Simple…or Complicated??

When I was growing up in the 60’s, for our First Holy Communion the girls were given a little white purse containing a small prayer book and a rosary. I remember thinking how special that was.  My grandparents and parents each had their own prayer book and now I had mine.  Simple.

 As far as religious media, my family would watch Bishop Fulton Sheen (on the black and white television) as he taught us right from wrong using a blackboard the “angels” erased. Simple.

Now in 2026 spiritual content has exploded and nothing is simple.  We have podcasts and YouTube channels explaining what apparently was not imparted to older generations in our Baltimore Catechism. Father Mike Schmitz of Ascension Press has risen to celebrity status and the Hallow app offers movie stars and pop singers to guide us into our spiritual journey. There are pocket guides, Lenten and Advent series and various subscriptions with the goal of increasing our faith. Complicated.

While the churches were closed during the pandemic, the parish flocks literally were flocking to Zoom masses and these internet crusades.  And if these new media forms are actually spreading the gospel to those who would otherwise not attend mass or other religious services, then kudos to them.

Yet, I do have some concerns. Depending on which Catholic app or website you choose to follow, are you getting a consistent Roman Catholic message? Secondly, are the online spiritual options too numerous?  Do we dip our toes in and out of the digital streams but end up not really having a daily conversation with the One who matters most? 

This idea is born from watching my dad my whole life.  He was 98 years old when he passed and lived with me during his last three years.  He was always deeply religious and participated in parish life by attending daily mass, and serving as an usher and Eucharistic Minister. Receiving Holy Communion and Penance were paramount right up to the end of life. Forty Hours devotions and Adoration were part of his spiritual calendar.

Each day he wore his scapular and always had a rosary at hand. His media content consisted of Mother Angelica on EWTN.  The Divine Mercy Chaplet and Rosary were daily mainstays. His Guardian Angel was his confidante. He did not scroll, subscribe, download or share electronically. How he prayed and what he knew about his religion he shared by example. Simple.

I realize not everyone has the role model I had. And I have garnered some benefits from religious apps in the past.  However, I am suspect of their prioritizing big names to lure in subscribers over consistency in Catholic teachings. For the Advent 2023 season, Hallow contracted with Liam Neeson as a celebrity narrator.  He is a known abortion supporter and a very public one at that. Hallow’s CEO initially stood by this decision but after pushback from subscribers and Catholic media, he eventually acknowledged the Neeson association was a mistake. 

 So, for now, I think I will keep it simple and lean into dad’s example. His faith was strong and his devotion was deep and pure. He had his Guardian Angel to guide him – he did not need Hallow’s Mark Wahlberg or Gwen Stefani as a makeshift substitute. Nor did he need to “Subscribe and Like” on his pathway to Heaven.