Go forth and blog . . . .

Many Catholic bloggers have commented on the Holy Father's recent comments about the 'new media' and his encouragement to priests to embrace these new forms of communication (including blogs) and to use them in their ministry to spread the Word and to uphold the teaching of the Church. Fr Tim Finigan, as to be expected, has an excellent post on the subject.

In fact, most of the blogs that I follow have commented in some way. I won't link to all of them here but you can see what I mean by a glance at my Blog List.

I just wanted to add a few words from a different perspective. As a lay person, since I discovered the 'blogosphere', I have gained so much from reading blogs, both those of 'blogging clergy' and laity.

I have been introduced to aspects of my faith and the teaching of the Church that I doubt if I would ever have come across otherwise. I'm sure I'm not the only person who would say this, so I would like to record my thanks to all those who take the time in what is usually a very busy life to write a blog. The Holy Father, as usual, is spot-on!

If ever you feel, it's not worthwhile, your time could be better used doing something else; who reads it anyway? or any other discouraging thoughts, I assure you that there will always be someone who has gained a lot by your posting.

Finally, as well as the many excellent, learned blogs by priests, religious and laity, I also think there is a place for blogs from what I call 'simple, ordinary Catholics' like myself. Just by seeing that other people have the same struggles and difficulties, the same joys and hopes, and that they are trying to live their faith in their every day life, is also beneficial. It's good to know you're not alone.

OK, enough rambling now.