Papal Message for World Communications Day
By - Posted on January 24, 2010
This being Sunday, my normal day of “rest” from my computer, I don’t want to do a long post here, but simply want to invite you to read Pope Benedict XVI’s newly released message for World Communications Day 2010. This eloquent encouragement for priests to explore and embrace the true potential of new media technologies is music to my ears! Catholic News Service has a full story here, and I’d love to hear your thoughts once you’ve had a chance to read and digest this message. I’ll be back this week with more on this topic, including my thoughts on a few priests who are role models for this type of evangelization.
I think this is great! It’s another avenue to reach people and extend their ministry.
Last year, the Pope’s message in anticipation of World Communications Day addressed the issue of yourth using the “new media technologies,” i. e. social networking and the internet in a wholesome way for the good–to build up our youth. This year, he is encouraging priests to use these same technologies. I would draw your attention to Yoursphere.com, a safety first social networking site for kids and teens–designed for kids to be themselves, have fun, develop thier interests, stimulate their creativity–in short, using the new media technologies for the good. Yoursphere.com was featured in Zenit and the National Catholic Register last year as an example of the new media being used for the good to build up our youth. It also has public boards that leaders of youth groups, teachers, priests can use to post information and respond to questions, without adults going behind the public wall into the community. I say hooray–and long overdue.
Kathryn, thanks for the mention of Yoursphere.com which is a tremendous resource for Catholic families. I will do a follow up post on it to help spread the word.