Sister Jennifer Tecla Hyatt, FSP is a member of the Daughters of St Paul, a religious community dedicated to communicating Christ to the world using all media. Sister Jennifer Tecla entered the Daughters of St Paul from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Growing up, music, television, movies, and video games encompassed every aspect of her life. Upon entering the convent as a nun-in-training, Sister Jennifer Tecla began to learn about the importance of media literacy education and connecting her faith with the media she enjoyed. Now as a Daughter of St Paul, she empowers others to do the same through her work as an associate at the Pauline Center for Media Studies.
A Media Literacy Education Specialist, Sister Jennifer Tecla offers dynamic presentations in the areas of media literacy education and catechesis at the parish, diocesan and national levels. Her expertise in media literacy has led to speaking engagements even outside the normal church parameters teaching introduction of media literacy to adults at public libraries. In addition to presentations, Sister Jennifer Tecla has also facilitated numerous film dialogues for children and adults as well as directed cinema retreats at parishes around the country.
Sister Jennifer Tecla was the featured speaker at the first annual World Communications Day Mass for media professionals in Boston, Massachusetts in 2015 and she has spoken at the annual C3 Technology Conference for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Known especially for her engaging presentations to middle school and high school students regarding storytelling in our digital age, she encourages young people to authentic Catholic identity, especially in their social media interactions.
Currently, Sister Jennifer Tecla contributes as a writer for the Pauline Center for Media Studies, Be Media Mindful, and is working on writing a children’s chapter book on the life of St Catherine of Siena. She is also the Outreach Coordinator for Pauline Books & Media in Northern California. Sister Jennifer Tecla is a certified Master Catechist, has a BA in Theology and is an active member of NAMLE (National Association for Media Literacy Education).
Presentations:
Five Ways to Navigate Today’s Media World:
Today’s culture requires that people be able to “read” and “write” messages using symbols in a variety of forms. Each genre and medium of expression and communication demands certain learned competencies. This presentation will offer the media literacy tools and skills needed to be able to “read” and “write” the media messages that surround us, from advertisements, to films, and more.
Finding God in Pop Culture
Pop culture reflects who we are and who we are becoming as a society. This workshop empowers the audience to realize that it is through awareness that we can recognize which aspects of pop culture support human & Gospel values so as to learn to make healthy media choices
THINK - How to Navigate our Media World (Audience: Youth)
This presentation empowers the audience to think/ask questions before & after reading, creating, playing, listening, and/or posting. Is it true? Is it honest? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Emphasis is on social media, cyber-bullying and positive ways to be present on social media.
Pop Music: The Psalms of Today (Audience: Youth)
This presentation introduces the audience to media mindfulness, so as to develop important skills for critical thinking and Christian behavior focusing on pop music. It begins by explaining how the Psalms are the voice of humanity. They speak about life in the way that life really is-the joys, anguish, grief, thanksgiving, and even rage. The Psalms focused on what was happening in the midst of the community at the time. Then I explain that Pop music reflects who we are and who we are becoming as a society.
Finding Life’s Purpose in Media?
We all have a deep desire to know what is the purpose of life. Can it be found in the media? This presentation look at how the media portray the human person and our search for happiness—meaning and purpose in life.
Other Talk Topics:
-Being a Catholic in Our Digital World
-Faith Formation in Our Digital Age
-Media Literacy: Core Concepts and Key Questions
-Online Safety
-Sacramental Imagination in Our Digital Age
-Digital Literacy
Film Retreats
•A Cinematic Pilgrimage: The Way
Using the movie, “The Way,” voyage the Camino from your seat and discover God’s love even in our brokenness.
•New Beginnings: A Cinematic Journey “The Hundred Foot Journey”
A Cinematic Using the film The Hundred Foot Journey 2014, we will look at how we live new beginnings
•Advent Joy with Scrooge: Can Scrooge be Happy? A Cinematic Advent “A Christmas Carol”
Take a Cinematic Adventure using the movie, “A Christmas Carol,” with Jim Carrey and find how to gain happiness
