The REAP Team of the Archdiocese of St. Louis is seeing to use the new technology of podcasting to better minister to Catholic Teens through their REAP Team podcasts.
"As a ministry that works with a lot of teenagers, we’re aware that a lot of teens have iPods," said Masek. "So as they’re discovering this new technology and what can be done with it, we want to be able to offer some very positive things that are inspirational — things that can help them and challenge them in their faith.
"We want to be on the cutting edge as much as we can," he added.
In addition to finding a new — and popular — way of reaching teens to spread the message of God, Masek said he hopes the REAP Team’s podcasts will offer an alternative to negative podcasting on the Web.
"People are becoming aware that you can put adult content out there pretty easy," he said. "The kingdom of darkness is already doing this," Masek said of podcasting. "We need to do something for the kingdom of God."
Currently, the Web site offers two channels of podcasts — one for audio and one for video.
The audio channel will feature three types of podcasts.
One such avenue is Terrific Testimonies, which are personal testimonies from REAP Team members about how faith has affected their lives. Masek added that using portable recording equipment, some testimonies will be recorded live at REAP Team retreats and other events.
The channel also will feature a subsection called Intriguing Interviews, which will include people speaking about issues relevant to teens. For example, Masek said he would like to interview a counselor about teens who struggle with cutting, which is the practice of purposely disfiguring the body with a knife or other means. He said he also hopes to interview other Church leaders about issues of the faith.
Also featured on the channel are Tantalizing Talks from REAP Team staff members at events outside of the retreat setting. The Web site currently features a talk Masek recently gave to youth ministers on how to live a balanced life.
The other channel will feature Reel Revelations, video segments promoting various facets of Catholic life and the Archdiocese of St. Louis, said Masek. He noted that several archdiocesan agencies already have committed to providing the REAP Team with promotional materials.
By offering teens relevant information about current topics, Masek said he hopes to reach out to them in a way not previously known before.
"Technology is morally neutral," he said. "It’s what we do with it. It’s a relatively new technology, but it’s certainly something that’s catching on."
Pope John Paul II even spoke about how the Internet, when used wisely and responsibly, can offer new possibilities for spreading the Gospel message around the world.
The late pontiff made the comments several years ago as part of his annual message for World Communications Day.
"We need to enter into this modern and increasingly active network of information with realism and trust, knowing that if it is used with competence and attentive responsibility, it can offer valid opportunities for the spreading of the Gospel message," said the pope.
In another message on World Communications Day, the pope added "the Internet not only provides resources for more information, but habituates persons to interactive communication.
"Many Christians are already creatively using this instrument, exploring its potential to assist in the tasks of evangelization and education, as well as of internal communication, administration and governance," the pope said.
Masek said he also hopes the podcasts will serve as an outlet for teens who feel they have nowhere else to turn to in talking about serious subjects.
"It’s disturbing to me, but it’s a fact ... Heather (Gallagher, REAP Team chastity educator) and I will get e-mails from teens who feel like they have no one to talk to," he said. Messages have covered subjects including cutting, feelings of loneliness, understanding the opposite sex and other faith issues.
Teens will e-mail them, he said, because they know it’s an anonymous way of communicating with a trusted source, without having to face any consequences.
"I think teens are more and more feeling a disconnect and feeling like there’s nobody that they can talk to about their problems," he said. "They don’t know where to go to get good information."
"We want to get valuable, helpful resources in just as many ways as we can," said Masek.
"This is another way."
