Jose+Amaya's+Captsone+ARTICLE

=Jose Amaya's Capstone ARTICLE= Due Date: Dec. 5


 * 1) ==Write an article for publication[2] that tells the story of your final project so that others can learn and apply what you did to their own parish or school setting.==
 * 2) ==Include a bibliography section if needed, in compliance with fair use and copyright guidelines.==
 * 3) ==The Article should be in sufficient detail that someone could replicate your project after reading this article.==
 * 4) ==Although we do not require you to have the article published, we encourage you to submit it to a blog, journal or newsletter.==

AMS Catechists Talk

I am the Director of Faith Formation for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), serving 1.8 million active duty Catholic men and women and their families stationed around the world and across continental United States. Catechetical Leadership development, catechist training, curriculum guidelines and resources are some of the priorities I attend to in my role. Although I had some basic skills using technology, I made it my goal to pursue a deeper knowledge and understanding of the use of digital tools to connect and share resources online in service of those who serve.

Dr. Mark Moitoza encouraged me to take Digital Discipleship Boot Camp. This course gave me the language, confidence and skills to become an advocate and promoter of social media integration in evangelization and catechesis. The course assigned me to Claudia McIvor from the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL to coach and mentor me around the digital continent leading up to the AMS Catechists Talk Facebook Group Capstone Project.

The AMS Catechists Talk is a social networking community designed to respond to the catechists desire to connect online (to dialogue, collaborate and consult) from across the globe to share best practices and faith stories as they engage in the Archdiocesan implementation of AMS Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization: Archdiocesan Religion Curriculum Guide, catechist formation and leadership development, and partnering/supporting active duty families with the AMS Family Faith Assessment/Passport.

How did the AMS Catechists Talk Capstone Project come about? I wanted to create something that had a long term effect as a result of my experience in the course as well as support for the ministry I carry out in my role of serving those who serve. Catechists expressed the need for a forum to connect and share online since the launching of the Curriculum Guide in early 2013.

First, after conversing with my department team about the concept, I wrote a proposal with the project title, description, goals, audience, timeline, technology to be utilized, budget and AMS department/administrative approval. The project did not cost a physical penny. Each of my colleagues and immediate supervisor became the Facebook administrator team.

Second, I opened a closed Facebook group. It was very easy to do by following the link to “create group” on my personal Facebook account. I added a backdrop picture with the name of the group and the tagline “Connect and Share.” My initial entry in the group was a statement about the purpose and the audience for the community page. The forum is a closed social networking group of catechists from around the Archdiocese in continental USA and overseas.

Third, I promoted the AMS Catechists Talk through personal contact and by digital means. I opened the Facebook group prior to my departure for a series of catechists training in Europe. I talked about the page at every presentation I made and in my one-on-one conversations with catechists, priests, and lay catechetical leaders both at the trainings but also over meals. I learned that while some are excited about social media, others are not there yet and safety is also a concern. Membership has surpassed my goal of fifty in the first two months of its existence. A colleague advised me to keep the group small for better interaction and participation, which leads me to maintenance.

Fourth, maintaining the AMS Catechists Talk group is very easy and instantaneous. There is a lot more interaction than there is in the AMS Forming Disciples Blog. I know people are reading the blog articles but not necessarily leaving comments. On Facebook I not only interact with the members on a regular basis, members engage in conversation with one another. While some are very active in conversation, others “like” comments and contributions while others are watching the activity and learning from the posts. I post pictures, comments and questions, curate works or news from other sources that support the implementation of the Archdiocesan curriculum guide and enhance catechists’ skills to support the faith formation and evangelization of families. Images/pictures speak louder than a million words!

The skills and language I gained through the Digital Discipleship Boot Camp have given me the confidence to be an advocate for the integration of technology in evangelization and catechesis. Facebook is one of the digital media that connects people and enables faith sharing. Use it as a gift from God. Keep the social media experience simple for maximum results in your ministry.