Useful Apps
Often times we are told that being on our phones that being connected to electronics is a bad thing that can take us away from more important things in life, like our faith.
But is it true? Can technology paradoxically bring us closer to those things that matter? Ultimately, technology is a neutral; it is what we do with it that makes using it good or bad.
One of the new frontiers of Christian spirituality is the use of these new technologies to grow deeper in our faith. Some of our parishioners and staff have recommended apps that we can us this Lent and beyond to teach use more about our faith.
But is it true? Can technology paradoxically bring us closer to those things that matter? Ultimately, technology is a neutral; it is what we do with it that makes using it good or bad.
One of the new frontiers of Christian spirituality is the use of these new technologies to grow deeper in our faith. Some of our parishioners and staff have recommended apps that we can us this Lent and beyond to teach use more about our faith.
Here are some of these recommendations:
The Laudate app is one of the most comprehensive apps available. It has links to the Catechism, the New American Bible, the Douay-Rheims Bible (the English Catholic version of the King James Bible), various Vatican Documents, prayers in English and Latin, a Breviary, rosary, and a divine mercy chaplet.
The United States Council of Catholic Bishops also has their own app with includes access to the daily mass readings and news updates regarding the Church in America.
There is also the Truth and Life app which was created by a native of Chicago and has a live dramatized bible with different actors playing the different characters. It also has it's own links to EWTN, the Catholic News Agency (CNA), and Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire. The Truth and Life app is a free download that has taken the award winning Truth & Life Dramatized New Testament audio and synchronized it at verse level to the RSV-CE Bible text. This amazing audio bring the word of God to life in this 22-hour audio production, complete with movie-quality sound effects and an original music score. This award-winning audio New Testament is endorsed with an Imprimatur from the Vatican and including a foreword by Pope Benedict XVI. Voiced by internationally-renowned actors including: Neal McDonough, Stacy Keach, Kristen Bell, Sean Astin, Michael York, Blair Underwood, Malcolm McDowell, Brian Cox, Julia Ormond, John Rhys-Davies and many more.
Key Features in the app:
• Complete text of RSV-CE synchronized with audio for the New Testament.
• Direct, instant access to any Bible verse, so you can hear and see the text instantly.
• A built-in playlist to listen to the whole New Testament in just for 40 days or in Chronological order.
• Create your own playlist of verses.
• Remembers where you left off.
• Sleep timer
• Airplay support
• Support for headphone pause and play buttons
• Room to fit an entire 22 hours of audio on your iPhone/iPad.
• Direct, instant access to any Bible verse, so you can hear and see the text instantly.
• A built-in playlist to listen to the whole New Testament in just for 40 days or in Chronological order.
• Create your own playlist of verses.
• Remembers where you left off.
• Sleep timer
• Airplay support
• Support for headphone pause and play buttons
• Room to fit an entire 22 hours of audio on your iPhone/iPad.
Augustine Institute app has links to yet another approved version of the Bible along with the daily mass readings and access to one hour talks from Lighthouse Catholic Media which are always dynamic and informative.
There is even an app devoted to a native son of Illinois, televangelist and Archbishop Fulton Sheen. It has access to all his talks so people today can enjoy his wit and humor.
The Pope App gives you updates on the whereabouts of Pope Francis directly from Vatican news sources, bypassing the secular bias from most mainstream news sources.
Other apps include Relevant Radio, for the local Catholic radio station.
There is even an app with an examination of conscience to prep you for confession called Confession: A Roman Catholic App.
Visit www.downloadjesus.com to download the App for FREE today!
But it does not stop with apps, there are also some very good podcasts there, such as Catholic Stuff You Should Know. This podcast is run by a group recently ordained priests from Colorado who banter on about their lives, issues they face on a daily basis, and relevant Catholic topics all while in a casual environment.
Do you have other apps you find helpful? Send us an an email at [email protected] and we will add it to this list!