Seventy-five years ago, The Northwest Kansas Register was started in order to deliver the news of the diocese to the people of North Central and Northwest Kansas.  From 1930-1950, Archbishop Fulton Sheen hosted a radio program called “The Catholic Hour” that was broadcast to the people of New York.   In 1951, he took his message to the nation through the medium of television, where he spoke on the theology of the current topics of the day.  Today, those messages are being spread on a new medium, social media.

There are many definitions for the term “social media”, but one consistent theme is that it is a “… blending of technology and social interaction for the co-creation of value.”  In other words, it is a way of stimulating dialogue between its participants.  It can be used to connect people with similar interests, allowing them to share information and communicate viewpoints.

This year, in the 44th World Communication Day message, Pope Benedict XVI said this new form of media “can offer priests and all pastoral workers a wealth of information and content that was difficult to access before, and facilitate forms of collaboration and greater communion that were unthinkable in the past.”  With that said, the point should be made that social media communication is not meant to be a replacement for face-to-face interaction.  Rather, it should be used to engage its participants into thoughtful and friendly discussions.

Recently, the Vatican established the new Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.  In the Apostolic Letter establishing the council, the Holy Father specifically tasked them “to study and to encourage the use of modern forms of communication as instruments for the new evangelization.”  Bishop Coakley shares in this same vision through “Stewards of Hope”, the new pastoral plan for the diocese.  The plan calls for the establishment of the Office of new Evangelization.  Specific objectives for the new office point to the use of new technologies in performing its mission.

In today's highly "technology-oriented" world, a presence on the Internet is quickly becoming a "must-have."  Pope Benedict XVI has made the topic of technology a major part of his last two World Communication Day addresses.  The Vatican has recognized the role that technology plays in our day-to-day that lives that it has established the new Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.  Pope Benedict has expressly requested that they make use of modern digital media as they do their work.

One of the most basic forms of modern digital media is an effective website.  A well thought out and designed website can be a valuable communication tool for a parish.  Couple that with a social networking presence, you have a means to quickly promote an to a large number of people.

"Open Source Catholic" is a technology blog that has some great articles on what makes an effective parish website.  Please check them out.  The first is a very informative article and the second is an excellent slide presentation with audio.

• "What Makes a Good Parish Website?"
• "The Parish Website:  An Essential Tool for Ministry"

Please give me a call if have any questions regarding your parish website.