Best Practices
Why Using Short Films Makes Your Life Easier
Mar 3rd
Vatican
Ever begin planning a talk for your Catholic parish school, but quickly stop because it’s too hard? Those talks with so many facts, theories, and well language that’s hard to even pronounce?
Here’s the Remedy
Turn your talk into a short 3-7 minute length DVD. Young people are trained to glue themselves to the projection. Yes, a quite room attentively listening to your presentation. All the plans and preparation are done prior to the presentation. The best part is…you can go from classroom to classroom giving the same talk.
How to Make the Video
More resources are below (this is just the plan). These steps are for a movie using photos, youtube, and voice. It’s simple!
- Brainstorm and collect ideas/facts. PRAY to JESUS.
- Begin using google image search to collect photos
- Using iMovie (Yea I love Macs!) start placing the pictures together (Don’t forget about Transitions)
- Write Your Script
- Record Your Audio – Make it Sharp, Clean, Fast. Added Bonus: Dramatic Voice
- Now place the audio and video together.
- Fix the pictures/video to go along with the audio
- Leave a 15 second intro and exit
- Place music in background, and fade it turning your audio
- Add Transitions
- Burn your semi-professional DVD
But your missing so many little steps. Well, part of the fun is experimenting…and praying to the Holy Spirit.
Also make sure your movie is at a good fast pace. Nobody likes distorted slow transitions or lousy voice-overs.
Resources Needed to Make Video
- Digital Camera or Camcorder – I like to use one with a firewire cable if I am importing video
- Google Image Search
- Audacity Audio Recorder
- iMovie This site includes “How To” videos
- How to take video off of YouTube for Mac and How to Convert it from FLV to MOV for iMovie use
- How to Turn it into a DVD – Mac
How to Present Your Movie
- Open with a Prayer
- Give an introduction to the topic, maybe a quick story and things to watch for in the movie.
- Play Movie
- Give a little followup and answer any questions
- End with a Prayer
Yea, its that simple. This is an excellent way to teach and evangelize if you are nervous on a topic or make your life easier. In addition, many Catholic topics are hard to explain without a picture. It’s a lot easier to show a picture of a Eucharistic miracle, than to just talk about it.
More Articles on Technology
Video Conferencing for the Catholic Church
Email Newsletters for Catholic Parishes
10 Internet Tools Priest Should Use
The Hour of Power – Listening to the Holy Spirit
Social Networking Success for the Catholic Parish
How to Quickly Increase Donations at a Homeless Shelter
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Loading ...Pro-Life Concerts
Feb 27th
Recently I received a mailing from Priest for Life. They have done good, solid, pro-life work across the country (maybe even the world).
The mailing mentioned that their Priest are “ready and waiting to come to your area to help advance the pro-life cause.”
What are you waiting for? They would make a great addition to your next meeting, event, fundraiser, or prayer event. Catholic school and parish events would be ideal.
With an added bonus they list Fr. Denis Wilde, OSA a concert pianist as one of their main priest. Father relates music to the pro-life message.
I have heard Father play and speak. He is exceptional at both. Don’t miss out.
Popularity: 8% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Sorrows of the Blessed Mother
Feb 26th
Our Lady of La Sallate cites two areas of humanity that cause Jesus much pain. First not keeping holy the Sabbath and taking the Lord’s name in vain.
A simple and small request from the Blessed Mother warning her children of the pain we cause Jesus.
Who would have thought missing Sunday Mass and using the Lord’s name as profanity would have hurt our Lord with such intensity.
“If my people do not wish to submit themselves, I am forced to let go of the hand of my Son. It is so heavy and weighs me down so much I can no longer keep hold of it. Apparition of the Blessed Virgin on the Mountain of La Salette on September 19, 1846
Sunday’s are busy days for families. The words from this apparition would make a good teaching lesson for any youth or young adult event.
These words of pain don’t just end in La Salette, but are continued in the interior locutions received by Father Gobbi from the Blessed Mother. These messages are printed in the book To the Priest Our Lady’s Beloved Sons. The book carries an imprimatur, which means there is nothing contrary to faith or morals in the manuscript.
In message 332 on September 6, 1986 “My heart is bleeding…My heart is immersed in a sea of sorrow.”
Why is the Blessed Mother’s heart “in a sea of sorrow?”
Humanity has not answered the call to “conversion, to repentance, and to a return to God.”
And what does she warn will happen because of it? “The greatest chastisement which the history of mankind has ever known.”
Devotion to the Blessed Mother is more important then ever. Reading her messages is great motivation and inspiration for evangelization. When ever you feel down or need some help pick up just one of the many approved messages from apparitions that have occurred from around the world.
There are plenty of insights from her words that will lend themselves to keeping your ministry on track and in the light. She was given to us by Jesus on the cross, so look to her for Motherly guidance.
What mother wouldn’t want to help her child?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...An Educated Catholic in Politics
Feb 25th
Catholic Tools
Before the band wagon police cry “Separation of Church and State,” read a little further.
As a Catholic who is most likely involved in Catholic Parish Ministry or Evangelization (Trick question we are all called to evangelize) it is important to stay informed about current political activities.
School Vouchers, Abortion, Same Sex Unions, Health Care…these are just a small list of topics that greatly effect Catholic Parishes.
Where do we start?
Start with Thomas…That’s Saint Thomas.
Google Books has an online copy of The Summa. Very difficult, but search for “Natural Law.”
Kinds of Law (Discussed by St. Thomas in the Summa Theologica): (Also just a primer here)
St. Thomas’s definition of law - an ordinance of reason for the common good promulgated by him who has care of the community
Eternal law -God’s rational plan (Providence) for the good of men and the world and eternal, because it is as an exemplar found in God (not subject to time) promulgated in the person of the Logos, or Word of God (Jesus) Eternal law is the basis for any other true law not directly known by men; it is known by its effects (natural law)
Natural law – participates in the eternal law; an imprint of the eternal law in human nature; it is unchanging in all times and places (yet discovered over time); relates to habit; the virtues are habits of living naturally and rationally
Human law- temporal or civil laws, which are added onto the natural law by men. The state is natural and good; its laws provide restraint and teach virtue. Human (civil) law must reflect the natural law
Divine law- positive laws of revelation (OT and NT) that God adds to the natural law. Divine law (and not just natural law) is needed to direct man to his highest end, which is not a natural, but a supernatural end. The divine law also makes natural law known more clearly. The divine law addresses interior states concerning which the human law can neither legislate nor punish.
Did you understand all of it? Natural Law is the big one.
Why is Natural Law so popular within Catholic circles?
Compared to other ethical systems, the natural law is the only holistic basis for making ethical decisions, because it considers the totality of human nature, focusing on reason, but also including a role for the will, the emotions, pleasure, society, etc.
Interesting Conservative Blogs/Videos/Pope Worth Looking At
Signs of Contradiction
Run by a sophomore at James Madison University, this conservative college blog highlights college students and their conservative remarks. Some of the authors lack experience, but the main author and editor is fantastic.
Guarrentte this will be a big hit in 2010
Campaign for Liberty
The Vatican
I just stumbled upon this one, but was very impressed with their content and information. Very serious, not entirly sure about them.
However, they produce some awesome material that would be worthy of duplication. I especially like their “Talking Points.“ Their Talking Points are fast, and easy to remember.
Real Catholic TV
They have been featured before on CatholicTools, but they deserve another shot out. They are growing ever more popular each day and will dominate the Catholic/Political news arena by the end of the year. They are Glenn Beck Polished.
The Right Scoop
Another Youtube Video Blog, but this is where news is going. They have Glenn Beck Content, but really, I would be at a loss not to mention him because his popularity is so high. He ratings are through the roof. Content is good, but his delivery is AWESOME. Take some tips.
The Laura Ingraham Blog
Catholic, easy to listen to, interesting and on the mark. She host a Radio Show, Podcast, and Blog. If you are looking into getting into Catholic Blogging or Media…Follow her model. And she supports Little Sisters of the Poor.
The Heritage Foundation
This is where all the young people are going to get internship and learn about leadership.
ISI
They produce some of the best philosophical books and articles for those interested in natural law.
Lastly Pope Benedict XVI Caritas in Veritate
It is hard to read off the Vatican website, so just save it as a PDF and read it on your computer. Yes, its long. Save it for a really rainy day.
Where do I go to School for Political Science?
Check out Christendom College. They offer an incredible Political Science Program. Yes, I know I usually support Franciscan University, but wait until you see what Christendom has to offer.
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...New Priesthood Logo
Feb 24th
Here is a new logo I am building for a vocation website. Click on the image to make it full size to see it.
The priest is in the middle with other men who are busy with their daily lives. I am trying to evoke the emotion that everyday men are called to the priesthood.
Please add a comment with any suggestions.
Popularity: 6% [?]
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