We often associate high-tech gadgets with luxury - with rich people. But that’s because “high-tech” is a relative term usually associated only with the latest and greatest break-through. But in general, advanced technologies actually serve to level the playing field between rich and poor rather than the other way around.

“Computers and Satellites have revolutionized communication in our days. If the Word of God is to be communicated, as God intends it to be, then we cannot ignore what is happening in the new communications technologies. Unfortunately, the technological gap is widening daily between the rich and poor nations. But the good news is that these very technologies are in many...READ MORE

Our Church leadership is on the right track in its emphasis and effort to fully embrace new media. It’s an exciting time. But in some ways it still needs a significant nudge in that right direction. And that nudge is this:

Even though the Vatican, some bishops and many priests have started using new media technologies, most all of them are still using them in a “Web 1.0” world. They need to upgrade to Web 2.0. The difference between these two vague, technical sounding terms is significant.

To sum it up, Web 1.0 is simply the traditional use of the internet. It was largely a one-way mass communication tool. Web 2.0 is about interaction. The web became social. It became personal. It became...READ MORE

Whether you are an old pro or a new hack at this “new media” thing, it is worth your time to pay a visit to SQPN.

SQPN (Star Quest Production Network) is a multimedia organization specializing in the production of audio and video programs faithful to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Its mission is to respond to the Church’s call to use the media for religious information, for evangelization and catechesis and for formation and education.

That sounds nice. But where SQPN hits the ball out of the park is how they accomplish this mission statement. To sum it up…they get it.

Whether you are interested in cooking, Star Wars, family, NFP, pop culture, rock music, movies, mass,...READ MORE

I figure if we Catholics are going to take the Digital Continent of new media by storm, we need to make sure we’ve read up on all of what the Church has to say about it. So, I’m compiling a list of any Church document, letter, homily or formal resource having to do with how to use new media.

I need your help. Let me know what I’m missing and I will add it in to make sure we have a fairly comprehensive, but still practical, resource list. Just leave any suggestions for consideration in the comment section below.

Here’s what I have so far:

The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World - New Media at the Service of the Word (44th WCD, 2010)

Ethics in Internet - Pontifical Council...READ MORE

If you try to be all things to all people, you’ll end up satisfying none.  If you try to please everybody, you’ll end up pleasing nobody.  If you are trying to be the best at everything, you’ll end up being good at none.

Too many blogs fall into this trap. And it’s not just blogs. These principles apply to any new media tool, especially websites.  They apply to just about everything else in life, too, whether you are marketing a widget, promoting an event or evangelizing with your ministry. You can not be all things to all people. You need a focused purpose.

If you look at anyone who has ever been the best at anything, whether it is your favorite Saint, singer or basketball player. Their...READ MORE

So Protestants and Catholics may not agree on which books should be in the Bible. And we don’t agree on which translations are best. But at least we can always agree on the Ten Commandments, right?  Well, not exactly.

We agree on the scripture passages that the ten commandments come from (Deut 5 and Exodus 20). But scripture doesn’t enumerate them for us and break them into 10 nice, neat “commandments.” Because of this, there have been a number of different variations of the ten commandments as we know them today. The Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant versions are very close, but all differ in some way. So don’t be confused when you find out your protestant friend’s 4th commandment is...READ MORE

Talk of Iran by Catholic leaders seems to have gone quiet. Or at least it’s gone underground. I’m looking for some moral guidance on what should be done about Iran and I’m having some trouble finding it.

We’ve heard plenty about what not to do. Don’t use violence. Don’t go to war. Yes, the Church plays an extremely crucial role in quelling the world’s warring itch while offering great wisdom as to when to scratch it. But at times like this, it would be nice to have a little more discussion. The complexity of this situation is huge, so perhaps leaders are hesitant to comment publicly.

In Iran, today is the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that resulted in the currently pestilent...READ MORE

There was a lot of good discussion on my post last week - Friday Fast Fact: The Big Bang Theory. But a few points came up there and in some other responses that are important to clarify and remember as Catholics.

A lot of Christians say that they believe in the biblical Genesis story, rather than the “Big Bang” theory. Of course, such a statement presents a false dichotomy. It implies that the theory of the Big Bang necessarily contradicts the biblical account of creation. That is not true.

Those that believe in a scientifically literal interpretation of the book of Genesis are known as “creationists” or “fundamentalists.” And they can basically hold those views and be in perfectly good...READ MORE