“Thank you for putting your phones on silent.” This, or something similar, is a common refrain in most churches. How to deal with the almost universal use of mobile devices has become a challenge to many pastors. Others, however, have embraced the new communications media to their advantage.
Father Rodolfo Vasquez, pastor at St. John the Baptist parish, commissioned a mobile phone application for the parish. The app, available through the Apple App Store, Google Play and Microsoft Phone, is chock-full of information. It includes the latest updates on events at the parish, such as Mass and confession schedules, youth formation events, Catholic prayers and resources, Bible reading plan and links to its Facebook and Twitter pages. Users can also listen to Sunday homilies and various other recordings offered for spiritual growth and development.
“The app was partly because everyone is on smart phones all the time. It gives people an opportunity to have complete access to their parish, like everything else—their sports teams, their news. They have access to everything on their phones,” Father Vasquez said.
Part of the New Evangelization, Father Vasquez said, is to use new means to reach the people of God. The app is a means of outreach, of getting the church into people’s lives more than one hour a week.
“What does a parish look like in 21st century?” Father Vasquez said. “The past isn’t working. That’s why we are into the New Evangelization; that’s the urgency of the Year of Faith. The old models have been quite abysmal. Lets rethink everything, without compromising the church’s beliefs and the church’s practices.”
Some might argue that God cannot be present on someone’s phone app. Some might argue that it distracts the user from the true message at the pulpit and can distract others sitting around the user. Still, some people judge that “it’s just not right.” One thing is clear, as more people carry these devices into church, the church will have to formulate the proper etiquette for their usage.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Social Media Guidelines urge parishes to meet their community’s social media needs in order to stay engaged with the growing population. The church cannot keep up unless it is willing to reach out to all of its faith community, Catholics and non-Catholics, and do it thoughtfully and respectfully.
While the USCCB policies do not address the use of mobile devices in church, it is common sense that users should be sensitive to the people around them. It is always distracting when a cell phone starts ringing while the liturgy is under way. Even if phones are on “vibrate” they can be a distraction if they go off during one of the quiet moments of Mass.
Even a proponent of the new technology, Father Vasquez would prefer that parishioners leave their mobile devices in their cars or at home. “I know people have the readings on their phones. I myself have them, so I understand. I don’t have an issue with that; its moments when you should be paying attention—when the priest is preaching—that you should be paying attention no matter.”
Father Vasquez said, “It’s really rude to be flipping a bulletin, a missalette or a phone. At certain parts of the Mass it would be inappropriate. The Liturgy speaks of the people listening. It’s not about following along but listening.”
Apps for churchgoers cover a wide spectrum of the faith and evangelization. Some people, for example, use their phones in church while waiting in line for confession, using an app that guides them through an examination of conscience. Some priests are encouraged when they see young people using their phones to help them in confession or with their Act of Contrition.
Father Joseph Lopez, JCL said that he knows one young man in his late 20s who uses his phone to keep a running tally of sins that he needs to confess. Father Lopez was quite impressed with this young man’s diligence. The young man immediately writes down when he has judged someone or has bad thoughts about something or someone.
On the other hand, Father Lopez said that he has had parishioners come and tell him when someone else was using their phone inappropriately in church. He responds that this is “between that person and God.” He encourages people to pray for others, just as Jesus asks, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Father Lopez, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, said seminaries are also undergoing discussions over the use of mobile devices, specifically whether to allow mobile devices in their chapels.
Smart phones help people stay connected to their faith and meet them where they are. They use apps on the Bible, the rosary, Liturgy of the Hours, Divine Mercy, examination of conscience, etc. Father John Xaviour Amepparambil, a native of India and administrator of St Philip the Apostle parish in Corpus Christi, likes the Divine Office app because he says it helps him learn by listening to the English language of the church. The app also provides daily scripture that he likes to read and meditate on.
The new technology clearly demonstrates the need for discernment on how mobile technology can be used in the church.
“We are going to have to make a decision on what is appropriate or not,” Father Vasquez said. He agrees with Father Lopez that “we shouldn’t judge others…so long as it doesn’t interfere with those around it shouldn’t be an issue.”
“It’s about making things easy; it’s about getting the message out there as much as possible,” Father Vasquez said.