Reflection 413
Based on the 1965 Vatican II document: |
This article calls for a special effort to produce media programs for young people
In
2014, virtually every young person has just one media favorite: Facebook.
As Wikipedia points out,
Facebook has more than one billion users
You're supposed to be 13 years old to register for Facebook, but I know dozens of children as young as 8 years old who have registered
So,
the Church needs to "get into Facebook" to meet young people in their
world.
Many Church sites have done this.
e.g. CathNews Australia is on
Facebook, but I doubt if many teenagers (13-18) are checking it
Surfacing in my brain is a saying "the best apostles for young people are other young people"....Google has just helped me find it!...it comes from Vatican II's document on lay people which has the words Young people should become the first to carry on the apostolate directly to other young persons, concentrating their apostolic efforts within their own circle (Article 12)
Which means, the way to reach Facebooking young people is by Christian Facebooking young people....encouraging young Christians to use Facebook not in a "preachy" way but in an engaging and friendly way to witness to the values of Jesus
Jesus, please help young Christians to use Facebook to help other young people know and love you!