Here at Catholic-Link, we are obviously big fans of the internet, social media, social networking; we are present on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest.
Those of us in the international Catholic-Link team have met, collaborated and even become friends online. Two of the Spanish language team, who only knew each other through the internet, have collaborated in the publication of an actual book!
From my own experience with illness the internet has been a lifeline, enabling me to stay in touch with friends I wasn’t well enough to see and now, helping me maintain Christian friendships around the world (as locally, I don’t have any). We are far from thinking the internet is evil – but the dangers of social media are well-publicized: cyberbullying, exploitation, grooming, identity theft…the list sometimes seems shockingly endless. And there is also the danger that our relationships may stay superficial, with authentic sharing from reduced to the sharing of cat videos. Here is a selection of videos that could be used to start a conversation on the internet and social media.
Check out this link:
The first of these, Look Up is a poem that shows us what we might be missing out on, in terms of real friendship, if we spend too much time online (contains very small use of strong language).
Next, we have some statistics about social network use and its effects. There is some evidence that Facebook (other social networks are available) really does fry your brain.
And finally, for those who don’t seem to grasp quite how far removed from real-life social networks and social network relationships can there is the extremely funny social experiment from comedian Jena Kingsley
Look Up | Gary Tuck
Questions for Discussion
1. Are my actual friends and my ‘Facebook friends’ the same people?
2. Do I spend more time on social media than I do actually talking face to face?
3. When was the last time I wrote a letter (not an email, or chat)?
4. Do I check for messages or updates at the same time as doing something else – whilst watching TV, talking to someone, eating a meal?
5. Could I go 24 hours without the internet or social media?
6. When something happens – whether it be funny, sad, happy or just silly – is my first thought about the best way to share it on Facebook?
7. Do I recognize that I might be missing out in real life?
- How Can We Truly Get To Know The Holy Spirit?
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly 8 Ways The Catholic Church Teaches Us To Get To Know The Holy Spirit Oftentimes, when people think about the Holy Spirit, images like the dove or a flame we learned about in Sunday School come to mind. These are powerful symbols, but they don’t give us a full… Read more: How Can We Truly Get To Know The Holy Spirit? - How To Overcome Distractions In Prayer
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Growing up, I would hear stories of saints who would spend hours and hours with God in prayer. I would hear about how St. Padre Pio would wake up at 3:30 AM to prepare to celebrate Mass, pray for 2 hours, and how his Mass would last 3 HOURS!… Read more: How To Overcome Distractions In Prayer - Questions Children May Ask About Miscarriage — And Catholic Answers Parents Can Give
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly “Mommy, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” There are some conversations you wish you didn’t have to have with your children. We had just announced our pregnancy 2 short weeks ago. After a traumatic visit to the ER, I lost my baby at 15 weeks. Not only did I… Read more: Questions Children May Ask About Miscarriage — And Catholic Answers Parents Can Give - Beyond the Click: eCatholic and The Catholic University of America on Finding True Fruitfulness in Digital Ministry
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly There is a palpable peace you feel in a well-run parish. When administrative foundations are set in place with care and intention, the noise of the work fades and what remains is a community built on systems that actually support those who serve. Having worked in ministry myself—both as… Read more: Beyond the Click: eCatholic and The Catholic University of America on Finding True Fruitfulness in Digital Ministry - How To Create A Space For Prayer In Your Home
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly “Be still and know that I am God!” – Psalm 46:11 Our homes are meant to be domestic churches. They are places where we live out our faith not only on Sundays, but in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Creating a prayer space in our home can be… Read more: How To Create A Space For Prayer In Your Home
