Photos from historic day

Without a pope, the church is said to be "Sede vacante," (the See of Rome is vacant.)

Watching the end of the papacy, Aux. Bishop Luis R. Zarama, Kieran Quinn,
and Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory

Salute at the end of the papacy. (Screen shot)

Andrew's screens

Papal Transition on RebelMouse, via Twitter

Ash Wednesday in @ArchATL

Social Media on the brain

It is a social media bonanza here at the Georgia Bulletin.

Thursday night at Taco Mac near the Perimeter Mall, several folks involved with the new media gathered. It was the meeting of the Catholic social media users group in the Big Peach. There were podcasters, 'tweeters,' writers, leaders with Star Quest Production Network and others.

A ring leader was Greg Willets, of Catholics Next Door, who wanted to see if there was interest in sharing ideas, learning from each other and set up a sounding board for the pro and novice alike.

Answer: Yes.

There's a Facebook page to keep up with news.

Today is also a second social media event. It is a Web-inar hosted by the Catholic Press Association about "Using Social Media: Best Practices."

Helen Osman , the secretary for communications for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is leading the discussion. A bunch of people here at the newspaper and others from communications at the archdiocese are attending.

If I get the green light, I'll share any tip sheets I come across.

-Andrew
Staff Writer

Bishops conference issues guidelines on social media

Social media are the fastest growing form of communication in the United States, especially among youth and young adults. Our Church cannot ignore it, but at the same time we must engage social media in a manner that is safe, responsible, and civil.

--Social Media Guidelines - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Church leaders are taking seriously how social media can be harnessed to advance the gospel message. Last week, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued guidelines for using social media.

With everything from a primer on Web 2.0 to how to set up a blog, the guidelines are geared toward parishes, ministries, church offices and even bishops.

It has a lot of good tips to consider so if you are just putting your big toe in the Internet pond, take some time to read it here.

Faith leaders, starting with Pope Benedict XIV, know the importance of communications transformation. (Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory does his part when he occasionally tweets at the archdiocese's Twitter account: @archatl)

The guidelines encourage people to read the messages from the pope to mark World Communications Day, including the 43rd message and the most recent 44th World Communications Day Message.

--Andrew, reporter

The art above is a word cloud from the document.