Social Media and The Vatican - Pope John Paul II

Recently the Vatican announced they've launched social media pages for Pope John Paul II as a way for the world to connect with the Roman Catholic Church's message.

The sites launched are Facebook and YouTube. Here you can see and connect with the world about Pope John Paul II. The Vatican launched the pages in preparation for the beatification of Pope John Paul, which is the last step before sainthood, which is set for May 1st.

In a world of instant communication and no communication among the youth. It's a positive step for the church to connect with the world and youth through social media. My theory on social media is to compare it to being in a room while people are talking, if you're not in the room, no one will know what you've said, saying or want to say. Its always to be better in the room and send the right messaging, whether it be a brand or person.

To learn more about the social media pages launched by the Vatican read this article here:

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/15/vatican-announces-facebook-youtube-pages-for-john-paul-ii/

*** The picture above is COPYRIGHT OF ITALIANAMERICANGIRL.COM & Italian American Girl 2011 -- You must ask permission for re-use. ***

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Palm Sunday -- What Does Your Church Mean To You?

Happy Palm Sunday to all the readers of Italian American Girl. I'm not one for holy rolling or pushing religion on anyone. But as it is, I was brought up with a strong faith in Catholicism. I think everyone has their one way of self Catholic expression and I really don't think anyone is perfect: especially Catholics. In light of all the negative things that have happened in the church which no one denies is definitely bad, we have to also look to our own self expression of what our Catholic churches mean to us.

I think many churches serve as a place to reflect, a place to find peace, family, history and traditions. I recently received a letter from a parishioner in Brooklyn, New York who pleaded for me to read what's happening at her church. She like many others was once the faithful parishioner of a church called our Our Lady of Loreto Brooklyn.

This traditional, magnificent church has been the constant in a changing neighborhood and has served many Italian Americans since the early 1900s in Brooklyn, NY. Many baptisms, communions, weddings, services and masses have happened here and now with the ever changing downturn of economic decisions, church officials have decided to let the church be demolished.

As an Italian American, we fight everyday to preserve our heritage and work on campaigns to raise money to save buildings, (for example; Little Italy) programs, statues, art, language... why is this church being demolished? The driving force behind all bad decisions-- which it seems Italian American history is always getting hammered always goes back to economic factors. Look, I was in church this morning... admiring the beautiful artwork and history....and I thought how you can you destroy something so beautiful for something you know will result as my father would say in dialect (S-K-I-F-E-W --not the true spelling.)

Also, my father worked for the Archdiocese in New Jersey for over 25 years so when I see things like this happen it upsets and actually disgusts me. Do tradition & faith have no place in this world anymore or has the not so mighty dollar brainwashed everyone? I feel for the parishioners in Brooklyn, who love their church. You know the Vatican is old too, are they demolishing that as well for condos in the middle of Rome?

Let us also reflect this is Holy Week with not so holy actions taking place. This parishioner wrote me "I'm praying for a miracle." AMEN TO THAT.

This was also covered in The New York Times: "A Fight for a Church Is Evoking Introspection"

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Watch The Pope Conduct Midnight Mass Live From The Vatican Christmas Eve.

Watch the Pope Conduct Live Mass from The Vatican 12/24/09 at 10:00 pm.

http://tinyurl.com/yffuakf Tweet

An Italian American PhotoAlbum..

Here are a few pictures from our very own family archive:
1. Rome--1963 My mother and father on their honeymoon.
2. Reggio Calabria--1950s- My mother as a child with my nonno.
3. Rome--1950s--Pope's Mass in the square. Tweet

Like There is the Vatican, There is Alitalia. How Can and Will Italy Ground All Alitalia Flights Forever???

For as long as I've been alive and going to Italy since I'm an infant, I've always flown Alitalia. Alitalia is more than just an airline, its an irreplaceable memory of something that is dear to me, that reminds me of my other home. A familiar memory that brings me joy knowing its taking me somewhere that doesn't let me forget where I came from, and who I am. Pretty deep?....For an airline right? No, I'm not writing the commercial to save Alitalia, but I'm devastated at the mere thought that Alitalia could be grounded forever in the weeks to come.

I remember being so young and landing in Rome with my family. We would always have to take a connecting flight to Reggio Calabria and it was always the Alitalia plane, same plane, time, I could swear pilot too. Even till this day when we're approaching Reggio Calabria and I see the coast line and sparkling green, turquoise water...I get very emotional and cry. That plane ride for me and on that Alitalia flight is just something I can't explain.

I don't think there was ever an ugly flight attendant on any of the flights over the years. You always knew you were on Alitalia because your captain and flight attendants were just emanating that Italian charm and essence. I'm totally upset over this and can't believe that no one can save this airline. Flying within Italy, will not be the same. It sounds strange but I just don't trust another airline to get me to Reggio Calabria. This is the flight out of Rome, I've been taking for the last 30 years. I don't know who I can trust to give me the same good memories for the next 30 years to come. I'm going to go cry now.

For the latest on this crisis, go to:

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/italian-investors-drop-alitalia-bid/153538

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Madonna Dedicates "Like A Virgin" to the Pope at her Sticky N Sweet Concert in Rome Over the Weekend.

One of my favorite Italian-American women of all time. I love Madonna, I mean who doesn't. She just hit a milestone with turning 50 years old this year. Damn, I can only wish I look as hot as her when I hit 50. So, she just started her the first leg of her Sticky N' Sweet tour and opened up with a major ground-breaking concert in Rome. Now, Madonna even though she was raised in an Italian Catholic home has been known to challenge the 'church.' Over the years, Madonna was banned several times from performing in Rome due to her over the top artistic performances.

I remember watching the "Truth or Dare" documentary where Madonna is giving a press conference in Rome trying to explain her case to the Italian people after her show was banned because of risque segments. She went on to say, how she's an Italian American and basically not interested in offending the church but just trying to express herself. Now, after a more than a decade, Madonna returns to Rome, welcomed by all the Italians and including the Pope. She says, "I dedicate this song to the pope, because I'm a child of God. All of you are also children of God." So deep, love Madonna. I will be honored with seeing Madonna in concert when she hits Madison Square Garden this Fall. Can't wait!

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