Internet connects Church to curious

Vocations and communications may see a boost in the Albany Diocese through parish and diocesan web sites.

Rev. John Molyn, diocesan vocations director, told The Evangelist that several Catholics have contacted him since the advent of the vocations office's web site with questions about the Church, the priesthood and religious life.

Priests occasionally e-mail Father Molyn with their questions or comments, and one laywoman wrote to express her opinion on women's ordination. Some college students have expressed an interest in the priesthood by contacting the vocations director through the internet.

Question

"They're usually inquiring what the process is for becoming a priest, saying, `Can you tell me more,' or `Send me some information,'" Father Molyn explained.

He often contacts college students and others who have attended diocesan days of reflection for those interested in the priesthood and religious life via e-mail.

However, "it's not a daily event," he added. The web site is not yet listed on national indices of resources for vocations, so it doesn't have as much exposure as it could.

Parish web

At St. Francis de Sales parish in Loudonville, Rev. David Noone, pastor, is encouraged by the growth of his parish's web site. It has had about 700 "hits" (or visitors) since it began, and the parish is adding a space for Catholics to enter their prayer requests via the web.

Father Noone has received several requests for information on the Church, homilies and even a home visit to a parishioner's mother through e-mail.

"I hope it's going to grow," he said of the web site. He cited a fellow priest of the Diocese who answered questions via e-mail from a college student in his parish who felt uncomfortable asking them face-to-face.

"They have a chance to be anonymous, like the old confessionals," Father Noone added of e-mailers. "They may take advantage of that."

Still, he cautioned, the web will not become a replacement for meetings with parishioners or candidates for the priesthood and religious life. "I think the web site would grow into, `Let's sit down and talk about this,'" he said. "It's silly to type out things to someone you can sit down with." (KB)

(01-15-98) [[In-content Ad]]