I’m old-school when it comes to technology. In grade school my teacher would send me to the office to make copies on the mimeograph (stencil duplicator) machine. In high school I learned how to type on a typewriter. In college I used the card catalogue to find books, and I did my research on microfilm machines. I used to carry change so that I could make a phone call from a phone booth if needed. I can remember the time and place when I first heard about email and internet. The idea of sending a letter electronically, without a stamp was absolutely foreign to me.
In contrast, the students I work with now in our Columban Centre for Advocacy Internship Program cannot remember life without the Internet, Facebook, Smart Phones or iPods. They Google, Like, and Tweet their way through learning, relationships and life. Theirs is a new language which like any other language must be studied, learned and practiced if one hopes to have any fluency. 
In the ten years I’ve been in our Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (Australian link to JPIC) ministry much has changed about how we mobilize our grassroots base, share information with our colleagues around the world, and engage policy makers on the issues. For example, with technological capabilities like e-blasts (electronic mailing sent all at once to a large mailing list) with the click of the mouse we can send letters to the entire Congress sharing our Columban story and urging for an action. Similarly, by posting a story on Facebook, which is linked to our website, we have the potential to reach thousands of supporters in a call to action. It brings new meaning to go in to all of the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. (Mk 16:15)
But why should we and the Church make the effort to learn these tools and use this language? The same reason that Jesus told parables and that St. Paul wrote letters, because each age has its tools for evangelisation. The message is meaningless unless it can be spoken and delivered in a way that the audience can meaningfully hear it. From story-telling and the written word, to radio, television, and now the internet and social media, the Church is challenged to both speak the language of its day, without losing its core message of justice, love, peace, and right relationships.
Jesus was a master story-teller. As Fr James Martin, S.J., explains, "Jesus spoke in a language that people understood and used media that people found accessible. Using a mode of communication specifically designed to reach his audience, Jesus’ parables were vivid stories that drew from everyday life. Jesus spoke the language of the people of His time, used examples from their daily lives and offered it all in a mode they appreciated. And if he did not consider speaking in familiar styles as undignified, then why should we?" This oral tradition is one that has kept the Church alive throughout history especially in times of persecution.
Consider the first missionary, I would add that St. Paul could also be named the first blogger of the Church. Surely he would have Facebook and Twitter accounts! Through extensive letter writing and preaching, St. Paul tirelessly spread the Good News. Similar to today’s world of "latest-news" communication, there was always a sense of urgency and timeliness in his message. St. Paul’s love of Christ compelled him to the ends of the earth when he exclaimed, Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! (1Cor 9:16).
Just as St. Paul’s mission was to bring social change to his time through the spreading of the Gospel, today the Church’s message is meant to bring transformation and healing to our world. Using social media like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are some of the ways we can challenge structures and change lives in ways that reflect our missionary calling to be cross-cultural. 
As one social media activist writes, "The key work of [social] change continues to operate on a person-to-person level because relationships are how people make real change. Today, social media tools can disseminate messages quickly on platforms that cross boundaries of age, gender, race and economic status, making online organizing an effective method for gathering, inspiring and translating collective power into common solutions." For missionaries, anything that can help break down barriers, open communication and bring people together is something of value.
Ultimately, social media is a tool for evangelization, an e-vite to bringing the Gospel to our world.
What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. (1Jn 1:3). Nothing can replace a flesh and bone human encounter, but through modern technology we can build communities that bring us into relationship, move us to action, and sustain us in our faith.
Amy Woolam Echeverria is the director of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach in Washington, D.C.
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