By MaryAnn Gardner

Reprinted from the Marian Catechist Writers Apostolate. Copyright © 2003 MaryAnn Gardner.  All rights reserved.  Reprints require permission from the copyright holder.

For the Catechist with access to the World Wide Web, resources for spiritual growth and information on catechetical subjects are just a mouse click away. While not eliminated entirely, trips to the chancery library, phone calls to the pastor, and consultations with the parish DRE may be greatly reduced by searching for information online. Before the home computer, a catechist could only dream of having such reference material close at hand when preparing a lesson. Now the question is simply, “What do you need today?” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the writings of Aquinas, Bibles with searchable databases, and a theologian to answer your questions are all available online.

In his 2002 World Communications Day message, titled, “Internet - A New Forum For Proclaiming The Gospel” Pope John Paul II reminded us that the church continues the mission begun on Pentecost to preach the gospel to all nations. The Internet is simply another “cultural threshold” which the Church must cross to proclaim the Gospel. He says:

“For the Church the new world of cyberspace is a summons to the great adventure of using its potential to proclaim the gospel message. This challenge is at the heart of what it means at the beginning of the millennium to follow the Lord's command to 'put out into the deep'!”

The Holy Father states that cyberspace offers “magnificent opportunities for evangelization if used with competence and a clear awareness of its strengths and weaknesses.” For example, the Internet increases our ability to contact others and spread the Good News. But, electronic relationships can never replace direct contact and personal witness. Catechists who use the Internet must consider the following questions:

How do we follow-up the many contacts that are now possible because of electronic communication and bring our personal witness to the relationship? The catechist who makes electronic contact with someone seeking the truth—by email, or in any of the public forums which exist on today’s Internet-- finds an opportunity to witness that might never exist outside of cyberspace. However, when considering an exchange of personal information online with someone we do not know, we must follow the same caution we exercise in any interaction with strangers we meet elsewhere.

How do we keep the effects of electronic communication positive? The Holy Father cautions that such communication must “work in favor of the globalization of human development and solidarity, objectives closely linked to the Church's evangelizing mission.” Whenever we share information or participate in conversations online, we must be certain to maintain an atmosphere of charity and treat others with respect, as Jesus would treat them.

Can the electronic revolution further the cause of peace? The Holy Father says that a climate of peace must have a “culture of dialogue, participation, solidarity and reconciliation” in which to grow. He tells us, “The Church believes it can; and to ensure that this is what will happen she is determined to enter this new forum, armed with the gospel of Christ, the Prince of Peace.”

Most people, once they become acquainted and begin to talk to one another, find goodness and kindness in each other, even if their opinions differ. That old saying, “A stranger is a friend I haven’t met yet,” proves true again and again. Once we are able to join together as friends, peace is possible.

The Holy Father further tells us that only when Christ is seen and heard does true evangelization occur. “This is what will make the Internet a genuinely human space.”

Finally, John Paul II calls to the whole Church “bravely to cross this new threshold, to put out into the deep of the net, so that now as in the past the great engagement of the gospel and culture may show to the world 'the glory of God on the face of Christ’.”

To the catechist, his call presents an exciting new challenge to reach out to those who were unreachable to us just a few years ago. As we begin, let us pray and ask Jesus for the mercy and grace we need to accomplish the task before us, the Blessed Mother to guide us to the right path, and the Holy Spirit for the fortitude to walk it.

We pray and reach out to those who pray for loved ones who are lapsed Catholics, fallen-away Catholics, prodigal Catholics, non-practicing Catholics, or whatever name is used for those who no longer attend Mass and receive the Sacraments.