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| CPC Pariticipants - 2012 |
The Pastoral Communication Course organized from January 23rd. 2012 to March 30th. 2012 had fourteen participants: priests, religious sisters and laymen from different dioceses, congregations and regions of India. The objective of the course was to enable the participants not only to pick up basic communication skills but also the vision of Pastoral Communications, in order to become media savvy and more creative and effective Church Communicators.
With some assistance from visiting staff, almost all the resident staff of NISCORT helped in conducting the entire seventy-day programme. Fr. Jacob Kani, Editor of ‘Indian Currents’ initiated the students into reporting and the Print media..Fr. Jackson taught the group how to use Coral Draw for their designing and layout. The budding journalists efforts resulted in the publication of their ‘Symphony’ newsletter. Fr. Edwin Vas, SVD led the group into audio recording and they had plenty of hands-on experience in the studios producing four audio productions. Fr. Dejus introduced the participants to the finer points of photography and later into video production, culminating in three video productions on social and religious themes.
Fr. Jude and Fr. Devassy took sessions explaining the ways in which the Church has communicated its faith message in traditional as well as modern media. They dealt with Church documents on communication that emphasize the importance the Church gives to media in the life of the Church. Fr. Babu Joseph, CBCI Spokesperson stressed the importance of good Public Relations and how to organize Press Conferences. Knowing how films impact and form the values of popular audiences, Fr. Dominic D’Abreo introduced the group into film reviewing, so that they could analyse how inherent values and underlying messages are subtly communicated.
With some assistance from visiting staff, almost all the resident staff of NISCORT helped in conducting the entire seventy-day programme. Fr. Jacob Kani, Editor of ‘Indian Currents’ initiated the students into reporting and the Print media..Fr. Jackson taught the group how to use Coral Draw for their designing and layout. The budding journalists efforts resulted in the publication of their ‘Symphony’ newsletter. Fr. Edwin Vas, SVD led the group into audio recording and they had plenty of hands-on experience in the studios producing four audio productions. Fr. Dejus introduced the participants to the finer points of photography and later into video production, culminating in three video productions on social and religious themes.
Fr. Jude and Fr. Devassy took sessions explaining the ways in which the Church has communicated its faith message in traditional as well as modern media. They dealt with Church documents on communication that emphasize the importance the Church gives to media in the life of the Church. Fr. Babu Joseph, CBCI Spokesperson stressed the importance of good Public Relations and how to organize Press Conferences. Knowing how films impact and form the values of popular audiences, Fr. Dominic D’Abreo introduced the group into film reviewing, so that they could analyse how inherent values and underlying messages are subtly communicated.
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| CPC Students Confered Diploma on Mar. 30th 2012 |
The thirteen CPC students who received the graduation certificates were given a crash course on modules like-basics of journalistic reporting and editing, computer applications, graphic designing, photography, the use of Internet, social networking and new media, film appreciation, audio and video recording and editing and public relations- all in two-and-a-half months time.
Commenting on McLuhan’s famous saying- ‘Medium is the Message’, the Chief Guest, Rt. Rev. Dr. Chacko Thottumanickal who is also the Chairman of NISCORT and of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications challenged, “Let your medium be the ‘massage’ for the audience”. He clarified the word ‘massage’ saying that the communication must be ‘personal’ and ‘caring’ as Jesus, the Master Communicator has shown.
The highlights of the day were the presentations of the productions by the group in three formats: print, audio and video. If the newsletter- ‘Symphony’ had the touch of print journalism, the four stories in audio showcased the professional elements of sound engineering. The three video documentaries: hosanna, life is worth living and colours of the rainbow were indeed well scripted, recorded and edited. The staff and students of NISCORT, the neighbours and invited guests gave a loud applause of appreciation.
Fr. George, speaking on behalf of the CPC students through an anecdote expressed, “A good communicator leads one into an ecstasy.” And Sr. Jane in the vote of thanks summed up the sentiments of the group- “we so much enjoyed our stay and learning that we hardly can believe that it is time to go”.
There were a few parting messages by the visiting faculty to their students. Fr. Jacob Kani, the editor of the Indian Currents probed, “Now as your course is over, the question is- What Next?” He also suggested- “If you have passion you can do it”. And Fr. Babu Joseph, the spokesperson for the CBCI while emphasizing the need for effective public relations proposed, “Make your activity- whether communication, education, health service whatever- public friendly”.
Unlike the previous years, the CPC this year was unique, colourful and dynamic. This was because apart from the priest and nuns, there were four lay leaders too. Bishop Chacko called upon the students to ‘spread a good word about NISCORT’ and Fr. Babu wished that the institute one day becomes ‘a jewel in the crown of CBCI’ as St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore is. That is what communication is all about- spreading the Good News and making a difference. NISCORT stands committed to this mission.
