Why+Do+Ministers+Blog?

Assignment #1
Expected time to complete written assignments: 20 - 30 minutes Please note that there are two parts to this assignment.

After you have attended the webinar and read the blog pages about //Blogging: Sharing My Personal Faith Story//, your individual homework assignment this week is to identify one or two blogs that are interesting to you and to share why these ministers blog. Part 1 : What is their passion?

Using the Catholic Blog Directory ([]), scan through the various titles. Pick three titles that interest you. Read about the author and pick one or two blog posts to read. What are you noticing about the blogs you have scanned? In a paragraph or two, identify what you notice about the author and the mission of the blog. What is their passion?
 * Please remember to include the Name of the blog (and URL) with your comments. If possible, try to pick blogs that others are not commenting on. The main focus of this assignment is to identify WHY these authors are writing their blogs. What is their passion?
 * Name:
 * Blog title + URL
 * Why is this author writing their blog? What is their passion?

Example:
 * Name: Caroline Cerveny
 * Catholic Web Solutions - []
 * Sr. Susan Wolf is a blogger who wants to help religious communities think strategically about integrating the Internet and Social Media into their mission; to develop a plan and then implement it. Using these new media we can enhance our member services, our membership recruitment and our outreach.

Post your comments in the space below, then continue on to Part 2, below.

I read several blogs from the listing and found all to be quite interesting. It is a little disconcerting to realize that their is another world of dialogue and information in cyberspace that one is completly unaware of. I chose two to comment on because they were so very different in their mission and the expression of their "passion". The first blog I chose was "Connect with Mercy" at SistersofMercy.org. The title interested me as I am the product of the Sisters of Mercy educational system and I have a fondness for them. The mission of the blog was to share information on the Sisters of Mercy's involvement in issues of peace, justice and care for the environment and also to educate those who might read the blog about these issues. There were articles on fair trade ( which is also a focus of St. Camilllus parish peace and justice efforts), nuns on the bus promoting justice issues in the political arena, and even a little known violent conflict among factions in the Phillipines. Their passion for peace and justice was evident throughout the articles, side bar and the layout of the blog.

The title "Abba's Little Girl". I could not determine the URL but it seemed to be abbaslittlegirl.blogspot.com. The title was catchy and warm and inviting Although the stated mission of the bloggist was to share her conversion experience from avowed protestant to devout Catholic, the "passion" seemed to be focused on conservative politics. The permanent part of the blog shares her conversion story which I found interesting and compelling but the daily articles seemed to be more about her view of the president and how he is taking the country to hell in a handbasket.

Name: Daren Goodridge Deacon Michel's Place: http://www.deaconmichel.com Deacon Michel is a blogger who believes blogging is an excellent means of sharing and learning. He is a father and this is often highlighted in hi blogs. I like how he often uses situations the relationship with his children to illustrate his points on his own faith journey and Relationship with God.

One of the blogs I read dealt with how God answers prayer. The main point of this Blog was to show tat sometimes it is not that God does not answer us when we pray it just that H may have simply said no. The idea here that is so interesting is that we adults often tell children know when it is for their own good but then don't realize when God is protecting us by simply saying no. We then become like children and sulk instead of praying to be given what we truly need.

Part 2 : Do you agree or disagree?
 * After listening to Scott Rosenberg's video, //10 Myths About Blogs//, do you agree or disagree with what Scott states in the video? Why? Please post your name with your answer**

I don't feel I have enough experience with blogs to say whether I agree or disagree with all that Mr. Rosenberg had to say regarding myths about blogs. There are, however, two that I can say I agree with wholeheartedly: his refutation of the statementments that blogging is not journalism and that blogging is trivial. During the storm my electricity was out and my husband showed my how to check on the statement of the world with my laptop. We were able to get up to date and comprehensive information about the storms inpact on our area and in other states. When I looked closely at the source of the information, it was a blog from one of the major news stations. So blogging can definitely be journalism.

Although I do not care to read about the mundane activities of daily routine that some people choose to share on their bloggs, the vast majority that I have been reading are very well done. Many of the articles are extremely informative and inspiring as well as well researched. In some cases, the blog articles are the quality one might read in professional journals. I do appreciate that there is a repository where one can find Catholic focused blogs as they provide a rich source of information and viewpoints on the faith generally maintained by impassioned and commited groups and individuals.

While I am fairly new as a blogger I strongly agree with the views expressed in the video. I think blogging is an excellent tool however like with any other method of transmitting information there needs to be discernment from the audience. Blogging also has the advantage of being easy and cost effective. I also feel that just as it is not possible to say who was first because of the evolution of blogging I believe it will continue and will evolve seeing as now it is a recognized means of journalism - Daren Goodridge