In the Spotlight: Catholic Online Influencers

Ever since I started writing this newsletter, the number of Catholic-related recommended videos on my YouTube feed has exploded! It’s been amazing! There are so many fascinating, funny, thought-provoking, and holy Catholics online who creatively share their faith experiences to encourage others. Watching these videos has strengthened my own faith by helping me consider issues in new and challenging ways.

One such online influencer who has made a massive impression on me is Fr. David Michael Moses. He is a young (31 years old at the time of this writing) Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Texas. He posts SEVERAL videos on YouTube and Instagram each week. Many of them are hilarious. Some, in fact, are downright goofy. But, he sneaks enough serious content in there to make complex theological concepts accessible and relatable.

He understands the medium of social media (like a fish understands water!) and how to use it effectively for Kingdom building. It’s truly something to behold!

One interesting fact about Fr. David is that he started college when he was 14 years old and graduated with a bachelor’s degree when he was 18! That’s why, he says, he became a priest so young.

He is also an accomplished musician and songwriter. He has organized several "Concerts for Life," which have collectively raised over $640,000 to support women facing crisis pregnancies in the Houston area.

In one of his videos, he responded to a question about whether people have to go to church when they’re on vacation. His answer boiled down to, “In the end, this isn’t about legalism, it’s about love (of the Lord).” His call to set higher expectations for ourselves and for our commitment to God struck a chord with me.

He also explains lots of little details about what it’s like to be a priest. For instance, in one short video, he shared the three things he always keeps on his person, wherever he goes: 1. Holy Oil for Anointing of the Sick, 2. A stole to hear impromptu Confessions, and 3. his cell phone in case he is needed for spiritual emergencies. It’s a great insight a lay person doesn’t always get the chance to know.

I highly recommend spending some time with Fr. David online. You will laugh and learn your way to a deeper relationship with the Lord.