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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.