Communication & media: From theory to application

Communication & Mass: Part 3 of 3

Catholic Distance Learning

Network – August 2007

The biggest miscommunication is to assume communication

has taken place. — Anonymous

Effects of Media Culture on the Catholic Church

• Others (media) define us

• “Spirituality” replaces religion

• Marginalization of our message

• Church seems irrelevant

• Soundbite mentality is the norm

• Parishioners are used to “on-demand” communication

• Nature of communication is changing

• Catholics incorporate all this into the way they approach their faith – parishioners expect their church to communicate effectively

Mass Attendance

• 40% of Catholics attend Mass “most” Sundays

- “Self-appointed Mass Attendance of U.S. Catholics,” CARA,

10 January 2005.

• 70 - 80% of these Catholics only attend Mass most Sundays with no other interaction with the Church.

Communication during Mass

• Conclusion: the Mass becomes one of the most important methods of communicating with Catholics

Activity: Discuss aspects of communication in the way God communicates His Son through the Eucharist and through the Word. How does the priest communicate God? How do lay people involved in the Liturgy communicate God? Is it effective? What needs to change to reach a media-saturated parish?

Everything is communication

• God communicates His Son through the Eucharist.

• The presider’s attitude, manner and style.

• The demeanor of everyone who participates in the Mass.

• The worship space.

• The attitude of members of the parish family.

Keys to great clergy communication

• Steep Yourself in Prayer

• You Have a Responsibility

• Define & Refine Your Message

• Be Yourself

• You Are a Conduit

• Communion With Your Parishioners

Keys to great clergy communication – cont

• Simple & Profound

• Respect & Love Your Audience

• Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Into Theirs

• Give & You Will Receive

• Honest Assessment

Activity: Have the students look for priests who employ and embody these keys. How do they communicate their message? How do parishioners react?

Adjusting to a media culture

• Know the message you want to communicate.

• Follow the model of Jesus – use the style and language your audience can understand.

• Remove the invisible, protective walls that project inaccessibility and distance.

Activity: Explore these concepts with students and develop ways to incorporate them into homilies.

Relevant communication documents of the Church

• Inter Mirifica• Communio et Progressio• Aetatis Novae• The Rapid Development• Ethics in Communication• Evangelii Nuntiandi• Toward a Pastoral Approach to Culture

These documents are readily available at www.vatican.va or http://www.daughtersofstpaul.com/mediastudies/churchdocs/index.html

Activity: Discuss the relevant points of these documents as they relate to communication from the pulpit.

Final thoughts

• The need for priests to understand the level of media saturation in our society and its effects on the average parishioner.

• Learning the basics of media and how to apply it at the parish level and beyond.

• The changing style of communication during Mass, especially from the pulpit.