Caroline+Social+Networking+Assignment+2

Assignment #2
Expected time to complete reading and the written assignment: 15 - 45 minutes

Your assignment for this segment is to post a SHORT reflection paragraph about what you learned from reading ONE of the church publications listed below. Your reflection can be about anything you found interesting or relevant to your ministry in your reading. For example, you could reflect on your role as a catechist in maintaining a safe online environment in compliance with the diocesan guidelines. Or you could reflect on the themes related to moral responsibility that you read about in Inter Mirifica. Choose something that is interesting and relevant to you.


 * [|World Communications Day Message 2014]
 * [|USCCB Guidelines for Use of Social Media]
 * [|Diocese of St. Petersburg, Guidelines for Social Networking, 2011]
 * [|Inter Mirifica]

// Post your reflection paragraph below using the following format: //

** Your name. Name of the document you read. Your Reflection. **

 * Mary Amore, World Communications Day Message **
 * Pope Benedict does an excellent job at highlighting the importance of social media in our modern world. Social media has the power to bring the gospel message to the corners of our globe: namely, to young adults who are continually engaged on social media, to the home bound and those isolated from others, to friends and family. Social media builds community, and has the ability to create virtual relationships with those who hunger and thirst for God. Using social media as a means of evangelization invites us to use our creativity in posting messages, videos, articles, and blogs that will nourish a wide variety of people who seek God. I know from my personal experience on our Facebook Page that the use of social media calls for commitment, for we have regular followers who routinely look to our social media pages for inspiration, evangelization and instruction on the Good News! If we miss a posting, people will comment on why it is not there! It is a privilege for me to use social media as a means of communicating the gospel to others.**

Chris Simons Inter Mirifica

One area of this document that made an impression on me was the idea that the news should be “true and complete” and the manner in which it is communicated should by “proper and decent.” This document goes on to say that professionals (newsmen, writers, actors) are in a position to lead the human race to good or evil by the information that is provided to “mankind.” Who could have imagined in 1963 that the dissemination of information would have moved from the “professional communicator” to the individual. I thank that the professional lived by a code of ethics. But in many instances, individuals who use social networking do not supply the whole truth but rather one that supports their personal agendas. These individuals can reach large numbers of their followers (Facebook, Twitter) in a very short time and can incite reactions that may or may not be positive. In addition, social media has allowed them to hide, making it easier to ignore the rights and dignity of individuals as in the case of cyber bullying. But one needs to remember, whether in a work-related post or on a personal level, that communication still needs to be within the bounds of “justice and charity.”

Anne Renkes, Inter Mirifica

The understandings and concerns about the media in Pope Paul's Inter Mirifica is as relevant today as it was in 1963. The media forms of that time had a narrower scope than what we have today. The internet has totally blown the walls down; information is shared instantly, globally, by anyone and the checks and balances that were in place (by formal news agencies and entertainment companies) are in jeopardy when in the hands of individuals. The need to implement guidelines for use of the media was supportive of the movement, but also intuitive to the dangers that could occur. The principles as outlined in Inter Mirifica are the same today, if not more so, for the internet and social media. Moral integrity and using these new forms of communication for the common good are paramount as church leaders.

The one thing that struck me in this document is that our job, when using social media, is to instill a human and Christian spirit. That can be the one challenge in social media. So much of what we get are small sound bites, in print and we lose the true meaning and expression of our words. It calls us to be careful in choosing what we say, how we say it, what we record or share and keeping in mind who we are trying to reach. When we pay attention to the bounds of justice and charity and are mindful of the rights and dignity of individuals, as we are called to do in this document, the use of social networking can be an amazing tool! For me, in my ministry with middle school youth, it's my job to create that safe place, in a medium they can relate to, where they can learn, express their faith and then bear witness to that faith in the world.

Lorraine Miller, World Communications Day Message 2014

Pope Francis speaks of humanizing digital and social media. Social media opens the good news of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, but it must be used as a means for mutual understanding, dialog, reflection, and being present to others in order that they may encounter Christ. I found this message encouraging and challenging because social media in most of my experience seems to be very inward focused rather than outward focused for the benefit of others. I see many uses of social media solely for the purpose of self-promotion and glorification. I think it's one of the reasons I am reluctant to embrace it. It's enlightening to think that social media can serve great purposes, rather than just to let me know what someone ate for lunch that day.

Pope Francis inspires us to think about the potential of social media to reach those who need to hear and accept the message of salvation. To bring the church out into the world rather then to remain closed in on itself. On a practical level, I see youth ministers using social media to do just that as they guide teenagers everyday in the appropriate and proper use of such powerful tools of communication.

Cindy McFadden. World Communications Day 2014

Pope Francis speaks so eloquently (as usual) of communication as a means of expressing the missionary vocation of the ENTIRE Church. Social networks are one way to accomplish this. I can already think of ways I could use this with the volunteer Catechists with whom I currently communicate. I currently use email weekly newsletters to share info about events or resources that may be of interest to them in this ministry. Using social networks like Facebook or Twitter would provide other means to do this (and may be be more appealing to them, so they want to actually read what I share!) As a religious education coordinator for elementary level students, I am trying to wrap my head around using social networks with children under the age of 11. I am hoping to discover or think of a way to use it in an appropriate manner that will enhance their faith formation. Many elementary age students do not have smart phones or access to social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. Much of it would need to go through their parents, or minimally, have their parents knowledge and consent as outlined in the USCCB guidelines for use of social media. So much to think about!

Mary Ann Plachta World Communications Day 2014

I had a difficult time choosing between the message of Pope Francis for World Communication Day 2014 and the message from Pope Paul. The underlying thread of both is that we use the communication methods that work but never forget our purpose, our message, and who we are. It seems that Pope Francis argues that we need to remember that Social Media is a means to an end. He also reminds us that we need to remember that it is just that, a means, not the message. That being said it is a truly powerful means that has shown it can change the style of governments. It can also bring people together to accomplish amazing things. My daughter travels to third world countries in Africa. She often comments on the poverty of the people, but the ability to communicate through Social Media is of primary importance, most strongly among the young. Our learning digital skills is not only to provide enhanced communication but to allow us to communicate with those who might not hear or listen to the message otherwise.

Christina Flum, World Day of Communications 2014

Pope Francis' letter touched me, and reminded me why I signed up for this course right now. His analogy of the digital highway as one of the streets teeming with hurting and seeking people was a profound reminder of what a missionary can be. I have talked of doing podcasts, of reviewing dvds for classroom uses, and formation opportunities on line; but that is as far as it has gotten to date. Too many other things going on, one excuse after another. So this letter is a reminder and this course is the vehicle for putting my talk on the road!

//"Communication at the service of an authentic culture of encounter." // I really adore Pope Francis (Papa Francesco) and his embodiment of what Catholicism is all about. The image of communication as it relates to the parable of the Good Samarithan is a powerful one. Whenever and however we encounter our brothers and sisters (face to face or through the wonders of social media), we need to listen as well as speak. Show the love, people....show the love.
 * Staci Stroud, Reflection on World Communications Day 2014 **

Mary Pat Storms**, USCCB Guidelines for Use of Social Media** These guidelines provide a consistent message across the myriad ministries of the Church. While some may wish to add local color to the guidelines, the fact that they are published gives credence to the importance of using social media to evangelize. In my work at the high school level, the guidelines create an atmosphere to guide conversations and postings in ways that make the media civil, productive and an opportunity for grace.


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