Comments (6)

  • Diane Vella

    March 21, 2011 at 9:40 am

    As a parish minister struggling to begin to use internet and social media for ministry, I resonated with every one of the 8 challenges listed in today’s posting. Despite lots of “buzz” about all this, I’m finding it hard to find resources that really assist parishes in the “nuts and bolts” of this. For example: we are in process of setting up our parish facebook page, but encountered difficulties in separating the minister’s profile from the parish page, and also in figuring out how to post a “church facebook policy” notice in such a way that it stays prominent on the wall. Ministers like me who are savvy about ministry but tentative about social networking need the help of our parishioners who are all over social networking, but don’t really understand how a church page needs to be constructed. Anybody know any good resources for this?

  • Don McCrabb

    March 21, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    Another insightful article. Gives a good overview of the challenges.

    The days of “cultural” Catholics is slowly fading. We are an intentional Church which means IDENTITY is foundational. Social networking can both support and expand this identity. Indeed, some of us will begin to describe ourselves as “Franciscan” or “Dominican” to link our Catholic identity to a particular spirituality. Others may say we are a “Commonweal” or “NCR” Catholic. Still others will qualify our Catholicism – “raised” or “struggling.”

    Renew our faith, Oh Lord, and give us the courage and the perservance to help one another – through social networking and other means – to grow in faith and service. Amen!

  • Marc Cardaronella

    March 22, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Diane, I can definitely understand where you’re coming from. I’ve just been getting into this social media game myself. There is quite a bit to learn but I think it’s worth it. And, you’re right, there aren’t a lot of resources for how to do this as a Catholic for Catholics.

    Of course, Sr. Susan’s site is fantastic! You might also check out the Missionaries to the Digital Continent blog on Catholic Tech Talk at http://www.catholictechtalk.com/blogs/missionaries.

    Also, here’s the recording for a webinar on Facebook for ministry given a few months back by Jonathan Sullivan: http://bit.ly/icS0WP. He’s also doing another one very soon that’s a follow up to that one. See that one here: http://bit.ly/eLzZ82.

    There’s a website called New Media Catholic that deals with social media issues for Catholic ministers. Here’s the link: http://newmediacatholic.com/.

    Hope that helps! Keep on plugging!

  • Kimberly

    March 29, 2011 at 1:15 am

    I just wanted to say that I found your site via Goolge and I am glad I did. Keep up the good work and I will make sure to bookmark you for when I have more free time away from the books. Thanks again!

  • Diane Vella

    April 4, 2011 at 9:13 am

    Mark, this being Lent, this has been the first chance I’ve had to get back and check if anyone responded to my comment! Thanks very much for your help; I’m hoping to check out these resources today!

Comments are closed

Prev Post

Is Social Media Free?

March 14, 2011

Next Post

Leveraging the Internet for Mission, Part II: Leaders

March 28, 2011