Dear fellow Catholic communicator,

The sun has set on World Communications Day (WCD). I suppose you could say it’s World Communications Night as I’m writing you this letter…

It is the first WCD under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, but we already received the day’s official message from our late Holy Father Francis. Leo XIV did not say much regarding WCD after today’s Mass except the following:

I also recall that today is World Communications Day, and I thank media professionals who, by ensuring the ethical quality of their messages, help families in their educational task.1

His brief remark held true to the day’s more obvious celebration; the Jubilee for Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly.

As I reflect on my own family today and the words of these two popes, I realize the impact that my family had on my becoming a Catholic communicator… and I am grateful. As Leo said during his homily,

In the family, faith is handed on together with life, generation after generation. It is shared like food at the family table and like the love in our hearts. In this way, families become privileged places in which to encounter Jesus, who loves us and desires our good, always.2

As one of the fruits borne from a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual family, I hold within myself a mini Pentecost which can be offered to the world. My sister and I both treasure the uniting of diverse peoples, appreciating cultural and personal differences, and finding the transcendent goodness and beauty in all peoples.

That is why I am deeply disturbed by the wave of fearful actions spreading across the globe and being codified by legislative bodies against the acknowledgement and celebration of diversity; actions which often stand against the very Catholic work of unraveling systemic injustices that have resulted in inequality and exclusivity.

Over my fifteen years as a professional, my favorite opportunities in Catholic communications have involved:

• Interviewing Catholics from diverse backgrounds about their faith journey, family stories, and spiritual practices like Marian devotions or liturgical rites of the East

• Sharing how Catholics celebrate our holiest liturgical feasts in their respective cultures, and what rich insights can be gleaned from these traditions

• Educating audiences, with the help of experts, on Catholic influence in major historical events such as the conversion of Mexico through Our Lady of Guadalupe, or the African Catholicism behind the 1739 Stono Rebellion

• Facing difficult subjects from a compassionate Catholic lens, working to understand how we can welcome persons who live on the margins

As a child, I was encouraged to understand the diversity of my background through honest, nuanced, and thoughtful research. Today’s youth are now caught in the crosshairs of culture wars, each receiving mixed messages that affect how their identity and self-worth are shaped. How can a child be nurtured and assured that they are intrinsically valuable, when all the grown-ups are fighting loudly around them about whether any given aspect of a person’s identity can even be discussed?

In Pope Francis’ message to us for this World Communications Day, he reflected:

Too often today, communication generates not hope, but fear and despair, prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred. All too often it simplifies reality in order to provoke instinctive reactions; it uses words like a razor; it even uses false or artfully distorted information to send messages designed to agitate, provoke or hurt.

His suggestion for us — one which has also been echoed by Leo XIV3 — is to disarm ourselves and our style of communication, avoiding polarizing language or the use of “slogans” to describe reality. While we might glean helpful tips from the marketing and communications industries, ultimately Catholic communicators are called beyond these perspectives into the active practice of charity. Francis said it this way:

Christian communication – but I would also say communication in general – should be steeped in gentleness and closeness, like the talk of companions on the road. […]

To do this, though, we must be healed of our “diseases” of self-promotion and self-absorption, and avoid the risk of shouting over others in order to make our voices heard. A good communicator ensures that those who listen, read or watch can be involved, can draw close, can get in touch with the best part of themselves and enter with these attitudes into the stories told.

As always, Francis invited us to begin this process of personal conversion and public communication at the margins, with those who are often overlooked and forgotten.

I encourage you to discover and make known the many stories of goodness hidden in the folds of the news, imitating those gold-prospectors who tirelessly sift the sand in search of a tiny nugget. It is good to seek out such seeds of hope and make them known. It helps our world to be a little less deaf to the cry of the poor, a little less indifferent, a little less closed in on itself.

He ended the message with a helpful list of exhortations which I think I will print out and keep at my desk. I’ve added numbers & bold formatting for easier reading:

(1.) Be meek and never forget the faces of other people; speak to the hearts of the women and men whom you serve in carrying out your work.

(2.) Do not allow instinctive reactions to guide your communication. Always spread hope, even when it is difficult, even when it costs, even when it seems not to bear fruit.

(3.) Try to promote a communication that can heal the wounds of our humanity.

(4.) Make room for the heartfelt trust that, like a slender but resistant flower, does not succumb to the ravages of life, but blossoms and grows in the most unexpected places. It is there in the hope of those mothers who daily pray to see their children return from the trenches of a conflict, and in the hope of those fathers who emigrate at great risk in search of a better future. It is also there in the hope of those children who somehow manage to play, laugh and believe in life even amid the debris of war and in the impoverished streets of favelas.

(5.) Be witnesses and promoters of a non-aggressive communication; help to spread a culture of care, build bridges and break down the visible and invisible barriers of the present time.

(6.) Tell stories steeped in hope, be concerned about our common destiny and strive to write together the history of our future.

Sisters and brothers, may we live our Catholic faith by courageously communicating against the current! May we look to Jesus’ heart as the source of our hope when this world wearies us.

Working out hope alongside you,

Angela

What a year it’s been already. I still find myself fighting tears as I reflect on our late Holy Father Francis. That grief, coupled with the elation surrounding Leo XIV’s election, has found me gripping the metaphorical seat in front of me on the rollercoaster of life.

WhatsApp and social media messages from my Peruvian friends have been fun. Of course, they’re claiming Leo for themselves… and I know better than to fight them on that. I quickly reply with my personal favorite Leo XIV meme; a play on the Spanish word for “potatoes,” papas. (Peru boasts up to 4000 varieties of the root veg.)

One friend proudly announced, “We are about to experience a golden age of Peruvian cringe.”

Oh, how little did we know… It had already begun!

According to Cristóbal Cardinal López Romero,1 during a meal after Leo’s appearance on the balcony, the Holy Father shared a bit more with his brother cardinals about his family, why he had chosen his papal name, etc. According to López Romero, the Holy Father cracked a few jokes that sent laughter through the sea of red hats.

At one point, he threw this one out;

Me han llamado de Peru… Me dijeron que ya no son 4.000 epecies de papa, ¡que ahora, conmigo, son 4.001!

(“They called me from Peru… They told me that now there are no longer 4,000 species of papa, because now, with me, there are 4,001!”) 😆

Whether he said this as a manner of speech or whether someone really did call him to deliver this knee slapper, we Catholic communicators truly have much to which we can look forward with Leo XIV—the first man who enters the papacy a user of social media, a multi-lingual ‘fast texter’2 who took his new name with the epoch of artificial intelligence in mind3.

Beyond what he himself has shared, I don’t intend to guess what our Holy Father will do on the Chair of Peter. While I understand the curiosity behind the questions reporters have been posing (to everyone from his brothers and colleagues, to strangers who’ve spoken to him for 15 minutes) about expectations for the future of this papacy, I don’t think any of us — including Leonum — can answer these questions. Only Heaven knows what God has ready…

That said, I would like to share my joy in knowing that, as Robert Cardinal Prevost, our Holy Father upheld the patron saint of this newsletter as a role model.

You’ll notice the official portrait of St. Óscar Romero at the top-center of the screenshot above, taken from a video interview of the Holy Father while he held the office of Bishop in Chiclayo. Here’s a closer look at the portrait from the saint’s canonization.

Just over a year ago, as President of the Pontifical Commision for Latin America, then-Prevost offered a reflection in celebration of Día de Hispanoamérica (which commemorates the cooperation between the Churches of Spain and the Americas in the service of evangelization).

His remarks on St. Romero are as follows, with English translation below:

Recuerdo de inmediato a san Óscar Romero. Era un hombre que amaba a Dios y a su pueblo. A través de un proceso de purificación y conversión, descubrió que el amor de Jesús hay que ofrecerlo más allá de la zona de confort, arriesgando la vida:

Qué cosa más horrorosa haber vivido bien cómodo, sin ningún sufrimiento, no metiéndose en problemas, bien tranquilo, bien instalado, bien relacionado políticamente, económicamente, socialmente […]. Pero el que por amor a mí se desinstale y acompañe al pueblo y vaya en el sufrimiento del pobre y se encame y sienta suyo el dolor, el atropello, este ganará su vida, porque mi Padre lo premiará.

Las palabras de Romero no eran meramente informativas. No hablaba sobre estas cosas como contemplándolas a la dis tancia o al modo del académico de gabinete. Por el contrario, nuestro querido santo hablaba desde el evangelio hecho vida. Justo en la homilía, pronunciada pocos instantes antes de ser asesinado, dijo:

Acaban de escuchar en el evangelio de Cristo que es necesario no amarse tanto a uno mismo, que se cuide uno para no meterse en los riesgos de la vida que la historia nos exige y que quien quiera apar tar de sí el peligro perderá su vida. En cambio, el que se entrega por amor a Cristo al servicio de los demás, vivirá.

Esta es la más grande verdad. La vida encuentra su destino verdadero en el amor. El amor que implica ofrendar la vida por nuestros hermanos trascendiendo la retórica y sumergiéndonos en la gran aventura que significa seguir la vocación que el Señor nos ha confiado.

Translation:

I immediately recall Saint Óscar Romero. He was a man who loved God and his people. Through a process of purification and conversion, he discovered that the love of Jesus must be offered beyond one's comfort zone, risking one's life:

(Romero:) What a horrifying thing to have lived comfortably, without any suffering, without getting into trouble, peacefully, well settled, well connected politically, economically, socially […]. But whoever, for love of me, moves away and accompanies the people and goes into the suffering of the poor and embraces and feels their pain and their abuse, this one will win his life, because my Father will reward him.

Romero's words were not merely informative. He did not speak about these things as if contemplating them from a distance or in the manner of a cabinet academic. On the contrary, our beloved saint spoke from the Gospel come-to-life. In the homily delivered just moments before his assassination, he said:

You have just heard in the Gospel of Christ that one must not love oneself so much as to avoid getting involved in the risks of life that history requires of us, and that whoever seeks to avoid danger will lose their life. On the other hand, whoever gives themselves out of love for Christ to the service of others will live.

This is the greatest truth. Life finds its true destiny in love. The love that entails offering one's life for our brothers and sisters, transcending rhetoric and immersing ourselves in the great adventure of following the vocation the Lord has entrusted to us.

I suspect that our Holy Father knew, once the election had concluded, that God was now calling him to live these words in a new dimension.

May our prayers accompany him daily.

Saint Óscar Romero, pray for him and pray for us!

Did you know that during this Jubilee Year of Hope, there was a particular Jubilee celebration surrounding the Feast of St. Francis de Sales (Friday), the Feast of St. Paul’s Conversion (Saturday), and Sunday of the Word of God to celebrate the Jubilee of the World of Communication?

Communications professionals from around the world gathered at the Vatican to celebrate their vocation and cultivate hope for the future of their field this weekend.1

After a penitential service led by Father Giulio Albanese, Director of the Office for Social Communications of the Vicariate of Rome, Holy Mass provided an emphasis on mercy — particularly in the homily given by newly-raised Baldassare Cardinal Reina, who employed the story of the ‘woman caught in adultery’ to illustrate how Christ disarmed a violent mob. “To disarm communication, we must first disarm our pride,” he said.

“If we wish to celebrate our Jubilee as the world of communication, we must adopt this paradigm, embracing a style of communication that recognizes the dignity of every human being and fosters care for our common home.”

My strongest recommendation from the Jubilee is that every Catholic communicator listen to Maria Ressa tell her story and share her insights. Maria is a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate for her fierce defense of journalistic integrity in the Philippines.

Text

After Maria, award-winning fiction writer Colum McCann provided powerful insights into the importance of sharing human stories.

A highlight for me was the Holy Father’s address. Casting aside his prepared remarks — an unsurprising act, isn’t it? — he spoke to the hearts of the communicators present. You can watch it within the first eight minutes of this event recording:

The pope’s prepared speech is filled with important points — which were presented afterward, including:

• The need to protect “free, responsible, and correct information”

• The need for media literacy education

• The need for virtuous entrepreneurs and information technology engineers

One group that has been promoting these values for decades is, of course, the Daughters of Saint Paul. Sister Margaret Obrovac, FSP, posted this video of the sisters at St. Peter’s Basilica singing a lovely, African take on the Magnificat this weekend.

That’s all plenty to enjoy and reflect upon, but we’ll soon have more to process. Dr. brought to my attention that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith will soon release a document about artificial intelligence. I’ve got several interviews on this subject ‘in the vault’ for Catholic Communicators podcast, and will gladly await the DDF release.

May we reflect carefully and prayerfully on our calling,

Angela

Dear friend,

After taking an Advent/Christmas break, this newsletter and podcast is returning to help inspire and strengthen you as a Catholic communicator…

I’ll be honest, though: Lately, some personal challenges have left me feeling like uninspired Angela.

As Catholic communicators, let’s be honest: Ours is not an easy path. Few of us have a safety net built into our lives. Most of us choose this calling despite the lack of material benefits. We have all looked into our uncertain futures with a variety of spectacles; sometimes seeing it with feelings of consolation and assurance, other times with uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty. The trials of our vocation can bruise us deeply and wear us out.

Once while speaking with a spiritual father of mine, I revealed that I was praying for the faith that I lack in God’s Providence. He looked at me with compassion, and acknowledged: It can be difficult to trust in God’s Providence if it means we might get stoned to death.

What is a Catholic communicator to do?

Alongside you, I plan to lean into the theme of this Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope.” It means that we haven’t arrived yet; we’re still journeying.

In his document announcing the Jubilee Year, Hope Does Not Disappoint, Pope Francis tells us:

Saint Paul is a realist. He knows that life has its joys and sorrows, that love is tested amid trials, and that hope can falter in the face of suffering. Even so, he can write: “We boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4). For the Apostle, trials and tribulations mark the lives of those who preach the Gospel amid incomprehension and persecution (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10).1

As our tool for this spiritual combat against discouragement, the Holy Father directs us to exercise the virtue of patience. Ever a practical grandfather, he acknowledges the challenges we face during the Internet age, and then opens the window in the room to let the fresh air in.

Look to Creation, he says. Watch how the seasons slowly change, how seeds grow and sprout and blossom to fruit despite the harshness of the sun and wind and many threats. Watch how the caterpillar ‘dies’ to ‘resurrect’ a butterfly.

Two years ago, I wondered what in the world God was doing as he called me to become a certified Laudato Si’ Animator. It was truly an exercise in obedience. Slowly now, I’m starting to understand. The Creator was calling my eyes away from the screens, to Creation. She is the common textbook from which Jesus taught the people. Creation still teaches us today. We must look and listen — pondering all these things in our hearts like Mary.

So, would you join me in this journey of patience, observation, and striving? I’ll feel better knowing we walk together.

Peace be with you,
Angela

As the holidays draw near, we’re going to crave stories even more than usual! Jesus’ story is coming center stage for us who believe, but for others perhaps the secular trappings of Christmas will take that place.

How can we bridge the gap?

We’ve this topic has been discussed in this newsletter and the podcast, but what are some examples to inspire you? Well, to get your gears turning, I’d like to share the recording of our LegendHaven panel, “Echoes of Faith In Secular Storytelling.”

How and where can you see us as Church bridging the gap between Jesus’ Advent and the ‘jolly holidays’?

Connect with my colleagues , , and Robert King at https://sqpn.com.

In the Savior’s peace,

Angela

Dear friend,

Like you, I’m getting tired of hearing the latest “strategy” for “retaining membership” in the Church. Yes, we need a mindset shift, but we moreso need a heart transplant.

The other day, I was walking along with a priest friend of mine who shared the bleak realities of our local priest shortage. He emphatically reported what he’d been informed; “We would need 100 men in seminary right now just to stay at our current number of priests in a few years.”

As I listened to him, I took into my mind this fact, but I also considered in my heart the many challenges he’s experienced in his priestly life — especially the stress that has affected him physically, mentally, and spiritually. I know he’s far from alone in that.

He continued to speak about how, unless many parishes are closed, priests will be made to pastor multiple parishes, and be stretched even further than they are.

“But,” I replied, “that’s if everything remains the same as it is now… The way families raise their children, the way young people respond, the way seminaries function, how many guys leave the priesthood, and how we run the churches.”

The question is: How should we change our ways?

Some believe we should revert back to certain models of Church life as they existed in past decades or centuries. To them, I ask: How do you expect to replicate historical societies within a different, contemporary reality?

Neither can I align myself with those who wish to buck tradition altogether and forge ahead with complete and utter change.

Looking back on my youth, several experiences stand out as extraordinarily important in my formation: mentorships. They taught me that we must learn from the past while adapting its wisdom for the present moment.

My first experience of formal mentorship resulted in two mentors; a magazine editor for a large corporation, and the creative director at their third-party marketing vendor. These were individuals of profound Catholic and Christian faith, thriving in secular work environments. They inspired me, believed in me, and took time to help me recognize my talents. They fostered the spark of excitement and enthusiasm within me without shielding me from the realities of their day-to-day lives.

In my final university semester, I was mentored by an established entrepreneur and marketing professional who also strongly related to my faith priorities. Over breakfast tacos and project drafts, he imparted his own life lessons to me. He expanded my belief in myself so much that, when he offered me a starting position at the end of my internship, I had the confidence to graciously turn down his offer and pursue my vocation in Catholic evangelization.

These three people, along with so many others who have taken time to walk alongside me and share their wisdom, have made an invaluable difference in my ability to impact the world and the Church today.

Many years later, my own mentees are now leading and innovating more than I ever could, through their own unique gifts.

All these journeys, along with the stories handed down to us about Christ and how he mentored people, are why I’m convinced that we, the Church, need to integrate mentorship opportunities into our life and governance.

How? Join me and Christina Semmons in as we discuss. Then, please — share your experiences, ideas, and other inspirations!

The Catholic Leadership Puzzle

Revitalizing Parish Life Through Mentorship

In this conversation, Christina Semmens and Angela Sealana discuss the vital role of mentorship within the Catholic community, emphasizing the importance of building authentic relationships and navigating the challenges of communication in a digital age…

Listen now

2 years ago · 2 likes · Christina Semmens

Pope Francis released a beautiful new encyclical letter, Dilexit nos, on October 24, 2024. Within it, he echoes the Second Vatican Council, urging us toward renewal.

God, Heavenly Father, grant us the discernment to hear your voice clearly, and the humility and zeal to journey together, allowing your Spirit to reshape our hearts into the image of Christ.

🙏

With you and all souls ‘walking this Way,’

Angela

of shares fantastic insights from his perspective as a leader in the Catholic and Orthodox storytellers’ community.

You’re invited into a conversation relevant for all Catholic communicators about:

• Why is the imagination so important to how God created us?

• How might a person or society’s familiarity with storytelling relate to unhealthy interpretations of Christianity?

• How can we tell & enjoy stories while retaining our values?

• Where does our storytelling crisis stem from, and how can we recover our cultural imagination?

• A new, online convention for Catholic & Orthodox fans of fiction storytelling

Connect with Dominic, learn more about LegendFiction… and sign up for LegendHaven — hope to see you there! — at https://legendhaven.com.

Read about a Catholic Servant of God who used dragons in his work at my other project, The Inspired Life:

The Inspired Life

The Genius & The Rosary

Dear friend…

Read more

2 years ago · 2 likes · Angela Sealana

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:8-9

What’s Next…

Did this episode inspire you? Tell us how! https://inspiredangela.substack.com/s/catholic-communicators

Show Your Support: We’re crowdfunding a stipend for the podcast’s generous musical composer, Stacey. https://buymeacoffee.com/inspiredangela

On the morning of Pentecost she watched over with her prayer the beginning of evangelization prompted by the Holy Spirit: may she be the Star of the evangelization ever renewed which the Church, docile to her Lord's command, must promote and accomplish, especially in these times which are difficult but full of hope!
- Pope St. Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi (pp. 82)

Dear friend & fellow Catholic communicator,

We recently celebrated the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary.

Perhaps like you, I have found that today it’s easy to forget the power that a name can possess. Mary’s name is especially important for us; she is our trailblazer. Mariam, מרים , ܡܪܝܡ, Marie, Maria, مريم, Maura…

If you’re new to this newsletter community, I invite you to listen to our first podcast episode about Mary’s Magnificat to unlock the roadmap Mary laid out for us Catholic communicators:

The Fishbowl Explains It

You’re very aware of many theories re: Why young people (and lots of other people) are leaving the practice of the Catholic faith today, but have you considered the role technology plays in this reality?

I’m grateful to have received enthusiastic feedback from listeners to a radio & podcast exploration of faith and technology that I recently recorded with a co-worker. We consider how technology shapes us consciously and subconsciously, as well as provide tips and inspiring role models for ‘connected’ Catholics today from the communion of saints (most of whom are not yet canonized). Take a listen!

One of my sources for the program was Dr. Colin Miller’s fantastic reflection, “Thinking Christianly About Technology, or, Why Your Grandkids Don’t Care About Church.” I highly recommend that anyone involved in evangelization, catechesis… or any other kind of Catholic anything… read this article. He uses an approach a la McLuhan to decipher tech’s affects for us all.

I truly believe that understanding and applying these concepts are essential to becoming effective communicators and faithful Catholics of our time.

Mother Mary, help us ponder all these things in our hearts.

💙 Heartlines

Headlines these days may have you feeling down, but in this newsletter we celebrate heartlines; inspiring pieces of news that are moving hearts.

• Called to Communicate virtual conference is offering free registration and features female Catholic communicators including my pals Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean, along with other big names and admirable professionals September 30 through October 4, 2024. May Mary intercede for a beautiful, faithful event.

• Laudato Si’ Movement is currently celebrating The Season of Creation, through St. Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day, along with the rest of the world. Did you know that LSM co-sponsored the making of the YouTube Original film The Letter, which was viewed by 1.5 million people at last year’s World Youth Day? (WYD even applied for a Guinness World Record certification!) The film is an awesome tool to communicate the ‘care for Creation’ aspect of our Catholic social teaching, and LSM has tons of resources to help you host a screening.

• Congratulations to Spirit Juice Studios for signing a film distribution deal for their Heart of A Servant: The Father Flanagan Story! See it in theaters October 8, 2024.

Before Everything Else

The following prayers are from the Bishops of England and Wales.1

—

For all who work in communications;
may they listen with understanding and speak truth from the heart.
Lord, in your mercy — hear our prayer.

For all of us who receive the news in whatever format;
may we learn to discern the good news in all that we hear.
Lord, in your mercy — hear our prayer.

We pray for all those in the Church who communicate to others, through multiple means, the saving truth of the gospel, that they may be diligent servants of the Word and conscientious champions of the truth. Lord, in your mercy — hear us.

We pray for politicians that they may communicate candidly with the electorate and have the courage publicly to address controversial issues which need to be resolved if human dignity and the common good of society are to be upheld.
Lord, in your mercy — hear us.

We pray for journalists who put themselves in danger to bring to others’ attention wrongdoing and human suffering, that their efforts to humanise society may bear fruit and that they may be kept safe from harm.
Lord, in your mercy — hear us.

We pray for those who have been interiorly imprisoned as a result of their exposure to evil on the internet, that they may be given the strength of will to break out of their addictive behaviour and find peace and healing.
Lord, in your mercy — hear us.

We pray for ourselves, that we may, through God’s grace, use modern media judiciously, so that our horizons may be expanded and we may grow in empathy with others, especially those who are most vulnerable.
Lord, in your mercy — hear us.

We ask Our Lady, who proclaimed God’s mercy whist yet our Saviour was in her womb, to pray with us and for us now as we say: Hail Mary…

Almighty and ever living Father,
the Great Story of your Son’s defeat of the Kingdom of Darkness
through his cruel death and glorious resurrection
is proclaimed from east to west and in every generation.
Hear now the prayers which we offer for those whom he has redeemed.
We ask this through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Because I’m also active in ministries of the Church, I understand that this is a very busy month for everyone! Although there will not be a podcast episode of Catholic Communicators this month, I have several resources to share with you.

What’s the Point?

I started this newsletter along with its companion Catholic Communicators podcast because I know what it's like to work for a non-profit Catholic apostolate and not have as much access to continuing education on current issues or access to resources as a secular professional would. Very few Catholic apostolates today, including those in parishes, have the funds to give their staff and volunteers continuing education opportunities — and these generous folks are also often burning the candle on both ends.

You, the readers of this newsletter, represent those working and/or volunteering in:

• Catechesis and evangelization

• Parish and diocesan leadership (various roles, including communications)

• Catholic education (varying levels, including higher ed)

• Mental health

• Family formation

• Marketing and media

• …and more!

So many wonderful resources for us Catholic communicators are available, but are also out of reach to those who need them — because of a paywall, or lack of time, or even the knowledge that these resources exist.

It is my hope that with Catholic Communicators podcast and this newsletter, we can work together to inspire, motivate, and educate Catholics who communicate our faith; offering resources that are interesting, relevant, accessible, and (of course) faithful to Church teaching.

One of my goals with these tools is to walk the journey alongside a wide variety of voices and experiences in the Church and in the world.

I am personally inspired by the model of some of the greatest communicators in our faith's contemporary history — including Archbishop Óscar Romero, Dr. Marshall McLuhan, Dorothy Day, Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, and Carlo Acutis. May they pray for us.

Support for Catholic Leaders

Good news! My friends of the McGrath Institute at Notre Dame are working to build a Catholic leadership development network to better support those who serve the Church in a variety of leadership roles.

Would you kindly take about 3 minutes for an anonymous survey toward this project? Share which resources you currently have to support you in your ministry, and what would be most helpful to you in the future…

Go There Now

For the Gray Areas

has recently re-branded his outreach as The Third Space, a place for discussion of our Catholic experience that identifies with the vulnerable and marginalized — who often feel caught in the “gray areas”. I recommend subscribing! Look forward to its upcoming podcast episodes which will feature conversations that provide insights into (and for) these folks at the Heart of the Church.

The more we listen to one another, the more aware and understanding we can be toward diverse experiences of the Catholic faith.

For Mental Health Conversations

If you’re lacking in education about various mental health conditions and would like more insight from a Catholic perspective, I highly recommend the podcast Hope Stories by Sister Josephine Garret, CSFN. The current season highlights a conversation between Sister Josephine — a licensed professional counselor — and a Catholic who lives with a mental health condition. You’ll hear about daily psychological realities for each person, their path to health, as well as how faith integrates into their lives.

Her first season of episodes is also a joyful dive into the diverse and unified experiences of Black Catholics which I also greatly appreciate and recommend.

New Liturgical Season?

Sorta! Did you know that the Catholic Church is on-board with a fairly new (although ancient) ecumenical season called the Season of Creation during the northern hemisphere’s harvest season and the southern hemisphere’s spring season?

Beginning on September 1 and ending on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) each year, the Season of Creation provides an opportunity for believers to renew our role in and among God’s Creation, praying and advocating for the care of all members of Creation.

I am both a certified Laudato Si’ Animator as well as a current leadership member for the Texas State Chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement. Far from ideological environmentalism, my experience has convinced me that care for Creation is the most fundamental pro-life, whole-life approach which will help reconcile divisions in the world and bring about lasting healing — combating the ‘virtues’ of technocratic societies.

Consider reading the Holy Father’s 2024 message, and incorporating reflection on God’s Creation as part of your ministry. (Feel free to ask me directly for ideas that might fit your role!)

USCCB Bulletin Insert Flyer

Thank you for how *you* are answering this call with me to support Catholic communicators. May God generously bless you in the coming busy days.

Peace,

Angela

Tell Me About Yourself | Reader Survey

Thank you for all that you have given me.

In the good things, I see your love. I praise you and bless your holy Name!

In the challenges, help me to see your love making everything work for my good.

Oh Holy Spirit, open my heart to your movements.

Now that I am busy, may I trust that this busy-ness is participation in your great work of Creation.

When I am tired, may my guardian angel and patron saints guide me into your presence, Jesus, and remind me of your invitation;

“Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

St. Óscar Romero, pray for us! Amen.

You’re invited into a conversation spanning this question and more, including:

• What power does secular pop culture have to bring people together and to Christ?

• What’s keeping us as the Catholic Church from further engaging with pop culture? How can we practically do so right now?

• What are some of the most important tips to practice as Catholics engaging with pop culture?

Connect with Dom & learn more about StarQuest Media at https://sqpn.com.

Thank you to actress, writer, editor and all-around artist for allowing me to share some of our phone call giving you insight into being a Catholic in Hollywood. See her work at IMDb and connect with her on Instagram @SarahGraceVillarreal. If you’d like to hear more of our phone call, support inspired Angela and stay tuned for supporter-only exclusives.

You’ll also hear about from . Make sure to connect with their crew on Substack!

What’s Next…

• Did this episode inspire you? (We can only know if you tell us so.) https://inspiredangela.substack.com/s/catholic-communicators

• If you aren’t subscribed to the newsletter, you didn’t learn get the teaser article! Check it out here:

and make sure to subscribe:

inspired Angela

For Catholic communicators

By Angela Sealana

• Show Your Support! We’re crowdfunding a stipend for our podcast’s generous musical composer, Stacey. https://buymeacoffee.com/inspiredangela

“There’s an art to what we’re doing, and art lives on…”
- Domenico Bettinelli

Dear friend,

Based on what happened yesterday here in the U.S., I considered delaying this newsletter. After taking deep emotions and concern to prayer, I have decided to send it. Saturday’s events — and the reactions exploding across media channels — remind us of the urgency of our God-given mission.

Last month on Catholic Communicators podcast, we considered the nature of our cultural structure in the West — particularly the U.S., and the poverty found in our relationships.

This month, we are led to ask an important question: In a society that is becoming known for its tendencies toward isolation and individualism, what still has the power to forge genial bonds and trustworthiness between strangers?

As I pondered this, I spent time with family. After dinner, my young adult niece reflected aloud that she's mostly lost touch with her school classmates who don't share common interests. Meanwhile, she's gone out of her way to coordinate a cross-country IRL ('in real life') meeting with an Internet friend who frequents her preferred pop culture circles.

As media evolve from broadcasting to narrowcasting, niche interests naturally take precedent over neighbors who share mere physical proximity.

Have you seen this Pinterest ad yet?

Movies, TV, music, and other pop culture phenomena have evolved with technological advancements, and our pursuit of — and our ties to — these phenomena have become more closely linked with our perceived identities and external relationships than in previous eras. (Do any of y’all consider yourselves an Old Money, Baddy Goth, Goblincore, Girly Girl?)

Today perhaps more than ever before, our niche interests influence more of our daily actions…

• How we occupy ourselves at home, on our commute, or at work

• Events we choose to attend

• People with whom we spend our time & energy

• Items or services we choose to purchase

• Stories our minds retain

• Voices to which we lend our ears

What lessons can the Church gain from this mass cultural shift? How can we apply new and varied cultural realities to an ancient, Judeo-Christian religion?

Introducing Friends

This month, I will be introducing you to someone who has not only been a role model but also a collaborator and friend to me in the practice and communication of our Catholic faith.

, Jr. is the CEO of SQPN, Inc. (also known as StarQuest Media), a Catholic nonprofit organization building bridges between modern culture and the Catholic Church. For three decades, his work in Catholic media has impressively spanned from the very first Catholic online news service, as a magazine editor, to local radio host and producer, and even to directing media and communications at the parish level and the diocesan level.

Under Dom’s leadership, SQPN has had a show rank in the Top 20 on Apple Podcast charts… not in the Religion & Spirituality charts!

I immediately thought of him when I began planning Catholic Communicators podcast. We’ve collaborated together through SQPN, for which he’s worked since 2015. Dom keeps his feet planted firmly on the ground at Boston, Massachusetts, where he and his wife Melanie raise their five children and are all active in Scouting.

As you strive to communicate your faith in today’s culture, do ever you wonder…

• Why has the Church gotten away from its tradition of engaging with popular culture?

• Nowadays, to what extent can cultural references dilute the sacred?

• Where are all the ‘good Catholics’ in Hollywood?

The very first voice you’ll hear on this month’s episode will be that of , a fellow parishioner of The Chosen’s Jonathan Roumie.

Pursuing outlets for her many gifts including writing, acting, and directing for film and theater, Sarah Grace has lived and worked in Southern California for four years with her husband while making intentional decisions to deepen her Catholic faith.

Through our years of friendship, I’ve observed that she has discovered what Pope John Paul II said to communications workers during his 1987 Los Angeles visit:

Humanity is profoundly influenced by what you do. […] It is a fact that your smallest decisions can have global impact…

The link between the art of human expression and the exercise of religion is profound. Social communications in fact provide an important first step in uniting human beings in mutual love, and this first step is also a step to God, "for God is love" (1 John 4:8).

We know that, as Catholics today, creating such ‘links’ in a secular society is not easy. You’ll hear from both Sarah Grace and Dom about how they navigate this challenge which is ultimately faced by every Catholic communicator, including you and me — and why they believe it is so crucial to share these principles with the larger Church.

Finally, you’ll hear from about a resource that he and a team of fellow Catholics have launched, helping us all broaden our horizons and reclaim the ancient practice of engaging with popular culture; .

I’m excited to share this inspiring collection of voices with you soon on the next episode of Catholic Communicators podcast.

Until then…

• Have you ever formed a relationship with someone around a common pop culture interest that deepened into an opportunity to share your beliefs?

• What has your experience been of integrating pop culture into a Catholic (Church) setting? What factors do you think contributed to the outcome of that experience?

See what others are saying and contribute your own voice, by visiting the comments on this post.

🙏 St. Óscar Romero, pray for us.

Angela

☕️ Please share this free newsletter & podcast for Catholic communicators. Then, if you’re feeling particularly grateful (& able); visit the tip jar.

P.S. Dom surprised me by giving a humbling review of last month’s episode:

If you didn’t catch that episode, do so in your favorite podcast app or here:

I also recommend this podcast episode for historical and philosophical context surrounding the Church’s engagement with secular culture:

Pope Francis Generation

Joseph Stuart - Engaging with Secular Culture

I first met Dr. Joseph Stuart over a decade ago now. He was an adjunct professor with a newly minted Phd when Kristina and I were sophomores at Aquinas College. We took a course he taught called, Catholic Political Thought. I remember we talked a lot about the French Revolution and took a field trip to the Russell Kirk Center in Mecosta, MI. Most distin…

Read more

2 years ago · 1 like · Paul Fahey

You’re invited into a conversation spanning these questions and more, including:

• What is the deepest weakness of our society, and how do we address it?

• Why does the Catholic Church have a “preferential option for the poor” when God doesn’t play favorites? What does it mean? How does it affect “everyone else”?

• How do we practically accompany people, even when it’s especially challenging?

You’ll also hear from three other folks. Thank you to Christ In the City for generously allowing us to clip interviews with friends from the street, and thank you to Ron, Jessica, and Chuck for sharing their stories. Hear their full interviews and learn more about CiC’s ministry at https://christinthecity.org or their podcast, “Homeless but Human.”

What’s Next…

• Did this episode inspire you? (We can only know if you tell us so.) https://inspiredangela.substack.com/s/catholic-communicators

• Subscribe to the newsletter:

inspired Angela

For Catholic communicators

By Angela Sealana

• Help raise a solid stipend for our podcast’s generous musical composer, Stacey: https://buymeacoffee.com/inspiredangela

“When you witness someone live out an unconditional love that you did not think was humanly possible, it gives you hope that the world can be different.”
- Philip Couture

Dear friend,

I hope you enjoyed the first installment of Catholic Communicators Podcast last month, as we reflected on the Scriptural roadmap for our success which is presented through the song of Mary.

With this month, I faced a challenging question: Who will be my very first guest on Catholic Communicators podcast? After consulting with the Lord and our patron saint, Óscar Romero, I realized that the Church had already provided this answer, in our preferential option for the poor.

“This is an option, or a special form of primacy in the exercise of Christian charity, to which the whole tradition of the Church bears witness.” - Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 182

But Angela, I don’t do social work. I’m not in ministry to the poor. What’s the relevance for me?

Introducing A Friend

This month, I will be introducing you to someone who — like many of us workers in God’s vineyard — is not a celebrity. However, he has taught me profound and vital lessons that have forever shaped my practice of Christian life and Catholic communication.

Philip Couture is a consecrated layman with the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Lay Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right1. After his initial formation, he lived waaay above sea level in the Andes mountains of Peru, where he taught in the local seminary and traveled to provide catechesis and humanitarian aid to the local people living in this remote environment.

In 2014, he moved to Denver to serve with the apostolate to the homeless called Christ in the City (CiC), where he serves as the Director of Formation for its street missionaries.

Phil is also one of my dearest friends, whom God placed alongside me during my formative college years.

When you think back on your life…

• Who accompanied you during important moments along your journey?

• Who was truly ‘accompanying you’ day-to-day?

The very first voice you will hear on the next Catholic Communicators podcast will be that of Ron, a gentleman who lived on the streets of Denver, Colorado, until a few years ago when his new friends from Christ In the City helped him move into a home (as well as his new spiritual home, the Catholic Church).

Thanks to the generosity of Christ In the City staff, the episode will also feature insights from some of their other friends who have lived an extended period of time without housing. These friends’ lives have been forever changed because of Christ In the City’s ministry of accompaniment.

Accompaniment is a lost art which we, the Church, must learn to recover.

In a culture paradoxically suffering from anonymity and at the same time obsessed with the details of other people’s lives, shamelessly given over to morbid curiosity, the Church must look more closely and sympathetically at others whenever necessary. […] The Church will have to initiate everyone – priests, religious and laity – into this “art of accompaniment” which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Ex 3:5). The pace of this accompaniment must be steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life.2

I work in communications media, but I know that media can only do so much. They are not the answer to the world’s woes.

The only answer to every problem of the world is Christ, and Christ offers himself in relationship spiritually, physically, daily through his Church. That’s us.

Therefore, we Catholic communicators need to understand that — while the Church’s apologetics and communications tracts, films or YouTube podcasts, A.I. personas and celebrity endorsements, or whatever other great ‘messaging’ we create, can bring about helpful results — the only effective route providing lasting results is that of building relationships and accompanying people on their pilgrimage through this earthly life.

As Director of Formation, Phil teaches people — mostly young adults — the importance of accompaniment and how to offer it with love and authenticity. Not only does this accompaniment result in more people moving beyond homelessness and into new life, but it also builds up the Kingdom of God in ways that withstand the storms of pain and discouragement.

Recounting what we have lived or are searching for, in front of another person, helps to bring clarity to ourselves, bringing to light the many thoughts that dwell within us, and which often unsettle us with their insistent refrains. How many times, in bleak moments, thoughts like this come to us: “I have done everything wrong, I am worthless, no-one understands me, I will never succeed, I am destined for failure”, how many times it comes to us to think these things. False and poisonous thoughts, that the exchange with another helps to unmask, so we can feel we are loved and valued by the Lord for what we are, capable of doing good things for him.3

Accompaniment is what God Incarnate taught us by his life. If we pay attention to the Scriptures, we’ll notice that Christ did not simply travel around and preach randomly. Jesus established relationships with a core group of people, and then went around with them — teaching, healing, and breaking bread in the same places over many different visits. Further; stories about Jesus healing people generally involve not only a physical healing, but also a restoration of that person into their community. (Think of the lepers, the hemorrhaging woman, the blind and deaf and crippled, the Samaritan Woman, and many more who re-entered their communities after their encounter with Jesus.) Jesus showed us that we are meant to journey through this life together.

Communications Oversight

My time in business school was filled with lectures and discussions about “building relationships” and “listening” to customers. I’ve discovered that these commercial definitions of such terms often bleed into churches and apostolates, thanks to the habits and training of well-meaning volunteers and ministry partners who work in business.4

For example; “listening” to customers generally means:

• gathering data about them or their responses (at a variety of touchpoints before, during, and after a sale)

• analyzing it all

• and responding — quickly! — in a way that usually benefits the company over a short or long term.

In Gospel communication, though, “listening” is an element of accompaniment; a very personal and human process that requires time and vulnerability.

Listening, in communication, is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which genuine spiritual encounter cannot occur. Listening helps us to find the right gesture and word which shows that we are more than simply bystanders. Only through such respectful and compassionate listening can we enter on the paths of true growth and awaken a yearning for the Christian ideal: the desire to respond fully to God’s love and to bring to fruition what he has sown in our lives.5

[…] Fragility is, in reality, our true richness: we are rich in fragility, all of us, the true richness which we must learn to respect and welcome, because when it is offered to God, it makes us capable of tenderness, mercy, and love. Woe to those people who do not feel fragile: they are harsh, dictatorial. Instead, people who humbly recognize their own frailties are more understanding with others. Fragility, I dare say, makes us human. Not by chance, the first of Jesus’ three temptations in the desert – the one linked to hunger – tries to rob us of fragility, presenting it as an evil to be rid of, an impediment to being like God. And yet it is our most valuable treasure: indeed God, to make us like him, wished to share our own fragility to the utmost. Look at the crucifix: God who descended into fragility. Look at the Nativity scene, where he arrives in great human fragility. He shared our fragility.6

For many of us — whether we are living on the streets or in an ecclesial palace — showing our fragility to others is a very difficult ask. Perhaps we’ve never had this personally modeled for us in our lifetime by someone close to us. However, Christ demands that we do so when he commands us to love one another as he has loved us (cf. John 15).

This, my friends, is how we change the world.

I look forward to sharing Phil’s wisdom with you on the next episode of Catholic Communicators podcast. His gifts and unique blend of experiences have formed him into a remarkable role model.

• Until then, I would like to re-evaluate my ways of communicating, and I invite you to do the same. Are we presenting ourselves as fellow travelers, who are also on the journey?

• What experiences have you had in accompanying someone, or being accompanied?

🙏 St. Óscar Romero, pray for us.

Angela

P.S. I’m curious…

☕️ Support this free newsletter & podcast for Catholic communicators:
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Dear friend,

How much have you thought about the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)? Have you ever realized that this Gospel passage provides all who communicate our faith with a brilliant model, witness, and example to follow?

At the international Catholic New Media Conference in 2013, I was asked to present a breakout session examining the Virgin Mary under her title “Star of Evangelization.” I turned to the Visitation for the answer.

Maristella

Why is Mary called any kind of Star?

According to Marianist Father Johann Roten,

The origin of the expression Stella maris is commonly attributed to St. Jerome (d. 420). However, Jerome called Mary stilla maris, meaning a drop of the sea. Perhaps a copyist transcribed this as Stella maris.1

Seafarers often call her “Star of the Sea” or Stella Maris, because she is the one whose heavenly intercession will — they trust — lead them safely to their destination, much like the trusty, heavenly navigators of the night sky. For Christians, Mary is truly our star — our intuitive compass — as our ship is tossed about on the sea’s unpredictable waves. We trust that she, as the first and most blessed among Christians, will surely lead us to Christ.

Why the Visitation?

The significance of the Visitation as a mystery of our faith is enormous and often overlooked. Dear fellow communicators, do we realize that the Visitation was the first time in which a human being went out and brought Christ to others?

This is our Christian mission, as Pope Benedict XVI reflected:

That of Mary is an authentic missionary journey. It is a journey that leads her far from home […]. Here, also for all of us, lies the secret of our lives as men and women and Christians. Our existence, as individuals and as a Church is projected outside ourselves. […] We are asked to come out of ourselves, from where we feel safe, to reach out to others in different places and surroundings. 2

In the Visitation, Mary is not only communicating the Word of God, but she is truly embodying that blessed Word! Preacher of the Papal Household Cardinal Cantalamessa calls this to our attention:

She was full, physically, of Christ and irradiated Him with just her presence. Jesus came out from her eyes, her face and her entire person. When one perfumes oneself it is not necessary to announce it; it is enough simply to stand near the person to sense it, and Mary, most especially during the time she carried Him in her womb, was full of the perfume of Christ. 3

Our mission as Catholic communicators is to embody Mary’s Visitation, and within that we find our roadmap, the Magnificat; the prayer which Luke presents as her song (Lk. 1:46-56) in the context of a conversation she has with Elizabeth.

Thus, our own mission is to “go out,” and our own personal Magnificat is to be given to the world not as an impersonal billboard but as an authentic song from our hearts in the context of a relational conversation.

This is the roadmap for Gospel communication…

To Magnify

The Magnificat’s first verse is sometimes translated, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the LORD.” When we think of what it means to magnify something, we can easily consider the power of a magnifying glass; it brings something closer to us, makes it clearer, or intensifies the power of something (such as when used to burn poor ants with the light of the sun)!

A Catholic communicator’s examen:

• How am I called to intensify people’s understanding or experience of God?

• How am I called to proclaim God’s greatness?

Mary says it is her soul which magnifies the LORD. The Church teaches us that the soul is our “innermost” part.4 Then, such a magnification of God must come from my innermost self. I am not called to a mere aesthetic reflection of my Creator, but to a deep and total transformation by my God.

When I am transformed, then I can magnify God like Mary. This is my goal.

To Rejoice

Again, I turn to Pope Benedict XVI who highlights the significance of this next verse in Mary’s song:

We have come to the truest meaning and most genuine purpose of every missionary journey: to give people the living and personal Gospel, which is the Lord Jesus Christ himself. And Jesus’ Gospel is a communication and a gift which — as Elizabeth testifies — fills the heart with joy: "For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy." (Lk. 1:44). Jesus is the only true treasure to give to humanity. It is for Him that the men and women of our time have a deep longing, even when they seem to ignore or reject him.

The Gospel, Jesus Christ, is the cause of our joy! He is the answer to every problem. He comes close to us in our trials and in our happy moments.

• Based on how I communicate with others, would people describe me as joyful?

• How am I demonstrating the joys of knowing God — online and offline?

• How am I called to continue sharing the joys of my relationship with God?

• How am I called to cultivate joy?

Mary is carrying Jesus, and her spirit rejoices in God. Beautifully, in this moment of rejoicing, Mary names God her Savior.

To Be Humble

Looking back on her short life, Mary realizes the depth of her lowliness and humility, and sees how God has raised her up.

True humility is found in seeing ourselves as we are, both in our lowliness and in our blessedness.

• How in-touch am I with my lowliness, in an honest, balanced, and healthy way?

• How aware am I of the gifts God has given me?

• When I encounter others — in person or online — how am I intentionally choosing to see them as God sees them? (How are my interactions with others reflecting this intentionality? How are they not?)

To Give Thanks

Given the mighty work of God in our lives, justice calls for us to make an act of thanksgiving to God. (Thus, our Sunday liturgy is a serious obligation.)

Such obligation is not Mary’s primary motivator, however. She is certainly not dragging her feet in acknowledgement of God’s gifts. Her tone is one of awe and wonder.

In such humble awareness of God’s greatness, she seems to naturally ‘fall into’ an act of worship; “holy is His Name.” Yet, we know that this movement to selfless adoration is not natural; it is supernatural. Mary’s connection with divine grace — her being filled with grace — compels her to worship Almighty God.

• Does my practice of prayer lead me into spontaneous acts of worship and adoration?

• How often do I stop to realize God’s gifts, and make an act of thanksgiving?

• Have distractions, busyness, wounds or fears blunted my sense of awe and wonder at God’s greatness and goodness? How can I recover that childlike attitude?

• How am I an example to others, of the transformative power of gratitude?

To Show Mercy

The concluding half of Mary’s Magnificat hymn tells the story of God’s mercy, and it tells the story of God’s people through the lens of divine mercy.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm.
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of His servant Israel,
For He has remembered His promise of mercy;
The promise He made to our fathers,
To Abraham and his children forever.

Therefore, we can easily conclude that, for Mary — who is filled with God’s grace and bearing the Christ in the most embodied way of any human being ever in history, God’s greatest and most important attribute is mercy.

In Latin, mercy is misericordia; cor or heart combined with miseria denoting misery. Therefore, to have misericordia is to have someone’s misery close to heart. According to Mary, God has our misery close to heart and responds to heal our miseries; promising to do so for all who have faith, forever.

• In what ways has God shown mercy to me?

• How am I showing mercy to others in the ways I communicate with them?

• How am I cultivating a culture of mercy in the Church? In my home? In my other places of vocation?

In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary… With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal. —St. Bernard of Clairvaux

I.Q. — Inspired Questions (Ask Us Anything)

You’ve got time! The Feast of the Visitation is celebrated on May 31.

💬 What question do you have for fellow Catholic communicators? It can be serious or fun, complex or simple. Comment (or email reply to this newsletter), and maybe your Inspired Question will be featured in a future edition!

Leave a comment

💙 Heartlines

Headlines these days may be downers, but we celebrate heartlines; inspiring pieces of news that may never make a major headline but are moving hearts.

• Congratulations to Paul at on his graduation and workshops communicating truths about spiritual abuse and its prevention. Demand compelled him to add more classes! Thank you for calling us all to humbly mirror the mercy of God.

• More congratulations are in order for Paul’s wife, , who illustrated a beautiful new children’s book, Growing a Baby: Joey Becomes a Big Brother! Thank you for using your gifts to magnify the wonderful mystery of life.

• Still more congratulations to Spirit Juice Studios for winning a New York Emmy® Award for their moving video, Hero On the Hudson, produced for the Knights of Columbus. Thank you for helping the Church to thank and magnify the gifts of everyday heroes.

💙 We’re looking for more news! What heartwarming tidbit would you like you share with other Catholic communicators?

Parting Words

Thank you for reading this edition of inspired Angela for Catholic communicators.

I’m looking forward to your comments.

St. Óscar Romero, pray for us.

☕️ Did you appreciate this newsletter? You can buy Angela a cup of tea.

Welcome to Catholic Communicators by Inspired Angela. Angela means “messenger of God,” and it also happens to be my name.

In this podcast, I will invite you into conversation with people from every field of culture, as we explore modern-day challenges, in everyday language… and gain inspiration to communicate our Catholic faith.

Introductory Episode

Forthcoming episodes will be focused on audio, but today I wanted to introduce myself in a simple video as we begin this journey together.

Question for You

• In what ways do you struggle to communicate your Catholic faith today?

Let me know in the comments.

Credits

If you appreciate the specialized work, time & energy behind this podcast, please consider giving a tip or other financial support at https://buymeacoffee.com/inspiredangela

—

The original music for this podcast was composed and produced by the mind, soul, spirit, and body of a real person; Juno Award-winning musician Stacey Jones.

https://pilgrimomega1.bandcamp.com.

—

Catholic communicator role models heard in the introduction are (in order of appearance): Most Rev. Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, Dorothy Day, Marshall McLuhan, and Sister Mary Thea Bowman, FSPA. Birdsong is included in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the new evangelization. Pray for us!

—

Catholic Communicators is a podcast of Inspired Angela newsletter. Subscribe for a monthly newsletter and podcast:

inspired Angela

For Catholic communicators

By Angela Sealana

Dear friend,

The story of the newsletter you’re reading right now is a living, breathing example of my view of Catholic communications planning. Perhaps it’s a view that scares some professionals. (I’d be curious to hear from you if you’re among them.) This controversial viewpoint has developed over my career and through decades of volunteering in parishes and apostolates.

If I asked you today, “How should we get the Gospel message out to the most eyes and ears?” you might respond with something along the lines of a multi-channel marketing campaign. Maybe some viral TikToks, ads on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, even billboards... Let’s throw in a Superbowl commercial, too.

Well, by those standards, God would be an absolutely horrendous communicator.

God’s communication plan involved coming to humanity as a tiny, helpless infant and growing up in an obscure town, of a nation occupied by a much more powerful government. He chose twelve seemingly random guys who often frustrated and betrayed him, and he refused the chance to reveal his glory high on the parapet of Jerusalem’s Temple.

His Mother? She’s been giving grand communication tasks to peasants—mostly children, girls, or women—for hundreds of years.

You see; by standards of power and even the laws of common sense, God’s communication Master Plan is absolute trash.

Except, we know that it’s not trash. It’s how you and I have received a treasure beyond price; one that millions around the world have paid for with their lives as a witness to its sanctity.

The Strategy

Despite all the gleaming marble images conjured up when someone says “the Catholic Church,” and amid the shadow of scandal, I am convinced that the work of the Catholic Church happens in communities—local parishes that are often (but not always) cash-strapped and reliant on volunteers. The hardest work of the Catholic Church happens in tent encampments and over kitchen tables. Our hardest work is in the details, in the neighborhood, in the human heart.

The problem is, I’m the type of person who reads the menu before I get to the restaurant. Control helps me feel safe. When I first read Mother Katharine’s above quote, it offended me. I want to know the plan.

As I’ve learned, however, God’s ways are truly far beyond ours. My philosophy of communications strategy is: to plan to let God be God.

(If this scares you, hang in there…)

Result 1: More Connections

One of the wonderful realities of this communications strategy is that God is Love, and Love is generous, creative, and invitatory. As we surrender control to our Creator and plan to let God be God, we see how God orchestrates connections between the members of Creation.

God’s grace is at work in human hearts, and it's through personal connection and relationships that we ‘let God be God’ in a fundamentally important way.

When I began this newsletter, I assumed that it would be an opportunity to re-invent my past presentations, papers, and projects for a new audience. However, when I offered it over to God, I quickly found myself connecting with people who have fantastic insights and who wanted to participate in creating this free newsletter and podcast project for Catholic communicators like you. Now, I’m collaborating with new friends as well as re-connecting with existing ones in new ways.

From a business standpoint, ‘let God be God’ might translate as:

• Learn how you can support your teammates’ personalities and styles of communication. People who “get on our nerves” are easy to label as “difficult” and either avoid or attempt to control them. Often, these people are very similar to our own personalities in a way that we don’t like(!) —or— are so different that they can teach us to grow. God is present in them.

• Be open to expanding your current perspective and discerning new collaboration (if possible) or new opportunities. Openness does not translate to “all new ideas are helpful.” Bottom line: Discern with an open heart.

• As freely as you professionally can, tell friends, family, fellow parishioners (etc) about your projects. We tend to compartmentalize people or situations, but growth requires the scattering of pollen and seed. Your own process of hearing and responding to people’s reactions is almost guaranteed to teach you something new. What connections will God show you next?

• Understand your audience (whom you’re communicating “to”) and place yourself in their shoes. What are their challenges? What are their questions? What do they really want? Now, don’t just leave it there… Love them. Where does that lead?

If you haven’t already, I invite you to pause here and open up a questionnaire I put together for readers of this newsletter. It’ll help me & my collaborators personalize future newsletters for you. Please take a minute and do so here:

Tell me about yourself.

Result 2: More Innovation

These ‘new and old friends’ are working with me to creating something new to benefit you, our fellow Catholic communicator. We’re exploring opportunities. That innovation shouldn’t surprise us because we’ve invited the Holy Spirit into our conversations.

You may be thinking: Well, of course. Catholic projects are driven by the Holy Spirit!

Ideally, that would be true. However, if you’ve been around the Church long enough to see its wounds and infections, you’ll know that there are many projects or campaigns run by Catholics in which the Holy Spirit may be welcomed in name but not in actuality.

When we refuse to recognize and cultivate one another’s gifts, when we refuse to listen, and when we spend more time in defensive modes rather than discernment modes, we are stifling the Holy Spirit.

I’ve seen how organizations that stay stuck in a bubble of fear and stagnation become poisoned.

None of us bear fruit until we are pruned. (At least once—probably many times, I have been the person who needed to be pruned so that the organization could bear fruit!)

Don’t let stagnation poison and stink up your life! Learn to be docile to the Holy Spirit. (Plan to let God be God.)

Result 3: More Peace

“God does not accept the sacrifice of a sower of disunion, but commands that he depart from the altar so that he may first be reconciled with his brother. For God can be appeased only by prayers that make peace. To God, the better offering is peace, brotherly concord, and a people made one in the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” —St. Cyprian (Quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2845)

I’m guessing that you may have participated in many different projects within Catholic settings. How many of those would you not exactly describe as ‘peaceful’?

“Peace be with you,” was the greeting of our Risen Lord, but it is not always the greeting of ourselves as disciples, to each other. This saddens me. It is also a challenge to me. If I want God’s peace to guide my goals, my projects, my relationships, and my life, then I need to cooperate with God’s grace.

Unlike the Pax Romana—lack of conflict—that the world often defines as peace, Christ’s peace is shallom, a covenantal presence and wholeness when God’s grace is made manifest. Therefore, I’ve consistently needed to ‘check myself’ throughout the course of launching this newsletter and discern whether I am actually trying to grab control of the project’s direction or whether I am fostering peace, allowing God to be God.

Some examples of reflection questions one can use in this regard:

• Am I acting in a fully forgiving spirit of reconciliation and respect for the dignity of every person involved, or am I harboring grudges, jealousy, envy, unforgiveness, etc?

  • Similarly: Am I truly collaborating, or am I using my collaborators to achieve personal gain?

• Am I willing to walk away from this project if God calls me elsewhere, regardless of the project’s status and how I might appear to others as a result of leaving it?

• Do I believe that God wills me to live abundantly, and do I trust that pursuing God’s Master Plan is more important than acting according to my fears and worries?

• Am I following the Lord’s commandments and teachings of beatitude?

In the end, when our strategy is to ‘plan to let God be God,’ we will likely be surprised with the process — which may appear a little messier than we prefer — as well as the results — which may be very different than what we first expected.

This strategy of cooperating with the ways of grace is a supernatural route which we can only achieve as pilgrims who walk humbly with our God. Planning ‘to let God be God’ ultimately leads us to delight, unity, creativity, and new opportunities.

Actual Planning?

Angela, this does not sound like a real strategy…

If you’re craving something more concrete, you’re right. Let’s return to St. Katharine’s wisdom; taking care of the details. I’m also reminded of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who once wrote:

I consider it an error to trust and hope in any means or efforts in themselves alone; nor do I consider it a safe path to trust the whole matter to God our Lord without desiring to help myself by what he has given me; so that it seems to me in our Lord that I ought to make use of both parts, desiring in all things his greater praise and glory, and nothing else.1

Here’s what we all should prepare and plan, while still ‘planning to let God be God’:

• A solid foundation of mission, vision, values, voice, and identity in union with our Catholic faith which is expressed and shared among every member of our team

• Methods of listening (to our audience, constituents, community)

• Tools to support our teammates in their individual gifts & responsibilities

• Ongoing ways to gain insight and wisdom from outside ‘our bubble’

• Our hearts for God’s action

• Methods to assess our commitment to the above, built into our routines

You’ll explore all of the above through this newsletter and the impending podcast; not only from me, but from Catholic communicators of various backgrounds and experiences — from both religious and secular professional environments.

At least… that’s the plan! (wink)

I’m curious about your thoughts and experiences related to planning communications in Catholic environments.

Leave a comment

I.Q. — Inspired Questions (Ask Me Anything)

💬 Why did you pick turquoise and gold colors for Inspired Angela as well as for The Inspired Life branding?

Communication is becoming increasingly visual. (Emojis are replacing written language!) Understanding colors and color theory is an important skill for most communicators today. If you’re interested in learning more about how color skills can help Catholic communicators in particular, stay tuned!

I’ve been around a lot of turquoise, living in the American Southwest for my entire life. What people even in the Southwest often don’t know is that turquoise is a sacred color to many indigenous peoples around the world.

“The color blue or turquoise is very important to remind us of the existence of the Second World, and that’s the world before coming into this world. The Turquoise World or the Blue World.”

— Diné (Navajo) Historian Wally Brown

My ancient Mexica (Aztec) ancestors wrote the glyph meaning “turquoise” as a quincunx shape which, to a Catholic, could be reminiscence of a cross-shaped monstrance containing the Body of Christ. The turquoise glyph has been called ‘the cross of Quetzalcóatl,’ who is the preeminent Mexica figure of rebirth and spiritual fulfillment. Therefore, I use turquoise for reasons both personal and universal as a representation and reminder of life’s essential spiritual realities.

Both of my brands contain a gold, upside-down exclamation mark representing the fire of the Holy Spirit (inspiration) coming from heaven; the bridge of grace between heaven and earth. I chose gold because it is used in Christian iconography as a representation of heaven, eternity, and holiness. In everyday signage, gold or yellow is often used to gain attention and point to something important. Heaven, eternity, and holiness are certainly worth our attention!

You’ll notice that I also chose white. The Inspired Life logo features a white brace representing the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. (The brace bracket, by the way, has a fascinating history related to hierarchy and bringing things together.)

In the Inspired Angela logo, you see the white stem of the lowercase letter “i” (used to indicate the word “inspired”). The gold and white markings appear together like a candle, representing how Catholic communicators are called to ignite ‘lights’ of hope, inspiration, warmth, welcome, and truth. This image alludes to the Christian symbolism of white candles representing the Christian as well as Christ. The image also relates to the proverb, “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

Logos and branding should be extremely related to one’s mission, vision, and identity. What are some outstanding logos and brands that catch your attention? What do they communicate to you?

Leave a comment

💬 Your I.Q. could be next! What’s something relevant to Catholic communicators (of any/all kinds) that strikes your curiosity? Don’t be shy; ask a question!

💙 Heartlines

Headlines these days may have you feeling down, but in this newsletter we will celebrate heartlines; inspiring pieces of news that may never make a headline but are moving hearts.

• Jazmin, an awesome mom who resides at Guadalupe Home, received full initiation into the Catholic Church this Easter Vigil, and her beautiful children Jordan and Serenity received the gift of baptism! 📷 Photos here. Join me in praying a Hail Mary for their new journey of faith. Hail Mary…

• Susan Windley-Daoust—whom I will always know as The Ironic Catholic—is going out into the deep(!) by forming a new apostolate, The Mark 5:19 Project, to help parishes become more missional in secular society. Join me in saying a Glory Be for this new adventure. Glory be…

P.S. Check out Spirit Juice Studios’ project 52 Stories which aims to share “unsung heroes of the Catholic Church” in original video content by the Emmy award-winning studio.

💙 What heartwarming tidbit would you like you share with other Catholic communicators? Share away via comment or email reply!

What To Do Next

Thank you for reading this edition of inspired Angela for Catholic communicators. Weren’t there A LOT of calls-to-action? Pick just one for now. I’m eager to hear from you!

St. Óscar Romero, pray for us.

☕️ Did you appreciate this newsletter? You can buy Angela a cup of tea.

Why have I returned? Why am I writing you this letter? Why now?

About 10 years ago, I stepped away from public writing or speaking about Catholic communications. (I sensed that many were carrying the torch, and that God was calling me away to focus on my family and interior life.)

You’ve seen how, over the last 10 years, our communications have changed in noticeable ways — and plenty of people are talking about it.

So, why create this newsletter?

Don’t skip the pull quote.1

I believe the Lord is working in new ways and is eager to shower down abundant graces in our time. This newsletter and website are ways to connect with you, my fellow Catholic communicator, and to facilitate a new movement of God's grace.

As we wrestle between headlines and the latest technology, we can easily lose sight of our vocation. Our vocation as messengers of God is to help our Lord communicate grace through the Church, and for us to help Christ’s beautiful Body, our Church, communicate herself more clearly to the world.

My goal for this newsletter is to be the antithesis of a skim-and-delete email. You have too many of those. We need a return to fruitful reflection. We need substantive, helpful, inspiring conversations and exchanges. I want this newsletter to be something you look forward to receiving and participating in, twice a month.

Therefore, know that the overall plan is for:

• this content to remain free and available,

• and for the comments section to remain open as such.

• A podcast is in the works!

• You will benefit from a variety of voices in this newsletter, including mine.

• Your questions and insights will be included in this newsletter.

  • “Ask Me Anything” for Catholic communicators - Submit your “Ask Me Anything” style questions related to Catholic communicators in an email reply to this newsletter. (Only email replies will be included.) At least your first name would be appreciated to cultivate our sense of community.

  • Submit Your Good News - Headlines tend to be divisive, bad news. What good news have you seen as a result of your work? Is your parish growing in its accessibility to the blind? Has someone written to your apostolate about how your work has helped them find joy? Report good news that won’t make headlines but is worth sharing: Reply to this newsletter via email. (Only email replies will be included.) At least your first name would be appreciated to cultivate our sense of community.

• This newsletter is not an IT help desk — you can get that elsewhere. However, technology and tech issues pertinent to our vocation may be discussed.

• This newsletter will not be an apologetics forum — you can get that elsewhere.

• This newsletter is not exclusive to any one type of communicator. All stripes of Catholic communicators who feel called to this vocation and are interested in upholding Magisterial teaching are invited to charitably engage.

P.S. If you prefer audio, listen to our newsletters on mobile by downloading the Substack app and opening the newsletter there. You’ll see a play button available for auto-generated voiceover.

Today’s Focus

Today where I live, it is Holy Saturday, a day of reflection and quiet. Today, we will reflect: What is the most important quality for us to cultivate as Catholic communicators?

Follow along with me…

• If, as God’s Word Made Flesh, Christ Jesus is the ultimate communicator,

• then we should follow his example per our personal vocation.

1. Do You Listen In Your Nazareth?

“The silence of Saint Joseph is not a passive silence but that of a person who trusts in God and who makes the Word of God become a life project.” - Fr. Amjad Sabbara, Homily at Nazareth for the Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2019

I didn’t plan this, but launching a newsletter for Catholic communicators in the Month of St. Joseph, the man who speaks zero words in Scripture, is utter perfection. Joseph is the man to whom God entrusted himself as a son — the man after whom he wished to model his manhood. As Father Sabbara said above, Joseph made the Word of God his life project. We ought to pay attention.

So, too, did Mary. She who bore the Word Made Flesh was the first and chief Christian communicator. Yet she, too, has few recorded words in Scripture. There is one phrase which is repeated about Mary — her pondering and keeping of things in her heart.

If we put together the model of the Holy Family as one for us, we can conclude that the number one quality of a Catholic communicator is the gift of listening.

Yes, we could say that the first thing the Incarnate Word did on earth was spend about 30 years in ordinary, daily life, listening to his family and community.

“He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)

• What is my Nazareth? What is my little corner of the world that very few other people can see?

• Who are the obscure people there? How do they represent the fringes of society?

• Jesus learned from Joseph and Mary. From which quiet figures in my Nazareth am I called to learn? To whom am I being called to listen?

O my God, teach me to observe, listen, and learn in my Nazareth.

2. Do You Listen In Your Desert?

When he was ready to enter into public ministry, the Incarnate Word certainly did not climb up onto the parapet of the temple or begin performing magic tricks for all to believe. No, he entered into the desert for an extended time of fasting and prayer — of listening.

Saint Charles de Foucauld, a friend of the desert, expressed the eternal wisdom of the saints this way:

“To receive the grace of God you must go to a desert place and stay a while. There you can be emptied and unburdened of everything that does not pertain to God. There the house of our soul is swept clean to make room for God alone to dwell… We need this silence, this absence of every creature, so that God can build a hermitage within us.”

Let me put it this way:
If we are communicators, what exactly are we actually communicating?

We hope the answer to this question is ‘the grace of God,’ yet are we quieting our lips and our minds enough to receive that grace, as the Incarnate Word exemplified? I dare conjecture that each day we refuse to shut up and listen, is a day we risk communicating that which is not of God. As communicators, the responsibilities of prayer, fasting, and maintaining an interior hermitage rest on our shoulders.

• How often do I go into my inner hermitage?

• How am I allowing God to build and develop it?

• How often do I ‘disconnect’ from tech and listen to the Holy Spirit?

• Am I leaving my worries and anxieties with God in the desert, or am I insisting on carrying them into my work of Catholic communication?

O God, help me to consistently seek you and unite myself with you, so that the only thing I ever communicate to others is truly you and yours.

3. Do You Listen In Your Exchanges?

If we pay attention to Christ’s pattern of preaching and interacting with people, we will learn that he did not simply ‘announce and move along.’ He entered into exchanges; mealtime conversations, roadside dialogues, and even the mental chess of the Pharisees. God’s Word Made Flesh — the Person who had the most right to teach — commonly asked questions and engaged his listeners with parables that related to their ordinary lives.

In these exchanges, he listened to their concerns. He engaged with their patterns of thought. He looked at them and loved them, understanding them not only at the level of their mind but also of their heart (cf. Mark 10:21).

When we communicate the Gospel, we need to do so by prompting our audience to engage in reflection, to ask questions, to ponder, to wonder, and to discover something in relation to themselves. In the middle of it all, we need to listen; not simply hearing so that we may cleverly respond with “the right answer,” but rather listening and responding so that we may open ourselves to learning from God’s presence and activity in our encounters.

“In a culture paradoxically suffering from anonymity and at the same time obsessed with the details of other people’s lives, shamelessly given over to morbid curiosity, the Church must look more closely and sympathetically at others whenever necessary. In our world, ordained ministers and other pastoral workers can make present the fragrance of Christ’s closeness and his personal gaze. The Church will have to initiate everyone – priests, religious and laity – into this ‘art of accompaniment’ which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Ex 3:5). The pace of this accompaniment must be steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life.” — Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, no. 169

• How often do I consider and respect the conscience and intellect of the persons with whom I am communicating?

• How do I engage them in the discovery of God’s grace?

• When I enter a project, do I open myself to encountering God in a new way — or do I presume, whether by routine or pride, that there is nothing new to discover?

O God, teach me to encounter you in all I meet, and help me to respect everyone as an Image of you.

4. Do You Enter the Garden?

God’s Word Made Flesh encountered extreme stress — greater than we will ever experience — prior to his arrest. At that time, he took his closest friends to the Mount of Olives, which Luke tells us was Jesus’ getaway from the city (cf. Luke 21:37), and he prayed three times for the Father’s will to be accomplished in him.

As communicators, before we move forward with a project or presentation — and especially in times of stress, we are obliged to place ourselves in an exchange with our heavenly Father and listen, so as to accept his loving will.

• How often do I approach God about my work?

• Which projects have I started without discerning whether they were in line with God’s will?

• What is my typical approach to discernment? In what ways might it need adjustment?

“The most perfect preparation of the evangelizer has no effect without the Holy Spirit.” (Pope St. Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, no. 75)

O my God, humble me to approach you before I undertake any activity in your Name. Teach me to seek your will, and to unite my own will with yours.

5. Do You Listen As You Carry the Cross?

Conflicts, hardships, and the trials that come with communications inevitably arise. My natural tendency in these situations is to attempt to control every condition possible.

Oftentimes, we may perceive ourselves to be the victim in challenging circumstances — as in “a public relations nightmare.”

However, when I look at how the Incarnate Word was silent in his trial, I realize that I have much to learn.

“Jesus, you are life itself, and now you are sentenced to death. You are truth itself, and now you are falsely put on trial. Why don’t you protest? Why don’t you speak up and defend yourself? Why don’t you confound the learned and powerful, as you did so often and so well? […] Jesus, I find your silence troubling. It makes me realize that prayer is not about lips that move, but a heart that listens, for to pray is to become open to your word, and to adore your presence.” (Pope Francis, Way of the Cross 2024, First Station; emphasis added)

While Jesus carried his cross, he did not get lost in his own sufferings. He even listened to the wailing women of Jerusalem and assured them that their tears were better suited elsewhere. Contemplating this, I realize that I’ve got room to grow in the grace of vulnerable listening, especially when I suffer.

• While I undergo challenges and am weighed down by burdens, do I stop listening to those in need?

• Whenever I am weighed down, do I dare open my heart to those around me, trusting that God is still at work and pouring out grace?

O God, teach me to rely on your grace. Help me to prioritize love, and to trust that your way of openness and listening is not an obstacle, but the key to your Kingdom.

6. Do You Listen to Naysayers?

“Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.’ Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.’” (Mark 15:29-32a)

Nailed to his cross freely chosen, the Word Incarnate listened to taunts and criticisms. He listens and suffers out of love for his accusers.

Many of the ways in which we as Catholic communicators have responded to cases of criticism or abuse — glaring weaknesses in our institutional strength — have been from a defensive position; one which, if embodied in Jesus, would have looked like his coming down from the cross. The Incarnate Word, however, shows us that we are called to be as vulnerable from the cross as possible. We are called to suffer for and alongside, and to invite all into the Kingdom rather than rush to defend our might and legitimacy.

“Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.’ Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:26-28)

After his resurrection, too, although Jesus was not physically present when Thomas expressed his doubts, he presented himself to Thomas — wounded. I imagine that the Lord retained his wounds for many reasons, but even if only so that this one person could have placed his hands into them and believed, that would have been reason enough. Jesus listened, and presented himself wounded. What about us?

• When I am criticized or when my work is criticized, how do I tend to respond? Why do I respond this way?

• Am I quick to be defensive? How often do I intentionally love and exercise compassion for the other person(s)?

• Do my words and actions clearly communicate that I am a compassionate disciple of Christ?

O God, when my strength and competence is questioned, teach me to rely on your example of humility and love. Help me to reflect you to my brothers and sisters, especially in times of conflict and weakness.

7. Will You Listen On the Way?

He asked them, ‘What are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?’ And he replied to them, ‘What sort of things?’” (Luke 24:17-19a)

While walking on the road to Emmaus, the Risen Word Incarnate already had the answers to these questions, didn’t he? Why did he ask them?

In his glory, Jesus encountered his downcast disciples and prompted them to express their own thoughts and feelings.

I wonder if this is a lesson for us Catholic communicators. Not only should we engage with people in the public square or on the fringes, but we should do so because we want to listen to their heart and mind. For me, this lesson requires a conversion — from being hyper-focused on my tasks and goals, to prioritizing a transformative process of pilgrimage in which I am journeying alongside others. If I am called to communicate Christ, then I need to want to travel with others, to dialogue with them, and to be transformed with them…

…so that — like at Emmaus — our eyes will be opened as we gather around the Eucharistic meal to recognize that Jesus has been journeying with us all this time.

This lesson, of wanting to listen and being willing to change, is a profound gift of grace.

• What is my ultimate motivation for how I act as a Catholic communicator?

  • Do I pursue the conversion of others as a way to appease a demanding Father?

  • To what extent do I act in the name of God out of vanity and a desire for recognition?

• To what extent do I truly care for the people with whom I am communicating?

• Am I willing to change my mind and my life based on my encounters with others — including those which I do not expect to be transformative?

• Do I pray for the desire to have the heart of Christ?

O Jesus, make my heart like yours. Amen.

St. Óscar Romero, pray for us.

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Inspired Angela is a free email newsletter for Catholic communicators to receive inspiring reflections.

I worked with Angela when she was my former intern supervisor. Angela consistently challenged me to delve deeper into critical thinking regarding Catholic media and evangelization.

Angela's dedication and nurturing to explore different perspectives was formational in my journey, and I am forever grateful for my time with her.

— Montie Chavez, Communications Director, Archdiocese of Las Vegas

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