Regarding Comment Moderation

Comment moderation on this blog has been set so that all comments are reviewed by one of the moderators before being published to the blog. My reason for doing so is to address any potential issues in comments before a possible flame war is started on the blog. While the internet is an intentional community of participants this blog has a real connection to a community that exist independent of whatever connections this blog may foster. I’ve been on the internet since 1996 with AOL and remember how chat rooms worked at the time. It was a wondrous mixture of magic and malice in human communication. It was magical that I could chat with individuals from around the world. Back then I frequented the Catholic chat rooms on AOL. I met some amazing people during that time and also experienced firsthand some of the malice that is sadly typical of internet conversations. Individuals would take random shots at others or myself in the midst of the chat sessions or open conversation. The malice in those words would never be expressed in a face to face conversation. The anonymous nature of the internet allowed maladjusted individuals to find their forum to spew their venom. I’ve seen a few intentional communities implode because of comments that brought nothing but division. Seeing words in print has power.

This blog is meant as a service for our parishioners and as a welcome to any visitors or guest inquiring about the parish or about Catholicism in general. I don’t intend to allow a maladjusted individual or person of ill intent to use it as a forum for trying to find a public audience for their message. If they want an audience, they can start their own blog. If you have a real pastoral concern for the parish, stop by my office, call me or e-mail me. If you have something critical to voice, you are still welcome. I may not thank you, but I will do my best to listen and be receptive to your comments.

All comments are welcome, please be patient in our approving them for posting on this blog. I don't think any of us mind spirited debate or discussion about a given topic, just no personal attacks or careless generalizations meant to take a discussion off topic. A good general rule for blog comments and most communication is avoiding SALT. If you are feeling, sad, angry, lonely or tired chances are your comments are better off left unsaid until you have addressed those feelings.