We’ve been alerted to a couple events that are coming to the Des Moines area. We added them to our personal calendar; hope they make it onto yours, too!
The St. Joseph Educational Center in Des Moines (SJEC) is hosting two Catholic powerhouse speakers in September. I was so excited to learn Brandon Vogt will be presenting on “Your Family and Cyberspace: Raising Saints in the Digital Age” on Wednesday, September 28 at Dowling Catholic High School Auditorium. I have read several excellent reviews of his new book, The Church and New Media, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy!
Consider these stats for a moment: 90% of children over 5 use the Internet. 96%+ of young adults have joined at least 1 online social network. Kids aged 9-17 now spend more time using social media than watching TV (true for this 35 year-old adult, too!). Internet, blogs, social networking, and text messaging have profoundly changed our children’s world.
What are the dangers and risks of new media? How can we use these tools beneficially with our families? Brandon will lay out a path toward raising saints in our digital world. And if you need one last motivator to register, take a look at Vogt’s brilliant short video. It makes me proud to be a participant in the greater Catholic new media effort!
The other speaker of note is Dr. Peter Kreeft. Those of you who listen to Fr. John Riccardo’s Christ is the Answer on KWKY 1150 AM have likely heard Fr. John recommend several of Dr. Kreeft’s books as must-reads. Kreeft will be in Des Moines on September 15-16 speaking for three separate groups. The presentation I’ve registered for is “Raising Catholic Kids” on Thursday, September 15 at Dowling Catholic High School Auditorium. Dr. Kreeft will draw from his book, Before I Go: Letters to Our Children About What Really Matters, and will share an inspiring reflection on how we can raise our kids in a world sometimes hostile to faith.
Save the dates! More information on both speakers is available through SJEC. Online registration is now open!