Since March of 2020 we have seen a major shift from in-person interaction to social media interaction in a world that is changing rapidly. A Pew Research study shows that 90% of Americans say the internet has been essential or important to them during the pandemic and 40% used technology in new ways.¹

The Church has had to find new ways to respond to the needs of the people during this time, to bring the Gospel to those who are hungry, searching and seeking meaning and truth while at times unable to leave home. With schools and churches still doing hybrid educational programs for children and families in 2022, Catholic institutions and organizations continue to take on the large task of sharing the faith in a space that is mostly virtual.

Array of Hope, a multimedia organization whose mission has always been to meet people where they are at using media, music, and entertainment, saw the need in our Church at the beginning of 2020. They worked quickly to create engaging and interactive virtual programs that can be accessed online. Their live events and retreats connect people of faith to one another as well as provide content for children and families in faith formation programs. Over the last two years, the team has conducted over 60 virtual RISE UP retreats and events, hosting over a thousand children and families, and sharing with them the truths of the Catholic faith.

These one-of-a-kind digital retreats and events are personalized for parishes, schools, and other Catholic organizations that are seeking to catechize and evangelize in a COVID-19 reality. After seeing the great success and thirst for such programs amongst the faithful, Array of Hope again moved to meet people where they are at and give them a place to access the educational videos, interviews, and music through the Array of Hope Channel. The Array of Hope Channel is a place for Catholic content and entertainment featuring Catholic speakers, original music, and TV series that draw the viewer into a deeper relationship with Christ.

In late 2021, the Array of Hope Channel became home to the virtual events and retreats for the parishes. RISE UP is a truly interactive, live, multidimensional virtual retreat that provides a remote experience that is dynamic, inspirational, and interactive, making the attendee truly part of the event. These retreats enable parishes or dioceses to plan with more stability amid the uncertainties of our present circumstances.

The live interactive components include faith-focused discussions, inspiring music, moving testimonials, and a variety of interactive segments such as trivia games and contests, personal faith sharing, and polls where the attendees are able to participate LIVE with the team! All these elements assure that the attendees are engaged and give them a sense of community, if even for 90 minutes.

3 Reasons To Engage With Array Of Hope

Are you or your parish struggling to keep people engaged in the faith? Here are 3 reasons why you should engage with Array of Hope:

1. As social media usage continues to increase, virtual retreats are a great way to access the faith right at your fingerprints on your smartphone.
2. The truth must be shared! While there have been many changes over the last two years, one thing has remained constant – the Gospel must be shared! Array of Hope virtual retreats and events are an inventive way to engage people, especially the youth, in their faith.
3. Keep Learning! Continue to be fed in your faith by joining the Array of Hope Channel and downloading the app from your App Store to infuse the Gospel into your daily life.

1. The Internet and the Pandemic, Pew Research Center, September 1, 2021 https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/09/01/the-internet-and-the-pandemic/ 

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