I am happy to now say my new site(though the url is not artful frog, that still is the main title for my site)is now open to the public! Please update your bookmarks and RSS reader.

I look forward to seeing you there!

On Thursday I was contacted by Fr. Paolo Padrini(the Pope2You project manager)about writing about the Pope2You project, where they use social media to connect with people and the younger generations. So here is my post about this and of thoughts on why I support it.

Here is the info(or press release, if you will) that I got says-

Benedict XVI Speaks to the Net Generation through the World of Social Networks


The new media of Facebook, the iPhone, YouTube and Wikipedia are increasingly becoming the new forum where the Catholic Church dialogues with the world. As Pope Benedict XVI noted in his message for the 43rd annual World Communications Day, the Internet is a place where young people need to develop true friendships which spring from an encounter with the Risen Christ. With this awareness and the courage to enter into the world of social networks, the project Pope2You was started with the idea of helping these networks become authentic places of friendship and true dialogue.


Pope2You was created in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications as an experiment in providing a new forum and channel of communication using the latest platforms. The Pope2You website provides a new way for Pope Benedict XVI to reach out to young people around the world. The site can be viewed in five languages and allows young people to learn more about the Church and Benedict XVI through his own writings, starting with the message for the 43rd World Communications Day. While the site aims to generate the interest of young people, it is also meant for people of all ages. It features news on the Catholic Church and details on the pastoral activities of Benedict XVI incorporating content from the Vatican’s YouTube channel. At the same time, a new application for the iPhone and iPod Touch has been created by the Catholic news agency H2Onews, with plans to add other mobile platforms later.


Pope2You also provides a gateway to a parallel world in Facebook with an application where you can create and send to your friends virtual postcards with the Pope’s own words, greetings and excerpts of his writings staring with this year’s World Communications Day message. Also, with the help of the Media Office of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, a special area has been created along the lines of a WIKI with suggestions on how to put into pastoral practice the Pope’s 2009 Message.

These new applications highlight the latest example of the Church reaching out in new ways in the world of social networks – a forum where the Church can meet new people, make new friends, dialogue and offer solidarity.

Personally I think this is great news. For once this is using social media for the good and not the bad-while I love the Internet, I do feel that too much has gone bad about it and by the Vatican using it-we might get something good out of it.

We all know that social media has gotten so big, even celebrities and the Governments use it as a tool. I think that might allow the Church to grow and connect with people they might not otherwise connect with.

Like for an example, before hearing about it I didn't think that Pope Benedict XVI even had a Youtube page-let alone a Facebook page?! So that is nice to know about that Pope Benedict XVI does and is trying to connect and stay connected to the Church.

Are you going to check out Pope2You? I am and I will likely keep it bookmarked as well.

---------

On a side note, since I am also moving my blog-this post will be also posted on new home(which I hope to have open to the public soon).

It's been over a month since I last wrote in this blog. First of all, let me say that I am truly sorry that it has been that long. Secondly, I have heard of people getting their blogs shut down because Google didn't agree with what they were saying. So I didn't want to risk it. I suppose I should just move my blog, which I will likely do soon. I am hoping to come back to updating this soon again.

xoxo,
artfulfrog