Sister Caroline Cerveny, a member of the Cleveland Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, TOSF, for nearly 60 years, died on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020.

Sister Caroline was a leader in traditional and new ministries, including online and social media, which she saw as crucial to reaching young people and broadening the Catholic Church's message.

She was director of religious education for the Archdiocese of Chicago and later at the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. She went on to become director of social media for Sadlier Catholic Publishers in New York City. In 2001, she joined Saint Leo University in Florida as associate director of university ministry. Sr. Caroline was an adjunct professor in the Doctor of Ministry program at the Catholic University of America, and a member of the Catholic Press Association.

In 2015, she founded the Digital Disciple Network, a professional organization for social media ministers. Caroline developed the Digital Disciple Boot camp and empowered a team of lay ministers to help teach the use of social media in ministry.

As a member of the NALM (National Association of Lay Ministry) Board, Sr. Caroline challenged today’s ministers to use and embrace social media and the digital world in ministry, and in faith. Several times a week, she would send out information on how to better engage with those in ministry, using social media. She revitalized NALM’s Communications Committee, serving as its Chair. When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she was forced to step back from the Board and as Communications Chair.  However, she continued being involved, attending meetings, responding to emails and sending links to new articles and resources up to the days before she entered hospice.

Reflections to Hold, Pray, and Live

• How can you, as a catechist, use digital tools to make faith more accessible and engaging for your learners and/or parish community?

• How might you mentor or support other catechists in discovering and using their gifts for the Church’s mission?

Author:

Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP
Member, NCCL Board of Directors

Her book, SAINTS & MENTORS for Catechists: 41 Models of Faith to Support and Guide You, can be purchased from Twenty-Third Publications
[GET YOUR COPY HERE]

Learn more about Janet and her publications at https://www.janetschaeffler.com/