A Little About This Blog and an Invitation for Feedback

During this time of the Coronavirus I have been posting articles here on the blog every two to three days.  I have very much enjoyed being able to do this.  I started this blog about ten years ago (see “Why a Blog for Renewal of Faith”).  For the first couple of years, I wrote somewhat regularly.  When I became a pastor, I didn’t have as much time to write.  Also, I wasn’t do the presentations I do now.  So, writing on my blog become very sporadic except for the weekly posting of my Sunday homilies.

Generally, I write for the blog out of my passion for evangelization, to help people grow in their faith.  Since the Coronavirus shutdown began, I have been able to write more often to show how our faith can be a source of strength during this time (you can be the judge of how well I have been doing at that).  I also did it as way to support our parishioners when I can’t interact with them directly at Mass and other events.  Of course, honestly, I was able to write more often because I didn’t have so many other things going on.

I say our “parishioners” but that is not entirely correct.  One of the ways people come to my blog is through the parish Facebook page.  Generally, when I post a new article on the blog, I put a post on Facebook to let our Facebook readers know there is something new they can read.    Readership from this can be anywhere from just a couple of people to twenty depending on people’s interest.  I assume most of them are parishioners. 

There are also 54 people who are subscribed to the blog.  “Subscribed” means that when I post a new article, they receive it by email without needing to go to the blog itself.  Anyone can sign up to receive the emails in the left side of the screen.  Make sure you click subscribe after entering your email.  Then, you will receive an email asking you to confirm.  (There is an “unsubscribe” option at the bottom of the emails if you no longer want to receive the emails).

The 54 subscribers include parishioners of St. Luke’s where I currently serve.  It also includes parishioners of St. Michael’s and Immaculate Conception parishes where I previously served.  Most of the subscribers are Catholic but I know for a fact, there are some that are not.  There are some people that I have no idea who they are (all I see is an email address and how long they have been a subscriber).  I assume they find it through Internet searches.  I also know there is at least one subscriber who forwards the emails onto her friends.  That’s a good way for anyone to help share our faith.  There are also some who share the Facebook posts.

Anyone is welcome to read the blog.  I pray that the Holy Spirit use it to help all to know Jesus with a deeper understanding and appreciation for our Catholic faith.

I imagine most readers of this blog know that I also maintain the website www.renewaloffaith.org.  What is the difference?  The blog tends to be composed of my homilies and articles that are reflective in nature.  The website contains articles and videos of presentations that I spend more time researching before writing or delivering the presentation.  (When I post new material on the website, I generally mention it on the blog, so you know it is there.)

So, why am I telling you all this?

I would welcome input on what you think of the blog articles as well as anything available on the website.  Is what I post helpful?  There are a couple of people who will email me to share comments but I never hear from most of the readers.  There are a couple of people who will post comments to blog articles (you do this by clicking on “comment” at the end of the article).  I am not looking for a lot of comments that just say “nice job.”  I am not looking for a lot of comments here.  From time to time, I just like to know a variety of people find what I write helpful and a little bit of why.

It is my plan to keep writing.  I feel it is an important part of the ministry God calls me to.  I rely on the Holy Spirit for inspiration.  That inspiration is the source of what you read.  Pray that I always listen to the Spirit.  However, when the Coronavirus shutdown ends, that means I will have other things to do.  It would help me make it a priority to keep writing to know that people find benefit from my blog and website.  So, I invite you to take a moment to comment to this post with any suggestions or comments you have.  Always feel free to comment or ask a question on any article.  Please note if you post a comment, it does not appear till I approve it because of spam comments.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff