By David Carvalho | Diocese of Fall River
In conversation with Allison Gingras | Reconciled to You Ministries
This article summarizes an interview with Allison Gingras of Reconciled to You Ministries, entitled “Quick Wins with Allison Gingras”, providing takeaways for Catholics and parishes. To watch the interview in its entirety, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@equipcatholics
For over a decade, Allison has used social media as a tool to share the Good News in creative, compassionate, and faith-filled ways. Her work with Wine: Women in the New Evangelization, CatholicMom.com, and the Diocese of Fall River has helped transform online spaces into places of prayer, community, and authentic witness. In addition to Reconciled to You Ministries, Allison works as the Director of Media Evangelization for Holy Cross Family Ministries. She has published several books with Ave Maria Press and Our Sunday Visitor, including “Encountering Signs of Faith” and “Stay Connected: Journals for Catholic Women”.
In a world where likes, shares, and scrolls have replaced many face-to-face interactions, social media often carries a reputation for superficiality or toxicity. But for Catholic evangelist and author Allison Gingras, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer something else: a mission field.
In this article, Allison offers insights and practical strategies for turning your screen into a sanctuary—one post, prayer, and personal testimony at a time.
Social Media: A Modern Mission Field
Many Catholics express frustration with the negative tone or content found on social platforms. Some even fast from social media altogether, especially during Lent. While Allison understands the desire to step away from the noise, she encourages a different approach: sanctify your feed instead of abandoning it.
“Lent is when more people than ever go looking for Jesus,” she explains. “Why would we disappear when they’re searching?”
For Allison, social media isn’t a distraction—it’s a ministry. She treats it with the same intentionality as other forms of evangelization, asking herself three key questions before posting:
- Will this bless someone?
- Does it positively represent the Catholic faith?
- Does it draw people closer to Jesus?
This approach forms the basis of what she calls “tithing her social media”—dedicating a portion of her online presence to share the beauty, truth, and goodness of Catholicism.
The “Three Commandments” of Faithful Posting
Allison’s philosophy for social media evangelization is grounded in three simple but profound guidelines:
1. Take Apologetics Offline
Disagreements about faith should be handled privately, she advises. “You can’t win a war on a Facebook thread,” she says. Tone is lost, intent is misunderstood, and public arguments often do more harm than good. Instead, she moves these conversations to private messages or email, where clarity and charity can flourish.
2. Post Prayerfully
Before hitting “post,” Allison prays. She asks the Holy Spirit to guide her words and intentions. “Lord, freeze my fingers if I’m not supposed to post this,” she says with a laugh. But she means it—every post is a potential testimony.
3. Be a Positive Witness
Rather than diving into debates, Allison shares quotes from saints, reflections on Eucharistic Adoration, Scripture verses, and personal stories. Her goal? To spark curiosity and invite others into the richness of Catholic life.
Using the Fruits of the Spirit Online
To be effective digital evangelists, Catholics must not only understand the tools—they must also cultivate the virtues. Allison draws from the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit when engaging online:
- Prudence to know when and how to post.
- Kindness and gentleness to engage with compassion.
- Self-control to avoid snarky replies or rash responses.
- Joy and peace to be a source of light in a noisy digital world.
These spiritual fruits become the foundation for a healthier, more Christ-centered online presence.
Lent and Social Media: A Time to Lean In
Rather than giving up social media for Lent, Allison suggests using it with purpose:
- Pray your newsfeed: As you scroll, say a prayer for each person or situation you encounter.
- Fast from criticism or gossip: Use your digital discipline to reflect a deeper inner conversion.
- Give alms through engagement: Share faith-filled content, host a livestreamed Stations of the Cross, or start a Bible study via Zoom.
For example, Allison and her husband, Deacon Kevin, hosted virtual Stations of the Cross during Lent, followed by Catholic trivia to foster community. They also shared pictures of their parish’s stations to help people feel connected to their church during the pandemic.
“Lent is the perfect time to engage online because people are already seeking,” Allison says. “Be there for them.”
Fun and Faith for Families Online
Social media can also be a great way to engage families. Allison shares a few creative ideas parishes have used to reach all ages:
- Photo challenges (e.g., “Flat Father” cutouts of clergy visiting different places)
- Family trivia nights
- Ask Your Pastor Q&As
- Virtual Rosaries or Adoration livestreams
- Mini video testimonies from staff or parishioners
“These kinds of posts make people feel seen and connected,” she explains. “And hearing a favorite saint story from the parish maintenance manager? That’s powerful.”
The goal is to create an online environment where everyone’s faith story matters—and where the parish website and social pages feel like the digital vestibule to the Church.
Getting Started: You Don’t Have to Be a Tech Expert
For those intimidated by technology or unsure where to start, Allison offers reassurance: you don’t have to create original content right away.
“Just start by sharing posts from trusted sources—like your diocesan Facebook page or CatholicMom.com,” she says. “Even by sharing, you’re telling people what matters to you.”
Eventually, you may feel called to post a reflection, Scripture verse, or even your personal testimony.
Conclusion: Do Something—Don’t Do Nothing
In the words of Chris Stefanick, “If there’s one takeaway: Do something. Don’t just do nothing.” Allison echoes that call.
Now more than ever, the Church must meet people where they are—and for many, that’s online.
“You don’t have to go viral,” Allison says. “You just have to be visible, faithful, and real. Share your story. Show your faith. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.”
To learn more or contact Allison Gingras, visit her ministry:
📱 Social: @ReconciledToYou
📧 Email: reconciledtoyou@gmail.com
And don’t forget to follow the Diocese of Fall River @fallriverdiocese on Facebook, Instagram, and X for inspiration, prayer, and community-building content.