Scottish Catholic Observer

The Catholic App, a smartphone and tablet application, was officially launched in 2018 in the St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese to help people find out information about local parishes, including Mass and Confession times. The app also delivers digital spiritual inspirations on a weekly basis.

Created by Musemantik, the application is downloadable on both Android and iPhone.

CEO and founder Maciej Zurawski said: “We’re in discussion with many other dioceses, not only in Scotland or the UK, but all over Europe. Many of the Catholic communities in Spain are interested in being added to the app.

“Anywhere in the world can express interest in it and we’ll consider it.”

Mr Zurawski said that two thirds of those who have downloaded the app are under 55, adding that this age group are the ‘least likely’ to go to Church, meaning that the app may have helped bring more young people to the parishes of St Andrews & Edinburgh.

Mr Zurawski said the app has grown to be very effective since its launch, with many people in St Andrews & Edinburgh using it twice a week.

“It covers a big part of the archdiocese, but we’re still trying to reach out even more as it’s such a huge area,” he said. “You don’t even need internet for it, just a phone signal.”

This isn’t the first app of its kind created by Mr Zurawski and his team. They also released ‘10 Christian Meditations,’ which uses music and pictures to help the user ‘grow spiritually.’

The company also run a personalised music therapy app to promote health and wellbeing, and which aims to reduce anxiety, stress and depression.