Case Study: Fr. Jim O’Shea, C.P.
Voice of the People
Fr. Jim O’Shea is a Passionist priest in Jamaica NY. Based out of the Thomas Barry Center, he is the director of Reconnect, a ministry that provides faith, relationship, mentorship and resources to young men struggling with a sustainable life. As a result, Fr. O’Shea has a very real perspective on the struggles of life, and how Christ can and should be working in our lives.
What made Fr O’Shea a great candidate for CALLED? 1) Deep commitment to taking his local message to a larger and more diverse audience. Several failed attempts at podcasting and video recordings made him realize he needed guidance from media producers and marketing strategy. 2) A very unique and beautiful message that lands on everyone exactly where they are. Clear, concise and excellent onscreen presence. 3) He and the Passionists embody the attentive heart and Christ’s passion in everyday encounters from the margins to the grocery store line.
The Media Hug Strategy:
Convert a closet at Thomas Berry place into a recording studio, and train up an assistant on production.
Provide our standard equipment package of equipment and software to assure the production quality is high.
Start with video Sunday reflection videos that go out to CALLED email recipients and perform extremely well
Build a podcast and social media strategy to build audience with tie ins to supporting the Reconnect NY program
Dovetail Fr O’Shea’s audience into a Reconnect app environment where those in need can connect with those who can support!
“(Digital media) is not simply a matter of generating content, but of creating an encounter between hearts...this will entail seeking out those who suffer and need to know the Lord, so that they may heal their wounds, get back on their feet and find meaning in their lives.”
