4. Using Media and Technology
5 Lessons for Parenting in the Digital Age
How much screen time is too much? How should parents decide when and why to limit technology use for their children? At what point is it unhealthy for children to use technology? Read this blog and related stories by Soren Gordhamer
Texting Acronyms Every Parent Should Know (USA Today) As a parent, do you know what PAL or MOS mean in a text your son or daughter might send a friend? It turns out that young people use many acronyms that they may not want parents to understand. MOS means "Mother Over Shoulder." PAL means "Parents Are Listening." This article from USA Today offers a list of these acronyms and gives their meanings.
YouTube Kids App YouTube is going to release a Kids App that will only show video clips suitable for young children to help parents control what their kids are watching on the internet.
Common Sense Media Advice for families in a 24/7 media world.
Faith and Safety: Technology Safety Through the Eyes of Faith The Communications Department of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA) have launched a resource for adults to help children safely navigate online. The website and complementary social media channels http://twitter.com/faithandsafety and http://facebook.com/faithandsafety) address safe use of the Internet, mobile devices and other technology, emphasizing the positive use of technology to support children's faith.
Coping with Online Dangers (Covenant Eyes) A very helpful resource to aid parents in dealing with the variety of online dangers that maybe be finding their way into a child or adolescent's computer tablet or phone.
Family and Media An international university research group that studies the family within the sphere of social communication
Taking Back Facebook Are you concerned about Facebook and other internet outlets? The amount time that young people spend on Facebook and where it might lead them can be alarming to parents. Check out this article on how to limit the use of the internet with your children and even how to use Facebook to your advantage. Also the Common Sense Media website is a great resource for help in making sure the internet is a positive influence in your child's life.
Three Simple Rules for a Healthy Media Diet for Families (Common Sense Media)
How to maintain a good media balance.
How to Scout Worthwhile Movies for Your Kids (At Home With Our Faith)
How to Use Technology (Jonathan Sullivan)
Often parish leaders find it difficult to make use of technology to communicate, evangelize and catechize the people in and beyond their parish. How does one get started? What are the best resources? How do I get into this without spending a great deal of time? Is it worth the effort? A good resource for parishes is the website of Jonathan Sullivan. He offers free webinars to help you get started.
The Catholic Guide to the Internet An updated overview of some of the best that the Web has to offer to Catholics OSV Staff OSV Newsweekly
Knowing you are not along in navigating the choppy waters of contemporary life is important, especially now during this economic crisis. The Internet, used wisely, is one means of binding people together and finding those who can direct you to helpful resources. Building upon last year's inaugural guide, here is an updated listing that includes relevant topics for these times, such as economic and financial resources, volunteer opportunities and social-networking sites. Also, in this Year for Priests, we provide resources for the jubilee year and vocation links.
USCCB's Catholic Teaching on Economic Life www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife/ The U.S. bishops' website details the Church's teachings on economic life and provides information about the pope's new encyclical, "Charity in Truth." Includes a listing of the 10 important economic principles and a quiz on economic justice.
Veritas — Financial Ministries www.veritasfinancialministries.com/ Financial advice is offered from a Catholic perspective. Features information about the workbook "7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free"
Catholic Network of Volunteer Service www.cnvs.org Lists more than 200 domestic and international volunteer and lay mission opportunities. Search by location or various placement preferences.
Catholic Charities www.catholiccharitiesusa.org This network of social service organizations lists various volunteer and charitable giving opportunities.
Catholic Relief Services www.crs.org This official humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community lists relief organizations and ways to get involved internationally.
The Mary Page campus.udayton.edu/mary/ The home page of the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton has a prayer corner, links to Marian information and an online gallery of images of the Blessed Mother.
Mary Links www.marylinks.org A collection of links about the Virgin Mary organized in categories such as apparitions, artwork, books, prayers and devotions and shrines.
Ebreviary www.ebreviary.com Site provides a daily listing of Liturgy of the Hours.
4marks www.4marks.com Catholic social-networking site allows Catholics to keep in touch with online friends, offers daily lessons and information on the saints, and reviews posted articles, videos and events to ensure they are "worthy of praise."
Star Quesxt Production Network SQPN.com Site features Catholic podcasts and videocasts on a wide range of topics from SQPN founder Father Roderick Vonhögen, iPadre (otherwise known as Father Jay Finelli) and Lisa Hendey of Catholicmom.com, among others.
Americans United For Life www.aul.org News and resources on issues relating to the sanctity of all human life, from abortion to rights of conscience to end of life.
Human Life International www.hli.org International group works with people of all faiths and cultures throughout the globe to spread the pro-life message.
MercatorNet www.mercatornet.com Features commentaries that aim to reframe ethical and policy debates from the vantage point of human dignity.
International Catholic Stewardship Council www.catholicstewardship.com/en/index.cfm Designed to promote Christian stewardship as a way of life, this site offers information on conferences and provides an extensive list of stewardship publications, professional firms and Catholic associations.
U.S. bishop's conference www.usccb.org/stewardship "Stewardship is not simply making donations or taking care of the building and grounds. It is a spirituality — hence a way of life — made of four parts: receiving the gifts of God with gratitude, cultivating them responsibly, sharing them lovingly in justice with others, and standing before the Lord in a spirit of accountability." Links to U.S. bishops' documents on stewardship, including the 2003 statement on stewardship and young adults, from which the quote above is taken.
Media Bused Halo www.bustedhalo.com An online magazine that provides news, featured articles, radio and videos aimed at spiritual seekers in their 20s and 30s.
EWTN Global Catholic Network www.ewtn.com EWTN, one of the largest religious media networks in the world, transmits programming 24 hours a day to homes in 144 countries. Site is home to the Eternal Word Television Network with TV, radio and library resources.
H20 News www.h2onews.org Daily multimedia news is distributed in nine languages about the life of the Church and social or cultural events that directly pertain to Catholics living throughout the world. On-demand interviews, archives and documentaries available to provide up-to-date information.
Our Sunday Visitor www.osv.com Home of Our Sunday Visitor, with news, information and archives.
Inside Catholic insidecatholic.com A Catholic site devoted to faithful yet healthy debate and commentary on issues mainly in the public square. Whispers in the Loggia whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com Widely read by churchmen and "professional Catholics," a young layman serves up some of the web's best predictions of bishop appointments and other Church-insider fare.
Official Sites
The Holy See www.vatican.va This is the first stop for all major official Church documents, papal writings, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, art and even "secret" archives. The search engine is a bit cumbersome, and not all documents are available in English, but vast resources and services are featured.
Pope 2 You www.pope2you.net/ Staying connected with the pope just got easier! The Vatican has compiled multimedia applications to Facebook, YouTube, iPhone and WikiCath, so you can receive up-to-date information about the pope, and even messages from Pope Benedict XVI.
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops www.usccb.org The official site of the U.S. Catholic bishops includes an online Bible, the Catechism, publications, movie reviews and more.
Real Presence Eucharistic and Adoration Association www.therealpresence.org Information on the source and summit of the Catholic faith, including links to adoration chapels with webcams so computer users can take a moment or two to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
Sacred Space www.sacredspace.ie Irish Jesuits provide commentaries on daily readings, daily prayers and online chapels where visitors can remember loved ones or post public prayers.
Apostleship of Prayer www.apostleshipofprayer.org Join tens of millions of other Catholics committed to praying a daily offering for the salvation of all people, for the monthly intentions of the Holy Father and for the intentions of all Apostles of Prayer.
Rosary Army www.rosaryarmy.com Make them. Pray them. Give them away.
General Catholic
American Catholic www.americancatholic.org The St. Anthony Messenger homepage provides one-minute meditations, reflections on the saint of the day and links to the latest Catholic news.
Catholic.net www.catholic.net Web apostolate directed by the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi Movement aims to equip Catholics with information on their faith.
Catholic Online www.catholic.org News and information on a wide range of topics of interest to Catholics, including saints, vocations, prayers.
New Advent www.newadvent.org Homepage provides links to stories from blogs and websites of interest to Catholics, while its Catholic Encyclopedia includes online text of the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia. Visitors will also find information on the Church Fathers and St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica.
Family
Disciples Now disciplesnow.faithstreams.com This site for Catholic teens on the Web features music, weekly Scripture reflections and a search tool for finding local parish youth groups.
Family Life Center International www.familylifecenter.net Articles and resources are provided on parenting — from the terrible twos on up to the teenage years. Includes information for Catholic married couples, as well as Catholic singles, working to build or strengthen their Catholic family.
Catholicmom.com www.catholicmom.com Faith, family and fun from a Catholic perspective are all discussed here in the form of podcasts and articles from various columnists and contributors.
Faith and Family www.faithandfamilylive.com Magazine and daily blog features articles on home life, a community forum and resources for living a faith-filled family life.
Education
Catechetical Resources www.catecheticalresources.com Catechetical materials for Catholics from preschool to adult.
Call to Discipleship www.calltodiscipleship.com An e-resource for adolescent catechesis offers a calendar and Bible search.
Catholic Educator's Resource Center www.catholiceducation.org Online library on issues of importance to the Catholic faith.
Harcourt Religion www.harcourtreligion.com Homepage of Harcourt Religion, now a part of Our Sunday Visitor, offers links to its many catechetical resources.
Love2Learn www.love2learn.net Site offers what it calls "favorite resources for Catholic homeschoolers and others who 'love to learn.'"
Teaching Catholic Kids www.teachingcatholickids.com Updated every month, this site includes activities for youngsters from kindergarten up to teens, along with tips for catechists and ideas from the field.
USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations www.usccb.org/vocations/voc_resources.shtml Find local vocation directors, prayers for vocations, vocations links and view the "Fishers of Men" program on the U.S. bishops' website.
Religious Vocation Network www.vocation-network.org/ Site allows you to navigate volunteer opportunities or search for vocations by first quizzing your preferences with the "Vocation Match" tool.
Behind the Collar www.behind-the-collar.com Want to know what it's like to be a priest? The Diocese of Richmond, Va., provides the answer to that and other questions. Includes videos and podcasts with seminarians.
Catholics On Call www.catholicsoncall.com Assists young adults in reflecting on God's call in their lives. Reaches out to men and women who may be considering the possibility of a life of service in the Church as a lay minister or Religious.
Cloistered & Monastic Communities www.cloisteredlife.com Developed to bring attention to cloistered and monastic communities, this site is for anyone discerning the call. "A day within the walls…" offers insights into cloistered communities and "testimonies" reveal stories about how some Religious chose to answer their call.
Institute on Religious Life www.religiouslife.com Multiple resources and a vocation search for anyone interested in or considering entering the religious life.
Love & Marriage
Ave Maria Singles www.avemariasingles.com Catholic matchmaking site claims it has led to more than 1,700 marriages or engagements, and offers singles retreats and pilgrimages.
Catholic Match www.catholicmatch.com Touting itself as the largest website for Catholic singles, this site claims to offer more than just matchmaking, but rather provides an online community for singles.
For Your Marriage www.foryourmarriage.org This initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops includes tips, quizzes, a blog, resources and advice on how couples can prepare and care for marriages.
Scripture
St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology www.salvationhistory.com Includes research and study tools — from books and publications to multimedia and online programming.
Bible Gateway www.biblegateway.com Allows you to search various versions and translations of the Bible.
Catholic Answers www.catholic.com Catholic Answers, one of the largest lay apologetics sites, offers news, links and information.
Beginning Catholic www.beginningcatholic.com Run by a catechist who joined the Church in 1999, this site answers questions about the faith and gives primers on Catholic morality and the sacraments.
Catholics Come Home www.catholicscomehome.org Answers questions about the faith for former Catholics and those who are interested in the Church.
Catholic Q & A www.catholicqanda.com Questions and answers about multiple aspects of the faith.
Catholic Sexuality Couple to Couple League ccli.org This Natural Family Planning site includes information about NFP seminars, home study courses and other general resources for married couples seeking to learn more about the Church's teachings on sexuality.
Pure Love Club www.chastity.com Designed for youth and young adults, this site explains the virtue of chastity and abstinence until marriage. Provides answers to frequently asked questions and links to other resources.
Theology of the Body Institute www.tobinstitute.org This site seeks to promote Pope John Paul II's theology of the body to a Christian and secular audience, and lists upcoming seminars and courses with popular speakers.
Top Catholic sites
Most visited Catholic sites, excluding universities, according to alexa.com, with their overall ranking.
1) 12,515 vatican.va
2) 17,882 catholic.net
3) 21,702 ewtn.com
4) 25,760 catholic.org
5) 25,931 catholic.com
6) 30,992 newadvent.org
7) 33,707 usccb.org
8) 36,778 catholicmatch.com
9) 43,698 zenit.org
10) 60,505 VietCatholic.net
Catholic news on Twitter
Twitter (twitter.com) has been called a "micro-blogging" tool, allowing users to send 140-character updates to those who choose to "follow" them. Here are five Twitterers to follow for Catholic news and commentary.
America Magazine (@americamag)
American Papist (@americanpapist)
OSV Daily Take (@johnnortonosv)
USCCB media office (@usccbmedia)
Catholic News Service (@catholicnewssvc)
Hot Catholic blogs
Of the hundreds of Catholic web logs, better known as blogs, a few stand out. Here are some of the most popular Catholic blogs.
CNS Blog: Catholic News Service offers links to interesting stories at cnsblog.wordpress.com
Catholic and Enjoying It: Mark Shea comments on a multitude of topics at markshea.blogspot.com.
Conversion Diary: Atheist turned Catholic mother chronicles faith journey at www.conversiondiary.com
Via Media: Amy Welborn mixes personal reflection with incisive commentary atblog.beliefnet.com/viamedia.
What Does the Prayer Really Say?: Father John Zulsdorf provides "slavishly accurate" liturgical translations at wdtprs.com/blog.
There's a Catholic app for that… A list of popular applications for your iPhone
iBreviary If you want to pray and listen to the Liturgy of the Hours, but you've left your breviary at home…
iPocket Bible If you want to read Scripture passages or make a quick reference to the Bible…
iConfess If you haven't been to confession in a while and need help with the examination of conscience…
iRosary If you want to pray the Rosary and need a listing of the Mysteries…
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