Genifer Rigor, Pacific Region Area Head, speaks about the New Evangelization at the University of Calgary on August 17, 2013. (Photo: Paddy Magdua)
In its simplest form, “communication theology” is spreading and expressing the word of the Gospel through media and technology. We are in the age of technology and the advancements made have been incredible. The world is smaller in our minds with the birth of the Internet and the realm of communication has expanded. Amazing isn’t it? That conversation is easily carried out among people of different nations, countries, and continents with a single push of a button. Information also can now be spread swiftly and could reach millions in a day. Social media has definitely made it easier for us and this generation to communicate by ways of the Internet.
Despite this, the mission of the Catholic Church has been constant and firm: to spread the word of the Gospel and continue the works of our Lord Jesus Christ. As I sat there during the workshop, burning questions that have always stirred me resurfaced: Why then has it become harder for us to spread the Gospel, despite advances in social media? Hasn’t this made it easier for us? Should we not, as Christians, take advantage of the blessing of these advances in technology and share the Good news? Shouldn’t the whole world already know the messages of the Gospel?
I then realized that this ease of sharing information through the web has also opened up doors to other expressions of faith and religion, politics and governance, and etc. In a way, we are challenged to squeeze in through these distractions and expose the truth and message of our faith.
If the internet is the new public space, then that is our new mission area… How are we using social media? What can we do that which has not already been done?” (Genifer Rigor)
It hit me. We seem to be spending more time on the web than other things so why not take advantage of that? I have definitely seen plenty of arguments on faith and religion in social media. Some had nothing to do with the post itself which I find quite amusing. To express ourselves in confidence despite backlash from opposing views is a step towards our changing of the social media scene and it is important to know that “the media shapes culture and culture shapes media.” We are at the forefront of our faith and we have to believe that our generation can heavily influence this world and this is one of our challenges.
According to Blessed Pope John Paul II, “the new evangelization is new in ardor, method, and expression.”
I sat there and thought. Maybe the young catholic generation has lost its excitement. Maybe we have forgotten our roles as Catholics. Maybe we are too drowned in the excitement of this world, drowning out our voices. Maybe we are too scared to share about our own faith while the rest of the world throws garbage at us and we sit there just taking it all in
But maybe not?
- There were almost six hundred youth at this conference;
- five or more new mission areas were represented at this conference;
- we had our first Liveloud concert;
- a live stream, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook were a few of the social media used to share experiences during conference through words, pictures, and videos;
- and the celebration of 20th anniversary of CFC-Youth and Singles for Christ is in the next year.
All of this is proof that Catholic youth are striving for something bigger and that the passion of serving has been burned into our hearts. In the medium used for communication, it is amazing is that all of these victories are shared and will be shared through the Internet as days go by and it is in hope of spreading the message of the Gospel to thousands and, hopefully, millions. It is definitely a blessing for us to be able to express ourselves in music, words, pictures, videos, and dance. These may seem small in the world but they are affirmations that Catholic youth are still in love and alive with the mission of the church and in Christ and we are all called to be missionaries of not only nations but also of the heart.
A non-believer will only come to believe through a believer.” (Genifer Rigor)
As young as we are, we are called to:
- Evangelize – To spread the word of God, and His Gospel (e.g. in our mission areas)
- Catechize – To teach and instruct in the principles of the Catholic Church (e.g. through the Bible, YouCat)
- Sacramentalize – To practice and experience the Sacraments of the Catholic Church
We are young. We are Catholic. We are one in the Lord. It is only fitting then to end this with words from our Lord, the mission of the Church:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 19-20)
Sound familiar World Youth Day 2013 pilgrims? I hope so.
In Him,
Jorell Mendoza, CFC-Youth Mountain Region
