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?
- Autism Consecrated: A Neurodivergent Ministry By Neurodivergent People
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly After several years of wishing for spiritual resources for neurodivergent people from a Catholic perspective, I collaborated with Father Mark P. Nolette, an autistic Catholic priest, to create Autism Consecrated in 2020. Our website aims to be a point of contact for autistic people seeking spiritual belonging and a… Read more: Autism Consecrated: A Neurodivergent Ministry By Neurodivergent People - Fools For Christ: The Strange Joy Of The Saints
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly The World Today A missile cuts through the night sky, sending people scrambling across open space and towards safety. Elsewhere, a father scans his grocery list, second-guessing purchases and wondering if he can fit everything within budget. In another part of the world, behind closed doors, ultra-wealthy and influential… Read more: Fools For Christ: The Strange Joy Of The Saints - Washed In Love, Pierced By The Cross: Following Christ To The Vigil
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly The Triduum is at the heart of our whole Christian life. It celebrates the Lord’s Pasch. We can understand Pasch as passage and passion. Our Lord passes from death to life through the suffering of His cross. The central image of all three days is the cross. The Church… Read more: Washed In Love, Pierced By The Cross: Following Christ To The Vigil - Easter Sunday Gospel Reflection
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told… Read more: Easter Sunday Gospel Reflection - Eucharistic Miracles And The Real Presence Of Christ
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly We live in a world where secularization and technology have rendered most people detached from organized religion of any sort. Science has, to some extent, been hostile or at least ambivalent to faith, often creating doubt in people’s minds. What better way is there for Jesus to draw people… Read more: Eucharistic Miracles And The Real Presence Of Christ
