Wikis+-+What+Does+the+Church+Have+to+Say

Assignment #2
Expected time to complete this assignment: 30 minutes

Read the entire statement from the USCCB Communications Committee report to the 2011 Fall General Assembly. It's not very long.

Social media: Friend or Foe, Google or Hornswoggle? []

While you are reading, be aware of words of phrases that might apply to our topic of wikis. Now post a short reflection about what impressed you the most in the USCCB statement. If you would like to reference or other Church documents or statements, please do. If you can create a hyperlink to the document, even better!

Example: I was impressed that the bishops recognize the evangelization opportunity created by social media. That could apply to wikis, too. If wikis allow ANYONE to contribute, maybe I could set up a wiki for two Catholic schools to collaborate in a project. I think my junior high students might enjoy that. I have been searching for a project where they can articulate their faith in a new way. -posted by Claudia


 * POST YOUR REFLECTIONS HERE: **
 * It is really wonderful to see that the Bishops are seeing the value in using digital media. I think there is a lot of values in using all the social media tools and I feel that we just need to find what works best in our churches seating and start enhancing our ideas and sharing more. Susan Noble **


 * I was so excited that the USCCB realized that if Catholics did not get on board with social media we would be losers. The church has made mistakes in the past but we are acknowledging our weakness but also moving forward to ensure that we get into the "mix "of social media. It was clearly spoken that we need to "learn the cultures of the people [we] are evangelizing." The youth are the church of today. As also stated we, do not have to change the church's teachings to reach young people but deliver them in a new way. This leads to me see how creating and utilizing wikispaces can be right on target. The interaction we would have on wikispaces can give us the avenue to correct and enrich ideas and beliefs of our youth. Tanya LeSane **

It is fantastic that the Church is realizing that social media has it advantages. Going forward it is going to be imperative to use this tool to touch our younger parishioners. The church is already so far behind with using social media to evangelize to the masses, to connect with like groups of people and to even use this tool to raise funds. We definitely need visionaries to implement the vision of using social media in the ministry. For example, being a member of the only African American Catholic Church in our city it would be great if we could connect with other African American Catholic Churches in the United States or even globally. I think that if this particular segment (young adults/youth) of the Catholic population is exposed to other people in their age group they will see their excitement and it will become contagious. Also, the possibility of raising resources is often overlooked with aspect to the church and social media. How many times have we seen commercials, TV shows, or even been at an event and they asked us to use our phone to text a number and make a donation? Angela Jackson

I live in the Archdiocese of Boston where they have invested tremendous resources in all forms of media, including Cardinal Sean O'Malley's weekly blog, a radio station, Boston Catholic TV, the Pilot (newspaper) Facebook and Twitter. The Diocese where I work, Fall River, is mostly "website centric," but my particular office, Faith Formation, has tried to keep up with the social media trend. We have a long way to go, which is why RoseMary S. and I are in the DDBC. The Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese tries to keep up with various web 2.0 educational tools, but there is still a suspicion of social media because of its potential for misuse. This is exasperated by the conflicting message we receive from the diocesan child protection office that tends to scare people off of the use of social media. We have written guidelines for the use of social media, but they have not been promulgated as yet. The longer we wait the more likely that they will become outdated. I have recently created a space where DREs can get necessary information and share best practices. Since I just launched it in January it is slow to get going. Here is a link to the site: Fall River Faith Formation Leaders Claire McManus

My children grew up with computers at home (and they are now in their late 30's). Professionally, the majority of my State career was working in data centers or in software development. So the he use of "smart technology" has been a natural progression for me. My grandchildren (ages 3 to 8) use iPhones/iPads/computers and are keyboard adept, mouse friendly, and clearly have no hesitation about the use of technology .... so it boggles my mind on how long it has taken the Church to come to this point. I talk about some of the things we are covering in our DDBC and my peers at our parish go between their eyes glazed over ... and ... animated fear of what is to come. When I discussed some of my "dreams" for the use of wikis at the parish with my husband and our MS Youth Minister, both of their reactions were "you need to discuss this with the Bishop and propose implementing your ideas at the diocesan level." And my reaction was "are you stark-raving mad?" LOL :-) Yet when I read "//This is a new form of pastoral ministry. It may not be the platform we were seeking, but it is an opportunity of such magnitude that we should consider carefully the consequences of disregarding it"// I have to sit back and wonder where God is leading me ... US (and I do mean all of us) in this world of digital discipleship. While this document specifically addresses social media, the Digital Continent covers a much broader world - including the use of wikis, blogs, etc. I can't remember how I got to the article [|"7 Things you should know about Wikis"], but it really helped gel for me the power of wikis as an instructional tool for evangelization. **Dee Lopez**

-- I am one of those people who exude a cautious enthusiasm. Social Media is great when everyone is honest and loving (when we all act like Disciples of Christ). It's a way to reach out to those who aren't connecting with our Church. It's away to provide witness (I love it when people post about their Christian Faith!). Social media is a new way to get information. We have been trying to consciously post events on facebook and twitter. Christmas was an excellent example. We saw people sharing our "message with others." There is a learning curve for this digital continent, and I am grateful that the bishops are encouraging us to embrace it. Within our own parish, on staff, I think the use of a wiki will help us plan with the homilists our "message series" that we are providing input on. As a member of the International Catholic Stewardship Council and organizer of the business manager's track, we could use this to share best practices. I haven't developed anything yet, but this has given me food for thought. ~ Lois Locey

The statistics was mind blowing! 500 million Facebook users with only two countries with larger inhabitants. 1 out of 8 met through Social Media. IPod within nine months had 1 billion downloads. I had no idea! I appreciated that the USCCB Communications Department plans to help their Bishops in the Digital World. In regard to being aware of words or phrases that might apply to our topic of Wiki, I am not sure what to select that may be helpful other than "we are digital immigrants" and that we need to take the same care and consideration as if we were missionaries sent to a third world country. Key word here is "Enculturated.". - Melissa Findley

While you are reading, be aware of words of phrases that might apply to our topic of wikis. Now post a short reflection about what impressed you the most in the USCCB statement. If you would like to reference or other Church documents or statements, please do. If you can create a hyperlink to the document, even better!

I really get excited about being able to use such a forum to reach out. I am not sure at this point how I will use it but I am treading lightly and pushing forward. I loved his reference to this as a continent and we are strangers in a strange new land. I can see me being able to use a wiki with my PSR teachers to keep in better contact with them. Great ideas in the above posts. Thanks Dee for the link to the 7 things you should know about Wikis. Tom Harrmann

In scripture, Jesus went where the people were, and this hold true for us today. This is a great article emphasizing the need for us to be a presence in the world, whether within our communities or in our cyber communities. It is reaching others by whatever means are at our disposal. Wikis have so much potential and after reading the article what a great way to reach beyond the walls of our churches, classrooms, etc. -- Rose Mary Saraiva


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