People are more mobile than they’ve ever been. We travel more often and further distances with ease and regularity. With the help of technology and the social web, we connect with people and build communities that transcend the geographical barriers which restricted them in the past. We’re mobile. And the way we participate in the life of the Church is, in certain ways, mobile now, too.
Whether it’s how we socialize and participate within our local parish, or how we logistically connect together the many parts of the greater Church, mobile technologies are creating opportunities to do it in more effective and creative ways.
The Church is not embracing this opportunity as much as they could be. Most parishes still largely limit themselves to communicating with parishioners solely during 1 hour each week on Sunday morning (often taking away from other more important things). There is huge untapped potential to build even stronger, thriving parish communities using new media and, specifically, mobile technologies. (That’s one of the things we’re helping do with flockNote - btw.)
The Social Web is largely the Mobile Web. And it includes everything from your basic text message to the endless number of mobile apps that enhance everything from your prayer life to your social life. This is where people are living - for better or worse. And every parish and diocese needs to be present there with their people encouraging and making possible a truly integrated Catholic life.
Not convinced of how present your parishioners are on the mobile web? Check out this infographic:
(h/t to CatholicTechTalk)
In what ways is your parish or diocese using mobile technologies?
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You are correct in pointing out the mass use of technology, however I had a hard time getting past your sentence “most parishes communicate solely one hour a week (taking away from more important things) What does that mean? There is nothing more important than the mass and Eucharistic, which is celebrated in that one hour!
lystr - that’s exactly the point. And if you read the post I link to when saying that, it explains further. Trying to cram all of our parish communications and announcements and everything going on and speeches, etc. into the Mass (because it’s really the only time we currently have the attention of our parishioners), takes away from the “more important thing” - the celebration of the Mass.
So many advantages to going mobile, it can really be a great way to evangelize and enhance community.
Thank you Matthew for clearing that up for me. As for myself, on my FB I have several Catholic related pages, Catholic Register as one, U.S. Catholic Bishop Conference, Catholic Charities, local Diocese information just to name a few. It is good to keep up and be informed about what is going on in the world and how it realates to the Church.
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