The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will host internet discussion forums regarding Catholicism and Catholic teaching on Wednesdays in October and November 2001 between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The chat room can be accessed at www.blessme.org . It can also be accessed at www.digitalcity.com. (only for AOL subscribers).

The first Catholic Connection will take place on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The first topic will be Philadelphia Priest Call, the intensive effort of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to promote vocations to the priesthood. The presenter will be Reverend Joseph Devlin, Director of Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The Catholic Connection is a "virtual location" on the internet where a discussion forum can take place. The discussions will be held in real time so dialogue will appear as it is expressed and will not be pre-programmed; however, the presenter will be able to monitor conversation before it appears on screen. Internet users will be able to ask questions and provide observations regarding a specific subject that has been designated as the theme for that particular chat room discussion.

Topics will include: Embryonic Stem Cell Research; African Americans and the Catholic Church and The Blessed Virgin Mary – To Know Her Is to Love Her. Presenters will be priests of the Archdiocese, religious and lay people.

Other Archdiocesan Electronic Evangelization Efforts:

BlessMe Line: toll free, confidential phone line (1-877-BlessMe) staffed by priests (started November 1998)

www.blessme.org : web site featuring Disciples on the Internet, where visitors can e-mail their questions to a priest for a personal response or read answers to frequently asked questions (started March 1999)

American Online collaboration: prominent placement on a search engine to allow more people to access BlessMe.org web site; rotating banner advertises the BlessMe site on Digital City Philadelphia web site (www.digitalcity.com.) (started September 2000)

Contact
Donna Farrell
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747