More comfortable online than out partying, post-Millennials are safer, physically, than adolescents have ever been. But they’re on the brink of a mental-health crisis. But they’re on the brink of a mental-health crisis. One day last summer, around noon, I called Athena, a 13-year-old who lives in Houston, Texas. She answered her phone – she’s had Read more
When Syrian refugees leave their camps, they pack three items: food, water, and light. The first two generally come in the form of packages from the United Nation’s World Food Program or other nonprofit organizations. The latter, however, traditionally came in the form of kerosene lamps, which are less than ideal. In fact, they’re often Read more
Mark Zuckerberg says he wants Facebook users to start playing a similar role to pastors in churches; bringing communities together. “People who go to church are more likely to volunteer and give to charity — not just because they’re religious, but because they’re part of a community,” he said. “A church doesn’t just come together. It Read more
Eight Catholic secondary schools in the Wellington Archdiocese are participating in an inquiry project about enhancing students’ outcomes in technology. The lead school in the project is Chanel College in Masterton. The other participating schools are: St Patrick’s College (Silverstream), St Patrick’s College (Wellington), St Bernard’s College, Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt), Garin College, (Nelson), St Read more
In the diocese of El Paso, in the United States, two parishes have entered the digital age by providing a touch pad on a stand, called a kiosk, for people to make credit-card donations. “Passing the basket and taking those gifts to the altar is a very important part of the Mass,” said Janine Young, Read more
An increase in numbers and visitors disrespecting God’s house have resulted in a selfies ban inside Tekapo’s iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. The interdenominational church is one of the most popular scenic icons in the country with an estimated 100,000-plus visitors a year. The Mackenzie Co-operating Parish oversees the church. Parish committee member Graeme Read more
It has become common for parishes to put notices in their bulletins about powering off mobile phones during parish liturgies. But not everyone takes heed. There are instances of ringtones, texting or even calls during being taken during liturgies. Deacon Greg Kandra says his favourite moment involving a cell phone in church happened near the Read more
Concern is growing about increased pressures on teenagers to engage in risky behaviour such as sending sexually explicit text messages. Celebrity culture, the prevalence of sexual imagery and a lack of awareness about the consequences are among the pressures experts say are being piled on teenagers. Parents are now being called on to educate themselves Read more
In a review entitled “How Steve Jobs and Apple Turned Technology into a Religion,” Chris O’Brien explains that Jobs managed to bring about the apotheosis of silicon-based products, pointing out, in particular, that Jobs was involved in Eastern religious practices, and that Apple executives have talked about making “a cult product,” spread by salespeople known Read more
Australian Father Geoffrey Schneider SJ, who was declared the world’s oldest working teacher by Guinness World Records when he reached his 100th birthday last December, has no intention of retiring. These days Fr Schneider uses the latest technology in the classroom: smartboards, iPads, and so forth — a far cry from the chalk and blackboards when Read more