Communications collection helps spread the Gospel

Dioceses throughout the United States, including the Diocese of Corpus Christi, will hold a special collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign on the weekend of May 16-17. The campaign supports projects throughout the world that develop the use of media for evangelization.

Half of the proceeds from this collection stay in the Diocese of Corpus Christi to support local communication efforts, namely the South Texas Catholic and KLUX radio.

"Since we do not require our readers to pay a subscription, this collection is very important to our operations budget," Alfredo Cardenas, editor of the South Texas Catholic, said.

The collection provides grants that spread the faith through social media sites, podcasts, print media, radio and television. In cooperation with the Catholic Press Association and the Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, grants from the collection allow dioceses and Catholic organizations to access professional help to develop and implement robust, realistic and effective communication strategies, said Bevin Kennedy Assistant Director, Promotions, Office of National Collections with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Grants also provide funding programs to allow Catholic communications professionals greater access to theologians and other professors who will help these professionals deepen the religious content of their work. One pilot program will offer education and formation for Catholic journalists, who can then build and strengthen the presence of the Church in the media.

This collection allows the Church to carry out the command of Christ to "go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature" (Mk 16:15).