Communication Techniques Training Course

Session I: March 28, 2022

Understanding the need and importance of the media mission in today's world, Caritas Dalat organized a media training course for staff. The course opens at 8:30 a.m. on March 28, 2022.

There was the presence of Father Gioan Bosco - Director of Caritas Da Lat, Ms. Maria Goretti - Deputy Director of Caritas Dalat, Fr. Dominich - Head of the Diocesan Communications Department, Father Giuse - Deputy of the Committee, Sister Maria Hoang Thi Thien Thu -Caritas Vietnam Vietnam, Sister Maria Vu Thi Thu Ha - Caritas Ba Ria, along with 40 students. The lecturer is Stephano Tran Thien Kinh SJ.

The atmosphere was warmed up by the song "In Love We Are Bread", exciting and joyful, giving the participants initial friendliness.

Father Director. Caritas Dalat opened with words emphasizing the role and importance of media today. Father offered the first prayer and announced the opening of the 3-day media training.

Beginning with self-introductions from the participants, the lecturer understood more about the initial foundations of the students' communication skills. The main concern of the participants was knowing how to communicate.

The first question is posed to the students: “What is communication?” One student opined: communication is inspirational. The teacher added that Jesus said: “Go and make disciples of all nations,… teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Mt 18:19-20). This is the profound meaning of communication. Thus, communication is the implementation of Jesus' command and originates from the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity wants to communicate life to humans, so that humans can have eternal life. Media must be a mediator to let people know and follow God.

So, how is Catholic Media different from outside media? With this question, the participants discussed and had many different opinions. There is a conclusion: Catholic media is the proclamation of Gospel values: the values ​​of love, life, truth, solidarity, respect for dignity, etc. The ultimate purpose of media is: to help everyone achieve salvation. This salvation not only happens immediately after death, but is also an existential salvation that takes place in eternal life. When someone is disappointed and finds hope, when someone is sad and finds happiness, when someone is wrong and is converted,... Therefore, media helps people find hope, happiness, conversion, love,...

Finally, what are the standards for my communication (it could be a song, a video, a photo…)? In response to this question, the participants also had many good opinions: media products must be beautiful, good, touch or inspire themselves first, have an impression, and have some value or meaning. The lecturer told about the three criteria of the philosopher Socrates: truth, goodness and helpfulness. From the perspective of the Catholic faith, the lecturer gathered those standards as: Truthfulness - Compassion - Beauty. Of these three standards, the "truth" standard is the most difficult in communication. Sometimes media people have to sacrifice their honor and even risk their lives to ensure the credibility of their work.

The opening day of the communication training program took students deeper into the meaning and spirituality of Communication in the Church. Even though it's purely theoretical, people find it interesting because of the new and profound things. Thank God for the opportunities God has sent to Caritas Dalat as well as our Diocese.

Minh Cao