Friday, March 31, 2006
Catholic Super heroes
Is it possible that Superman might be Catholic??  How about Daredevil or the Punisher? See more here. [church]
whew!
For those of us keeping track (OK, that’s just me.)  this has been my most memory-heavy blog month ever!  And that was with taking a brief vacation, last week, from blogging for the first time in a very long while.  Whew. [blogging]

  Thursday, March 30, 2006
God is watching
"Who has not found the heaven below   
Will fail of it above.   
God’s residence is next to mine,   
His furniture is love." – Emily Dickinson.  The cherry blossoms are in bloom!  [friends & family]
God’s watching the apples
Children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. A nun made a note next to it: "Take only one. God is watching."
Moving through the line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A boy wrote a note next to it: "Take all you want. God’s watching the apples." from www.mikeysFunnies.com [funny business]

  Wednesday, March 29, 2006
refocusing catholic youth ministry
I’m writing again. A book draft again.  Actually, I hope to rewrite a previous book draft in light of this. I have a few loyal readers of the blog out there, so I will be posting it up for you, chapter by chapter.  We’ll see what I can accomplish by a self-imposed deadline of Pentecost.  Seems appropriate, eh?  What for blog entries and updates under this title.  Countdown to Pentecost: 67 days.  [book]
circle of friends
Had an (all-too) brief encounter today with Mike Carotta. He is absolutely on the cutting edge regarding where we can be going regarding adolescent catechesis.  It is absolutely with driving 70 minutes to spend 20 with him. (Beside, I nabbed his handouts!)  [friends & family]
circle of Memories
I worked in Albert Lea, Minnesota for one year.  They are neighbors of Austin, so this CNN news report of a squirmy 3-year-old trapped in toy machine was all too familiar. [funny business]

Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Discernment
Is participating in a parish committee a responsibility, a privilege, or an entitlement?  Last night, I led a brief discernment process for membership in our parish youth ministry commission.  (This was in anticipation of an upcoming discernment for leadership.) It was fascinating. [parish]
A step in the right direction
Associated Press reported late last night that Abdul Rahman, the Afghan who faced execution for converting from Islam to Christianity, was released.  It will be interesting to see how much Western news-readers run with this. update: This was CNN breaking news this morning, this story and Rahman have now both dropped off of CNN’s and the world’s radar screen. update II: He’s in Italy.  See more here. [culture]
A step in the right direction II
There is an urgent need for the emergence of a new generation of apostles anchored firmly in the word of Christ, capable of responding to the challenges of our time and prepared to spread the Gospel far and wide.  It is this that the Lord of asks of you, it is to this that the Church invites you, and it is this that the world – even though it may not be aware of it – expects of you.  :Benedict’s 21st WYD message.  [pope]

  Monday, March 27, 2006
Sex can turn some boys into monsters
Entertainment Weekly is helping to celebrate March as "Talk to Your Teens about Sex Month." They point out the importance of this by showing us how Dawson’s Creek, Buffy, and others have already instructed our kids about sexuality. See more here. [culture]
Had enough?
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who masterminded the 1994 elections that brought Republicans to power on promises of revolutionizing the way Washington is run, told TIME that his party has so bungled the job of governing that the best campaign slogan for Democrats today could be boiled down to just two words: "Had enough?" See more here. [culture]
Had enough II?
Yesterday, Jim Wallis of Sojourners spoke in Columbus, Ohio: "I think the Religious Right makes a mistake when it suggests that there are only two religious values issues: abortion and gay marriage. Many care about other things, but when it comes to politics, these are their primary political, public issues … As an evangelical Christian, when I find 2,000 verses in my Bible about poor people, I insist fighting poverty is a moral values issue, too."  [culture]
Had enough yet?
For a different perspective, however, no matter how poor you may feel, if you have a computer and Internet access, you’re almost certainly better off than most of the world. Enter your salary into Global Rich List and it’ll narrow down just exactly how many folks are worse off than you are. Warning: Prepare to feel guilty. [culture]

  Sunday, March 26, 2006
a multi-tasking message
(sent this to ArchBalt YM’s on Friday:)  On the cover of Time magazine this week, the question is asked “Are Kids Too Wired for their Own Good?”
  The big finding reported was that kids were spending no additional time using electronic media — that was holding steady at 6.5 hours a day — but that they were packing more media exposure into that time: 8.5 hours’ worth, thanks to "media multitasking" — listening to iTunes, watching a DVD and IMing friends all at the same time.  (Is it possible you are doing the same right now reading this message??)
An important role we have as parents and educators (and youth ministers) is to teach kids, preferably by example, that it’s valuable, even essential, to occasionally slow down, unplug and take time to think about something for a while.
  For our young people, we know that we cannot multitask faith.  We need to slow down and be intentional about growing in our relationship with God and each other.  We must focus, as disciples, on the singular task of love.
  Pope Benedict reminded us that “as a community, the Church must practice love. Love thus needs to be organized if it is to be an ordered service to the community. The awareness of this responsibility has had a constitutive relevance in the Church from the beginning: “All who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need” (Deus Caritas Est / God is Love #20)
  Anyway, all this is meant to call your attention to:
    *Time magazine’s recent report: pick up a news-stand copy for yourself or click here.
    * Ave Maria Press now has a downloadable Resource Guide and Small Group Discussion questions for Pope Benedict’s Encyclical Deus Caritas Est – God is Love.  Click here.
  Hoping to see you soon during the singular task of experiencing the Youth and Young Adult Pilgrimage. [work day]
Gene and brad
A chair on the chin, a bull-whip, juggling pins, a straight-jacket and solid presentations on the Eucharist and the Gospel message. The APeX guys are my super-heroes. It was good to see and visit, all too briefly, with both of them last night as they were doing a local parish’s family mission. [friends & family]

  Saturday, March 25, 2006
CORE
Attended Youth Specialties’ CORE training today at the National Presbyterian Church in DC. The training was regarding teen’s teen’s search for passion as well as marks and more marks of a passionate youth ministry. For me and my money’s worth- it was not about the content. . . which was great.  It was to watch the training style at which YS excels. It is important, as an old dog, to occasionally attempt to learn new tricks. [youth ministry]
Catholic youth ministry should revise its vision
There are two more articles posted up at the NFCYM regarding Adolescent Catechesis. Find the links here.  In one of the documents, Jeff Kaster draws the following conclusion:  Church documents agree that adolescent catechesis seeks to form adolescent Christian disciples. But nowhere in these documents is a clear profile of adolescent Christian discipleship defined. . . Confusion also exists in the definitions of the terms catechesis and evangelization . . . The General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) designates evangelization as the church’s essential mission in the world and situates catechesis as one function within it. Renewing the Vision (RTV), which was published prior to the GDC, does not define evangelization and catechesis this way. . . The National Directory for Catechesis (NDC), published after both RTV and the GDC, acknowledges the role of comprehensive youth ministry in adolescent catechesis, but it does not resolve the confusion highlighted above. With such a clear emphasis on catechesis situated within the context of evangelization in both the GDC and NDC, it may well be time for an alignment of vision for youth ministry. [youth ministry]

  Friday, March 24, 2006
Open again to serve you
Took a vacation.  Went on walks along the beach. Sat in the afternoon sun. Photographed a sunrise.  Read a book and then another one. Played cards with my mother and daughter- won some, lost mostly. Went for some fine dining. Got a spring training game in. Came home and watched UCLA keep my bracket hopes alive while Gonzaga and Duke fans mourned.  Am rested. . . and blogging again.  Honnnnney, I’mmmm hoommmmme! [blogging]
fifteen new red hats
The College of Cardinals grew a little more today.  What does it all mean?  Time takes a crack at decoding the papal codes. Read more here. [church]
More convergence Regarding adolescent faith formation
Listening to Wicked on yesterday’s drive across Florida yesterday reminded me to add a sixth column to Sunday’s posting: [youth ministry]

  Monday, March 20, 2006 (Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
the blog is officially shut down!!!!
That’s it.  We are not open for business any longer.  You knew it was bound to happen sooner or later and it looks like it’s gonna be sooner.
Actually, I’m heading off for a brief vacation.  Following in the model of my blogging guru, I’m leaving behind the computer (and gave serious thought to not packing the cell phone as well!)
I’ll be back! [blogging]

Sunday, March 19, 2006
convergence Regarding adolescent faith formation
Tom East had folks yesterday charting out the impact upon heads, hearts and hands yesterday, but also added feet (asking for a "where do you stand" response.) This led me to draw out the following synthesis of thought: (reposted above) [youth ministry]
A glimpse into the attitudes of the young
Patrick Donovan of Wilmington writes about that National Study on Youth and Religion for his diocesan newspaper.  (Read more here. See page [youth ministry]

  Saturday, March 18, 2006
Younger adolescents
Tom East from the Center for Ministry Development was in today offering a training on ministry with early adolescents.  Chris Ashby introduced him as one of the better trainers in the country and you’ve got to give the guy his props- he does have skills.  He "had" the room from beginning to end.  We had some side-discussions about faith formation and the such and I hope to blog about it soon. [youth ministry]
older AND WELL BEYOND adolescence
I fear I stayed out too late last night on the feast of the green. Uggh! [blogging]

  Friday, March 17, 2006 (Feast of Saint Patrick)
The myth, the man, the legend
Everything you ever wanted to know about himself. (See it here.)   [church]
A professional Journal
In last night’s presentation on effective practices of Catholic Youth Ministry, there was a reminder regarding a call for a professional journal for catholic youth ministry.  Is anyone actually attempting to address this…? Wasn’t this supposed to be a NACYML thing? [youth ministry]
Corned Beef on a Lenten Friday
Rocco has been keeping count of all the US dioceses (86!) that have offered the indult to partake of the Sacred Corned Beef on this Lenten Friday. (See the list here.)   [church]
Bemoaning the brackets
First day is done in the NCAA’s and I’m stuck in the pack of the 41 participants of the national Catholic youth ministry NCAA basketball bracket challenge and am in last place in the office.  Pass the green beer. [friends & family]

  Thursday, March 16, 2006
Let the Games begin I
Over thirty are participating in the national Catholic youth ministry NCAA basketball bracket challenge. [friends & family]
Let the Games begin II
John Campbell of Bridgeport (Go, Huskies!) e-mails in the following: Scott, your Blog is wonderful and far be it from me to suggest something that messes with perfection, but I ran into this today, the Spirit and Song March Madness Tournament of Songs. Might be a good suggestion to your loyal readers!! Wait a minute!!! I have loyal readers????   [blogging]
going my way
In Wilmington this evening I’m doing a presentation on Youth Ministry Works.  It gives me an opportunity to recycle a showing of a favorite seen from Bing Crosby’s 1944 "Going My Way."  Check out the movie poster-  A) the coupling of priest and woman almost holding hands would potentially be scandalous today (at least for some) B) Jean Heather, although in the middle of the poster is not a major character in the story.  [culture]
The podcast advertisement
Youth Specialties just posted up their monthly podcast.  I’m not giving a link because that’s not the point.  The podcast was an interview conducted with the standard cheap mic (got that) and a speaker phone. (hey, got that as well!!!)  We could be posting up mp3′s of interviews with upcoming speakers and sending it out to our youth ministry contacts as advertisement. D’OH! What a concept.  [youth ministry]

  Wednesday, March 15, 2006 
reports from air traffic control
Somedays it seems as if all my many projects are floating above in the sky and I need to occasionally check-in with them all to help them avoid crashing and to organize them landing in an appropriate order. On Monday, one of the planes declared the need for a priority landing.  On Tuesday, one of the other planes had to be put into a holding pattern and told to circle for longer than anticipated.  It may very well be the best decision that I have made this month. [work day]
another catholic youth ministry podcast
Gene Monterastelli of APeX’s has entered the world of podcasting.  He is speaking about poverty vs. gratitude. It’s about the power of our energies. Anything that mentions my hypothalamus is alright by me!  Seriously, it’s thoughtful stuff – - – Welcome, Brother Blue!  (Listen to it here.)  [friends & family]
Jesus Decoded
The USCCB has a response site established to contradict the upcoming Da Vinci Code movie. (See it here.)   [church]

  Tuesday, March 14, 2006 
how season six of "24" begins
[funny business]

  Monday, March 13, 2006 
Dinner over
Clark and I are invited to friends house tonight for dinner.  We haven’t done that is a long while. (Probably why parish postings are few and far between.) [parish]
picks in
My Final Four picks are Duke over UCLA and BC over UConn.  BC takes Duke and rewrites the ACC power elite forever.  Go Eagles!  [friends & family]
Beatitudes Up
In what might be the most self-explanatory power point that I ever posted up, I offered the Discipleship/ Beatitudes presentation last night to eighth grade confirmandi and their parents/ sponsors. [youth ministry]
You can tell your comic is written by a catholic when…
(Click on the cartoon to enlarge) [funny business]

  Sunday, March 12, 2006 
quiet
I played roadie for the Central Maryland Formation Day yesterday.  Snatching about one hour of an empty classroom enabled me to accomplish an amazing amount of work.  This freed me up for another 15 minutes to just study the trees and the sky. It was a day completely spent with others, the introvert’s nightmare, but . . . Stolen time is the best time.    [work day]
high holy day
And so today, with the Selection Sunday announcements, is the beginning of March Madness. The national catholic youth ministry pool is set and ready for bracket-eering.  [blogging]
on motivation
Robert Altman, director of M*A*S*H and the upcoming Prairie Home Companion, won the lifetime achievement award at the Oscars last Sunday. In his acceptance remarks, he said something to the effect of: "The role of the director is to create a space where the actor or actress can become more than they’ve ever dreamed of being before." Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."   [friends & family]

  Saturday, March 11, 2006 
two weeks back
Youth Minister spends two weeks back as a high school student and blogs and vlogs about it. (See it here.) Dude forgot his homework and his wife had to drive it to school. [youth ministry]

  Friday, March 10, 2006 
words in his mouth
You can use the bush speech generator to set your own State of the Union and then rule the world.   [funny business]
music in his ears
Tuesday, we had the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal kick-off. We also celebrated Cardinal Keeler’s 75th birthday (which was last Saturday and means that his letter of resignation is somewhere in the Vatican mail).  The Development folks must have been aware of recent gifts received by the Pope (Read more here.) and gave the man an iPod. He seemed confused. It’s reassuring, however, to know that Cardinal Keeler is not as much a church news junkie as I have my own moments of being.   [church]
bounce in his steps
It’s been a week of subtle accomplishments- trying to impact long-term changes in small incremental advances.  There is no brass band playing the march forward, the journey has so very much more to go, it has been a tiring week; and yet, there is a spiritual (if not physical) bounce in my step this day.  [blogging]

  Thursday, March 9, 2006 
Baptists fight against moralistic therapeutic deism
Concerned that the late-20th century model of youth ministry is flawed, a group of prominent youth leaders has issued a call for a new model that could lead to a seismic shift in church youth ministry philosophy, training and leadership. Read more here. (Note that Richard Ross was the same guy who was behind True Love Waits.)  [youth ministry]

  Wednesday, March 8, 2006 
STAY!  Good Boy!
Yesterday (my two daughters will be glad to hear), I bought a dog. He is, however, (they will be sad to discover) stuffed.  Now patrolling the halls of the Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is Raphael, the catechetical watch-dog. He is a good and quiet dog, doesn’t demand too many walks, and is generally low-maintenance.  He is a welcomed addition to the team and already had logged into the weekly staff reports.   [work day]
Bad Dog! Heel!
The House voted yesterday in favor of renewing the controversial USA Patriot Act and it will now be sent to President Bush for his signature. [culture]

  Tuesday, March 7, 2006 
how to be an expert
The only thing standing between you-as-amateur and you-as-expert is dedication. We could all (be experts) if we just put in the time and focused.  Read more here. [blogging]
Generation M
My generation draws the Internet as a cloud that connects everyone; the younger generation (Generation Mobile) experiences it as oxygen that supports their digital lives. The old generation sees this as a poisonous gas that has leaked out of their pipes, and they want to seal it up again. Read more here. [youth ministry]

  Monday, March 6, 2006
Chastity
Jason Evert spoke in front of over 700 in Hagerstown last night.  The guy can hold a crowd.  It was interesting, many moons after being the "sex guy" to watch another’s presentation.  I took three pages of notes. [youth ministry]
it’s hard out here for an Oscar
Two years running, I ended in second place in the Oscar pool, this time losing by only one point.  I’m beginning to feel like Paul Giamatti. [culture]

  Sunday, March 5, 2006 
freedom
The Bush administration seems very concerned about freedom, yet they missed this.  The mainstream media also values freedom, yet they missed this.  Those on the internet, however, who do value freedom did not miss this. It’s hard not to be impressed by this astonishing public display in Bahrain of the real face of moderate Islam – appalled by the blasphemy of the Samarra mosque bombing. Here’s a slogan worth cheering: "No Shia, no Sunni. All of us denounce the exclusivists (terrorists)."  God bless them. May we all denounce exclusivists everywhere.  God bless us all. [culture]
oscar
My picks: supporting actress – Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener;” supporting actor – Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man;” director – Ang Lee for “Brokeback Mountain;” actress – Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line;” actor – Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote;" and best motion picture of the year – “Crash” [culture]
ahhhhhh – the classics
TBS is playing "The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle" this morning. Do you think that that Academy ever recognized this screenplay???
[Bullwinkle is going for a walk in the woods]
    Rocky: But Bullwinkle, there aren’t any more woods.
    Bullwinkle: You don’t have to tell me, I’m the Chairman for the Frostbite Falls Society of Wildlife Conversation.
    Rocky: You mean "wildlife conSERVation."
    Bullwinkle: What’d I say?
    Rocky: You said "wildlife conVERSation."
    Bullwinkle: Well, somebody’s gonna have to start talking about these things.
Brilliant! [funny business]

  Saturday, March 4, 2006 
march fourth
Today is the only day with a date that actually is a declarative sentence: March Forth! Make it a good day! [blogging]
a remarkable capacity to work a room
In the past year, I’ve had two encounters with Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee, once in Germany and the other when he came to celebrate Cardinal Keeler’s anniversary of his ordination. Now, NCR’s John Allen is describing him as a "a rising star in the American hierarchy" and that "locals describe him as passionate, deeply pastoral, unimpeachable on doctrinal questions, and an able administrator."  Read more here. [church]
iPray
Speaking of Milwaukee, Laurie Kish has developed a novel approach to young adults that can best be described as a "Theology on Tap" of prayer styles for young adults.  Read more here. [youth ministry]
Benedict owns an iPod
(Some mornings there is a blogging stream of consciousness working. . .) A group of Vatican Radio employees gave Pope Benedict XVI a brand new iPod nano loaded with special Vatican Radio programming and classical music. Dude is hooked up! Read more here. [pope]

  Friday, March 3, 2006 
the little chapel across the street
St. Patrick’s is, arguably, the most famous Catholic cathedral in the United States. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is, arguably, the most beautiful. But Baltimore’s Old Cathedral, now the Basilica of the Assumption, is indisputably the most historic. Read more here. [church]
who’d a thunk?
Contrary to his pre-election image as the hard-line enforcer of orthodoxy and discipline, the new pope has shown himself to be modest, self-effacing, non-combative, inclusive, and pastorally sensitive. Read more here. [pope]

Clearly, I am a renaissance man
Church architecture, papal intrigue, and now, "24."  This is sign of the continuing wonders of the internet. Someone is keeping a kill-count on Jack Bauer. Check it out here. [culture]
Teenage angst
[funny business]

  Thursday, March 2, 2006 
I like to thank the Academy and all the voters
Marko, the grand pooh-bah at Youth Specialties has his own blog. Occasionally, he runs little contests seeking captions for bad pictures.  I won the last contest and got a YS book.   It’s a cool way to start the day.  [blogging]
on how young people dress for church
Bishop Wilton Gregory addresses the always difficult issue of "what is appropriate attire to wear in Church" and focuses in on kids. See more here. He states, "As the pastor of this local Church, I must confess that I have never been offended or scandalized by any attire that I have seen our kids wear to Church. I am so happy to see them at Mass that I generally don’t even notice what they are wearing. When I see those bright faces, I am grateful that these young people are found within the warm embrace of the Church. Braces and flip-flops are welcome wherever I am celebrant."   [church]
Psalm Sung Blue, Everybody knows one
Working with the ArchBalt Christian Leadership Institute tonight and offering a presentation on the Psalms as part of a Hebrew Scriptures class.     [work day]
quote of the month
In honor of Woman’s History Month, let me borrow this from Rabbi Marc Gellman and the Talmud: “Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man’s rib: Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved.”    [friends & family]

Wednesday, March 1, 2006  (Ash Wednesday)
study on catholic youth ministry
It indicates that generally they are comfortable with their religion but have not made their faith "their own." . . While 87.2 percent find catechism classes meaningful, only about half subscribe to the Church’s teaching on birth control. General social values appear to have much influence on them on this issue. . . While Catholic youths are not facing a "crisis of belief," they might be heading toward a "crisis of faith." . . The absence of "a deeply acquired and personally reflected faith" among the Catholic youth causes concern. These young people might become as religiously apathetic as "European Catholic youths are today."  Of course, we are talking about INDIA! See more here. [youth ministry]
Operation Rice Bowl
It does work. It worked for this Ghanaian. Resources can be found here. [church]

appeared in the Catholic Review, March 16, 2006

“Internet use can be a little like visiting the best theme park in the world and coming across a toxic waste dump.” This warning from the U.S. bishops in “Your Family and Cyberspace” is a warning for parents who are concerned that our young people are running amuck in a poisonous atmosphere of the Internet. Surprisingly, parents are better equipped for this task than we might initially believe.

The problems are very real.

Web sites such as MySpace, Xanga and Blogger – which are designed for online journals or diaries known as blogs – have become settings where adults can criminally stalk and entice young people into illicit activity.

“Dateline NBC” has now done three installments of their “To Catch a Predator” series of stings with men who have made dates for sexual encounters with adult decoys posing as teenagers online. In February, a University of Maryland student confessed to the beating and the murder of a young woman. News reports revolved around his use of vulgar and crude messages on MySpace and The Facebook to make contact with women.

It would be negligent for a mother or father to not properly equip our young people for the real world out there. As parents, we must now also prepare them for all the potential risks and snares found online. Our own technological illiteracy will not serve as a valid justification to disregard these important life skills for our children.

Young people must recognize that they have the support of their parents in pursuing a “virtuous reality” in the “virtual reality” of the Internet. How can this be achieved?

The Internet is a portal into our homes not unlike the front door or the telephone. On the Internet, young people find themselves in the World Wide Web. Rules that apply in the real world should apply in the world online. Parents and young people should have conversations regarding values, behaviors and Internet usage.

With our children, whether they have been explicitly stated or only implied, we do have rules and regulation regarding the front door. How is it to be answered? Who is allowed in the house? When should it be locked?

Parents also set rules regarding the telephone. What are the proper language and respectful tones for use on the phone? What is the proper amount of personal information to be given?

The same is true with our young people when they are out in the world away from us. Don’t take to strangers. If someone is hassling you, find an adult or authority figure.Young people also have a source of guidance for Internet usage from the timeless four cardinal virtues — prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.

Prudence seeks what is good in every circumstance and chooses the right means of achieving it. Regarding the Internet, we want to be prudent regarding the sharing of information with others. We want to protect ourselves and our family by not placing ourselves at risk through misuse of credit or making ourselves vulnerable to computer viruses. Although our usage of the Internet can seem anonymous at times, we still must consider the consequences of public broadcast of our opinion or personal information

Justice requires that we respect the rights of each other and build human relationships that promote equality. On the Internet, therefore, we must always remain respectful to others and avoid sites where the respect and dignity of God’s creation is not valued. If we become aware of injustice, we must speak out and attempt to protect others. We should remain skeptical of those who seemingly want to enter into the unequal relationship of being an anonymous friend while calling for the sharing of information.

Fortitude means that we hold to our virtues even in times of challenge and that we remain constant in our pursuit of the good of all.

Parents can assist with this by placing their computers in a public setting, not unlike the oldtime corded phone in the kitchen.

This will ensure young people are surfing the net in public with the potential for parental supervision.

Parents and young people should regularly check in with one another regarding their concerns and experiences with the Internet.

Temperance is that which moderates the balance between personal willpower the attractive pleasures that compel our urges and desires. Young people should be encouraged to maintain a sense of modesty in use of language as well as in posting personal pictures on the Internet. Temperance is easier to achieve when we are inviting our children to maintain clearly defined limits and boundaries in their use of the Internet.

Connecting the cardinal virtues to Internet use does not have to be a hard sell. “(The moral virtues) are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love” (“Catechism of the Catholic Church” 1804). Advances in technology should always to assist us with making
good choices, leading better lives, and allowing for more opportunity for us to share God’s Good News.