5 Ways to Use Social Media During Lent
Let’s face it, Lent is a popular time for people to give up social media and the internet, or simply try and reduce screen time. This provides quite the challenge for a new Communications Director. While everyone can benefit from less distractions and mindless “surfing” there are meaningful ways you can use social media to deepen your Lenten journey and connect on a more faithful level with friends and family. Here is my list of Top 5 recommendations.
1) Choose a specific time(s) each day to review, share, and enjoy social content
Put the device down when your family members are telling you about their day, leave the phone in another room while you are at the dinner table. Leave it in your car or purse when sharing a meal or even coffee with a friend. These are times meant for meaningful interactions in person. The feed can wait, the posts will still be there when you get back. You can; however, gain from going online and starting your day by reading a positive reflection or finding a new prayer to share at dinner, researching project ideas that explain alms giving to a toddler and learning who is in need of your prayers today.
2) De-Clutter your fans, friends, and feeds
Do you have a friend list a mile long of people whom you haven’t shared a live conversation in years? Do you have a few friends or pages you’ve liked in the past that often post crude language or content? Hide them or “unfriend” for 40 days of Lent and then re-evaluate what they offer after Easter.
3) Think before you post
Let’s face it, we’ve all posted thoughts a little too casually from time to time that neither serve a great purpose, nor offer real value to an online group. Make a commitment during Lent to be mindful of the content you post, like or share. Before you hit enter, ask yourself does it offer gratitude, build someone else up, or evangelize the faith? If yes, then Share It!
4) Take a step outside your comfort zone to evangelize
Nothing scares Catholics more than the thought of evangelizing their faith. It’s a muscle we just aren’t used to flexing, but it’s time. We are called to the New Evangelization. Go forth and proclaim the Gospel, yup that even includes Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. The content that we like and share is viral, it has an impact on people and while you may never know who needed to see a simple message of God’s love to get through a tough day or open their heart and come back to the Church- it happens. Need some ideas for simple steps:
- Retweet the Pope @Pontifex
- Share a favorite quote from a Saint
- Share a link back to our website or another with a post like “Hey Catholic Mom friends have you signed up for the Holy Heroes daily Lenten email, it’s great to share with the kids. We are loving it at our house!”
- Post “I’m joining the new Moms’ Ministry next week, who’s coming with me- Bonus- it’s an awesome way to earn your Catechism hours”
5) Post or tweet an offer to pray
I have to admit this wasn’t my idea, but it’s so good! John Lim shared this on Verso L’Alto blog. I like this because it not only begs you to take that evangelization step we talked about earlier, but it has transformational power for you and those that take you up on it. Here’s how it works, you write a post on Facebook that states that you are upping your prayer hours during Lent (and not just for your favorite on American Idol) you are offering to pray for the intentions of friends online. They simply add their intentions as a comment and your daily prayer list builds.
Bonus- Get prayerful on Pinterest
My favorite online obsession these days is Pinterest, and I’ve been building out boards focused on Lent, Faith, Mary, and more. St. Dominic’s has a few boards too. I’m doing some of the searching for you, everything from home decorating ideas, crafts, recipes and inspiration. Looking for family ideas for Lent, just search “catholic family lent” and wa-la!
Have a blessed Lent!
~Erin Jacobs
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