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In October of 2009, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications discussed the following questions: What constitutes Catholic communications and what can be done to curb the number of online writers who use the word Catholic to describe their blog or website while using unpleasant adjectives to describe anyone who doesn’t agree with them?

One idea that surfaced during the October meetings was the creation of a code of conduct for Catholic bloggers.

The idea of a code of conduct – a writer’s creed – is intriguing. While it is uncertain whether such a code would protect the name Catholic from being used for partisan agendas, the concern for the proper use of the name Catholic is a valid one. How can we protect Catholics who visit blogs and websites from assuming that they are receiving an accurate picture of what it means to be Catholic? How can we reduce the number of bloggers and online writers who electronically publish anything they want under the banner of Catholicism?

Catholic authors can seek an imprimatur, but there is no equivalent for electronic media. (Incidentally, the same concerns apply to works by Catholic authors who publish their books through vanity/self-publishing, requiring neither an imprimatur nor the discerning eyes of a publisher’s panel of editors and reviewers.)

Catholic bloggers and online Catholic magazines are quite good at publishing reflective and inspirational pieces, but when these writers dabble in contemporary issues and politically-charged topics, things get dicey. It makes it very difficult for readers to discern the difference between a Catholic perspective and a partisan perspective.

Even the most devout Catholic writers can lose their grip on the nexus of politics and faith. I sadly admit that I fell into this trap while writing for one “Catholic” online magazine. I no longer write for that venue.

I have been a Catholic freelance writer since 2005, when I converted to the Catholic Church. Since then, I have had commentary pieces published in 36 diocesan papers. I have had the great privilege of reviewing many complimentary copies of diocesan papers. One thing is clear to me: diocesan papers are a reliable source of information on all issues. Diocesan papers (both print and electronic) are trustworthy because they place themselves under the authority of their bishops. They transcend the political agendas of partisan politics. In short, they are authentically Catholic.

Regardless of the domestic and international issues they are covering, diocesan editors and writers stand with our bishops. They do not tear them down.

Pseudo-Catholic venues frequently permit writers and readers’ responses to take issue with the USCCB. The ultra-conservative venues welcome articles and comments that criticize the bishops’ efforts regarding conservative concerns. The far left venues welcome articles and readers’ comments that criticize the bishops’ efforts regarding liberal concerns.

Until there is a structure in place to monitor blogs and websites that profess to be Catholic, readers will have to practice discernment. Thankfully, we can trust diocesan papers (and their online websites/blogs) to solidly profess the faith while we wait for better safeguards for Internet browsing.

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Confirmation Class - 2009

I didn't plan to work in the 8th grade Confirmation classroom this year. I didn't expect to step into a classroom at all. I thought I had put that behind me when I stepped away from teaching a couple of years ago to write.


But last September, when I realized that our deacon didn't have a permanent assistant, that he would have to rely on a different parent every week to help keep the class in order, I heard the Spirit prompting me.


I argued for a few minutes. But I don't want to teach. Middle school isn't my strong suit, you know that, Holy Spirit. And John and I won't have any free time at all. We like our weekly mom-and-dad time alone. Drop our daughter off. Head to Dairy Queen. Okay, okay. I'm going.


And I walked up to the good deacon and offered my services. He was shocked. That kind of thing doesn't usually happen without a lot of arm twisting.


Last week, I not only helped out in the classroom, I taught a portion of the class on my own while Deacon led a special class for another grade level.


I took a moment to tell the class what Confirmation means to me.


It means that the Holy Spirit comes upon me with greater power and seals me for greater service. It means that I am empowered to do those things that the Lord has called me to do.


Things God has placed on my heart and I desire to do. And those things that God has placed on my heart and I really want to resist.


Like helping out with the 8th grade Confirmation class instead of eating ice cream at Dairy Queen on Wednesday evening, alone with my husband.


The students looked at me closely and saw that I was smiling. They smiled back, realizing that this year had been a bit of a sacrifice for me, but I counted it worth it all. They were worth it all. (They know I really do like them and care about them.)


Then I told them something about me that they didn't know. The Holy Spirit will also open doors for you in areas that you greatly desire to serve.


For years, I wanted to write. I wrote and wrote and wrote. Publishers and editors sent me rejection after rejection - all throughout my twenties and thirties.


When I was 40, I converted to the Catholic Church and was Confirmed in the Faith, sealed by the Holy Spirit, empowered to do those things God has called me to do.


In the last four years, since the year I entered the Church, over 26 diocesan papers have carried my articles. I have written for online Catholic magazines and Catholic women's magazines. I honestly don't have enough material to keep up with the demand. That has never happened before.


Sure, sometimes the Holy Spirit closes doors to places we would like to go. And sometimes, what we want isn't really what God wants. But when our desire matches what God desires, Confirmation is the key to the whole thing.


The fire of the Spirit begins with Baptism. This fire receives rocket fuel at Confirmation. And there is no limit to what God can do.


He can prompt the heart of man (and woman) to do things he never would have wanted to do, and He can open doors to the very things the man (or woman) was created to do.


How are you fulfilling your call?

Confirmation Class - 2009