Mana‘olana readers suggest their favorite Catholic websites
By Anna Weaver | Hawaii Catholic Herald
There are many quality Catholic website out there when you know where to look. Here are some sites recommended by local Catholic young adults.
Chrislyn Villena, St. Joseph Parish, Hilo
- www.catholicexchange.com
- www.catholiconline.com.
“They give good insight into Catholic national and world news. There are archives that young adults can use to research or compare truths and it is delivered through a Catholic perspective. At Catholic Online I use the quick Saints page to add my parish’s weekly young adult meetings so we can set goals to get to know more of our saints on a closer level. It only takes us five or six minutes to read descriptions about their lives and pray to them for intercessions.”
Sharon Gouveia, St. John Vianney Parish, Kailua
“I first stumbled across PhatMass a few years back after conducting a web search for Pope John Paul II desktop wallpaper. It is a dynamic, urban-flavored, faith-filled site geared toward teens and young adults that seamlessly weaves ‘style’ with dogma and other important Catholic issues of the day.”
Note: There’s a hip-hop music section, a “Defense Directory” so you can learn how to explain your faith to others, and even a “SuperPope” anime movie.
Dallas Carter, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Pearl City
- http://forums.catholic-convert.com/
“It’s an amazing, orthodox forum for Catholics of all ages to fellowship and get good answers to their tough questions. The board is full of theologians, priests and deacons. I am a regular member there and frequented the board while I worked on my Theology Masters. It helped me a ton! It’s also a fun place to just chat with other young adults about young adult issues in a well-moderated and safe setting.
Lisa Gomes, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Wahiawa
“This site has updates on what’s going on at the Vatican, or with the church-at-large.”
Note: Check out the “Vatican Secret Archives” section and World Youth Day information.
“I go to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website for updates on the US Catholic Church and the resources that are available. My favorite is the Readings and Psalms for the Month link … the podcast of the daily Mass readings and the daily reflection are great.
Note: Find movie and TV ratings by the USCCB’s Office for Film and Broadcasting at:
- www.usccb.org/movies/
- www.catholicgreetings.org
“Catholic Greetings has great e-cards for holy days and birthdays and much more!”
Karl Sandbo, St. Michael Parish, Waialua
“Not as thorough as a breviary (liturgical book with prayers, hymns, psalms and readings) but it makes praying the Liturgy of the Hours more accessible.”
Note: Includes a brief biography of the saint celebrating his or her feast day.
“I especially like the commentary on the Sunday readings by Father Cantalamessa every Friday.”
Edwina Fujimoto, South Kona Catholic Church
“There’s free stuff and great online resources.”
Note: Order free Catholic CDs and novels.
“As a catechist, this site is very helpful and informative.”
Note: You can search through more than 11,000 entries in the 1914 Catholic Encyclopedia.
Jimmy Kepper, St. Ann Parish, Kaneohe
- www.catholic.com
- www.catholic.org
- www.christopherwest.com
Hawaii Catholic Herald’s suggestions:
(Also suggested by Lisa Gomes) Describing itself as “an online magazine for spiritual seekers in their 20s and 30s,” Busted Halo is chock full of information including podcasts, advice columns, web videos, and topical feature stories.
- www.sacredspace.ie
- www.findinggod.org
Procrastinate with a purpose when you’re surfing the web. SacredSpace guides you through 10 minutes of prayer and scripture while you sit at your computer. Similarly, 3-Minute Retreat takes you on a Flash-enabled reflection time complete with soothing music.
Designed to help you recognize God on the “Other6” days of the week besides Sunday, visitors can click on floating prayer bubbles to see how people have found God or need God in their day. Comment on people’s bubbles or leave your own prayers and thoughts.