Evangelization
10 Catholic Blogs by Priest
Mar 2nd
Gospel of LIfe
Priest and Blogs. Who would have thought that spreading the Gospel would take place on the internet.
The following blogs are good examples (some better than others) or priest/deacons using blogger to sow the seed of faith.
If you are planning on starting your on blog/website for evangelization, take a glance through all of them to spark your creativity. These are not your spiritdaily sites, but they are still Catholic.
My only criticism is Blogger. When a Wordpress blog is so easy to install and run, why not use a better platform to promote Jesus Christ. (Don’t worry there will be a follow up article on Wordpress.)
The Hermeneutic of …
What is so funny is that so many of these blogs are written by very traditional priest?
Father Check’s Blog
From old school to new school. Father Check offers much advice on prayer.
Father Hamill’s Blog
A good example of a simple blog used to promote information about the parish
What does the prayer really say
From the Wander to the Internet. Father Z’s site is worth the trip to check the meaning of all those prayers.
The Deacon’s Bench
Ok, so he’s not a priest, but he did have an ordination. This deacon has a sense of humor and is a good example for other men involved in technology and the faith.
Standing on My Head
Though the site loads slow, he has done a great job on his design for blogger. This priest is tough, and should not be messed with.
Mary, Our Mother
Yes, I know another Deacon, but it’s good. And he used our Lady in the title.
Traditional Latin Mass
What’s up with the traditional guys using so much internet. Anyone think…The Degree on Social Communication?
Adam’s Ale
I think this may be the best example of priest blogging.
Clerical Reform
Tough name, easy to digest content. More academic than Adam’s Ale. This is an example of a priest not using his name for his blog.
Popularity: 12% [?]
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Loading ...What do Deacons Do?
Mar 1st
St. Polycarp
The “do” word might be incorrect. Function or service to the Church might be a more fitting term.
The imposition of hands “not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry” for Permanent Deacons is becoming more popular today probably do to the low numbers of priest.
However, are these great and holy men replacing priest? Do we need priest any more? (Yes we do; however, the Deacons are very important)
Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church) writes a brief and concise section on the roles of deacons in the Catholic Church.
These men called to be permanent deacons are strengthened by sacramental grace and dedicated to the People of God. They labor in service of the liturgy, of the Gospel, and of works of charity. The Church calls mature men of a more mature age, and suitable young men (however, celibacy still remains in force for those young men).
What a Deacon Does
- Minister Baptism
- Custodian and distributor of the Eucharist
- Assist at and to bless marriages
- Bring Viaticum to the dying
- Read Sacred Scriptures to the faithful
- Instruct and exhort the people
- Preside over the worship and the prayer of the faithful
- Administer sacramental
- Officiate at funeral and burial services
“Let them be merciful, and zealous, and let them walk according to the truth of the Lord, who beacme the servant of all.” -St. Polycarp
The permanent deacons are probably the least talked about in young adult programs. Many young adults participating in parish life most likely are married or getting married (often looking for a spouse at a young adult event), so some in the group might one day be called to be a permanent deacon.
Popularity: 6% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...An Urgent Call to All Catholics
Feb 17th
Go Deep
Words from Scripture often fall on deaf ears. These same ears would respond to the cries of a small child in trouble, a plea of help coming from a burning building, or a whimper from an injured dog, but the call from our Lord goes unanswered.
The message of Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, is not one that should hidden because of shyness, but must be proclaimed from the housetops (Mt 10:27).
The love of Christ is what impels (2 Cor 5:14) one to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel…I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. To the Jews I became as a Jew…To the weak I became weak…all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Cor 9:16-24)
Too often Catholics forget to evangelize. Maybe because many are brought up in the faith and it’s just passed down from generation to generation. This excuse is no longer acceptable.
Mass attendance grows smaller and smaller, young people are leaving the Church in droves, souls are falling to hell like snowflakes (Fatima), and the faithful are losing faith in the Bishops.
Urgent Wake Up Call to Catholics
Enough with planning, procrastinating, and feeling sorry for ourselves. The effort that goes into complaining could be used for winning souls for Christ.
The Lord is calling for an urgent reply.
Right after Pentecost the disciples are seen out in the street proclaiming the saving power of Jesus Christ. (If you have forgotten about miracles, just ask for one).
- “Every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42).
As a boy Jesus was urgent in his Father’s will.
- “I must be about my Father’s business” (Lk 2:4).
Again in the parables Jesus is saying be quick.
- “Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame….Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled” (Lk 14:21-23).
Even the Angels work with haste.
- “Go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen” (Mt 28:8).
- “Men of Galilee…why do you stand here looking up at the skies?” (Acts 1:11).
Ever watch a good sports coach? They never accept excuses…Even the good ones.
- “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for oyu, go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:60)
Catholics Have a Great Message
The Mass, Sacraments, Rosary, Scripture, Tradition, Saints, Theology of the Body….And this is just the tip of the ice burg.
SALVATION!
Next time a planning meeting comes or the daily grind, think about how important the Message of Jesus Christ is to proclaim. There is no time for procrastination. Go out to all nations and preach the God News.
Prayer
Just an end note. All this going out is also in conjunction with praying and asking the Lord for guidance and His will. The disciples spent time with Jesus to learn how to pray, preach, and teach. So must we spend time with Jesus, because if He isn’t inside of us, what do we have to give?
Popularity: 6% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Persistence and Humility – Keys to the Kingdom
Feb 16th
Follow Jesus
Many times working in the Catholic Church can turn you away from your faith. Sometimes even turn others away from you.
With limited budgets, growing concerns, grouchy coworkers, and uncharitable adversaries its a miracle many youth ministers, young adult coordinators, DREs, teachers, and clergy stay in ministry.
It’s easy to give up and turn away. It’s even easier turn glorify yourself for success. I have done both.
Pray, Pray, Pray
Trust in God is the number one lacking element I have seen in successful and unsuccessful Catholic ministry. This is also the element that is not mentioned in self help or business practices.
Don’t handle or worry about each individual concern on your own. Invite God the Father into all the concerns. Not just once, but throughout the day. Make it an hourly routine.
The Liturgy of the Hours is a great example of taking time throughout the day to give glory to God, pray for the salvation of the world, and pray for your ministry.
God doesn’t always answer the way we expect, but He always gives us the best. Because His will is the best plan.
“For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.”
Luke 18: 4-8
If this ungodly judge gave into a little widow, how much more will our Father in Heaven give us.
Humility and Charity
This is just a reminder for so many charitable missionaries of the Gospel. It’s something to be talked about in planning meetings, personal pray, and daily activities.
Always remember the glory and graces come from God. Our Lord through His Divine Love invites us to be ‘coworkers in the vineyard’ and participate in His plan. However, we must never allow our egos to overshadow our Lord.
Our Blessed Mother is a wonderful example humility. She said “YES” to the Fathers will and participate in His will. Ask the Blessed Mother to help your team of missionaries and evangelizers emulate her virtue of humility.
I really like this passage from Luke (use it in a lesson). It talks about how the tax collector knows his weakness and sin, but ask the Lord for His mercy. Jesus then says the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
“But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18: 13-14
Mission of the Church
Love
Evangelization is the mission of the Catholic Church, so go out into the vineyard in humility. Be persistent and ask the Father for your ‘daily bread.’ Don’t give up to human weakness, discouragement, or sin.
Sometimes motivation is lacking, but remember the words Jesus spoke concerning discipleship. “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Popularity: 8% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Video Conferencing for the Catholic Church
Feb 15th
Evangelization
I recently heard a story about a Bishop in Alaska who uses Skype to talk with his priest and youth ministry groups. What an innovative idea! How could Skype help your Catholic Parish?
What is Skype
Skype is a free program for both mac and pc that allows you to make phone calls to landlines for a small fee. In addition you can make free video and phone calls to other Skype users. It has awesome video quality, simple to use, and it’s free.
How Can a Catholic Parish Use Skype
- Teach a Class on Scripture to a small group.
- Host meetings with DREs, Youth Ministers, Teachers
- Call the rectory from the school using video
- Integrate a Voice over IP phone Systems for less
- Integrate it into the Catholic School room
- Host an evening with your Cardinal or Bishop over Skype
- Project famous Catholic authors and speakers over Skype
- Integrate home schooling families
- Set up virtual teaching classrooms
- Stay in contact with Marriage Prep couples who live far away
Here is a cool article on 50 ways to use Skype in the classroom.
How can Skype help you?
Popularity: 9% [?]
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