Blogging+-+Why+Do+Ministers+Blog?

**Assignment #1 Why Do Ministers Blog? **
Expected time to complete written assignment: 20 - 30 minutes

Using the Catholic Blog Directory ([]), scan through the various titles. Pick three titles that interest you. Read about the author and pick one or two blog posts to read.

 After you have attended the webinar and read the blog pages about // Blogging: Sharing My Personal FaithStory //, your individual homework assignment this week is to identify one or two blogs that are interesting to you and to share why these ministers blog.

What are you noticing about the blogs you have scanned? In a paragraph or two, identify what you notice about the author and the mission of the blog. What is their passion?

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 * Part A: What is their passion? **
 * Please remember to include the Name of the blog (and URL) with your comments. If possible, try to pick blogs that others are not commenting on. The main focus of this assignment is to identify WHY these authors are writing their blogs. What is their passion?
 * Name:
 * Blog title + URL
 * Why is this author writing their blog? What is their passion?

Example:
 * Name: Caroline Cerveny
 *  Catholic Web Solutions - []
 * Sr. Susan Wolf is a blogger who wants to help religious communities think strategically about integrating the Internet and Social Media into their mission; to develop a plan and then implement it. Using these new media we can enhance our member services, our membership recruitment and our outreach.

Please note that I (Caroline) will take time to review your blogs and to share a few comments with you. Blogs are a wonderful way to share information with others. However, I also feel that those who blog have an obligation to be responsible, credible, reliable, non-biased, and transparent. When sharing reflections on our Catholic tradition, we also need to represent good and wholesome Catholic theology. My comments to your blogs will be in blue. If others in class would like to comment, please add your comments in another color. Thank you all!


 * Jose
 * [|At the Crossroads of Faith]
 * Author Adam Dupré is writing to reflect experiences of faith. His passion is centered on bringing his reader to an understanding of faith. Like many of us we are challenged and sometimes confused of our faith, his blog bring understanding and enlightenment of scriptures which lead to a greater faith.

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 * Kristi Jenkins
 * The Mother Lode- [|__http://the-mother-load.blogspot.com/__] AND Live + Jesus: [|__http://livejesus.blogspot.com/__]
 * TML - Aimee is a stay-at-home mom who wants to a) share her reflections on life b) chronicle her kids' experiences and c)keep her own writing skills honed. I think she provides a welcome and real take on living faithfully, which provides inspiration. Disclaimer- she's a college pal and I've been following her for a while. L+J is written by a Visitation Sister (DC) who uses the blog to keep supporters and friends of the Monastery up to date about news, as well as to give others a sense of what life in the Monastery (and apostolates) in about.
 * Hi Kristi, It's great to have a college pal that you are following. Interesting blog. I'm curious about your LiveJesus Blog. I'm wondering if this is a "real" community and if this is a "real" member of the community? It seems that the community is highlighted, but the person creating the blog is not clearly identified. I'm always leery when a writer does not identify who they are and offer some background about themselves. What do you think?
 * I know the LiveJesus Georgetown community exists because friends have visited or knew of and thought highly of them- and I thought the blog would be a neat way to learn more about the community. BUT - I do agree and wonder why a sister wouldn't actually identify herself. That would lend great credence to the site and posts. Oh, have you heard of/seen: Sr. Mary Martha's blog: [] Apparently, there's some debate over whether it's a real nun or pseudonym...
 * Beatrice Caulson
 * Bartimaeus' Quiet Place - []
 * This blog provides a place for those who would like to take time to reflect on life and to spend time with God. It has great reflections and Bartinaeus does a great job on carrying out his mission.Bartimaeus' passion is to bring people to a deeper understanding of their relationship to God and God's life with them.
 * A Comfortable Cup of Tea - []
 * Sarah, RSM does not seem to give a mission for her blog, but she does relate that a comfortable cup of tea for her is both quilting and spirituality. She does a good job of relating both. She also wants to invite other young women to consider religious life. She has several blogs concerning this. I believe her passion is religious life, quilting and spirituality. She does relay these well.
 * Hi Beatrice, Both blogs are interesting. What I notice is that both writers are cautious about revealing who they really are. I feel it is important today for blog writers (and any provider of Internet Content, to be transparent and to provide significant information about who they are with their full name. If you review professional writers of major newspapers, journals, etc. - we know who is doing the writing and we can always learn more about them. Just a simple expectation!

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 * Claudia
 * Little Steps Along the Way - []
 * This young woman's blog is all about her love of Catholicism, the rich storehouse of spiritual treaures she has discovered there, and her own spiritual journey since 2008. The author, Amanda Rose, offers inspirational reflections about her life, the things she reads, the saints, etc.
 * Claudia, this is a wonderful "gem" of a blog. Amanda Rose shares her photo, a little about herself, and more importantly, she clearly states - //I believe everything that the Catholic Church believes, professes and teaches. It is possible that despite my affection for and submission to the teaching authority of the Church, I may write something that is not in full conformity to these truths. If that should occur, I beg to be charitably corrected.- She is entering into a "blog conversation." Excellent! //


 * Amy
 * [|My Chocolate Heart]
 * Love the flash mob...Monks who bring Eucharistic Adoration to a town square. She also had a link to a cool video of the Pope. I think that I will be using some of the finds here to link to our parish fb page as well as the youth group.
 * Yes, a very clever blog indeed! Jennifer (What's her last name? who also writes for Catholic Online) - it's when you go to her CO articles that you find out - Jennifer Hartline is a Catholic Army wife and stay-at-home mother of three precious kids who writes frequently on topics of Catholic faith and daily living. She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online. Yes, now we know her "last name." And what do we learn about "Catholic Online" ? When I review their mission, and images, and review the articles - there is a strong leaning towards a more conservative Catholic tradition. Is it a more biased approach? Possibly. I would probably use this site as a place to see what they are sharing. If I like something in particular, I would find the "individual link" - especially videos and recommend the individual piece, but probably not the whole blog itself. Here is where we get into what theology are we promoting when we recommend blogs to others. The questions we need to ask are: Does this blog represent pre or post Vatican II theology? Does it represent the theology that is affirmed in the New Catholic Catechism? Just a few thoughts for us to consider!


 * Sister Ann
 * I reviewed three blogs that seemed to relate to my teaching assignment. One was authored by Sister Helen Prejean http://www.sisterhelen.org/blog/ One of our class assignments while studying the catholic social justice theme of dignity of life is to watch the movie __Dead Man Walking__. I believe this blog would give my students some further insight into this social justice theme. Rose Pacatte, the author of the book __Media Mindfulness__, on which my sophomore class is based, has a blog but it really looked and felt more like a website. However, I did learn that her reviews of movies and documentaries on videos are on this site. This would be a wonderful opportunity for my students to see and hear the author of their text speaking of contemporary media. The last blog I reviewed was a general blog about catholic education K-12 in the United States. http://soulofanation.org/ is authored by TJ Dâ€™Agostino. This blog is an online conversation about the future of Catholic schools. I think it will be interestingto follow it to keep abrest of happenigngs in other states regarding catholic shcools and their future. Presently the main topic seemed to be vouchers
 * Hi Sister Ann, these three blogs are well recognized by others! Good choices!


 * Thomas Pryor
 * ** FatherSullivan.com ** []
 * A daily homilog. Father Sullivan shares his octogenarian insights into the dayâ€™s readings and church history. Iâ€™m impressed that he is still sharing his talents well past retirement age. Once a priest always a priest? Unlike many others of its kind, the author keeps it up to date.
 * ** For His Friends ** [] Subtitled: Thoughts and Reflections by Bishop Robert Lynch.
 * This is a continuation of the Bishopâ€™s former column in //The Florida Catholic//. He writes it â€œto develop deeper relationships with the people of his dioceseâ€. Although he reads comments to his blog he does not post them. Does this defeat its purpose?

Cindy Taylor
 * AskSisterMaryMartha []
 * This is a cute blog that is a way for this sister to help others and converse. A lot of people would feel welcome to post to this blog and not feel odd even if they were not Catholic. I get tired of all the agendas out there-she is someone I could chat with everyday.
 * Deacon Bill Dietwig's [] is a blog by a friend who is nationally known and recognized as author, professor, chaplain, and Deacon at large.He is a big guy! He is at the forefront of new thought on diaconia and educational issues with regard to the new national standard. His blog has depth and is very specific so it is a good example of a working history of his career and endeavors. A useful blog for deacons.

From Kathy Thornton: I follow Bishop Lynch’s //For His Friends// blog too (high-five to Thomas). [] In reading his blog, I get a glimpse of the depth of the Bishop’s life on a daily or weekly basis depending on his availability to make entries to the blog. I also learn a lot about the USCCB, the presbyters of our diocese, the holy days and feast days, Masses for special occasions. I also get to "see" the view of the faith from the chair of the Bishop which allows me to step away from the congregational pew to appreciate the magnitude of our faith community. AsThomas said in his entry above, this blog is a green option continuation of the Bishop’s column in the Florida Catholic - - however, in all honesty, I am much more faithful to reading it in blog form than in paper form and I love having the archive of past blogs on hand rather than shuffling through tons of papers to find one column.

My second choice does not come from the Catholic Blog Directory list but it is certainly worth a mention here. I learn a lot and am completely humbled by the depth of faith of the Life Teen Missionaries working at camp Covecrest [] These young people come from all over the country and make a commitment to serve the Lord through service to teens and teen leaders coming to camp - - in the hopes that each will become closer to Christ and carry that message home to incorporate into the daily life at home - - living the great commandment to love one another as I have loved you - - the way of the cross. The missionaries blog of their experiences at camp - - but more so, they blog of their relationship with Christ and how that relationship changes over the course of the summer journey in service to others. I find myself completely absorbed by the love of these young people - - and I am humbled and want to emulate their missionary mindset - -for in following their blog words, the words of St. Paul come to life right now in 2011 “…it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

Susan Alexander writes her blog to share and recognize the good that is happening around us, especially through her journey of faith. She is passionate about the joy she finds in caring people, good deeds, good thoughts, good music, good books, good preaching and good food! Joe Paprocki’s blog is about sharing his journey of teaching the Catholic faith by reflecting on the joys and challenges of being a catechist. The blog is also a place where Joe advertizes his upcoming webinars and books he’s published through Loyola Press. He is passionate about teaching religion and enjoys helping others learn about their Catholic faith in ways that are engaging and imaginative.
 * Diane Kledzik**
 * Always a Joy** []
 * Catechist’s Journey** []

Pat Brockmann Brooklyn Born Believer [|www.brooklyn-born-believer.blogspot.com] N.J. Azzaro is a graduate of Fordham University graduate school of Religion. This blog is her reflections on everyday events in her New York community. I love her quote of "Intense love does not measure, it just gives" Mother Theresa. Footprints on the Journey [|http://cnyfootprints.wordpress.com] This is a Catholic New York blog for young adults. Author: Juliann DosSantos. Her hope with the blog is young adults at all stages in their journery-can come to realization that God really is there even if you can't see him. I especially enjoyed her reflections "The Ebb & Flow of Faith"

Walt Smith
 * [] Sometimes, I really like blogs that give specific, though not too involved information about elements of our faith. One such was the blog called Your Family Spiritual Connection, sponsored by St. Patrick's Guild. While they are a store that sells merchandise, they also have little blogs about everyday parts of our faith. One in particular I liked was an explanation of what Deacons are and what they do. It didn't go into too much details, just gave you a brief insight. Sometimes, that's all a teacher, or parent needs to share with a student or their own child.
 * [] The first blog I looked at touched the surface on items of interest to the faithful, but the second really got me. It is done by a priest who has been studying for his S.T.L. (Licentiate in Sacred Theology) degree, and has now taken orders to serve at two parishes in IL. I was drawn to it because Fr. Christensen :) takes you on a deep look at aspects of our faith, and also lists his homilies online. It is quite refreshing to have a priest give personal insights that are not a homily, as well as listing his homilies. It gave me a real look into who he is as a person, as well as his priesthood.

Jennifer Ferreris [|An Abundance of Rainbows] - I love this blog because this blogger has found a way to blog about her faith in a real, concrete way. It seems very Ignatian to me, finding God in all things, and she has clearly found God in her family and in their every day lives. I LOVE her “week of joy” idea…such a neat way to have a constant reminder to look for God’s loving presence in her life! This seemed to epitomize #7 in Gan’s outline, “Motivated by and Relevant to Experience” I also liked [|Another Cup of Coffee] for similar reasons—“real” people blogging about their lives and how they see God working. I really liked the blog post about harry potter and love…again, I am all about trying to relate spirituality to the everyday.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Pam Emery [|Chocolate for your Brain] What a great blog! Sherry Antonetti is a mother of 10 children and still finds time to write about the struggles of parenting and raising a large Catholic family. I found it to be both humorous and poignant. [] This blogger is a person after my own heart - rambling, funny and fun to read. As an avid lover of photography, I found this blog to be a joy!

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">** Part B: Do you agree or disagree? **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">After listening to Scott Rosenberg's video, //10 Myths About Blogs//, do you agree or disagree with what Scott states in the video? Why? Please post your name with your answer.


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Kristi Jenkins- I agree with his myths and found the short video great for surfacing and clarifying my thoughts. What struck me the most was his comments on how blogs are the new public space, and that online trust works differently (being based on what you say, who links to you and what they say about you). Both of these are true, and part of the paradigm shift. I agree with his myths because, as he states, while you can find some bloggers who are unprofessional / uncharitable (fill in any adjective), that doesn't classify the entire field. I also agree that blogs have a life span, depending on their original purpose and the blogger's goals / time.


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Beatrice Caulson - I am learning a great deal about blogs and the 10 Myths opened my eyes a great deal. From my small knowledge about blogs, it seems realistic that these myths are credible. I was encouraged by listening to these myths about the use of blogs and will now be more trusting in establishing a blog of my own. I was most struck by the No. 1 myth that most bloggs stink. They are about someone's passion. I would not want to trample on another person's passion. May we all learn to be respectful of the other!


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Claudia - I agree. This is a sensible analysis of the many things we hear about blogging from people who never have blogged! I must admit that I was among those people perpetuating many of those myths, but the more I learn and experience, the more I see a fuller picture of what blogging is and can be in today's world. The concept that blogging is a "social pursuit" is a new idea for me, and one I welcome. Unlike keeping a written diary, hidden from the eyes of others and a private place to vent, blogging challenges the author to reach out and connect with her audience, to find commor ground, and to articulate those thoughts in a way that others can understand.ï»¿


 * Amy- I thought the presentation was spot on. I have heard people around me say this exact things! Those negative comments stopped me from starting a blog-who am I to have a blog and think my message would interest someone else? Well, I have seen lots of wonderful blogs that I want to be apart of...and link to. Just like all movies don't interest everyone...neither do all blogs. And that's ok.


 * Sister Ann <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">- I could identify with the myth there are too many blogs. I found the assignment on Rome Reports difficult because I chose to read a blogger who was too far right for me. Therefore I began to think there are too many blogs. I liked what he said that I can choose to read blogs like I choose to read books, or choose to go to a movie. I do not read all the books on one topic and I certainly do not see every film. There are not too many blogs. I agree with his final statement that blogging may be the new public sphere of information. No it is not journalism but reading different blogs on topics that interest me will give me many different perspectives to help me clarify what I believe.


 * Caroline - Thank you Kristi, Betrice, Claudia, Amy, and Sister Ann. You are right on with your comments. Thank you!


 * Thomas Pryor - Agree. Being a novice or â€œimmigrantâ€ to blogs and other forms of social networking, I am willing to defer to someone knowledgeable in his field. A year from now, after gaining some experience, I may have a different answer. Rosenberg counters each claim or myth with plausible truths. I particularly liked his comment: â€œTo blog well you have to learn to link well.â€ Linking dispels narcissism and makes any blog more interesting.

From Kathy: I do not have enough knowledge or experience from a writer's seat to agree or disagree with him. In fact, some of his items caught me off guard and by suggestion planted the thought in my head that there are issues surrounding blogging. My naïve little mind is not exposed to these opinions or issues yet. But I appreciate his candor and can see how this little clip will help me to avoid some pitfalls down the road. So happy blogging everyone!


 * Walt Smith - In his list of Top Ten Blog Myths, I liked the way Scott touched on varied aspects of blogging fear that different people feel based on their experiences. There was a myth for everyone, whether a journalist who feels blogs have damaged his art, someone who put too much "traditional" trust in bloggers or tried to get too much from it. I like that he expressed that many people utilize blogs, "any time we want to go deep on a subject." While I have not been into blogs for long, it was that desire to see what others felt, deep down, personally, that has drawn me to blogs.

> What are you noticing about the blogs you have scanned? In a paragraph or two, identify what you notice about the author and the mission of the blog. What is their passion? > [|1. http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18510] â€“ Abbott Cultbert Johnson/Chaplain of Tyburn Convent, London. Blog offers complete biographical data. The mission and focus of the blog is Liturgical and Monastic subjects. Motto: "That in all things God may be glorified". ( The blog presents homiletic discourse and promotes and explains need for social justice actions for relevant issues.) > [|2.] URL: http://atonementparish.blogspot.com/index.html[| AtonementOnline]- Fr. Christopher G. Phillips, Texas. The diary of a priest, being random thoughts and various things of possible interest from the Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Church in San Antonio, Texas. (Random thoughts indeed) > ==== 3. [|All Things New] - Deacon Greg Kandra- (This blog has a complete bio for the deacon, stating many years with CBS as a news commentator and producer and his blog reflects his passion for discussing the current events/News of the Catholic Church and offers his opinions in a pundit style.)==== Cindy Taylor-I am a bit nervous about all that is in the blogosphere, but it is amazing and I do agree with what I read. Who can say that there are too many blogs? That is like saying there are too many thoughts, or too many prayers!
 * Glennell - **Assignment #1 Why Do Ministers Blog?**
 * ====4.URL: http://anamchara.blogs.com/[| Anamchara] - Msgr. Eric R. Barr, Illinois It's the Celtic word for "soul friend" and this is the place to talk about Roman Catholicism, Celtic Spirituality, Tolkien, Lewis, Chesterton and other great literature, as well as anything else that enriches the human spirit and brings one closer to God. (This blog draws parallels in Church teachings with literature and performance medias to demonstrate how God's universe reflects Divine truths.) ====


 * **Diane Kledzik** - I agree with Scott, but really can't say I've ever said, thought or heard most of the myths he covered. I'm glad he mentioned them though, since in his debunking of the myths he gave me a better idea of what blogs are and can be! I guess I am just way too simple minded. I seem to look at anyone who blogs to be "gifted" in a way that I am not and what bloggers have to say has some value, whether I agree or can relate to what they are saying or not...it's just how I approach/take in people. I'm sure virtue is somewhere in the middle of all that is written in the blogosphere so I don't put too much weight in any one blogger having the whole truth about anything.

Pat Brockmann - I agree with Scott. I never heard of the myths that he stated in his video, but in listening to them, they really made sense. I liked what he said on Blogging is trivial and Most blogs stink. What a blogger has to say has value. Even though I may not agree with what the blogger has to say, doesn't mean it is trivial.

Jennifer Ferreris-- I liked what he said, "to blog well you must link well." I think this is a great point. I also think that blogging is a good reflection tool--I think its up to the blogger as to how many people they want to be involved. "I choose blogs to read the same way I choose books to read"--so it doesn't matter that their are alot of blogs. I am grateful for this outlet for spiritual reflection!

Pam Emery - Interesting list of Myths by Scott - some of which I have heard before. I found it to be a well done compilation. I agree with Jennifer's assessment of linking. I often get lost not only in the blog at hand(sight) but in the links.

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