Planning Triumph of the Cross Cathedral - 2005-2007

I mentioned in my Church and the Media class this morning that I have been a member of the Building Committee for Triumph of the Cross, a new parish church which would also be the new cathedral for the Diocese of Steubenville. The Building Committee included members from the six parishes in the city of Steubenville that would be closed and form the new Triumph of the Cross Parish.

Meeting weekly, our first couple of months were devoted to studying Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture and Worship, a document issued by the U.S. Bishops Conference in 2000 to guide people planning church building and renovation projects. As stated in the book's preface,

The document begins with a theological reflection on the liturgy and liturgical art and architecture. Since decisions about church art and architecture should always be based upon the theology of the eucharistic assembly and its liturgical action and the understanding of the Church as the house of God on earth, the first chapter is foundational for the chapters that follow.

The remaining chapters addressed liturgical principles and practices as well as practical architectural principles. It is a rich source of ideas about worship and buildings designed for workship.

We took advantage of online media opportunities by regularly sharing about our work through a website for the new parish, posting early floor plans, renderings and computer images we received from the architects. I invite you to take a look at what we've posted:

• Gallery of Images and Audio Recordings


• Building Committee/Parish Blog


• Parish Website

My birthday is November 18, the day the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul. Not just Saints Peter and Paul, but the Basilicas named after them. Whether or not it's coincidental, I have so often been aware of the effects a church building itself can have on my prayer and worship. It has indeed been a blessing to be a member of the Triumph of the Cross Building Committee.

Jim Coyle

Inter Mirifica - On the Means of Social Communication

Man's genius has, with God's help, produced marvellous technical inventions from creation, especially in our times. The Church, our mother, is particularly interested in those which directly touch man's spirit and which have opened up new avenues of easy communication of all kinds of news, of ideas and orientations. Chief among them are those means of communication which of their nature can reach and influence not merely single individuals but the very masses and even the whole of human society. These are the press, the cinema, radio, television and others of a like nature. These can rightly be called "the means of social communication".

With these words, the Second Vatican Council began the Roman Catholic Church's reflection on the media and called for the development of pastoral instruction on the proper use of the instruments of social communication. Promulgated on December 4, 1963, "Inter Mirifica - On the Means of Social Communication" was the second document from the Council, and is available online from the Vatican's website.

The Vatican's Media Part 2: Radio

At the Vatican on February 12, 1931, radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi spoke these historic words:

I have the highest honor of announcing that in only a matter of seconds the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Pius XI, will inaugurate the Radio Station of the Vatican City State. The electric radio waves will transport to all the world his words of peace and blessing.

Today Vatican Radio broadcasts on 5 continents, offering programs in 40 different languages produced by two hundred journalists from 61 different countries. In addition to shortwave radio transmissions, Vatican Radio offers programs via satellite and the Internet, adding Podcast distribution in 2005.

Vatican Radio is "The Voice of the Pope and the Church in dialogue with the world."

The Vatican's Media Part 1: Newspaper

The oldest of the mass media used today by the Vatican is L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican's newspaper, first published in 1861. Distributed throughout the world, weekly editions are published in 6 different languages and a Polish edition is published monthly. The Vatican's website offers a brief history of the newspaper that highlights several undoubtedly intriguing stages leading to its position as "the Holy See's official organ of information" in 1885. The website offers this observation:

Faithful to its origins, in these 146 years of life L'Osservatore Romano has continued its work of the service of the truth. With enthusiasm and with no fear of sounding a discordant note, it has documented the history of peoples and nations. Above all, it has continued its privileged service, making known the Magisterium of the Successor of Peter.

A PBS List of Links to Catholic Information Resources

Shortly after the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, PBS, the USA's Public Television Service, and Britain's BBC produced a program titled White Smoke which addressed some of the issues facing the Church as we waited for the start of the conclave of Cardinals to elect the new Pope. One of the show's resources still online is a list of links to several sites by and about the Catholic Church. It's a good starting point for Church information.