At St. Clement, 642 W. Deming Place, Father Manuel Dorantes trains altar servers at the North Side parish each year, a process that delivers a unique challenge. “How do you teach children about their role in the liturgy, especially when so many of them these days are visual learners?” Dorantes asked. For Dorantes, who holds a degree in broadcast communications and has worked at two different television stations, the solution wasn’t far away: create a professional video that not only provides perspective and instruction, but also captivates with dynamic cinematography and lively footage. Increasingly across the Archdiocese of Chicago, modern technology is being used to inform, enlighten and more fully engage people with the Catholic faith. In addition to the altar server training video at St. Clement, the archdiocese recently released a video detailing the distinct parts of Sunday Mass. “When used right and done well, video and new technologies can play an important role in catechesis and evangelization,” Dorantes said. A tool to understand As part of its strategic pastoral plan, the archdiocese is encouraging parishes to raise consciousness about the importance and centrality of Sunday Mass. “For so many, going to Mass is an important ritual, but not one that is fully understood,” said Father Louis Cameli, the cardinal’s delegate for formation and mission. To better inform the faithful and foster more active participation in the Year of Sunday Mass, the archdiocese produced a 23-minute video called “Draw Near.” With footage culled from various churches and congregations throughout the archdiocese, the video shepherds viewers through the Mass, identifies actions and provides critical background knowledge. The film discusses the Liturgy of the Word as God’s communication to churchgoers and the Liturgy of the Eucharist as the sharing of Jesus’ self-sacrifice. “This video should result in a deeper understanding of how parts of the Mass fit together and the role Mass plays in worship and faith,” said Cameli, the film’s narrator. “In understanding the richness of God’s communication with us and the living Christ, we can become more attached to our faith.” Earlier this year, the “Draw Near” DVD was distributed to parishes across the archdiocese along with a printed study guide. The video and study guide are also available online at the archdiocesan website A spirited training tool Dorantes began creating his altar server training video last summer and leaned heavily on his media industry contacts for help. After nearly seven months of production, which included writing, filming and editing, Dorantes unveiled “Serving at the Altar” in February. The 18-minute video not only walks altar server trainees through their tasks in the Mass, but also notes the important role servers play in the liturgy. When students show up for altar server training now, Dorantes said they are better prepared to tackle their duties because they have viewed the video at home. “This video has served a very practical need for us with altar server training, but also highlighted the beauty of youth participation in the liturgy,” said Dorantes, the film’s executive producer. Within three days of its posting on YouTube, “Serving at the Altar” had been viewed more than 1,500 times. “That type of response tells us just how much of a need there is for something like this,” Dorantes said. As the 21st century unfolds, technology is expected to play a greater role in connecting people to the church and empowering the faithful. Cameli called “Draw Near” another critical step in archdiocesan efforts to utilize electronic communication as an informational and evangelization tool. With the rate of weekly Mass participation in the archdiocese hovering near 25 percent, Cameli and others hope a better understanding of the Mass, particularly one crafted with the help of modern technological tools, will encourage Catholics to take a deeper look at their participation in the Mass. “If they know, they will come,” Cameli said. Dorantes said the content must be embraced as much as the method. An unimaginative script and shaky camera work will fail to inspire, he said, while any video must be intentional about showcasing the beauty of the faith and how the ancient teachings of the church connect us all. In “Serving at the Altar,” for instance, Dorantes and his crew focused on showing the beauty of the Mass with compelling video shots, bold music and images of children fulfilling their ministry. Though instructional, Dorantes and his crew focused on something that was engaging and eyecatching. “If we use video, we must work hard on the presentation of the content,” Dorantes said. “The end result must be something that draws people closer to Christ and captures their hearts and minds.”