Helping the "missionaries"

Over the course of the last few years, I have become, much to my surprise, a technology and media "help desk" for my friends and family. Whenever someone has a problem or question or wants to know the right gadget to give a loved one, I'm the first one they seek out for advice. While I'm flattered by their confidence in me, I might be, to some, a very unlikely source to consult in such matters. Why? Because my field of expertise (30 years and still going) is in Catholic church ministry — music, liturgy, and catechesis, to be precise. That might not sound like a place where I would use the likes of gigabytes, Google+, iPads, or Slingboxes. However, I have discovered that ministry in the 21st century is exactly the place that can and should benefit from the devices and programs of the times! Technology is where the kids live, and we need to get their attention and be accessible to them in the places they frequent and the means they use to get there. Isn't that what Pope Benedict XVI was addressing in his apostolic letter (motu proprio) on the new evangelization: "to study and to encourage the use of modern forms of communication as instruments for the new evangelization" (Ubicumque et Semper, "Establishing the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization," Art. 3, 4º)?

So how did I acquire this great wealth of knowledge in all things technological and media related? Well, I've never really been afraid of learning something new, and anything that helps me save time and lower my stress level is a wonderful thing. My husband and I bought our first computer (they were known as word processors in the pre-iAnything days) in 1986 when I was in grad school studying theology and needed a better way to type up and save my research. As an accountant, my husband naturally found computers well suited to his work, while as a seeker I loved learning new things and could always manage to make them work for me in ministry. As the technology got better, we rolled with it and updated both the hardware and our knowledge of what was useful to us.

When I began a five-year stint teaching theology in Catholic high schools around Y2K, I kicked my techno-geek status up a notch by learning all about smartboards, PowerPoint presentations, and something called the internet. Googling became something I excelled in, and the students ate up the way I could turn "boring religion stuff" into something relevant to them. However, the true test of how technology became a part of my life happened on September 11, 2001, when glued to my TV I communicated via e-mail and bulletin boards with friends all over the country who were just as scared and shaken as I was about the day's events. We consoled each other and shared our faith that God would see us through. From those dark days on, technology became a vital part of my ministry to God's people, and I'm thankful that I was not afraid to use it, particularly when others tried to discourage my use of it.

Some folks think all these programs and gadgets dilute the gospel message or are a means for me to "show off" how cool I am. For instance, I used my iPad for the liturgies of the Triduum this past year because it was a great way to not have to carry around a large binder full of scripts and music programs. Later I discovered that someone had complained to the pastor that I was being disrespectful and playing with my gadgets at Mass. They had no understanding of what I was doing, let alone that I would never be disrespectful to the liturgy I love and serve. Others, such as some of my colleagues, will say to me: "This is great stuff but my parish can't afford it." I admit it is costly to keep up with the planned obsolescence of these devices, but if you can spring for the hardware you can find lots of free software available that will make the purchase worth it. Leo Laporte, a well-revered netcaster and equally well-known tech guy, recently declared about all this technology: "These aren't just gadgets, these are life changers." If that is the case, and if we are supposed to use the instruments of the times to evangelize Catholics and non-Romans alike, then shouldn't we be willing to learn about and use the medium that will help us fulfill the mission?

So I find myself in the position of helping the "missionaries" of this new evangelization to understand and use today's technology. As a fellow minister, I hope you will join me here in the months to come to discover how easy it is to start using new media and technology in pastoral ministry. Fear not! ML

Joanne Mercier serves as director of faith formation at St. Theresa and St. Christopher parishes in Tiverton, R.I. She is on the advisory board for the Diocese of Providence's Office for Worship. She earned her bachelor's degree in church music from Barrington College and her MTS degree from Weston Jesuit School of Theology.