Connectivity has become a crutch in our culture. It seems every meal we prepare must be captured and posted. Every emotion is adorned with a hashtag. We seek out pity or praise for that quick little hit of dopamine. And it’s often disingenuous: I comment on the Facebook posts of people I probably wouldn’t talk to in person. Who among us can’t relate to that statement?

Why is social networking . . . not working? Why are we hooked on digital platforms that foster inauthentic relationships? These questions surfaced among our staff months ago, and we decided to devote an entire issue to answering them. We hope it provides you with some clarity.

And because I’m too proud to neglect mentioning it, my niece, Rory, who is pondering a career in journalism, coauthored the teen suicide article in this issue with me. She, like so many in her generation, has wisdom to spare.

It is 1963 in Detroit. Mattie Moss Clark (Aunjanue Ellis), mother of five daughters, gets an idea for a gospel song in the middle of the night. She rouses her young daughters, gathers them around the piano, and before long they are singing the refrain in perfect harmony. The family, including their father, Elbert (Demore Barnes), belongs to the Church of God in Christ, where he is a deacon.

Mattie, who directs, is convinced she and her daughters have a calling to sing the Gospel to the church. Twinkie (Christina Bell), the eldest daughter, writes the songs and the music, while Karen (Kierra ‘Kiki’ Sheard), Dorinda (Shelea Frazier), Denise (Raven Goodwin), and Jacky (Angela Birchett) are the singers. Their lives reach a certain rhythm, but Elbert is jealous and accuses Mattie of ambition. He becomes violent toward Mattie and Twinkie (who is not his biological child, but who is the only father she’s ever known), and a divorce follows.

Tensions arise when Twinkie, whom Mattie has pulled out of school so she can travel with her and write music, wants to continue her studies. When Twinkie reveals she is pregnant right before a church convention, where their moral virtue must be unassailable at all times, Mattie is angry and heartbroken.

The young women want to popularize their music and reach a secular audience. When the Clark Sisters are nominated for a Grammy and invited to sing on television, Mattie is called before the bishop and church elders, who take away her title as president of the International Music Department of the church. They demand that neither she nor her daughters continue to perform. Mattie, ever strong, replies that she is called to preach to all nations. When they reply that she is to be humble and obedient, she walks out.

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel premiered to an audience of 2.7 million on Lifetime when it aired in April, an all-time record for the network. The film is directed by Christine Swanson, and the story and teleplay are by Camille Tucker in her first feature film.

The story of these powerful women draws you in. It is easy to identify with the domestic trials and challenges the family faces. While the story may feel like an inspiring soap opera, what makes the film stand out are the amazing vocal performances, especially the gospel performance at the Grammy Awards. The Clark Sisters are an American treasure who made gospel music mainstream. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Not yet rated‚ Domestic violence.

Boys State

This documentary, which won the Grand Jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival this year, is both inspiring and deeply troubling. Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss produce and direct with Oscar-winner Davis Guggenheim as an executive producer. Together they reveal an annual gathering most of us probably never heard of.

Since 1937, the American Legion has sponsored boys and girls (high school seniors, usually at different times) to gather for a week of leadership training in state government. This documentary, which begins very slowly and crescendos to a fever pitch, takes place in Austin, Texas, and follows the initial selection process for thousands of boys who will learn the process of running for governor and other offices in their state. Ben is ultraconservative and inspired by Ronald Reagan; Steven is the child of parents who immigrated from Mexico. Ben learns that lying is necessary for politicians to succeed, even if he sacrifices his morals to do it. Steven, by contrast, holds on to his principles in a gathering dominated by those who uphold pro-gun rights and anti-abortion views.

The film quotes George Washington, who believed the two-party system would subvert the power of the people. I found the film challenging in that it shows young men growing up to be just like some of those who hold office currently. But it showed signs of character and courage in some of the boys, which offers hope for our contentious public square. I hope they make a film about Girls State next. This film is currently streaming on AppleTV+.

Not yet rated, PG-13, Lying for personal gain.

Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story

In 1934, a 13-year-old Wyoming boy named Kenny Sailors had to shoot a ball over the head of his 6’5 ” brother. Standing still, he jumped straight up. Using one hand, he shot the ball in an arc and made the basket. The move was an innovation that has become so standard in the game of basketball that the man who developed it has been all but forgotten.

One of the greatest moments for Sailors was in 1943 at the NCAA championship, played at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where the University of Wyoming beat Georgetown 46-34. Sailors was voted the most outstanding player. Life magazine memorialized his jump shot at this game for generations to come.

After college, military service in World War II, and a brief career in the newly formed NBA, Sailors retired for the sake of his wife’s health and moved to Glennallen, Alaska. There he coached high school basketball (and other sports) for 35 years. He died in 2016.

Basketball greats such as Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and others are trying to make Sailor’s humble life known, a life filled with basketball, God, family, and the US Marines. I loved this documentary—it is guaranteed to inspire. Jump Shot is available at JumpShotMovie.com and will be streaming on various platforms soon.

Not yet rated‚ No objectionable content.

Our political and religious leaders offer their prayers and thoughts. For a few days, we talk about how we have to do something so this does not keep happening. When things get back to normal, nothing changes except the headlines. We bury our heads in the sand and keep electing the same people over and over who refuse to do anything.

It is predictable what political leaders will say after an event like the horrific 2017 shooting in Las Vegas. Those on the right will talk about the need for mental health reform. Former Speaker Paul Ryan was right on cue after Las Vegas, saying, “Mental health reform is a critical ingredient to making sure we can try and prevent some of these things that have happened in the past.” After the 2015 Sandy Hook shooting, Ryan called for a moment of silence on the floor of the House of Representatives, talked about the need to reform the mental health system, and criticized the Democrats for politicizing the issue.

On the other side of the aisle, the left calls for their own solution: gun control. Their response is equally narrow and repetitious, including accusing Republicans of political aims.

And on either side, nothing gets done.

Multiple Issues

I am beginning to think Ryan is right: The issue is about mental health. Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Perhaps we should be looking at the mental health not of those committing these horrific acts, but rather of those who sit back and do the same thing over and over, expecting that this time the results will be different. Maybe Einstein is right. We keep reacting the same way, looking for the same solutions, proposing the same legislation, and hoping we get different results.

It is not just the issue of guns. It is a multitude of issues including racism, climate degradation, immigration, human trafficking, Islamophobia, abortion, and on and on. It is not just folks who would be considered “right-leaning”; it is those who are on the left as well. In her book No Is Not Enough, Naomi Klein asks: “How do they intersect? What root cause connects them? How can these issues be tackled in tandem, at the same time?”

Her questions are some of the more interesting ones. We tend to view issues in isolation. We live in silos, not really thinking about the intersectionality of all these issues. Issues like gun safety and regulations often are viewed simply from the perspective of the Second Amendment. People who oppose any changes to our gun laws will say it is our God-given right to own guns. They rarely consider the history of the Second Amendment or think about the connection between guns and racism.

I wonder if folks would think differently about the Second Amendment if they knew that its genesis was, at least in part, a concern with preserving slavery. Southern leaders wanted armed militias to control their slaves. So they insisted on language in the new nation’s Constitution protecting that right. In the 1960s, when the Black Panthers started arming themselves, conservatives called for stronger gun laws. In 1967, targeting the Black Panthers, California introduced legislation to ban carrying a loaded weapon in public. The National Rifle Association testified in favor of the legislation.

Fighting against Apathy

I have been engaged in the work of transformative social change for many years. I believe the greatest obstacle to social change is not a lack of concern—we want to help the poor and marginalized. But we have been enticed into a perception of apathetic consumerism. We feel good about ourselves when we bring a bag of groceries to church for a food pantry somewhere or write a check to provide aid when there is a tsunami in the Philippines or a hurricane in Puerto Rico or Houston—as long as it does not involve a personal encounter with the homeless or poor.

I often give talks on social change, and afterward someone always comes up and tells me how much they admire me for the work that I do. My response is, “Don’t admire me; join me. ” These are good people, well-meaning folks who understand that things are not right and who would like to help: except they have to pick up the kids at Little League, dance class, music lessons; they need to mow the lawn; they’re too tired because they work more hours to buy the latest gadget—and a myriad of other rationalizations. Meanwhile, gun violence and mass shootings continue; children are kidnapped, trafficked, and sold into slavery so we can have access to cheap products; women are trafficked and sold into the sex trade; and the climate is being destroyed.

There is the possibility that the mental health disease that afflicts all of us is apathy. In her book, Beyond Apathy: A Theology for Bystanders Dr. Elisabeth Vasko argues that we are complacent when we are willing to tolerate violence against the poor and the marginalized. She describes this as “bystander participation in patterns of violence.” It is not necessarily just the overt forms of violence, such as mass murders, that have become commonplace. Dr. Vasko describes the more covert forms of violence such as bullying, sexism, hidden racism, and sexual violence. She says: “We live in a society that is all too willing to tolerate violence. Violence, a communal problem, impacts the flourishing of all involved: victims, perpetrators, and bystanders. Violence desecrates the image of God as it dehumanizes and fractures communion among all God’s people.”

We’re All in This Together

How do we counter the sin of apathy? Catalyzing mass public demand for change requires first laying a moral foundation. As people of faith, we should have the courage to speak with a prophetic voice and lay bare our country’s political leaders, religious leaders, and corporate CEOs who understand this mortal threat, yet consistently enact policies and practices that worsen it or do nothing at all. Dr. Vasko states: “To be a Christian is to take sides with those who are marginalized, dehumanized, and subject to violence. Whether we like it or not, neutrality isn’t an option. In the face of violent activity, to hide behind the mirror of ignorance is to take sides with the powers that be.”

In Making All Things New, Sister Ilia Delio, a Franciscan theologian, says: “Eucharist means being an active participant in the cosmic body of Christ, a body evolving unto fullness, the cosmic person, through the rise of consciousness and unity in Love . . . . The Gospel life is not a social agency of good works but a life of mindful presence.”

So the question is: Do we keep reacting the same way? Do we propose the same solutions? Pope Francis says in “Laudato Si’ “: “Many things have to change course, but it is we human beings above all who need to change. We lack an awareness of our common origin, of our mutual belonging, and of a future to be shared with everyone. This basic awareness would enable the development of new convictions, attitudes, and forms of life. A great cultural, spiritual, and educational challenge stands before us, and it will demand that we set out on the long path of renewal.”

Twentieth-century visionary Buckminster Fuller stated: “In order to change an existing paradigm, you do not struggle to try and change the problematic model. You create a new model and make the old one obsolete.” Isn’t it time to break out of the endless loop of “express outrage, offer prayers, do nothing, repeat”? Jesus’ message is one of love and peace, not fear, hatred, and war. The marginalized, the poor, the refugees—all of us—are the body of Christ. Will we welcome the body or reject Christ? If we truly believe the message of Jesus, then everything must change.

Many of the dangers presented by the coronavirus are obvious: danger to those who contract the virus, to the frontline health-care workers who care for them, and to overburdened, under-resourced health-care systems. Even with massive programs of aid and assistance, this pandemic could nonetheless mean the financial ruin of many individuals, families, and businesses that don’t have the resources to weather the storm.

As if those weren’t enough, consider the social dangers we face. The United States already had a loneliness epidemic, with almost 30 percent of US households containing just one person and 50 percent of our population indicating in a recent poll that they sometimes or often feel isolated and alone. And now we—who are social, relational creatures by our very nature—are being told to fear being around other people. This is incredibly hard on everyone, but, as always, it hits hardest those on the margins—those without friends and loved ones to lean on and be with, those without the capacity to reach out and connect.

A Moment of Grace

Even after social distancing requirements are lifted, there is a danger that the draconian societal measures we have taken to manage this pandemic may largely remain in place, just as more intrusive security became the norm in a post-9/11 world. Think, for example, about our newfound collective germophobia and all of the extreme precautionary behavior it has caused us to adopt.

I know that I have a new level of paranoia that I wouldn’t have believed possible even a few weeks ago. I’m not sure how easy it will be for me—or any of us—to turn that off and find a sane balance between good social hygiene and meaningful social contact. In the absence of that balance, I fear we’ll be tempted to convince ourselves—as we had already begun to do even before COVID-19—that Netflix, Zoom, Google, and Facebook Live are adequate substitutes for real human contact.

I hope the point is clear: We, too, face many dangers and temptations to let our fear get the better of us—witness the hoarding of toilet paper and many other goods. At the same time, however, I think a crisis like this presents us with unprecedented and exciting opportunities. I keep trying to imagine looking back at it from the vantage point of one, five, or 10 years, with hope that it ends up being a watershed moment for our culture.

A Wake-Up Call

In the midst of the crisis, we have a fantastic occasion for the better angels of our nature to come to the fore, and, God be praised, there’s plenty of evidence that they are. Neighbors are discovering each other and beginning to watch out for one another. Parents are finding new ways to be there for their kids, and teachers for their students. Service providers are heroically trying to take care of the vulnerable. Even as they can’t get to worship services, many are doubling down on spiritual practices that help cultivate presence, equanimity, and compassion for others. We’ve seen all sorts of creative, resourceful acts of kindness and generosity that would soften even the hardest heart. These are also, I believe, part of our true nature. I’m hoping that we get used to exercising this level of mutual care and concern, and that it becomes the new normal, even when the pandemic passes.

Many of us, tired of being cooped up at home, are rediscovering the natural world as a place of solace, beauty, and healing. Maybe it took the online overdose such as we’ve been experiencing lately to break the illusion that the virtual world is sufficient for our needs. And even as our economic systems are experiencing damage and disruption, the natural world is experiencing some degree of reprieve from the relentlessness of human economic activity. What if, after this crisis passes, our newfound connection to God’s creation leads us to reevaluate the things we thought were “essential,” and so we don’t simply go back to the same patterns of consumption and destruction?

What’s it going to take for us to come out of this better than we were going in? First, this pandemic is an invitation to start realizing—as individuals and a society—that the life we had pre-pandemic was not actually what we want to return to. We can step into a new story that honors our interconnectedness and doubles down on caring for friends, strangers, and creation.

Second, this pandemic has shown us that, when we need to, we can make drastic and instantaneous changes to our way of life. With that evidence, we can no longer plead that it’s just too hard to create large-scale economic and governmental structures that support a kinder and gentler way of life. We’ve shown we can do it. We just need to keep being willing to do it, even after the crisis passes.

Even as we face suffering, loss, danger, fear, uncertainty, and many sorts of death, we also stand at the threshold of a new, resurrected way of living. I hope and I believe that the Holy Spirit is at work, guiding us toward this better and more hopeful future—and that in the deepest part of us, we want to take that road.

Young people have never been more connected or more isolated. A psychologist and a teen advocate for suicide prevention shed light on this crisis.

On a chilly January morning in 1991, Jeremy Delle, 15, walked in late to a packed English class in Richardson, Texas, with a .357 Magnum in hand. After muttering a sarcastic remark to his teacher, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

Fellow classmates, postmortem, described Delle as quiet and withdrawn. His suicide might have become a footnote if not for a fledgling Seattle rock band called Pearl Jam, who captured Delle’s tragic death in their 1992 song “Jeremy,” a blistering ode to adolescent angst. And while teen suicide is not a ’90s construct, Pearl Jam’s song illuminated this crisis for a generation.

Adolescence is designed to be difficult. But in an era of smartphones and hyperconnectivity, it’s much harder. According to a 2019 study by YouGov, a global public opinion and data company, one in five teenagers spends at least four hours online every day. Young adults, we’re learning, have never been more connected or more isolated.

Some teens in crisis, like Nathaniel Hassan, explicitly use social media to broadcast their pain—and their plans. In 2016, the 18-year-old posted a suicide announcement video on his Instagram account, which was seen by 15,000 people, many of whom offered support. But those messages went unacknowledged. Shortly after posting his video, Hassan walked into a wooded area in Mandeville, Louisiana, and ended his life.

It’s impossible not to compare the spike in depression among young adults and the parallel rise in social media use. This often toxic cocktail, in fact, has been closely monitored for years. According to a 2017 study released by the American Psychological Association (APA), between 2009 and 2017, depression rates increased to more than 60 percent for teens 14 to 17. The report also found that the increased use of digital media “may have changed modes of social interaction enough to affect mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes.”

The APA’s study also noted the dangers for teens who choose virtual interactions over actual ones. “Individuals who spend more time on social media and less time with others face-to-face report lower well-being and are more likely to be depressed.”

The study concluded that “more US adolescents and young adults in the late 2010s (vs. the mid-2000s) experienced serious psychological distress, major depression, and suicidal thoughts, and more attempted suicide and took their own lives.”

Know the Signs

Parents of teenagers should know this: Social media can be dangerous. The psychological damage it can inflict, studies show, can be deadly. Richard Patterson, PhD, a clinical psychologist and trauma therapist working in El Paso, Texas, believes that adults have a greater role to play in how young people interact on the digital landscape, as does the Catholic Church.

“I believe parents need to stand up here, place limits, have passwords, and check on their child’s history on the Internet,” Patterson tells St. Anthony Messenger. “But I also think the Church can help by offering classes and guidance on the ethical use of social media.”

But Patterson feels that there are greater forces at play here than Instagram and TikTok. Young people, especially in the LGBTQ community, battle undercurrents of stress and aggression that seasoned adults cannot understand.

“The amount of pressure on teens is worrisome. I see 17-year-olds who believe they need to figure out what to do with the rest of their lives,” he says. “I see teens under great pressure regarding sexuality and sexual identity. And I see a lot of teens who are spiritually lost with no sense of meaning in their lives.”

It’s important to address some of the myths surrounding suicide. These include the notion that talking to at-risk teens about suicide is dangerous (the opposite is true); irresponsible or excessive media coverage is not detrimental to teens contemplating suicide (it is); and failed suicide attempts usually signal an end to suicidal ideation (sadly, no).

Knowing the warning signs is also critical. According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the following behavioral patterns should be monitored:

• talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves;
• increased use of alcohol or drugs;
• reckless behavior;
• sleeping too little or too much;
• withdrawing themselves; and
• extreme mood swings.

The trick is to pay attention, assess the situation, and listen without judgment, something Patterson challenges adults to do regularly. “There needs to be a forum where teens can voice their doubts and struggles without fear of judgment,” he says. “Parents, school counselors, coaches, and pastors—any adult whom they believe will listen.”

In that spirit of listening to teens’ joys and struggles, the following testimony is penned by Rory Shelton, 16, whose life was upended by the suicide of her friend Ben.

‘Hi, I’m Rory’

They say you don’t know what you really have until it’s gone. In my case, I knew what I had—I just never thought I would lose it. Hi, I’m Rory. I will be starting my junior year in the fall at a high school in the Midwest. And this is my story.

It was a Monday morning, March 18, 2019. I had just gotten back from a volleyball tournament in St. Louis the night before. I remember waking up still smiling about our exciting first-place finish. I was ready for the week ahead. Little did I know what had actually gone on that morning.

I remember getting to school. First period was great—we had just learned some new math. When I got to my next bell, history, my friend received a phone call from her mom telling us that Ben, my first real friend, had taken his life. I remember thinking, No, this can’t be real—it’s fake. I wasn’t able to wrap my mind around it. I remember walking out of the classroom, crying hysterically. I can’t express the kinds of thoughts that swirled around in my head. I felt confusion, hopelessness, loss, pain—many different feelings that no teenager should have to go through.

I walked out of school that day, knowing that I would never see Ben ever again. I thought about how he would never laugh, cry, party, graduate, or live life the way teenagers are supposed to. The pain I felt, and still feel, is the worst I have ever had to cope with. It’s been over a year without my first friend, my best friend, my companion. I miss Ben every day.

Hope and Healing

I participate in an organization called Hope Squad, a nationwide, school-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program, which focuses on prevention, intervention, and postvention. I participate in this program with about 30 other kids from the 10th to 12th grades. I was chosen to represent my class from all of my peers. We meet every other Wednesday and talk about how we can help the people around us with simple gestures, such as smiling at someone in the hallway and writing letters to other students. We also have exercises to help us learn the warning signs of people who might be thinking of harming themselves.

I love coming together to focus on mental health and helping people one day at a time. I especially enjoy the role-playing activities we participate in. It helps to identify some of the more subtle warning signs a student may be exhibiting. We have learned specific signs like giving away possessions, formerly outgoing students becoming withdrawn, and self-injuring. We have also learned to identify verbal warnings such as “Nothing matters” and “I don’t want to be here anymore.”

Personally, I see the drama and the hate unfold daily. I’ve seen other students ridiculed on social media. I myself have been called a despicable word on Instagram, which hurt. For those teenagers who are not mentally equipped to deal with it, this can cause trauma.

I, too, go through many daily struggles. Sometimes they are large, like the pain I feel without Ben. Sometimes they are just me being a teenage girl and worrying about things like my appearance, homework, volleyball, and grades. I know I am still young, but I’ve had my share of good times and bad.

The hardships that I have experienced in my 16 years have caused emotions most teenagers never have to go through. Ben’s suicide caused a devastating sense of loss that I think about daily.

Social media allows all of this to be shared instantly, which is good and bad. It’s great to be able to share and view accomplishments, triumphs, wins, and good news with this technology. Social media also allows much easier identification of at-risk people who may be struggling. I’ve witnessed cries for help on social media—and we have been trained in Hope Squad to notify an adult immediately. It could be a teacher, parent, or counselor. I have done this myself.

Before social media, no one may have ever known, causing delayed intervention. Conversely, social media also allows you to witness many acts of abuse and hate.

I never thought I would be the one to experience this feeling—that of losing a close friend—but I have learned that other people who have gone through it grieve differently. Some do not outwardly show emotions and instead keep their pain to themselves. Some people, like me, feel more comfort being around my family and friends and talking about my grief and letting it out. Experiencing these emotions at such a young age has given me the privilege to help others who have gone through the same things.

I’ve learned a lot in the last year. I was forced to quickly learn how to cope with tragedy at 15. I’ve learned how to help others cope with death, suicide, and loss. I miss Ben every day of my life, but I hope to use what I’ve learned to help prevent this in the future. —Rory Shelton

The Longest Road

Rory and Hope Squad, surely on the front lines of this crisis, have their work cut out for them: The American Association of Suicidology lists suicide as the second leading cause of death among 15- to 34-year-olds and the 10th overall leading cause of death in the United States. Patterson is a member of this organization. In his work, which includes counseling people of various age groups and social backgrounds, he sees a common thread woven through nearly every story: the loss of hope.

“My bottom line on the epidemic of suicide among teens, among veterans, even among the elderly is that we are facing a crisis of hope,” he says. “Many people are feeling overwhelmed and do not find faith to be a consolation. My task as a therapist is, first and foremost, to help them find hope.”

Those who have lost a loved one to suicide have a difficult road ahead. Patterson understands this firsthand. “Survivors of suicide—be they family or friends—have a long journey of their own, fraught with unanswered questions,” he says. “I’ve lost three active clients to suicide. They will be challenging me the rest of my days.”

Sidebar: The Power of Peer Groups

Parenting is tough. But parents of children in the throes of suicidal crises face a wholly different struggle. Psychologist Dr. Richard Patterson offers some faith-based strategies to help teens at risk.

“Youth groups are a key here, but they need to be structured in such a way that teens can safely explore their questions, doubts, and struggles,” he says. “Many of the teens I deal with struggle with questions and doubts but do not feel free to explore those in a nonjudgmental context. Churches need to acknowledge and address that suicide has a spiritual component.”

Dr. Patterson offers these suggestions to parishes:

1. Each parish should establish a relationship with a local mental health professional.
2. That professional provides two training sessions on identifying teens at risk. One session would be for parents, the other for all parish personnel working with teens (youth groups, Confirmation classes, etc.). Both trainings would also provide procedures for getting help.
3. A third session should be provided to teens. This would focus on what to do if your friend tells you he/she is suicidal. This comes up a lot, especially through social media. Often, a friend is the first to know.

If someone you know is suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Amid growing calls for meaningful digital resources, these media ministries are responding daily with content that feeds the soul.

Just as uplifting news stories seem to get buried under the more salacious and exploitative items, the efforts to spread goodness and well-being via technology are often overshadowed by mind-numbing games and unhealthy use of social media. Although we ought to tread carefully in the web-based world of content, we should also keep an open mind to where it can be beneficial to our psyches and spirits. Indeed, Pope Francis, though cautious, was optimistic when he stated that “a better world is possible thanks to technological progress, if this is accompanied by an ethic inspired by a vision of the common good, an ethic of freedom, responsibility, and fraternity, capable of fostering the full development of people in relation to others and to the whole of creation” (audience at the Vatican, September 2019).

There is a growing wave of people who are seeking more from their experience with digital media, something that connects them to faith, meaning, and healthier relationships. To meet this need, apps, podcasts, YouTube channels, blogs, and many other virtual spaces are springing up—so many, in fact, that it’s getting to be somewhat of a challenge to know where to start. To help you navigate this ever-changing digital landscape, here are six examples of the emerging presence of meaningful media.

The Center for Action and Contemplation

The brainchild of Richard Rohr, OFM, the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) strives to enrich the lives of spiritual seekers by striking a balance between healthy introspection and outward expressions of responding to the Gospel call. Not long after moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, Father Richard established the CAC in 1986.

Popular events such as CONSPIRE—an in-depth, three-day conference on contemplative living—and the two-year Living School program have attracted thousands of participants interested in the center’s inclusive and welcoming ministry.

Calling to mind Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, the location seems a fitting backdrop for an institution focused on mindfulness and soul-searching. And, again mirroring the life of Christ, whose ministry followed his time of self-discovery in the desert, the CAC encourages those who engage with its content to apply what is gained through contemplation back in the “real world.” According to the center’s website, their mission is to “open the door for a critical mass of spiritual seekers to experience the transformative wisdom of the Christian contemplative tradition and nurture its emergence in service to the healing of our world.”

Although visiting the CAC in person for its many retreats and seminars remains a popular draw, it has increasingly offered a variety of resources online. Four podcasts, e-learning courses, daily e-mail meditations from Father Richard, and an online bookstore are just a few of the items on the CAC website. One of the podcasts, Another Name for Everything, features weekly conversations between Father Richard and the two hosts, Brie Stoner and Paul Swanson, on a plethora of topics that unpack the concept of contemplative living.

Ever in tune with the times, Another Name for Everything doesn’t shy away from addressing current issues, such as living out our faith in an era of globalization and practicing mindfulness during the coronavirus pandemic. In a fast-paced culture that is increasingly fixated on immediate results, the CAC is an oasis of calm for the world-weary.

The One You Feed

It all started with a parable. In it, a grandfather tells his grandson about the two wolves that are in a constant struggle within us—one that represents kindness, bravery, and love, and another that represents greed, hatred, and fear. The grandson asks which wolf will win the battle, and his grandfather responds, “The one you feed.” This parable is central to the ethos of the website and podcast named after the grandfather’s answer to his grandson.

Eric Zimmer, a life coach and author, certainly knows what it’s like to feed the wrong wolf. When he was 24, he was homeless, addicted to heroin, and facing serious legal consequences if he didn’t make a bold move to start being the best version of himself. For the past 20 years, Zimmer has fine-tuned his approach to behavior modification, coupling ancient wisdom with cutting-edge cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help people reframe their internal monologue in a positive light.

The One You Feed podcast is a weekly offering and the flagship of Zimmer’s efforts. The podcast, which numbers over 300 episodes, has more than 13 million downloads and was listed on Oprah’s list of “22 Podcasts That Will Motivate You to Live Your Best Life.” Although the podcast covers a wide range of topics related to well-being, most of the content falls within four main areas: anxiety and depression, addiction and recovery, habits and behavior change, and meditation and mindfulness.

Beyond the podcast, the website features a blog, two programs that drill down into Zimmer’s approach to self-improvement (the Spiritual Habits and Personal Transformation programs), and “Eric’s Bookshelf,” a list of both fiction and nonfiction titles that have been formative to Zimmer’s own personal growth. For those hungry for a life lived with more intentionality, The One You Feed is there to nurture the good wolf in us.

Blessed Is She

“Blessed is She is a sisterhood who desires two things: prayer + community. If that sounds up your alley, we’re so glad you’re here.” Site visitors are met with this warm salutation straight away—and that inclusive tone is used throughout this unique online experience. Founded by Jenna Guizar in the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, Blessed Is She is a collective of dedicated female Catholic writers with the noble mission to share their love for the Catholic faith with like-minded women.

The Blessed Is She site is admirably simple—and attractively designed. Visitors can engage with their blogs and devotionals, and shop for gifts to feed the spirit. One blog in particular was both timely and relevant, “Tips for Attending Mass from Home with Kids.” Published during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, author Valerie Keinsley offered these sage words for parents on lockdown: “Nothing about this is normal or easy, and that’s okay. Pausing the live-stream to redirect rambunctious kids, adjusting your usual Sunday traditions, and longing for in-person community and fellowship are all going to take a lot of patience and flexibility on everyone’s parts. Pray for the patience to continue to adapt as this current crisis evolves, and trust that God provides everything you need.”

Providing faith-based tips for navigating life’s peaks and valleys is in abundance in their ministry and on their site.

“You belong here”: These three words can be found on their “About Us” page. Blessed Is She welcomes weary seekers to visit, get comfortable, and be inspired to celebrate the richness of the Catholic faith. To those in need of community and spiritual nourishment, welcome home.

Life Teen

One of Life Teen‘s missions is to bring teens closer to Christ with the Blessed Virgin Mary as their intercessor and guide. Interesting enough, but nowhere in their “About Us” page does it boast their strongest asset for such a noble mission: Mark Hart. As the CIO and executive vice president of Life Teen, Hart, also known as “The Bible Geek,” is an evangelist, writer, speaker, and educator to reckon with. (Search his name on YouTube, sit back, and enjoy the ride.)

But to be fair, Hart is one branch on a mighty tree. This is a ministry that seeks to invigorate the faith lives of young Catholics. And while the feel of this outreach is perhaps more traditionally Catholic than others, they provide a cornucopia of rich materials for young Catholics and their parents to feed on.

The site might seem a bit overwhelming at first, so start with their Catholic Youth Ministry blog, which offers a variety of topics for readers to savor. They address front-burner issues that teens face daily, such as depression and anxiety. Other blogs tackle struggles that are of-the-moment, such as maintaining faith and your sanity during a pandemic. The writing is crisp, and the wisdom shared in these blogs can soothe a weary heart. The site also offers materials for middle school and high school kids who might be struggling with their faith.

But back to Mark Hart, who has amassed quite a loyal following among young Catholics: Rare is it that you find a speaker, author, host, and humorist who can merge youthful energy and powerful catechesis. Hart is a speaker in demand—and his popularity is due, in part, to the delivery of his message. He doesn’t pander. He relates. The same can be said for Life Teen.

Breaking In the Habit

It’s always refreshing to see a young person energized by faith and eager to share it. That feeling takes on a special form when that young person is a tech-savvy professed Franciscan, proud to wear his brown robe. Part blog, YouTube channel, and social media presence, Breaking in the Habit is the evangelization tool of Father Casey Cole, OFM. On the homepage, a number of topics slide automatically across the top of the screen, with titles such as “Can a Christian Be Rich?,” “An Open Letter to Christians,” and “Eight Hilarious Religious Jokes.” Right from the start, visitors can tell that Father Casey is here to engage, ask some tough questions, and also share in some levity.

There’s a pop culture awareness and sensibility to Breaking in the Habit that is at once disarming and thought-provoking. In a blog entry where Father Casey sings the praises of the TV comedy Scrubs, he also makes a subtle call to honor the doctors and medical professionals working on the battlefront of the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s the perfect example of how Father Casey evangelizes: He finds common ground and works from there. He asks questions about faith and doesn’t pretend to always have the answers, but his keen insights and popular approach will appeal to seekers who might not otherwise see the Catholic faith as welcoming.

Breaking in the Habit has a strong social media element, including a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. But it’s on YouTube where Father Casey has truly crystallized his evangelization efforts. Now with over 60,000 subscribers and well over 5 million total views, the Breaking in the Habit YouTube channel is clearly doing something right.

The welcome video that Father Casey features on the channel’s homepage is titled “50 Reasons I Love Being Catholic,” which includes items such as Reconciliation, charity, and the friar’s appreciation of sacred art and architecture. A quick scroll through other videos has Father Casey reflecting on what it’s like to walk around in public in his habit, talking about the day of his priestly ordination, and examining our constant struggle with sin.

The wide variety of topics and the sincerity the friar brings to his videos meet a felt need for the people in the pews to connect with the clergy, and he’s clearly having a lot of fun doing it!

Busted Halo

Don’t let the “.com” fool you: Busted Halo is a ministry of the Paulist Fathers. Though this popular resource provides content for all Catholics, irrespective of where they are on their faith journeys, it’s the mysterious seeker demographic that seems to benefit most from its offerings. And they have a big job on their hands: According to a recent survey from the Pew Research Center, 53 percent of millennials say they attend a religious service once or twice a month/a few times a year. While studies show the majority of this generation believe in God, there seems to be a general apathy for celebrating it formally. And this is why Busted Halo is such a strong resource.

Through articles, videos, podcasts, radio, and a bustling social media platform, the content creators behind Busted Halo infuse their materials with humor, heart, and catechetical prowess. Their audience is nourished spiritually without being judged.

Their podcast, Busted Halo Show, hosted by Father Dave Dwyer, is particularly strong. Father Dwyer, who has an infectious sense of humor and energy to spare, spearheads this punchy podcast that is at turns fun, funny, and rife with Catholic wisdom. Recent shows tackled the COVID-19 crisis, human trafficking, and surviving the loss of a loved one. You can find the Busted Halo Show wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time well spent.

As for the name of this organization, their website says it best: “Catholic belief is that all God’s children are saints in the making,’ yet our life’s journey is fraught with imperfections, struggles, and mistakes. Each of us sports a halo that is either dented, scratched, tarnished, or in some way busted. God loves us despite this and continually calls us to polish our halos up to a nice golden shine.”