7 things to know about CMA

I’ve been a member of CMA for 36 years — most of my career. Twenty-nine of those years were at what is now Franciscan Media; the past seven have been among Glenmary Home Missioners, where I was first exposed to Catholic ministry as a high school student.

Along the way I had amazing interviews (including a future saint, and the family whose miracle proved another, a Nobel Prize winner, two film stars and 100-plus inspiring in-the-trenches Catholics), worked nationwide with religious education, had an unforgettable experience helping to develop some of the early Catholic online media in the mid-1990s — when the Internet was a fad to be resisted, produced some radio and video, helped write books that sold, served some years with the USCCB Communications Committee, and later for much of a decade in board leadership at CMA.

I retired June 6 to study and practice creative writing — and to let my coworkers’ talent flourish behind me. And to make wooden toys.

At Catholic Update, nothing sold as well as lists of 7. In that spirit, I offer six benefits of the CMA and one tip for you to consider:

1. Social networks help you survive professionally.
2. CMA helps you to understand the bigger world of Catholic communications.
3. There’s always something new to learn — CMA is one way to stay sharp.
4. CMA awards motivate a shop to stay on its game.
5. Leadership in CMA is rewarding and educational.
6. CMA can keep you rooted in your sense and understanding of Catholic ministry.
7. You should guard your time. Family is more important than any of the above. 

Bonus tips:

7a. Your effectiveness as Catholic minister thrives on a healthy spiritual life. Take care of that.

7b. Learn Spanish. Now.

7c. Consider wisdom from Dr. Suess: “We see them come, we see them go, some are fast and some are slow. Not one of them is like another. Don’t ask me why, go ask your mother!” 

Feister is an award-winning journalist, magazine and book editor. He served three terms on the CMA board of directors, 2015-24, he chaired the membership committee, and throughout his career was instrumental in advancing the mission of the CMA.