Today’s lay minister can utilize a greater amount of technology than ever before. With so many pressures from assuming so many different roles, the computer can become a trusted ally for keeping organized, and also for maintaining levels of outreach that one might otherwise overlook.
A good database is key to maintaining all of the names and contact information for your students, catechists, or adults. Besides the simple concept of having all of your information in one place, most database software today allows you to do a number of queries and groupings. If you want the listing of your 8th grade catechists, just set it up and print it out. Need labels? Just print out your query on them and slap them onto envelopes. I can’t tell you how many times I want to send out a quick note or letter to a group and just give the names to the main secretary and voom! Out come the labels. It makes mass mailings a world easier.
The other thing I would recommend is some sort of time management software. Microsoft Outlook is very adequate but some other options include Franklin Planner and DayTimer. Each does essentially the same thing, allowing you to categorize your contacts (if you transfer them over from your database or share the data) into groups. You can easily retrieve a name or email address. One of the best things for ministry, however, is the ability to schedule an event and then have the software remind you in advance.
We just started a new faith sharing group with freshmen. On Sunday I looked at my week and saw that I would meet with these students on Wednesday. I put into Outlook a reminder to send out a little note. Then, with a simple little chime, I was reminded on Thursday to send out the notes to each student. If it weren’t for these types of reminders, I don’t think that I would remember all the little tasks that make outreach possible.
A word about handheld computers. I am an overall fan of PALM computers, if not for their simplicity then for their fun. However, I don’t advocate using one if you think it will magically transform you into a responsible, organized individual. If you’re lazy without a handheld, you’ll probably be lazy with one. Enough said on that.
The way that I use mine for ministry is in the form of lists. I will have running any of the following lists at one time:
• Directions to a parish that I will speak at;
• Names of students attending an upcoming retreat;
• Zip codes for the entire state;
• Local parish Mass times and office hours;
• Inspirational quotes and quips;
• Memorized Bible passages.
Besides the use of lists like these, a handheld becomes more of an extension of your desktop when you “hot-sync” it with your PC, bringing with you all of the date and contact information that you would have at home. Plus, all of those reminders also will appear and beep, alerting you to an upcoming task or event.
If you are able to implement the assets of user-friendly technology into your ministry life, it can only help you to be more effective and reach out to more kids. In today’s computer age, it’s almost a necessity.
(Michael K. St. Pierre is a teacher of theology at Oratory Prep School in Summit, NJ, and co-founder of CatholicVentures.com.)
