Be My Disciples: New Website Fosters Discipleship
By - Posted on August 25, 2011
Editor’s Note: Thanks to Tricia Hempel of RCL Benzinger for sharing the following press release regarding the launch of the new website BeMyDisciples.com. The website shares the stories of students, parents, catechists and church leaders who are striving to live lives of discipleship. I recommend a visit for some inspiration and motivation in your own daily walk as a disciple of Christ. LMH
RCL Benziger launches website to foster a Catholic community of disciples
CINCINNATI, Ohio — RCL Benziger, a leader in religious education programs and products for the Catholic community for nearly 200 years, has launched a new website, www.BeMyDisciples.com. The date selected for the launch was August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus, and the first of her son’s disciples. She was a true disciple who accepted her faith, lived and grew in it.
RCL Benziger is using the new site to imagine the “what ifs?” of a world full of Christ’s disciples.
The website allows visitors to share their own stories of discipleship by uploading blog entries or short videos in an easy format. Inspirational videos from a catechist, a DRE, a pastor, a parent and a student offer food for reflection for others to share thoughts, ideas and inspiration.
Peter M. Esposito, President of RCL Benziger, noted that the inspiration for this project came about by listening to a radio program where people had the opportunity to record and share reflections about their mothers. This had a tremendous impact upon him. The goal of www.BeMyDisciples.com is to encourage Catholics to share stories of discipleship that they have encountered or actions by others that were inspired by Jesus Christ’s example.
“We as Catholics don’t always openly display our emotions about our faith; however, now we have a web community where people can contribute stories, reflect upon them, and come together to share their experiences as disciples, re-evangelizing their faith,” he said.
In the coming months, resources and materials for catechists, teachers, parents and students will be added to the site to offer a theological foundation that complements the personal witness stories.
I am a 4th grade Catechetical teacher. I purchased a 4th grade CD to go with my Be My Disciple curicculum, but was dissapointed there were no lyrics included with the CDs. After two hours (really!) of searching online, I cannot find either the CDs nor a music booki to go with them. DOes anyone know where these might be found? The RCL Benziger sites all show “not found” with regards to music. Thank you!
Denise, I have sent a message to my contact at RCL Benziger asking her to reply here to your comment. Thanks!
Denise, I am so sorry you had this difficulty!
The short answer is that the lyric books for Be My Disciples will be available in the spring of 2013 — primarily because there are components to the program, such as the school program, that are still being developed. We are still working with the music publishers on this.
But in the meantime, there are a few resources I can offer.
1. “We Are Disciples” by Steve Angrisano was composed for RCL Benziger and the lyrics will be in the song book when it is published. If you send me your email address, I can provide you with these lyrics.
2. “Woman of God” by Jesse Manibusan has not been published by any music publishers yet. Jesse holds the rights to this song. We will have it available in our songbook when it is published.
All but these two are available in the hymnal books at various churches. The primary hymnals that the songs can be located in are: Gather by GIA; Journey and Breaking Bread by OCP; Word and Song by World Library Publications. These are the major Catholic music publishers.
Again, I am sorry for the confusion. If you need any assistance, please contact me at my email, thempel@rclbenziger.com.
Hi Denise,
Thanks so much for alerting us to your concern. I hope I can answer it to your satisfaction!
The short answer is that the music and lyric books will be available in the spring of 2013. If you send me your email, I can let you know as soon as we have them.
The longer answer is a reason for this: One of the songs, by Jesse Manibusan, has not yet been published by any music publisher and he holds the rights. We have permission to use the song and to print the lyrics, but the rights issues between Jesse and publishers need to be sorted out.
If it helps at all, most of the songs can be found in hymnals available in church: Gather by GIA, Journey and Breaking Bread, by OCP, and Word and Song by LTP. We can provide lyrics for the Steve Angrisano title song, if you contact me.
When we put the catalog together a year ago, some of these difficulties were not foreseen, and I do apologize for any inconvenience. Please email me at thempel@rclbenziger.com if I can help in any way with this!
Tricia
Hi Denise,
Thanks so much for alerting us to your concern. I hope I can answer it to your satisfaction!
The short answer is that the music and lyric books will be available in the spring of 2013. If you send me your email, I can let you know as soon as we have them.
The longer answer is a reason for this: One of the songs, by Jesse Manibusan, has not yet been published by any music publisher and he holds the rights. We have permission to use the song and to print the lyrics, but the rights issues between Jesse and publishers need to be sorted out.
If it helps at all, most of the songs can be found in hymnals available in church: Gather by GIA, Journey and Breaking Bread, by OCP, and Word and Song by LTP. We can provide lyrics for the Steve Angrisano title song, if you contact me.
When we put the catalog together a year ago, some of these difficulties were not foreseen, and I do apologize for any inconvenience. Please email me at thempel@rclbenziger.com if I can help in any way with this!
Posted by Lisa:
Hi Denise,
Thanks so much for alerting us to your concern. I hope I can answer it to your satisfaction!
The short answer is that the music and lyric books will be available in the spring of 2013. If you send me your email, I can let you know as soon as we have them.
The longer answer is a reason for this: One of the songs, by Jesse Manibusan, has not yet been published by any music publisher and he holds the rights. We have permission to use the song and to print the lyrics, but the rights issues between Jesse and publishers need to be sorted out.
If it helps at all, most of the songs can be found in hymnals available in church: Gather by GIA, Journey and Breaking Bread, by OCP, and Word and Song by LTP. We can provide lyrics for the Steve Angrisano title song, if you contact me.
When we put the catalog together a year ago, some of these difficulties were not foreseen, and I do apologize for any inconvenience. Please email me at thempel@rclbenziger.com if I can help in any way with this!
Tricia Hempel
Web editor
RCL Benziger