Announcements of Announcements: New Trend?

Deacon Greg got wind of the announcement of a forthcoming big announcement from Father John Corapi, whose fans and followers — many of whom credit Corapi with having been instrumental in their return to the church — have been waiting since March to hear something new.

Recently, Fr. Corapi held an internal office meeting and informed us that he is “not extinguished!” He expressed his continued desire to help deliver a message of hope to those who seek it and he informed us that by this weekend he will have a “very inportant announcement” that he plans on delivering on YouTube, Facebook, and through email.

That’s a savvy use of new media but I wonder, is this a new trend — announcing upcoming announcements?

I ask because in my email comes a press release from the Cardinal Newman Society, also announcing that they’re about to make an announcement:

The Cardinal Newman Society is on the verge of announcing a popular and well-respected Catholic priest as the new Executive Director of our Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education.

I take it their announcement is due next week, but it’s all a little like playing a fanfare to say there will be an even better fanfare in the future, isn’t it?

I’m sure it’s a good marketing ploy — a way to get the fans lined up and paying attention, and to build anticipation. I note this latest from Team Corapi:

Just a quick update: Fr. John was in the studio today getting ready for his announcement. Before giving any clue as to what he was going to say, he expressed greatly his appreciation for all the support and love he’s received from everyone. Thank you!!

If my email is any indication, this all has people tingling and sitting at the end of their seats in anticipation of the announcement. And many of us have noted that Fr. Corapi’s team usually does their stuff late on Friday afternoons. So, perhaps this afternoon will be interesting.

I should have taken a course in marketing, in college. Or perhaps no one needs to study marketing, anymore. Everyone is so savvy, it’s like we’re all little marketers, in our own way, on social media.

Both Deacon Greg and Max Lindenman have elected, in their recent Corapi-flavored posts, to close comments rather than deal with the insanely uncharitable stuff that seems to occur in the comboxes, whenever his name comes up. I don’t like closing comments unless I’m forced to, so I’ll keep them open, but be advised: I’m going to have a very low tolerance level — okay, let’s call it ZERO-TOLERANCE — for the kind of nonsense we have seen previously on the threads. First time I see someone denouncing me, Deacon Greg, Max, EWTN or anyone for “heresy,” “hate” or “being a bad Catholic” simply because they’ve urged prudence, taken a “wait and see” attitude, been consistent with their own internal policies, or simply refused to claim to “know” anything, the comboxes will close, and they’ll never be reopened on Corapi-related stories again.

It’s my house, after all; my rules. If you want to be able to comment, be cool. It’s fine to be passionate, but don’t be a pill.