A presentation I gave to the Catechetical Leadership Association for the Diocese of Des Moines (CLADD) on 20 August, 2013.

1. Evangelizing &
Catechizing
Digital Natives
Jonathan F. Sullivan
Catechetical Leadership
Association for the Diocese
of Des Moines
August 20, 2013

2. Bio
 Originally from Kansas City
suburbs
 Studied at Quincy
University and Aquinas
Institute of Theology
 Director of Catechetical
Services, Diocese of
Springfield in Illinois
 Chair, NCCL Technology
Committee
 Blogger at
JonathanFSullivan.com
 Husband and father of 6

3. Overview
 Who are the
“Digital Natives?”
 3 myths about DNs
 What is “digital
culture?”
 DN learning style
 Strategies for
engaging DNs
 General Tips &
Internet Safety
 Communication
 Catechesis
 Prayer

4. Confraternity Teacher‟s Guide
(Very Rev. Joseph B. Collins, 1960)
The catechist will find that catechetical material in
filmstrips, both black and white and in color, is
steadily increasing in volume. He will find satisfactory
filmstrips which correlate with courses of study and
with the catechism…
The number of catechetical subjects available on
sound motion-picture film is comparatively
limited. The teaching value of the silent movie is
greatly reduced by the fact that today pupils are
accustomed to sound movies.
(emphasis mine)

5. Digital Natives
“The proclamation of Christ in the world of new
technologies requires a profound knowledge of this
world if the technologies are to serve our mission
adequately.”
- Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the 43rd World
Communications Day (2009)

6. Who are the
digital natives?
photo by demi-brooke/Flickr

7. Myth: Digital
Natives are wasting
time online.
photo by Jeroen Thoolen/stock.xchng

8. Myth: Digital
Natives are a
homogeneous
body.
photo by Konrad Mostert/stock.xchng

9. Myth: Digital
Natives don‟t care
about privacy.

10. Digital culture is…

11. …world-wide…

12. …open…

13. …collaborative…

14. …sharable
photo by MissFran/stock.xchng

15. photo by Robert Linder/stock.xchng

16. Digital Natives use
technology for…

17. …communication
and interaction…
image by Jason Nicholls/flickercc

18. …non-linear
media
consumption
image by Craig Rodway/flickercc

19. Q&A
photo by Melodi T/stock.xchng

20. Strategies for Evangelization
and Catechesis
“The „variety of methods is a sign of life and richness‟
as well as a demonstration of respect for those to
whom catechesis is addressed. Such variety is required
by „the age and the intellectual development of
Christians, their degree of ecclesial and spiritual
maturity and many other personal circumstances‟.”
- General Directory for Catechesis, no. 148

21. A few general suggestions:
 Try the tools
 Become a
connection
 Be open
 Encourage
appropriate
sharing
Photo by somethingstartedcrazy/Flickr

22. Youth and the internet
 What age is
appropriate?
 COPPA
 Internet safety
 Posting pictures
Photo by escapedtowisconsin/Flickr

23. Q&A
photo by Melodi T/stock.xchng

24. Communication

25. Tumblr

26. Facebook

27. Start a blog

28. Email and text

29. Weekly video
 Holy Name of Jesus (Wayzata, MN)

30. Catechesis

31. Curating Resources
Evaluating online resources
“Is it official?”
“Do they have a track record?”
“Is it faithful to the fullness of the
Church‟s teaching?”
“Does it pass the „smell test‟?”
Keep it Limited
Keep it Fresh

32. Social Media
Projects

33. Show a video
 That Catholic Show

34. Make a video

35. Prayer

36. Praying with New
Media

37. Bottom line:
Encourage creativity!

38. For notes and additional
resources
visit JonathanFSullivan.com
@sullijo
facebook.com/JonathanFSullivan