I just got back from the National Catholic Singles Conference. It was, in a word, fabulous. Great location, fabulous speakers . . . and the emcee seemed to be having a lot of fun!
Hard to say what was the best part. The talks were terrific--a lot of depth, and a lot of insight into the single life. CatholicMatch sponsored a killer hors d'oeuvres party on Friday night, and a VIP reception on Saturday. The dance was a blast. The adoration time was among the most powerful I have ever seen at a conference, period. The weather was perfect, and the resort offered multiple pools for hanging out by water and palm trees. And I had a great visit to the legendary Hotel del Coronado.
But I have concluded that at least one of the best parts was the opportunity to meet people in person whom I had until then only known online. I have said before--many times--that we singles can live without marriage, but we can't live without community. CatholicMatch offers singles an opportunity to find each other for marriage. It also offers the best online forum for single Catholics in the entire known universe. I know a lot of you have met, and bonded, and argued (...and argued, and argued) in the various "rooms" of the CatholicMatch forum. And that is a great gift--connecting single Catholics from all over the world at the click of a mouse.
But there is nothing that compares to meeting someone in person. Online relationships--whether friendship or romantic--are incomplete. It's one thing to see what someone types. It is quite another to see how they react, how they speak, how they move and exist in the real world. It's like the difference between reading the book and seeing the movie. (Although, in reverse, because ironically books offer far more detail that movies. Maybe it's like the difference between reading the book and jumping into the movie, where you could actually interact with the characters. But I digress.)
Meeting people in person, laughing with them, talking with them, looking them in the eyes--that is when we really start to know someone, when we truly have the elements on which to build community.
Is it too late? Did you miss the NCSC and thinking you won't have another chance until next year's conference? Not so fast. Look on the forum. Local CatholicMatch members are constantly sponsoring local and regional events. Check one out.
Also check out the Groups home page and see what is happening locally, around the country or in topical groups (members need to be logged into CatholicMatch.com in order to see the Groups page).
And if there's not one in your area...well, what are you waiting for? When you're the organizer, you get to call the shots. Pick an event, pick a venue, put the word out, and have a party!
And then join us for next year's National Catholic Singles Conference.
