In order to carry out the work of the organisation, SIGNIS Caribbean has categorized its various operations into DESKS. The members of the various dioceses and communications organizations gather together to network and share their best practices and to learn from one another.
SIGNIS Caribbean’s Executive has been appointed (June 2021) as a group of consultors to the AEC Communications Commission – working hand in hand with the bishops of the region.
mission & Vision
MISSION: To promote and foster Catholic communications for the new evangelisation in the AEC (Antilles Episcopal Conference) region.
VISION: That Catholic communicators in every (Arch)Diocese of the AEC, as missionary disciples on fire with the Holy Spirit, will utilise communication technologies to promote an authentic encounter with Christ.
aims & objectives
Transform cultures
In keeping with the Mission of SIGNIS, to “help transform our cultures in the light of the Gospel by promoting human dignity, justice and reconciliation.”
networking
To develop and maintain linkages with other regional and international Catholic communications and media organisations.
forum
To serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas, resources, expertise and programmes that will encourage Caribbean Catholic culture through communications.
support aec
To support the AEC Communications Commission for the formation and growth of the faith of Catholics in the Caribbean region.
advocacy
To engage in advocacy for the promotion of human rights, justice and peace especially in the realm of social communications.
dialogue & communication
To foster an on-going working relationship with media practitioners in the Caribbean, to support media education and to encourage ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue and collaboration in communication activities.
Integrated Pastoral Communications Plan
On August 6th 2017, the Pastoral Letter on Communication: New Ways of Being Church in Digital Milieu was published by the AEC Bishops. Since its publication there have been very good reviews from individuals involved in the area of Communications internationally.
An E-Seminar was run by the University of Dayton (VLCFF), organized by Sr Angela Ann Zukowski MHSH, D.Min. in which approximately 80 persons from the Dioceses of the region participated. The e-seminar included some of the bishops, priests and religious. The purpose of the online course was to help stimulate conversation and to understand and implement the Pastoral Letter.
The AEC’s Commission on Communications has seconded SIGNIS Caribbean Members to assist in the designing of an Integrated Pastoral Plan for IPCP Communication for the region. This was then done in four phases – Research, Design, Implementation and Evaluation. Many of the Dioceses have already come on board and are working with the bishops to fulfill their Mission. Dioceses deepen their commitment to the effort.
desks
video desk
SIGNIS Caribbean’s VIDEO DESK is a platform for sharing, learning and networking in all aspects of Video.
The video desk links you to the Catholic television stations of the region as well as offers ‘HOW TO’ tips for technical, production or just general use of video tools and equipment including digital video cameras or camcorders, digital SLR cameras, iPads, tablets , Smartphones, etc.
Check out https://www.facebook.com/signiscaribbean/videos/1555491361213802/ for SIGNIS Caribbean video content.
CARIBBEAN CATHOLIC TELEVISION STATIONS
Trinity TV, Trinidad – www.tcn-tt.com
Address: 109 Frederick St, Port of Spain
Catholic TV Broadcasting, St Lucia –
Address: Micoud Street, Castries Phone: +1 758 451-8419
CLICK HERE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON VIDEO EDITING TOOLS
http://cscctt.org/index.php/digital-tools/freeware-shareware/video
Audio desk
SIGNIS Caribbean’s AUDIO DESK is a platform for sharing, learning and networking in all aspects of Audio. It links you to the Catholic radio stations of the region as well as offers ‘HOW TO’ tips for technical, production or just general use of audio tools and equipment.
CARIBBEAN CATHOLIC RADIO Online STATIONS:
Dominica Catholic Radio – http://dominicacatholicradio.org
Radio Immanuel, Suriname – http://www.immanuelsr.com/live (DUTCH BROADCAST)
Good News Catholic Radio, Grenada – https://catholicgnd.org/
Antigua & Barbuda Catholic Radio – http://antiguabarbudaradio.com/radio-station/catholic-radio-897-fm.html
Trinity Radio, Trinidad – https://www.tcntt.com/index.php/audio-video/liveradio
Fully Catholic Radio, Trinidad www.fullycatholic.com/catholic-internet-radio/
Radio Tele Lafwa, Jamaica https://www.radiotelelafwa.com (FRENCH (Patois) BROADCAST)
CLICK HERE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON AUDIO EDITING TOOLS
http://cscctt.org/index.php/digital-tools/freeware-shareware/audio
print desk
SIGNIS Caribbean’s PRINT DESK is a platform for sharing, learning and networking on all aspects of Print. It links you to the CATHOLIC newspapers, newsletters and other publications of the region as well as offers ‘HOW TO’ tips for writing skills, publishing etc.
- CATHOLIC Newspapers
Catholic News – Trinidad & Tobago - Catholic Focus – Grenada
- Our Catholic Community – Dominica
- Bahama Catholic – Bahamas
- Omhoog – Suriname
- Christian Herald – Belize
- Catholic Opinion – Jamaica
- Catholic SVG – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
To get information on how to contact the editors of any paper listed above, please send an email to signiscaribbean@gmail.com
‘HOW TO’ Tips
A truly modern media company, ISSUU gives anyone with digitally bound content the ability to upload and distribute their publications worldwide.
https://issuu.com
Signis newsletter sample: https://issuu.com/signis/docs/rapport_2017_isa
PUBLISH YOUR ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS
social Media desk
Interested in starting a Facebook Page, Instagram Profile or Twitter account?
Well you’re in the right place!
Check out our tutorials and ‘HOW TO’
videos for social media applications:
- How to start a Facebook Page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-yAePtlOgE&t=257s - How to get more likes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6j_hDgSlNw&t=72s - How to upload Facebook stories:
https://www.facebook.com/help/1825407747718430?helpref=faq_content - How to go live on Facebook:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZtqJE6wwIE
- How to start an Instagram page?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfbjErHyc3E - How to upload to Instagram stories?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e16mABdZRxY
Spirituality desk
The basis for proper values and ethics in Catholic Communications stems from a moral and spiritual grounding. The Spirituality Desk is led by a theological advisor and aims to give guidance, counseling and direction to its members. Each meeting begins with prayer (taken from Pope Francis’ World Communications Day message) and reflection on the gospel of the day.
Each Annual General Meeting begins with the Enthronement of the Bible and there is Mass at the end of each day.
Funding desk
SIGNIS Caribbean’s FUNDING DESK is an advisory platform for sharing knowledge and recommendations on sourcing and applying for funding. It advises on choosing funding agencies, filling out applications and on accountability and reporting of projects.
This desk is available to its Membership for consultation and screening of proposals. It acts as a base for sharing of resources, making connections and encouraging collaboration among the communications entities within the Caribbean region – the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC).
Youth desk
Developments in communications technology bring the media into young people’s reach as never before!
In the 21st century societies’ perceptions of young people are often shaped by the media. Our SIGNIS Youth Desk aims to cover a wide range of religious, spiritual, social, economic, and political forces that contributes to the way youth is defined and understood.
The world needs your constant enthusiasm and the Church yearns to hear the “eternally young Christ” through your voices, your shouts of exultation, your cries and your moments of silence.” – XV General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (2018)
CARIBBEAN SCHOOL FOR CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS
The Caribbean School for Catholic Communications (CSCC) which operates out of Emmaus Retreat Centre in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago offers people from the Caribbean the opportunity to keep abreast and explore the current Social Media and Digital tools so as to evangelize in their diocese/parish. Participants are exposed to techniques in Video and Audio Production, Journalism and Social Media.
Here are some productions from CSCC created by young people.
VIEW MORE YOUTH RELATED CONTENT
Regional websites
Antilles Episcopal Conference: aecbishops.org
Archdiocese of Port of Spain: https://catholictt.org/
Diocese of Bridgetown: http://catholicbb.org/
Diocese of Georgetown: https://rcdiocesegy.org/
Diocese of Paramaribo: http://www.bisdomparamaribo.org/