Agenda: Sunday, January 11th 2026

11:00am: Mass at St. Anne’s Catholic Church 440 E. Elliot Rd. Gilbert, 85234

1:00pm: Desert Monks Brewing Company 1094 S. Gilbert Rd. #101, Gilbert, AZ 85296

Announcements: 

Ice Breaker: What is the last picture or post you posted on social media and why? Or What is the last picture or post you liked on social media and why?

Discussion Topic: The Importance of the Body and the Need for Christ in a Technocratic World  

Sources: TikTok Between the Body and Christ  – Public Discourse

Supplement: N/A

Suggested: N/A

Terms: 

Technocracy- the government or control of society or industry by an elite of technical experts.

Homogeneity- the quality or state of being all the same or of the same kind.

Algorithm- A data-tracking system in which an individual’s internet search history and browsing habits are used to present them with similar or related material on social media or other platforms.

Imago Dei- Image and likeness of God.

Prompts for discussion: The following questions are to aid discussion

1. Do you think social media is generally a good thing or bad or a thing?
2. Do you think it’s alright for teenagers to use social media, why or why not?
3. If the algorithms are made to cater to us specifically, can that be a problem?
4. Is it possible for people on social media to be primed for influence if they have been used to it as a continuous source of pleasure?
5. “Those who defend the cultural norms of a technocracy are predisposed to hate what is different.” Do you believe that statement is true?
6. “Those who wield power in a technocracy love everything to be the same, for similarity is the soil of efficiency and control” Do you see any examples of this occurring in society and is that a negative or positive and why?
7. The article discusses the homogeneity of the human body and how this is the final frontier. And have you seen any examples of this?
8. Do you think that technologies such as CRISPR and Neuro-link have any positive utility?
9. Do you think these technologies would be used in a responsible way, why or why not?
10. Why do you think it is important to have a proper understanding of the human person when dealing with such technologies?
11. Why would our bodies be a threat to technocrats? And how do our bodies stand in the way of homogeneity?
12. Do you think that the identity crisis can be attributed to an embracing or a revolt against the technocrats?
13. Do you think that perhaps at the core of the issue is an attack on identity, and do you think that there is a vested interest in manufacturing identities, if so, what would be the motive?
14. The article talks about how there is pressure on a young lady to look a certain way on social media, and she can often find success by utilizing apps and filters to conform to the desired appearance, do you think that this can be the underlying cause for women to perform these radical bodily surgeries so that they can keep up with the digital version of themselves?
15. Do you think that this is true freedom?
16. How can we then best describe freedom or truly embrace it?
17. Do men experience a similar phenomenon?
18. Why is the body important in our relationship to Christ?
19. The article highlights fascinating details about how the Church reminds us of our human nature, that we are both body and soul, Pope St. John Paul II explains that “the body is the language of the soul.” What are some examples in the life of the Church that bring us fully into communion with Christ, and how do they benefit you personally?

Next Meeting: TBD

3:00pm: End