The pope and the faithful deal with ever-evolving technology

Best-selling author and founder, editor of CatholicMom.com, Lisa Hendey, spent the weekend of Sept. 9-10 in Springfield as the featured speaker at two separate events.

“A lot of people think that I’m going to come and say ‘technology is evil, we must ban it from our homes,’” said Hendey as she began her Sept. 9 presentation sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council 4179 and the diocesan Office for Youth and Youth Adult Ministry at the K. of C. Lake Club. “The truth is that the church is all over this [technology] including Pope Francis’ personal use of technology. It’s good for us who want to be on the front lines of sharing the Good News to understand the opportunity that exists in the digital realm.”

Hendey confessed to the audience that the “screen“ from her smartphone sometimes gets between normal coversation with her husband and “that in a time when I’m alone and should simply be sitting in silence and communing with God, I reach instinctively for this [smartphone] and start to look at it,” said Hendey.

On the plus side, Hendey talked about how Pope Francis lauds technology and the ability it gives us to share stories and stay connected. At earlier presentations to Catholic school students, she told them how “each of us has a story to tell and technology enables us to tell the best story ever, the story of the word of God, the story of the life of Jesus Christ in new and creative ways. Pope Francis is talking to us about using these tools wisely and efficiently for our soul.”

Friends

In a cautionary tone, Hendy discussed the co-opting of the word “friends” as it has evolved to define how many individuals “follow” a person on their Facebook page. The modern day trap, especially for younger girls, is to mistakenly equate the number of Facebook “friends” with their self-worth. Hendey echoes Pope Francis in the admonition that technology should emphasize the person, who is created by God.

Hendey cited a recent CNN study called “Being 13,” that delved into the use of social media by 13-year-olds across the U.S. They are a generation that abhors silence and feel the need to monitor their social media constantly. Many times, parents are not aware of the extent of bullying that occurs online. FOMO, the online shorthand for “fear of missing out” explains much of behavior of particularly young, teen girls. The modern challenge for parents, Hendey said, is for face-to-face communication among family members with smartphones out of reach.

Selfies

Driving home the power of selfies, Hendey shared with the audience one she took with two Tanzanean warriors while in that country last year. She was taken aback by their fascination with the result, until she learned that many in the Tanzanean culture frequently don’t have mirrors. It was the first time they had seen themselves!

Editor’s note — On Sept. 10, Hendey presented “The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtures for Generous Living” at the In Her Cherished Heart women’s conference. See Sept. 4 issue of Catholic Times for more information.