The Singing Monks; Digital Addiction; Church Ushers

SINGING BENEDICTINE MONKS OF NORCIA, IN ITALY.

JUDY VALENTE TALKED WITH THEIR AMERICAN ABBOTT ABOUT CHANTS, PRAYER, MORTALITY AND BREWING BEER.

>>> AND DIGITAL ADDICTION.

KIM LAWTON LOOKS AT HOW IT MAY BE HARMING RELATIONSHIPS AND WHAT SOME FAITH TRADITIONS ARE URGING PEOPLE TO DO ABOUT IT.

>>> ALSO, USHERS, CHURCH DOORKEEPERS WHO SET THE TONE FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP.

YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY.

>> WELCOME, I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US AS WE START OUR 20TH SEASON ON THE AIR.

THIS WEEK THE UNITED STATES MET ITS GOAL OF ADMITTING 10,000 SYRIAN REFUGEES THIS FISCAL YEAR, ONE MONTH AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

THE REFUGEES HAVE BEEN PLACED IN 231 TOWNS AND CITIES.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, HAS TAKEN IN MORE REFUGEES SINCE 2012 THAN ANY OTHER CITY IN THE U.S.

REFUGEES RECEIVE HELP FINDING WORK AND HOUSING BUT ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT WITHIN A YEAR.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL ADMIT AT LEAST 85,000 REFUGEES IN TOTAL THIS YEAR.

>>> SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS RESCUED NEARLY 10,000 MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES OFF THE LIBYAN COAST THIS WEEK.

THE MIGRANTS, MOST OF WHOM WERE BELIEVED TO BE AFRICAN, TRAVELED IN RUBBER DINGHIES, SMALL WOODEN BOATS AND LARGE VESSELS.

MIGRANTS WERE TAKEN TO VARIOUS CITIES.

HUNDREDS OF THEM WERE TAKEN TO THE SICILIAN PORT OF POZZALLO, ITALY, AND RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT.

>>> IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL AWARD PREFERENTIAL STATUS IN ITS ADMISSIONS PROCESS TO DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES IT ONCE OWNED.

THE JESUIT UNIVERSITY ALSO SAID IT WOULD OFFER A FORMAL APOLOGY, CREATE AN INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF SLAVERY AND ERECT A PUBLIC MEMORIAL TO THE SLAVES WHOSE WORK HELPED BUILD GEORGETOWN.

>> WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY PARTICIPATED IN THE INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY.

THERE WERE SLAVES HERE ON THIS HILLTOP UNTIL EMANCIPATION IN 1862 AND WE RECEIVED FUNDS FROM THE SOCIETY OF JESUS FOLLOWING THE SALE OF 272 ENSLAVED CHILDREN WOMEN AND MEN FROM JESUIT PLANTATIONS IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND.

>>> MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA IS TO BE MADE A SAINT THIS SUNDAY, 20 YEARS AFTER HER DEATH AT THE AGE OF 87.

SHE FOUNDED THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ORDER, THE SISTERS OF CHARITY, TO CARE FOR THE POOREST OF THE POOR.

IN 1997 SHE WAS AWARDED A NOBEL PRIZE.

>> I WANT YOU TO LOVE THE POOR.

>> MOTHER TERESA BELIEVED THE VERY POOR WERE THE MOST LIKE GOD.

>> NEVER TURN YOUR BACK TO THE POOR.

FOR IN TURNING YOUR BACK TO THE POOR YOU ARE TURNING IT TO CHRIST.

FOR HE HAS MADE HIMSELF THE HUNGRY ONE, THE NAKED ONE, THE HOMELESS ONE, SO THAT YOU AND I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOVE HIM.

>>> POPE FRANCIS ANNOUNCED THAT CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC WORKS OF MERCY, SUCH AS FEEDING THE HUNGRY AND SHELTERING THE HOMELESS.

IN A MESSAGE RELEASED ON THURSDAY, THE PONTIFF NOTED THAT IT IS REFUGEES AND THE POOR WHO ARE MOST IMPACTED BY GLOBAL WARMING.

>>> BURKINIS, THE SWIMSUIT WORN BY MANY MUSLIM WOMEN, HAVE BEEN BANNED IN A NUMBER OF FRENCH TOWNS.

NOW, THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE IS ASKING THAT THE TOWNS LIFT THEIR BANS ON THE BURKINIS, CALLING THE BANS A "STUPID REACTION."

THE U.N. SAID THE BANS FAIL TO IMPROVE SECURITY AND FUEL RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE.

FRANCE'S HIGHEST ADMINISTRATIVE COURT SUSPENDED ONE SEASIDE TOWN'S BAN BUT OTHER TOWNS HAVE REFUSED TO LIFT THEM.

>>> EGYPT HAS PASSED THE COUNTRY'S FIRST LAW DETAILING THE RULES FOR BUILDING A CHURCH.

CHRISTIANS, WHO MAKE UP ABOUT 10% OF THE POPULATION, HOPE THE NEW LAW WILL ALLOW THEM TO BUILD MORE CHURCHES.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE OFTEN REFUSED TO GIVE BUILDING PERMITS BECAUSE THEY FEARED PROTESTS BY MUSLIM CONSERVATIVES, WHO OPPOSE ANYTHING THEY SEE AS UNDERMINING THE COUNTRY'S ISLAMIC CHARACTER.

>>> ITALY'S EARTHQUAKE SEVERELY DAMAGED THE BENEDICTINE MONASTERY IN NORCIA, REMINDING US OF THE STORY WE RAN A YEAR AGO.

THE MONKS HAD INVITED INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION FOR THEIR BEAUTIFUL RECORDINGS OF THEIR CHANTS.

OUR CORRESPONDENT WAS JUDY VALENTE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF NORCIA IN CENTRAL ITALY.

A QUIET TOWN OF STONE STREETS, TILED ROOFS, AND SPECTACULAR SCENERY BENEATH THE MOUNTAINS OF UMBRIA.

NORCIA, OR NURSIA AS IT'S SOMETIMES CALLED, IS FAMOUS FOR ITS PORK SAUSAGES AND TRUFFLES, AND AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF ST. BENEDICT, FOUNDER OF WESTERN MONASTICISM.

NOW NORCIA WILL BE KNOWN FOR SOMETHING ELSE, TOO -- THESE SINGING MONKS.

>> WE SING THE PRAISES OF GOD NINE TIMES A DAY.

SO IF YOU ADD ALL THAT UP, IT'S PROBABLY FIVE HOURS, MAYBE, EVERY DAY, RAIN OR SHINE, 365 DAYS A YEAR, ALL THE TIME.

>> Reporter: THE MONKS' RESPLENDENT SOUND IS NOW ON CD, ONE THAT'S TOPPED THE BILLBOARD CHARTS IN TRADITIONAL CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IN A ROW.

THEIR RECORDING INCLUDES THE GREGORIAN CHANT THEY SING DAILY AT THEIR COMMUNITY PRAYER, AND IT HAS CAPTIVATED LISTENERS FAR BEYOND THIS MONASTERY'S WALLS.

>> THERE'S A GREAT HUNGER AND THIRST THAT PEOPLE HAVE, EVEN NON-BELIEVERS.

THERE'S A HUNGER FOR SOMETHING MORE, AND BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T GET THAT SOMETHING MORE IN EVERYDAY SOCIETY, THEY LOOK FOR IT IN SPECIAL MOMENTS, AND IF THE CD CAN RESPOND TO THAT NEED, THEN WE'LL BE VERY PLEASED.

>> Reporter: FATHER CASSIAN FOLSOM IS THE PRIOR, OR LEADER, OF THE MONASTERY IN NORCIA.

HE SAYS THIS FORM OF SUNG PRAYER IS AS ESSENTIAL TO MONKS AS THEIR DAILY BREAD.

>> IT'S A WAY OF EXPRESSING OUR LOVE FOR GOD.

WHEN A MONK GIVES HIS LIFE TO GOD, HE HAS TO EXPRESS THAT IN A PHYSICAL WAY, NOT JUST AN INTELLECTUAL WAY, AND SINGING INVOLVES THE WHOLE BODY AND THE MIND AND THE SOUL.

>> Reporter: FATHER CASSIAN'S JOURNEY TO NORCIA AND MONASTIC MUSIC WAS HARDLY A STRAIGHT PATH.

HE WAS STUDYING VOICE AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY WHEN HE SAYS HE FELT A CALL TO MONASTIC LIFE.

HE ENTERED THE BENEDICTINE ORDER AT ST. MEINRAD ABBEY IN INDIANA IN 1979.

THERE HAD BEEN NO MONKS LIVING IN NORCIA SINCE 1810, WHEN THEY WERE EVICTED UNDER NAPOLEONIC LAWS IN A WAVE OF ANTI-CLERICALISM.

15 YEARS AGO, THE CITIZENS OF NORCIA PETITIONED THE WORLDWIDE LEADER OF THE BENEDICTINES, SEEKING THE MONKS' RETURN.

>> THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 5,000 PEOPLE IN THE TOWNSHIP OF NORCIA, AND THEY GATHERED ABOUT 5,000 SIGNATURES, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S NOT EXACTLY HOW THINGS WORK IN TERMS OF SUPERIORS MAKING DECISIONS AND SO ON.

BUT THAT DEMONSTRATED THEIR ENTHUSIASM.

>> Reporter: FATHER CASSIAN WAS TAPPED TO RE-ESTABLISH THE MONASTERY NAMED FOR ST. BENEDICT.

>> THE TOWNSPEOPLE, THEY LOOK TO THE MONKS IF THEY HAVE PROBLEMS, IF THEY WANT TO TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT THEIR FAMILY LIFE.

AND TO HAVE THE MONKS BACK AFTER ALMOST 200 YEARS HELPS TO COMPLETE THE IDENTITY OF THE TOWN, YOU KNOW.

SO IT'S ALMOST AS THOUGH IF THE MONKS ARE THERE, THEN EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE OKAY.

>> Reporter: LATELY, FATHER CASSIAN HAS BEEN THINKING ABOUT SOME IMPORTANT MATTERS OF HIS OWN.

THE 63-YEAR-OLD MONK HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A RECURRENCE OF CANCER, THE MULTIPLE MYELOMA THAT HE FIRST BATTLED IN 2006 AND THOUGHT HE HAD BEATEN.

>> AS ANYBODY WHO IS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, IT CHANGES YOUR LIFE.

I THINK IT HAS GIVEN ME GREATER PATIENCE, GREATER TOLERANCE, LOOKING AT THINGS FROM A "NOT EVERYTHING MATTERS AS MUCH AS YOU MIGHT THINK IT DOES."

>> Reporter: YOU'VE DEDICATED YOUR ENTIRE LIFE TO SEEKING GOD, AND SERVING GOD.

DID YOU EVER FEEL, "GEE, I DESERVE A LITTLE BETTER THAN TWO DIAGNOSES OF CANCER, A SERIOUS CANCER?"

>> IT'S JUST A PART OF LIFE, THAT'S ALL.

I WOULD SAY THIS.

WE CAN LOOK AT DEATH AS A THIEF OR A MESSENGER.

A THIEF COMES AND STEALS WHAT IS MOST VALUABLE TO US, AND SO WE'RE AFRAID.

A MESSENGER WHO COMES TO TELL US THAT OUR BELOVED IS AT THE DOOR, WE RESPOND MUCH DIFFERENTLY, DON'T WE?

SO THAT'S THE KIND OF CHOICE WE HAVE TO MAKE.

IS IT A THIEF OR A MESSENGER?

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HIS DIAGNOSIS HAS ALSO BROUGHT HIM CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE OF NORCIA.

>> ANYONE NOWADAYS WHO GETS DIAGNOSED ALWAYS COMES TO ME BECAUSE THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE KIND OF BOND THERE.

SO WHAT IT HAS DONE, ASIDE FROM THE ACCEPTANCE OF DEATH, IS MAKE ME MORE COMPASSIONATE TO THOSE WHO SUFFER SIMILAR THINGS.

AND SO, IN A STRANGE AND PARADOXICAL WAY, IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY POSITIVE.

>> Reporter: MUSIC HAS BECOME AN EVEN GREATER SOURCE OF COMFORT, ONE HE SAYS HE WANTS TO SHARE WITH OTHERS.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE CD?

>> AN EXPERIENCE OF SERENITY AND PEACE AND THE CALMING OF AGITATION.

>> Reporter: WITH THE MONASTIC COMMUNITY NOW FIRMLY RE-ESTABLISHED IN NORCIA, AND THIS CD AS PART OF ITS LEGACY, FATHER CASSIAN FEELS THAT HE CAN LEAVE THIS WORLD WITH THE WORDS ON HIS LIPS OF SIMEON, AN OLD MAN MENTIONED IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE.

AFTER SEEING THE BABY JESUS, HE SAID, "NOW, LORD, DISMISS YOUR SERVANT.

LET HIM GO IN PEACE."

FOR "RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M JUDY VALENTE.

>> THE MONKS' BREWERY IS STILL WORKING, AND THE AMERICAN ABBOT, FATHER CASSIAN FOLSOM, CONTINUES TO BATTLE CANCER.

>>> NOW, WHAT SOME SAY IS A GROWING SOCIAL AFFLICTION -- DIGITAL ADDICTION.

FROM COMPUTERS TO SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS, THE PERVASIVENESS OF DIGITAL DEVICES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY HAS BROUGHT MANY BENEFITS.

BUT IT ALSO RAISES SEVERAL ETHICAL ISSUES.

KIM LAWTON LOOKS AT HOW FREQUENT USE OF DIGITAL DEVICES MAY BE HARMING SOCIAL AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.

>> Reporter: IT'S FRIDAY NIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO.

THESE PEOPLE ARE HEADING FOR A LIVELY NIGHT ON THE TOWN.

AND THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING MANY WOULD FIND UNTHINKABLE -- THEY'RE CHECKING THEIR PHONES AT THE DOOR.

THIS IS THE NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING, LAUNCHED SEVEN YEARS AGO BY THE JEWISH NONPROFIT GROUP REBOOT.

THE GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TAKE A BREAK FROM TECHNOLOGY AND FIND OTHER WAYS TO ENTERTAIN THEMSELVES.

FOR MANY, THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

>> IF I LEAVE MY PHONE, I FEEL LIKE I'M DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT A SEATBELT.

I NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I CHECK MY E-MAIL ALL THE TIME, I WAS DOING IT BEFORE.

>> SHE WAS.

WE WERE AT A BAR AND SHE WAS CHECKING HER E-MAIL FROM WORK AT 7:30 AT NIGHT ON A FRIDAY.

SO THIS IS GOOD, IT'S JUST AN EXCUSE TO LEAVE THE PHONE BEHIND.

>> IT'S LIKE A SECURITY BLANKET IN A WAY FOR ME.

IF I DON'T HAVE IT WHEN I GO OUT THE DOOR FROM HOME, I KIND OF FEEL VULNERABLE.

>> THERE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU WOULD GO OUT AND NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IN THE WORLD FOR THAT TIME YOU WENT SO, SO WHY HAS THAT CHANGED?

I GUESS WE'RE JUST ADDICTED TO THE CONSTANT STREAM OF, I'M KNOWING WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ALL TIMES.

>> Reporter: AT NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE, PEOPLE HAVE FUN DOING NON-DIGITAL ACTIVITIES, FROM KNITTING AND COLORING TO WRITING NOTES THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.

THERE'S FACE PAINTING, LIVE MUSIC AND EVEN A PHOTO BOOTH.

>> WE ASK PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY LIKE TO DO WHEN THEY'RE UNPLUGGED.

SO MANY PEOPLE SAY "I CAN NEVER PUT DOWN MY CELLPHONE, I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO LIVE WITHOUT IT."

BUT IN REALITY THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE LIKE TO DO WHEN WE ARE UNPLUGGED.

>> Reporter: REBOOT SPOKESPERSON TANYA SCHEVITZ SAYS IT'S NOT ANTI-TECHNOLOGY, BUT RATHER, URGING PEOPLE TO FIND A BETTER BALANCE IN HOW THEY USE TECHNOLOGY.

SHE SAYS THE CONCEPT COMES FROM THE JEWISH SABBATH, SHABBAT, A REGULAR TIME SET ASIDE FOR REST.

>> IT'S ANCIENT WISDOM THAT'S EVER MORE IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW IN OUR HYPER-CONNECTED WORLD, IN A WORLD WHERE WE ARE ON 24/7, WHERE THERE IS AN EXPECTATION THAT YOU CAN BE REACHED AND WILL RESPOND TO EVERY BUZZ, BEEP, VIBRATION AND PING OF YOUR PHONE OR YOUR DIGITAL DEVICES SO I THINK IT'S NEEDED MORE THAN EVER REALLY.

>> Reporter: AMERICANS ARE INCREASINGLY DEPENDENT ON THEIR DIGITAL DEVICES.

ACCORDING TO THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER, 92% OF U.S.

ADULTS OWN CELLPHONES, AND ALMOST 70% OF THOSE ARE SMARTPHONES.

ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF AMERICANS OWN A COMPUTER, AND NEARLY HALF OWN SOME KIND OF TABLET.

WHILE THIS HAS UNDENIABLE BENEFITS, MANY ANALYSTS SAY THE NEGATIVE IMPACT MUST ALSO BE ADDRESSED.

>> THE LATEST STUDIES SHOWS THAT 89% OF AMERICANS TOOK OUT A PHONE DURING THEIR LAST SOCIAL INTERACTION AND 82% SAY THAT "IT DETERIORATED THE CONVERSATION."

THAT'S MY CONCERN, THAT WE ARE DETERIORATING OUR PRESENCE AND IN PERSON PRESENCE.

>> Reporter: PSYCHOLOGIST AND MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PROFESSOR SHERRY TURKLE IS AUTHOR OF "RECLAIMING CONVERSATION: THE POWER OF TALK IN A DIGITAL AGE."

SHE ARGUES THAT THE NEAR-CONSTANT DISTRACTIONS OF TECHNOLOGY CAN HARM MANY ASPECTS OF RELATIONSHIPS.

>> ALL THE THINGS THAT WE GET OUT OF CONVERSATION, INTIMACY, EMPATHY, OUR ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND KNOW THEM AND FORM RELATIONSHIPS, BECAUSE WE ARE ALWAYS ELSEWHERE IN SOME WAY AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: SHE ARGUES THAT A DETERIORATION OF PERSONAL CONNECTIONS HAS TROUBLING CONSEQUENCES FOR THE ENTIRE SOCIETY.

>> WHEN SOMETHING BECOMES THE SOCIAL NORM, WE BECOME DESENSITIZED.

WE SAY "THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS."

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT DOESN'T DO ITS DAMAGE.

AND IT'S PARTICULARLY DAMAGING TO YOUNG PEOPLE, TO THE CHILDREN THAT WE'RE RAISING.

>> Reporter: IN HIS RECENT DOCUMENT ON THE FAMILY, POPE FRANCIS ALSO NOTED THAT TECHNOLOGY CAN HURT FAMILIES SUCH AS "WHEN AT DINNERTIME EVERYONE IS SURFING ON A MOBILE PHONE, OR WHEN ONE SPOUSE FALLS ASLEEP WAITING FOR THE OTHER WHO SPENDS HOURS PLAYING WITH AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE."

FOR THE NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING, TANYA SCHEVITZ ORGANIZES NON-DIGITAL EVENTS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AS WELL.

SHE SAYS SHE WAS TAKEN ABACK BY ONE RECENT INTERACTION WITH A FATHER.

>> HE SAID "OH MY GOSH, WE REALLY NEED THIS" AND HE TURNED TO HIS DAUGHTER WHO WAS ABOUT 5 AND SAID, "WHO IS MOMMY'S BEST FRIEND?"

AND WITHOUT HESITATION, THIS LITTLE GIRL SAID "HER CELLPHONE."

MY GOSH, THAT IS HEARTBREAKING.

I WOULDN'T WANT MY KIDS SAYING THAT.

>> Reporter: STILL, SCHEVITZ ADMITS UNPLUGGING IS SOMETHING THAT SHE STRUGGLES WITH AS WELL.

SHE PUTS HER PHONE AWAY WHEN SHE PICKS UP HER KIDS FROM SCHOOL AND TRIES NOT TO BE ON IT AGAIN UNTIL THEY GO TO BED.

>> THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GET MY ATTENTION.

WHEN I PICK THEM UP FROM SCHOOL, I'M NOT GOING TO BE HALF-LISTENING OR GOING TO BE GLANCING AT MY PHONE OR CHECKING FACEBOOK.

THEY KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M GOING TO PLAY WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: MANY EXPERTS ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT PEOPLE USE DIGITAL DEVICES AS A WAY TO AVOID BEING ALONE WITH THEIR THOUGHTS.

>> YOU CAN SEE THAT ANXIETY ABOUT BEING ALONE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT PEOPLE IN A CHECKOUT LINE IN A SUPERMARKET, WHEN I STUDY PEOPLE AT STOP SIGNS.

THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOUR SECONDS, IN THREE SECONDS, THEY ARE CHECKING THEIR TEXTS.

>> Reporter: AS A ZEN MASTER AND GUIDING TEACHER AT THE CAMBRIDGE ZEN CENTER IN MASSACHUSETTS, JANE DOBISZ BELIEVES THERE ARE GREAT SPIRITUAL BENEFITS TO BEING STILL AND BEING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT.

SHE FINDS HELP IN THE ANCIENT BUDDHIST PRACTICE OF MEDITATION.

>> THAT'S WHAT MEDITATION ADDRESSES, IS THAT THIS MOMENT IS SO RICH, IT'S SO WONDERFUL IF YOU COULD JUST STOP RUNNING AWAY FROM IT.

TAKE A BREATH, TAKE A REST, SETTLE INTO THE MOMENT THEN HEAR THE SOUND OF THE BIRD, FEEL THE WIND ON YOUR CHEEKS, SMELL THE FLOWER, FEEL YOUR BODY.

FEEL YOUR HEART.

>> Reporter: DOBISZ LEADS DEVICE-FREE MEDITATION RETREATS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS.

>> THEY ARE TOLD IN THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY "NO PHONES."

AND YOU CAN'T CHECK YOUR PHONE DURING THE BREAK OR ANYTHING.

AND THEY ARE SO HAPPY AT THE END OF THAT DAY, IT'S JUST 9-3 AND IT'S NOT LIKE A HUGE COMMITMENT.

THEY ARE SO HAPPY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THEY ARE AMAZED AT THEIR HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

>> AND IT'S A REVELATION FOR THEM THAT THEY COULD SEE THE FLOWER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE THE FLOWER I YOU'RE DOING THIS -- >> I FEEL THAT WE'RE AT A MOMENT WHERE WE'VE ADOPTED A NEW TECHNOLOGY, WE'VE BEEN VULNERABLE TO ITS SEDUCTION AND WE'RE ALSO READY TO SAY THIS HAS LED US NOT TO A GOOD PLACE IN TERMS OF HOW IT'S AFFECTED OUR RELATIONSHIPS, IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR TURKLE SAYS ONE OF SOCIETY'S ETHICAL PRIORITIES SHOULD BE CARVING OUT WHAT SHE CALLS SACRED SPACES WHERE CONVERSATION AND RELATIONSHIPS ARE GIVEN MORE IMPORTANCE THAN TECHNOLOGY.

>> EMPATHY IS AT STAKE AND WE NEED EMPATHY TO RAISE CHILDREN WHO ARE ABLE TO BE ETHICAL AND MORAL PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: BUT ALL GIVEN THE NEW DIGITAL GADGETS FLOODING THE MARKET, THE CHALLENGES TO DOING THAT MAY ONLY GET GREATER.

I'M KIM LAWTON REPORTING.

>>> NEXT WEEK, THE BIBLE LANDS MUSEUM IN JERUSALEM WILL OPEN A NEW EXHIBITION SHOWCASING ARTIFACTS THAT ARCHEOLOGISTS BELIEVE DATE BACK TO THE BIBLICAL STORY OF DAVID AND GOLIATH.

THE EXHIBITION IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 5TH.

>>> ON OUR CALENDAR, HINDUS CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF THE ELEPHANT GOD GANESH, WHO REPRESENTS PROSPERITY AND GOOD FORTUNE.

THE CELEBRATION TRADITIONALLY LASTS TEN DAYS.

AND MUSLIMS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD ARE PREPARING FOR THE HAJJ, THEIR ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA.

THE HAJJ IS A CENTRAL PILLAR OF ISLAMIC FAITH.

IT IS MEANT TO CLEANSE MUSLIMS OF SIN AND BRING THEM CLOSER TO GOD.

>>> WE HAVE A BELIEF AND PRACTICE SEGMENT TODAY ON THE SPIRIT, DISCIPLINE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHURCH DOORKEEPERS, HONORED, HIGHLY-TRAINED USHERS WHO ARE THE FIRST PERSONS MANY CHURCHGOERS, OF ALL DENOMINATIONS, ENCOUNTER.

THEY ALSO HELP CREATE AND MAINTAIN THE SPIRIT OF WORSHIP, AS WE DISCOVERED AT HEMINGWAY MEMORIAL A.M.E. CHURCH IN DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MARYLAND.

OUR GUIDE WAS CHARLES BROWN, A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH'S SENIOR USHER BOARD AND ONE OF THE 15,000 MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL UNITED CHURCH USHERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA.

>> THE USHERS NORMALLY ARRIVE AT LEAST A HALF-HOUR BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE SERVICE.

THE USHERS SERVE AS THE FORERUNNER FOR THE SERVICE.

IN ESSENCE, THEY PREPARE THE CHURCH FOR THE PARISHIONERS.

THEY WOULD PLACE THE BULLETINS IN THE PROPER PLACES, ESPECIALLY ON THE CHOIR LOFT OR THE PULPIT.

THEY WOULD CHECK THE PEWS TO SEE IF THERE ARE COLLECTION ENVELOPES AVAILABLE.

ONCE THE SERVICE STARTS EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE FOR THE PARISHIONERS AND THE GUESTS.

HEMINGWAY IS PART OF THE NATIONAL UNITED CHURCH USHERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC. WE PRACTICE OR TRAIN AT THE SCHOOL OF USHERING.

WE ONLY USE SIGNS AND SIGNALS TO COMMUNICATE IN THE SERVICE.

THERE'S VERY LITTLE TALKING GOING ON AMONG THE USHERS.

ONCE THE PARISHIONERS ARRIVE AT THE CHURCH, THEY'RE GREETED BY AN USHER AT THE DOOR WITH A SMILE, WELCOMING THEM TO THE HEMINGWAY CHURCH AND EXTENDING TO THEM A PROGRAM AND OFFERING THEM A SEAT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A CERTAIN PERSONALITY OR DEMEANOR THAT WILL BE INVITING TO THAT PARISHIONER OR GUEST BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS COMING IN THROUGH YOUR DOORS, AND THE FIRST PERSON THAT THEY MEET WILL BE AN USHER.

ONCE SERVICE STARTS, WE TRY TO SEAT ALL VISITING GUESTS OR ANY PARISHIONERS TOWARD THE FRONT AND MOVE TOWARD THE BACK SO THAT ANY LATE PARISHIONERS OR GUESTS WHICH ARRIVE DO NOT NECESSARILY DISRUPT THE SERVICE BY GOING UP TO THE FRONT.

WE NORMALLY HAVE USHERS IN THE AISLES FROM 15-20 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF USHERS YOU HAVE SERVING THAT DAY.

BECAUSE OF OUR AISLES ARE NARROW, THE USHERS TURN THEIR BACKS TO THE WALL TO ALLOW FOR THE RELIEVING USHER TO COME TO STAND BEHIND THEM.

BEING A CHURCH USHER IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE AN USHER KEEPS ORDER AND DECORUM WITHIN A SERVICE.

AS AN USHER YOU JUST NEED TO BE FOCUSED AND ALWAYS COGNIZANT OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE SERVICE.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE WHO HAS ATTENDED A SERVICE WOULD ACTUALLY NOTICE THAT WHEN AN USHER IS ON DUTY AND EVEN WHEN THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE PRAYER POSITION, THEIR EYES ARE NEVER CLOSED.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE THEIR HEAD BOWED BUT THEY ARE ALWAYS SURFACING THE CONGREGATION BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN SOMEONE MAY BE ILL OR SOME OTHER INCIDENT MAY BE OCCURRING.

AND IT IS YOUR DUTY TO PROTECT THAT CONGREGATION.

BEING AN USHER ON DUTY AND BEING ALSO A PARISHIONER, TO ME, IS A DUAL FUNCTION.

IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO SEE AN USHER WHO IS ON DUTY TO GET INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE BECAUSE THE SPIRIT WILL FLOW ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT AS AN USHER IN THE AISLES, SO YOU TRY NOT TO BE OVERWHELMED.

HOWEVER, IF YOU'RE OVERWHELMED BY THE SPIRIT, THERE'S NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO BUT JUST LET IT GO AND JUST LET THE USHER IN CHARGE SEND A RELIEF DOWN TO YOUR POSITION.

I AM AN USHER BECAUSE GOD HAS GIVEN ME THAT TALENT, AND HE ALSO HAS GIVEN ME A BLESSING TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

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