Sweet Tweets for 9/20/13: Avoiding the “Selfie” Mentality

I think I’m pretty tuned in to social media, but every week when I receive John Clem’s list of “Sweet Tweets”, I never cease to be amazed at some of the “big news” that I miss along the way. It’s also fascinating to look at these posts from week to week and ponder how much has changed in only seven days. Last week, we were perched on the edge of our Saturday pray vigil for #PeaceinSyria and today we’re processing the America interview with Pope Francis. When I stop to think about how much world news I miss in the course of my busy days, I am awakened from my self-absorbed slumber by that very first tweet John has listed below, Pope Francis’ tweet from 9/17. I hope you’ll take a moment to review the headlines below. They’re packed full of news and information that will give you a more informed perspective on the last week.

Thanks to John Clem, the Director and Media Minister at Catholic Web Services (http://catholicws.com/), we’ve got a full recap of all of this week’s most important action both online and around the world.

• Papal Tweet: “There are many people in need in today’s world. Am I self-absorbed in my own concerns or am I aware of those who need help?” (Pope Francis Sept. 17th)
• Greater Good Technology – Please help support new ministry providing tech to help the homeless – Catholic Web Services http://ow.ly/p2NIP 
• What did the pope’s mechanic say? + NPR Car Talk’s Click & Clack Tweet | CNS Blog http://ow.ly/oQMYr 
• Fr. Barron has produced videos, on the Eucharist as Sacred Meal, Sacrifice and Real Presence, (WOF) http://youtu.be/PFsFv-TWVfY 
• Positive Video: “Giving” (TrueMoveH) (English subtitles) http://youtu.be/7s22HX18wDY 
• Video: Prayer valued as anti-war tool (Professor Maryann Cusimano Love) http://youtu.be/FMNkNebYQrc 
• Catholic priest: Why celibacy is right for me – Fr. Kevin O’Brien, SJ (On Faith – The Washington Post) http://ow.ly/oUicO 
• Great Catholic Podcast Feeds – http://SQPN.com  now lists all their podcasts on one convenient webpage. http://ow.ly/oUMzq 
• Video: Focolare Movement launches global formula to build fraternity, peace (Rome Reports) http://ow.ly/oV9ER 
• Happiness Doesn’t Have a Price Tag: @Pontifex Ponderings (Lisa Hendey – Patheos) http://ow.ly/oVebJ 
• Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio Issues Statement on Navy Yard Shootings (Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA) http://ow.ly/oVqg1 
• NEW tools for website & liturgical life & App — iBreviary PRO TERRA SANCTA http://ow.ly/oVrGn 
• Pope calls faithful to pray, participate actively in politics :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) http://ow.ly/oWxoL 
• Vatican Media office launches an eBook with Pope Benedict XVI’s annual messages for World Communications Day http://ow.ly/oWyO6 
• Pencil pals for Pope Benedict | CNS Blog http://ow.ly/oWzuC 
• Tech Tip: Listening to Podcasts on Android: Top Five Best Apps – http://SQPN.com  http://ow.ly/oWTGu 
• Catholics, the Environment, and a “Culture of Waste” | Catholic World Report – Global Church news and views http://ow.ly/oWYqo 
• The Ancient, Biblical Christian Practice of Venerating Relics – Aleteia http://ow.ly/oWZdW 
• Vatican Little Black Tweet Book – listing of all the important Vatican Twitter addresses to follow | CNS Blog http://ow.ly/oXvEo 
• Our Lady of La Leche: On the Radical and Holy Act of Breastfeeding – Busted Halo http://ow.ly/oXwDl 
• Grace Hacks: Nine Shortcuts to Joy | http://CatholicVote.org  http://ow.ly/oXyS4  http://ow.ly/i/3aZGI 
• Do young Catholics even understand their religion? (On Faith – The Washington Post) http://ow.ly/oXKEj 
• The Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis | Dating God http://ow.ly/oXLAw 
• God & Modern Physics With Fr. Robert Spitzer | uCatholic http://ow.ly/oYRds 
• Video: What it Means to be an Altar Server | http://BrandonVogt.com  http://ow.ly/oZdNk 
• Formation: New Testament Meets The New Methods (Word On Fire Blog) Truth & Life Bible App http://ow.ly/oZhXH 
• Pope asks Catholics to join in prayer to UN’s International Day of Peace (Saturday, September 21st) – Rome Reports http://ow.ly/oZwRT 
• Archbishop Martin of Dublin: Catholic Media Must Be Professional – http://SQPN.com  (Inge Loots) http://ow.ly/oZxZy 
• Discovered biblical-era town along Sea of Galilee may be Dalmanutha in Gospel of Mark – Catholic Online http://ow.ly/oZFAl 
• Pope Francis contributes to “mooncake fund” for Chinese prisoners | Catholic World Report http://ow.ly/oZJNh 
• Tech Tip: iOS 7: Tips, Tricks, and Details (Macstories) http://ow.ly/p0ldT 
• Facebook ‘Like’ Is Protected Speech, Appeals Court Says – Bloomberg http://ow.ly/p0ljb
• Video: The Blood Miracle of St. Januarius (Feast Day Sept. 19th) http://youtu.be/F6IXec6IUCA 
• San Gennaro ‘miracle’ repeated in Naples today on feast day – GazzettaDelSud http://ow.ly/p23Yu 
• Audio: Social Communications plenary: creating a culture of encounter (Vatican Radio) with Archbishop Claudio Celli http://ow.ly/p0WEZ 
• Seminar at UN to push for pro-life, pro-family development efforts :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) http://ow.ly/p0WTL 
• Pope sends letter to Imam of al Azhar http://ow.ly/23gow6 
• A Big Heart Open to God – an exclusive interview with Pope Francis | America Magazine http://ow.ly/p1p5v 
• Beautiful video: The pope’s land of milk & honey :: highlighting Castel Gandolfo’s farm and beekeeping (CNS) http://youtu.be/4UEfKWJ5DoM 
• ‘Smiling Priest’ Among Hundreds of Martyrs to be Beatified in Spain–Oct. 13th http://NCRegister.com  http://ow.ly/p1spr 
• Fr. Barron comments on his NEW Catholicism: The New Evangelization series (Buy a copy for your parish or family) http://youtu.be/b–whjMsBHw 
• Even the Pope is driving on #Biofuels! – http://TodayEco.com  http://ow.ly/p1DM2 
• Vatican launches catechesis phone app on eve of worldwide catechism conference (Italian only- other languages coming) http://ow.ly/p231a 
• Msgr. Tighe: Seeing Church’s Social Communications in a Networked Way (Lisa Hendey:Patheos) http://ow.ly/p23vX 
• Video: Blood for religion and honor — American-Muslims organize blood drives to honor 9/11 victims. http://youtu.be/P8_cFLNF9Is 
• Media and the Catholic Church, Greg Erlandson (OSV) http://ow.ly/p2otw 
• ‘Jerusalem’ IMAX Movie By National Geographic Is Stunning (EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS) (Video) http://ow.ly/p2sSl 

John Clem is the Director and Media Minister at Catholic Web Services (http://catholicws.com/). John is currently in formation to join the Secular Franciscan Order, and loves to share his talents in faith, technology, and journalism in service to the church.  John also writes a blog entitled Call To Holiness  (http://www.calltoholiness.us/). Follow John on Twitter at @Catholicwebs, on Facebook and at Google+.