, Diocese of Lincoln, NebraskaA Model Worth Repeating: Echoes of Faith
For November, the month the Church sets aside to remember the faithful departed, Dennis's team built a project called Echoes of Faith: Remembering Our Catholic Inspiration, contributed by priests, religious, and laity, each honoring someone who has passed away but whose faith still shapes theirs today. Readers came back day after day. A weekly print recap in the diocesan newspaper drove even more traffic to the full stories online. It's a project any parish or diocese could adapt, and a reminder that inviting your people into the storytelling process is itself a form of evangelization.Empowering the Voice of the Shepherd
Dennis also describes a different kind of project: a year of monthly reflections from Bishop James Conley on a movie, song, work of art, or piece of literature—a sort of “humanities syllabus” built with author Dr. Jared Staudt that's now being developed into a book with Word on Fire. Alongside that, the diocese leans on Bishop Conley's existing social media following with short, 1–2 minute videos he can record on virtually any topic, on short notice, hitting his mark every time.The Advice Every Comms Director Needs to Hear
Asked what he'd tell a new communications director feeling overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the role, Dennis doesn't hesitate: pick one thing and do it well. One social media channel done consistently beats five done halfheartedly. One major project a year, chosen with intention, beats a dozen scattered efforts. It's a word of encouragement worth holding onto: quality over quantity, focus over frenzy, and a steady trust that faithful, well-told stories will do their own quiet work in the hearts of the people who hear them.
Listen to the full conversation for more on Dennis's journey from the newsroom to the chancery, and for practical ideas you can bring back to your own parish or diocese this month.
Looking for tools to help your parish tell its own stories more easily? Explore eCatholic's engagement platform to see how a beautiful website, integrated communication tools, and dependable support can help your team reclaim more time for mission.