Sister Judith Zoebelein, developer of the highly successful Vatican website, has begun work on what she calls a “Myspace.com for Catholics.” Set to begin service soon, the new site is designed to “[bring] together the faithful so they can interact.” Notable features will include personal news updates and specific areas set up for “families, young people, and parishes.”

“People will be able to find each other and work together online, and then go back and use what they have learned or done in their own communities," says Sister Judith.

The 57-year-old Franciscan nun, originally from Long Island, has used her technical skills to become the editorial director of the Internet Office of the Holy See. Sister Judith was first called to the Vatican in 1991 in order to help the Holy See enter the then-burgeoning internet. When she arrived, she quickly formulated and pitched the idea of a Vatican website to Pope John Paul II. The pope approved of her idea, and over the years the site has grown so considerably that it now attracts nearly one million visitors per year.

Visit the Vatican website at www.vatican.va.