Homilies: Public Speaking aka Part II

Part I of the three part series on Homilies mentioned a few web resources related to preaching, homiletics and scripture. Now let's take a look at sites that help you with delivery...public speaking training here we come!

http://artofspeaking.org/blog/ - The Art of Speaking
Learn by watching others. This blog offers tips and hints, but also provides video of effective speakers giving presentations.

http://www.successfulcommunication.com/ - Successful Communication
You can join the site or use the free tools that are available. Helpful forms ask you questions that determine if you've covered everything you need as you prepare to speak in public.

http://www.toastmasters.org/ - Toastmasters
An organization with many regional chapters. Free resources on the site are perfect for those who do not wish to join or are short on time.

Or check out some of these titles at the library:
Winging it: Everybody's Guide to Making Speeches Fly Without Notes by Keith Spicer
7 Steps to Fearless Speaking by Lilyan Wilder
Mastering the Art of Public Speaking by Peter Desberg
Plus many, many more

Library Events Online...Catch Up On Events You Miss!

We are now posting MP3 files of our events on the Internet Archive. Check out the recording of the Tom Grace presentation from October 18.

http://www.archive.org/details/TheSecretCardinalAuthorLecture

Right now we are only posting sound files. We are working towards creating video of our events but that might take a while!

Shop at Amazon and Help the Library!

Through the Amazon Associates program, you can now shop at Amazon.com by clicking on the above link or the link to the right. A percentage of the money you spend will go towards the library, which we can then use for books, technology, and more. So, during the holidays, while you're doing your shopping, please remember us! You must use the links provided in the blog to have your purchases count towards the donation however.

Much thanks in advance!

You Can Do ANYTHING!

Yes, that's right...through the power of the Internet, you can do anything. Well, that's not true. But there sure are a ton of online resources that try to show you how do a lot of things...

eHow - http://www.ehow.com/ - How To Do Just About Anything!

How To Do Anything - http://www.howtodothings.com/ - Not as comprehensive as ehow, but some of the topics are a bit, how shall we say...eclectic?

43 Things - http://www.43things.com/ - This site helps you figure out how to do things and even introduces you to people with interest on the same topic. A social networking/interest/support group.

Hey, we don't make this stuff up - we just tell you about it!!!

For those of you who want to do it the hard way...learn How Stuff Works first, and then just try to teach yourself how to do it: http://www.howstuffworks.com/

And if you prefer to watch step-by-step instructions, try doing a search on YouTube - many Martha Stewart wanna-bes are making their own "Do-It-Yourself" videos and posting them online: http://www.youtube.com - check out the great video we found on how to make lasagna....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0LpoU5w8eE - yum!

This weekend, members of our staff might try to make macrame pot holders and/or a hammock stand. :)

Homilies: Websites and Resources

The librarians at the Maida Alumni Library all agree that it must take a lot of courage to prepare and present a homily. You have to be calm, speak slowly but with conviction, and you need to reach out to a wide range of parish members...from small children to the elderly.

We'll say it flat out: Nope, we couldn't do it.

But for those of you who do give homilies, or are learning to give homilies, here's the first installation in a three part mini-series highlighting resources (yes, we are doing a mini-series...we can't share all our hints at once). And FYI - the library has over 175 books dedicated to the topic of preaching and homiletics!

Catholic Homilies - http://www.homilies.com/
Audio and video of homilies as well as tips for specific types of homilies related to Holy Days and life events, such as funerals, weddings, etc.

ePriest - http://www.epriest.com/
ePriest features best practices of parishes around the United States and offers "Homily Packs" which provide thought provoking questions and comments on readings.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - http://www.usccb.org/nab/index.shtml
Weekly readings available at the click of a button - sponsored in part by the Diocese of Metuchen (New Jersey).

So much more to tell you about...Part II will focus on public speaking skills! Part III - the very best books and e-books on homilies.