Evangelization2.0

Happy Mother's Day

Here is a wonderful video dedicated to all of the loving mothers out there who make such a difference in so many lives.  Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Mother's Day.

Friday's Featured Catholic Artist - Bill Goyette

It's Friday and time to showcase another talented Catholic performer on LoveToBeCatholic.com. Today LoveToBeCatholic.com is featuring Bill Goyette.  I do not know much about Bill other than he is one of the first people to join LoveToBeCatholic and has uploaded many terrific music videos. His songs are all original.  Drown In Your Grace is one of my favorite.

Please stop by LoveToBeCatholic and enjoy Bill's music.

A person note to Bill, thank you for your music and support.

Here is Drown In Your Grace:

Catholic New Media Discussion Continues

Here some selected comments from other blogs regarding my get-it-dot-com commentary.

"Doesn't this tech stuff mostly appeal just to the urban/suburban upwardly-mobile types? What initiatives are there for rural folks, technological illiterates, and people too poor to use the latest tech?"
------
"Well, don't people who like technology need God's salvation too?

I don't imagine the Church will suddenly stop evangelising luddites and country-folk."
------
"I've been a web developer for over a decade, but I simply cannot get excited over the Church getting supposedly "tech-saavy". The preaching of the Gospel still involves human relationships to be most effective, and there is still nothing better for that than actually, you know, talking to people and getting to know them. Blogs, texting, IM'ing or emailing will simply never meet the effectiveness in evangelization as direct human contact.  I guess I'm becoming a Luddite."
------
"Blogs, texting, IM'ing or emailing will simply never meet the effectiveness in evangelization as direct human contact." - "In some sense, you're quite right, --and may I just say that while I tend to think combox-attack-style evangelization has a lot in common with people who ring random doorbells to proselytize, it's a lot easier to shut a virtual door than a real one.

That said, though, the very anonymity and self-directed pace of Internet sites can be an aid to someone who would really like to know what the Church teaches about A or B, but doesn't particularly want to saunter into the local Catholic church and start asking questions--perhaps because he hasn't yet reached the point where he'd be comfortable with that. Reaching people where they are is something the Church is usually rather good at doing, so why not have a presence on the Internet too?"
------
"Yes, it does have appeal. But we should be careful not to restrict ourselves to a Catholic enclave and ignore the world - it needs evangelizing, and having videos on YouTube can't hurt."
------
"Catholicism is always behind. That is what is cool about Catholicism. When we get tired of the latest thing, Catholicism is always there. That's not to say that Catholics shouldn't embrace new media, but they shouldn't get panicky about it. Just keep celebrating Mass and proclaiming the historic truths of the Faith. People will be drawn to that."

Luddites in the Belfry

It’s always satisfying when a blog post draws interest and stirs up debate. My get-it-dot-com blog post certainly has done so.

I was reading about the article on other blogs and wanted to address a train of thought that I see time and again as holding back people and companies when it comes adopting new technology.

Technology vs. personal contact – They are not mutually exclusive.

Tech is not for everyone, but it does have a place. Certainly it is not to be ignored. Why? It's all about reaching out and connecting with people, when and how they choose to be. In doing so, we open a door and extend an invitation. Then we have an opportunity to develop a relationship and guide them to a deeper faith.

I saw a comment: “What about poor, rural areas and the technology illiterate?” My answer –That is not the target market for a digital evangelization. We do not adopt technology as a tool for evangelization at the expense of missionaries on the ground on poor rural areas. Poor villagers may need food, a roof over their heads, and perhaps a gathering place to worship, not a text message to a non-existent cell phone. Yet, the Internet can help this hypothetical village. It can be utilized to quickly raise awareness as well as funds to get these people the things they need. In this scenario, feet on the ground distributing supplies can build good will and relationships. In this simple example, technology is complementary with personal contact. We just need to be smart about it.

Here is my testimony. I was a fallen away Catholic and had been attending a Presbyterian Church for many years. Not feeling spiritually fulfilled, I began to pray for guidance. One day I fell onto a Catholic web site, downloaded and listened to a radio program. As a result, one week later I met with a Priest, went to confession for the first time in 20 years, and returned to the Catholic faith. What would have happened to me if the web site and download did not exist? How about all the others touched, inspired or fulfilled though the LoveToBeCatholic.com. My choice of communicating is via the Internet. God found me there.

Let's evangelize and use all possible channels to do so.

Catholics are starting to get-it-dot-com

Did you see today's headline: "Pope goes digital to better connect with youth"  Here is a short excerpt from the article:

SYDNEY (Reuters) -..."The Pope will text daily messages of inspiration and hope during the six-day Sydney event while digital prayer walls will be erected at event sites and the church will set up a Catholic  social networking Web site akin to a Catholic Facebook."

Now that's what I am talking about! We, Catholics, are starting to get it.  Or as my former tech strategy guru professor at Kellogg used to say "dot get it dot com."  At the onset of the Internet revolution, he was a bit critical of old time executives who were slow to grasp the impact and benefits of the digital age.  Personally, I hold similar views of the Catholic church. Catholics are way behind in embracing the Internet and digital media as a way to evangelize.  There is a will, but the knowledge, time, and resources are thin.  Our Church leaders, priests and parish staff just aren't trained in digital media. Who expects them to be? So it is laity that must lead the way.  Thus my personal mission to help bring the Church kicking and screaming into the digital age.  At times it has felt like a quixotic crusade.

The good news is that there are a growing number of people out there doing good works using digital technology  Catholic-Tube, SQPN, MyCatholicVillage, and LifeTeen are just a few of my favorite Internet destinations. It's the laity driving these ventures. Some are non-profit, others are spreading the Gospel while trying to make a little coin.  I don't judge the model because we need more Catholic digital media. We must reach out to Catholics via their preferred method of communication. Today there are a myriad of fascinating new ways to connect Catholics and spread the Gospel. We can broadcast our faith via a text message or Twitter type cell phone applications, connect with the faithful on a social networking web site, and find spiritual enrichment on a video web sites like LoveToBeCatholic.com.

Web 2.0, broadband, wireless, and cell phones that are really multi-dimensional communication devices, are technology gifts that can help us broadcast faith.  So support Catholic digital media.  How?  Here I will shamelessly plug my web site www.LoveToBeCatholic.com. Upload videos to it. Bloggers, embed LoveToBeCatholic videos in your blogs rather using a secular web site like YouTube.  After all, our mission is to enrich the spiritual lives of Catholics worldwide.  Can YouTube make that claim?   OK, if my suggestion seems self serving, there are dozens of other Catholic web sites struggling to take hold as well.  Do a Google search, bookmark them, and spread the word.

Am I tilting at windmills?  I don't think so. Today's announcement from the Vatican is exciting news and a big leap forward!

Pleasant Discovery on Facebook

I was playing around on Facebook yesterday and discovered an independent fan site for LoveToBeCatholic.com. That is really cool and a very pleasant surprise.  Wow, a fan site. 

I hope that word of our mission will continue to resonate and spread across the Catholic community.  After all, I and everyone that contributes to LoveToBeCatholic.com is doing so for the good of the Church.  We are working hard for the Catholic community.

I'll close this post with a plea for support and help.  I ask your help in promoting LoveToBeCatholic.com. Ask a friend to join LoveToBeCatholic.com.  Email one of our videos to a family member.  Post our link or banner on your web page or blog.  Embed our videos in your blog as well.  These small gestures can combine to make a big impact.

Thanks for all of your support and prayers.  Have a wonderful weekend.

New Media and Catholic Evangelization - An Update

It has been awhile since I have reported on developments in Catholic new media. It’s time for an update. Over the past year we have seen a growing number of conferences specifically designed to address the issue of leveraging new media to achieve the goals of the Catholic Church. For example, last month the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio held the 2008 Communication Arts conference on Media and Faith.  All of this is good news. Knowledge is spreading and new channels for evangelization are opening up.

Here are two conferences coming up:

The 2008 Catholic Media Convention will be held May 28-30 in Toronto. The Catholic Media Convention brings together members of the Catholic Press Association and the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals - professionals in the fields of Catholic print and audiovisual communications, as well as Catholic communications / public relations directors - for the purpose of spiritual, economic and professional development.

A month later, on June 22, SQPN is sponsoring the first Catholic New Media Celebration. This event will be held in conjunction with the Eucharistic Congress. The CNMC is a day to Learn, Share, and Explore how New Media can help the Catholic Church in the New Evangelization. I’ll be attending.

If my schedule allows I’ll try and attend both events.

Friday Featured Artist - Donna Lee

It's Friday and time to showcase another talented Catholic performer. Today's artist is Donna Lee.

Donna is a three time Unity Award winner.  Her music focuses on Pro-Life, Reconciliation, the Eucharist and Divine Mercy. She also has a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, whom she says played a big part in her conversion back to the Catholic Church.

Donna is one of the founding members of the Catholic Association of Musicians.  Her music can be heard on several Catholic Radio stations across the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. She is a regular on the FamilylandTV Network and has taped two segments on "Backstage" for EWTN.

Here is one of Donna's music videos that we are showcasing on LoveToBeCatholic.com.  Please check out her other videos as well. Enjoy!

AirMaria!

I am very pleased to announce a new channel on LoveToBeCatholic.com, the AirMaria channel. The AirMaria channel features videos from the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate in the United States. Watch real video centering around the life, mission and apostolate of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Videos include the apologetics program ‘No Apologies’ with Fra Joseph Mary, and homilies at Our Lady Of Guadalupe Friary.

The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate community is a Roman Catholic religious institute of pontifical rite. Their charism is founded on the spirituality of St. Maximilian Kolbe, which is both Franciscan and Marian. LoveToBeCatholic.com is very excited and blessed to have the support of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.

Also, we’ll be announcing a few more new channels in the very near future. Stayed tuned!