ROME: 6 February 2012 --
A reader, who also happens to be a Delegate for Social
Communications in another Region, asks the following question:
"I
would like to know how others may be working to:
- create Salesian social
media
- that prompt youth reflection, authentic questioning,
prayer and
sharing,
as suggested by Pope Benedict in his 2012 World
Communication
Day message when he stated: Attention should be paid
to the
various types of websites, applications and social networks
which can
help people today to find time for reflection and authentic
questioning, as well as making space for silence and occasions
for
prayer, meditation or sharing of the word of God.
I would also like
to know how these initiatives are being animated in other
provinces. - What department is taking the lead role?
(Social Communications, Youth Ministry or Mission
Animation?)
- How are departments working together to make it
happen?
- How are youth being engaged in the production of content
relevant to their peers?"
That
is a direct set of questions and they deserve a response, in
fact more
thane response. Such responses really need to come from anyone
who has
an idea, has tinkered in this area or is fully involved in it.
I might
add that these questions, or similar ones, seem to
be coming from various quarters these days. Clearly they are
deserving
of answers.
Some other excerpts from the same reader's letter could be
helpful to give the questions context:
The need to attend
to this development is something I feel passionate about,
partly
because over recent years I have experienced the benefits of
such a
site for my own growth, though coming from another spiritual
tradition,
the Irish Jesuits: www.sacredspace.ie.
AND because of my hope for evangelizing youth by means
of the
space where they may more readily encounter the gospel on a
daily
basis: the internet. In this space I believe we can
accompany
youth and particularly young people who have moved on
to
universities and out of contact with their first Salesian
home/oratory. The project of which I speak was
conceived by young
adults imagining what an online oratory might look like
(utilizing the
Salesian website linked as well as FB and other social media
channels). Admittedly such an online experience would
have its limits,
but would also encourage youth to enter more personal face
to
face encounters with their local Salesian or Catholic faith
communities.
The process for
creating such a spiritual space was really the heart of my
question....
Thus I sent you my question to see what input you might give
on how
such initiatives have been structured for creation in other
parts of
the Salesian world. ...Part of my department's line of
action this past
year has been to tap youth talents as a starting point for
production.
Anybody, from our Region or beyond, feel able to respond even
in some small way?
