EVSchool as an example of Online Community

Building

COMMON OBJECTIVE THAT BINDS THE ONLINE COMMUNITY OF FAITH TOGETHER

Evangelization

DEFINITION

Evangelization is the proclamation of the Gospel. Engaging the online world through the internet is the most effective way to ensure that evangelization would reach every corner of the Earth.

Online evangelization is a mixed discipline covering social media, Information and Communications Technology, religious education and social sciences. It is a free public good contributing to world peace. Associated with this comes an internet-related responsibility to ensure that our services are free from fraud, and promote harmony, mutual understanding and respect (hence peace and development) in human society.

INCENTIVES TO COMMUNITY

Spiritual counselling Communal prayers Community interaction through

sharing and responding Catechumenate (87 Encounters) Certificate course to become an

evangelizer (7 Units, Practical)

REWARDS Baptism (with local parishes

worldwide as partners) Continuing mystagogy Awards Occasional event series

(videoconferences, anniversary celebrations, EVConcerts)

COMMUNITY WEBSITE

http://evschool.net 3 languages: English, Traditional Chinese,

Simplified Chinese Promotional video: EVSchool in cyberspace Anniversary celebrations About us, including Introduction and School

songs Introducing the Library, EVDictionary,

Ministry of evangelization, EVBlog, Chapel, Assembly, FOJP missionary journeys

New e-applications Login for registered online community

members

HOMEPAGE

TWO PROGRAMMES OF EVSCHOOL

Online Catechumenate

Online Course of Evangelization (EVCourse)

ONLINE CATECHUMENATE

4 Stages over 2 years;87 lessons (Encounters)

Total no. of e-applicants since 2009: 778 Students from 18 Countries/Territories Offers 3 languages: English, TC and SC Chinese students 94%; English students

6% 3 Categories: enquirers 18%,

catechumens 22%, baptized Catholics 60%

No. of teams: 10 No. of catechists and assistant

catechists: 29 No. of catechumens baptised since

2009: 55

CATECHISM ENCOUNTERS

Stage 1: Pre-Catechumenate (24 Encounters)

Stage 2: Catechumenate (40 Encounters)

Stage 3: Period of Enlightenment (11 Encounters)

Stage 4: Post-baptismal Mystagogy (12 Encounters)

EVCOURSE 2-year certificate course 7 study Units in Year I; Practical in Year II Total no. of e-applicants since 2005:

2328 Students come from 18

Countries/Territories Offers 3 languages: English, Traditional

Chinese and Simplified Chinese Chinese students 88%; English students

12% No. of forums: 7 (Year I ); 6 (Year II) No. of tutors and senior tutors: 17 No. of graduates since 2007: 184

EVCOURSE UNITS

Unit 1: Evangelization in the Bible Unit 2: Evangelization and theology of

mission Unit 3: History of evangelization in the

Americas, Africa and Asia Unit 4: Present situation of the Catholic

Church in Asia Unit 5: Major Asian religions Unit 6: Evangelization and liturgy Unit 7: Evangelization and media

SWOT-ANALYSIS STRENGTHS: - Provides services free of charge

- At the forefront of internet technology - Offers 3 languages: English, TC and SC - Study and share online under the guidance

of tutors or catechists - Community building through sharing - Valuable e-Literature: Units, Encounters

and videos to download from online Library - Recognition of Online Catecumenate and

students baptised worldwide - EVCourse certificate much sought after

SWOT-ANALYSIS

WEAKNESSES: - Due to bandwidth limitations, in some

countries speed of internet is slow - Emails may be flooded with junk mails,

IT system subject to attacks by hackers, website could be blocked

- No physical contact hence strict supervision of students impossible; silent students or “lurkers” emerge

- Cannot control rate of student enrolment

SWOT-ANALYSIS

OPPORTUNITIES: - Can positively respond to Pope John

Paul II’s call on “Internet: a new forum for proclaiming the Gospel”

- Unlike the traditional person-to-person evangelization, this online mode of evangelization can reach, worldwide, everybody who has a PC at home. Online evangelizers do not even need to travel.

SWOT-ANALYSIS

THREATS: - Cyber crimes. To prevent these from

happening, we enforce a strict Code of Conduct which applies to all students and staff

- Statistically, about 60 out of 100 enquirers could not establish faith even after six months at the Pre-Catechumenate; sadly they would leave the School prematurely.

PHOTO ALBUM

PHOTO ALBUM (1)

Examples of baptisms for students converted through Online Catechumenate since 2009

HONG KONG

CHINA

CANADA

USA

PERU

NETHERLANDS

MALAYSIA

PHOTO ALBUM (2)

Examples of other online activities of EVSchool

ONLINE VIDEOCONFERENCE

ONLINE EVPHONE

EVCOURSE CERTIFICATES

ONLINE ASSEMBLY VIDEOS

CYBER CHAPEL

EVBLOG