Representing four archdiocesan pastoral regions as well as the Diocese of Orange, eight members of the inaugural Master Teacher in Media Literacy Education class received certificates June 16 for completing the new course sponsored by the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City.

"Training catechists, teachers and opinion leaders in media literacy is an integral part of the charism of the Daughters of St. Paul," said Daughter of St. Paul Sister Rose Pacatte, director of the Pauline Center. She complimented the students on the high quality of their final media integration projects which dealt with topics such as character education, popular culture and children's faith formation.

Special guests attending the certification ceremony included Congregation of Humility of Mary Sister Elizabeth Thoman, founder of the Center for Media Literacy; Father David Loftus, archdiocesan adult education and catechist formation coordinator; Holy Childhood Sister Angela Hallahan, archdiocesan high school religious formation and instruction coordinator; and Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Gretchen Hailer, media literacy certificate program faculty member.

Certificate recipient John Bonar, Ramona Convent Secondary School teacher/campus minister, spoke on the increasing importance of media literacy in the classroom setting. "Today, there is a great need to help our students think critically about media in a way that is discerning and informed by their faith," he said. "I hope to use this new knowledge for the betterment of my students and colleagues, and I look forward to learning as much from my students as I teach!"

Recipient Steve Geiger, a radio DJ and member of Catholics in Media, said he was "honored" to be among the first group certified in media literacy. "As a Catholic in media, I'm keenly aware of the need for well-informed voices among our faithful," said Geiger. "The world of media is complex and influential. It's not enough to simply participate in media. We have to engage it. If you want to be on the cutting edge, Media Literacy is right there."

Other certificate recipients present at the event included Alberto Bocanegra, a high school teacher and confirmation catechist at St. Cecilia Church, Los Angeles; Holy Childhood Sister Margaret Murtagh, a teacher at Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School, Los Angeles; and Monica Brady, a catechist at St. Anthony's in El Segundo.

Also receiving certificates were Marlene Wilson, a child psychologist and parishioner at Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon Church in Los Angeles; Francois Laborie, campus minister at Ramona Convent Secondary School; and Sharon Hart, a parishioner at Our Lady of Fatima Church in San Clemente.

According to Sister Pacatte, media literacy specialization meets the goals and objectives of the archdiocesan Synod as well as the National Directory for Catechesis. Locally, the media literacy certificate is recognized by the archdiocesan Department of Catholic Schools as well as the Office of Religious Education for continuing education credits and catechist recertification at both the basic and advanced levels.

The Diocese of San Diego accepts the certificate for a Specialization in Media Literacy. Recently, The Diocese of Orange announced its approval of the certificate for re-certification of the Basic Catechist Certificate and 51 hours towards the 60 hours required in advanced methodology for the Master Catechist Certificate.

The next media literacy class for 2007-2008 will commence Sept. 15. Held on the third Saturday of each month, the course will run through June, 2008. Cost of the program is $295 and includes textbooks and most materials. For more information and a registration form, visit www.paulinecenterformediastudies.org and click on Master Teacher/Specialization on the menu or email/call Sister Pacatte at pcms@paulinemedia.com, (310) 636-8385. Registration forms can also be picked up at the Pauline Book & Media Center, 3908 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City.