Singles connect through Catholic Web sites
Published Feb 16, 2006ROMEOVILLE—Valentine’s Day may be over for 2006, but some single men and women are still searching for Mr. or Ms. Right. While many head to smoky bars or noisy clubs in an effort to find that special someone, more and more singles are turning to the Internet for love.
Catholics are no exception to the Internet dating craze. There are literally hundreds of sites devoted to helping people of faith find one another. Anthony Buono and Raymond Koza, founders of Catholicpeople.com and Ave Maria Singles spoke with the Catholic Explorer in telephone interviews Feb. 13 about Internet dating and the services they provide.
Koza launched Catholic People in 2001 just after the tragedy of 9-11. “I used to work in the World Trade Center as a stockbroker, so watching the towers fall was a real shock for me,” he said. Distressed by the number of Catholics along with others who died that day, Koza said he got the idea for his Web site. “I wanted other Catholics to be able to come together all over the world,” he added.
That was five years ago and despite money difficulties and technological changes, Koza said that Catholic People is still going strong. “It’s my baby and I never thought it would take off the way it did,” he said.
Unlike many dating sites, which mainly focus on bringing young people together for serious relationships, Koza said his site was centered on connecting people for all sorts of reasons. “We are a friendship site and a dating site at the same time, because people around the world will use us to stay in touch with family members, but people will also use us to find that special someone,” he added.
Users who create profiles on Catholic People are matched based on their age, location and values. The matched couple then decides if they wish to take things further by using a chat feature on the site, which offers live streaming audio and video. “Currently we have 10,825 members and are one of the fastest growing dating websites out there,” Koza said.
In addition, he added, many members who come to the site are simply looking to connect with long lost family members or keep in touch with people who are overseas. “We also get a lot of members of the military on our site, who use it to let their family members know how they’re doing,” he said.
While creating a profile and running an initial search is free, Koza said anyone wishing to use the chat feature or run an advance search must be willing to pay a fee of $50 a month. “Many other dating sites try and take advantage of people who join, but we just want to provide a place for Catholics to connect over values that are important to them,” he said.
With membership rising, Koza said he hopes one day to see over 5 million Catholics using the site. “That is only 1 percent of the Catholic population, but it would show me that I have created something people really need,” he said.
With so many Web sites devoted to Christian or faith based dating popping up all over the Internet, Anthony Buono, founder of Ave Maria Singles, said anyone choosing to sign up for one should be careful. “These sites offer a trial period or a fee of $9 a month. That may sound good, but it ends up being around $150 a year,” he said.
Ave Maria Singles, on the other hand, offers new members a $180 one-time only fee to join the site. “That way we weed out the people who are just curious about the site and may not be looking for a serious relationship,” said Buono.
The basic fee allows users to post a profile with photos, send messages to interested parties, as well as allowing members to search for other singles who fit their criteria. And while many other dating Web sites are content to see their members in serious relationships, Buono said people who come to Ave Maria are looking for much more. “The people who come to our site are discerning a vocation to marriage and are looking for the person they wish to share their life with,” he said.
However, Buono was quick to add that finding the right person takes time and anyone who plans on joining a dating site should not be disappointed if they don’t meet someone right away. “A young woman recently called to cancel her account and said she had just found someone after six years on the site,” he added.
Currently, Ave Maria, which has been in existent for eight years, has over 10,000 members, 453 of whom are married, 186 who are engaged and 1,126 of whom are in a committed relationship, said Buono.
Both Koza and Buono said after the creation of their sites, they quickly realized that Internet dating was going to become popular. However, the founders said they created their sites to provide a service to faithful Catholics and not to make money. “I have a profile at my site even, because I am a single Catholic and know what it’s like,” added Koza.
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Calendar of Events
Today is May 16, 2008Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet plans to sponsor a benefit golf outing at 1:30 p.m. May 16 at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club in Lemont. Tickets are $250 if purchased by May 2 and $275 afterward. For more information www.cc-doj.org.Aquinas Catholic Academy
Aquinas Catholic Academy in Kankakee plans to co-sponsor "Operation Rosary Bowl" at 6 p.m. May 17 in the gymnasium of Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee. The event is slated to include a "living rosary," Benediction and Mass celebrated by retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger L. Kaffer. It is expected to be a community night of prayer dedicated to world peace and honor military branches on Armed Forces Day. For more information 815-932-0314 or 815-932-7413.Holy Family Parish
Holy Family Parish in Shorewood plans to host a concert with internationally known artist Tatiana. The inspirational presentation, dubbed "I Do Believe: The Journey of Faith," is scheduled at 7 p.m. May 17. For more information 815-725-6880.St. Anne Parish
St. Anne Parish in Crest Hill plans to hold a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m.-noon May 18. The cost is adults-$5, children ages 6-10 years old-$3 and 5 years and under-free. For more information 815-722-3222.St. Mary School
St. Mary School in West Chicago plans to hold an alumni reunion May 18. All alumni are encouraged to register. For details 630-562-9660 or 630-231-1776.Visitation Parish
Visitation Parish in Elmhurst plans to host the "Great Adventure" Bible series from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays Jan. 9-May 21, 2008. For more information 630-832-7903.WoodSong Music Ministries
WoodSong Music Ministries plans to present "Shout to the Lord" from 7-8 p.m. May 21 at Queen of Angels Chapel, St. Francis Woods, Frankfort. Those who attend the concert are invited to bring a canned good to be shared with the less fortunate. For more information 815-469-4895.The Joliet Area Community Hospice Guild
The Joliet Area Community Hospice Guild plans to hold its annual card party and buffet luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. May 21 at the Cantigny Post #367 VFW Hall. The cost is $12 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets 815-740-4104.All Saints Catholic Academy
Father Larry Richards, a captivating speaker, preacher and retreat master, is slated to present a special program at 7 p.m. May 22 at All Saints Catholic Academy in Naperville. For complete details 312-876-8991.St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
The Job Ministry of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Naperville plans to hold a program for those in job transition at 7 p.m. May 22. Conor Cunneen, a consultant, presenter, and author, is slated to speak about the building blocks of successful transition. For more information 630-355-8980 or 630-851-8781.The Illinois Catholic Homeschool Conference
The Illinois Catholic Homeschool Conference is slated May 23-24 at University of St. Francis in Joliet. The event is expected to feature vendors, presentations, Mass and entertainment. For more information 815-727-3018 or www.ilchc.org.SS. Peter and Paul Parish
Spirit and Truth's Wipe Open Worship 2008 is slated from 7:30-9 p.m. May 24 at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Naperville. The event is expected to include a eucharistic procession in celebration of the feast of Corpus Christi, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, music, prayer and a reflection by Bishop J. Peter Sartain. For more information 312-526-1667.St. Raphael Parish
St. Raphael Parish in Naperville plans to sponsor a Christian beginnings workshop from 9:15-11:15 a.m. May 19-30 (no class May 26). The cost is $150 per person, which includes materials. For more information 630-355-4545 ext. 112.St. Raphael Parish
St. Raphael Parish in Naperville plans to hold "Matthew: A Gospel for Times of Transition," a one-day retreat, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 31. The cost is $25 per person. For more information 630-355-4545 ext. 112.St. Jude Parish
St. Jude Parish in Joliet plans to hold vacation Bible school June 16-20. Registration is scheduled May 17-June 2. For more information 815-725-2209.The St. Ambrose Home School Association
The St. Ambrose Home School Association plans to co-sponsor a musical performance at 6:30 p.m. June 7 and at 3 p.m. June 8 in the Moser Performing Arts Center Auditorium at University of St. Francis in Joliet. For complete details 708-557-7070.St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Naperville plans to host "EcoMission: Growing Our Souls and Saving Our Planet" May 31-June 12. Complete details, including a schedule of topics, are available at www.stapostle.org.St. Jude Parish
St. Jude Parish in Joliet plans to hold vacation Bible school June 16-20. Registration is scheduled May 17-June 2. For more information 815-725-2209.SS. Peter and Paul Parish
SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Naperville is offering the Tridentine Mass. The Latin Mass is celebrated at 5:30 p.m. Sundays. For more information 630-718-2114.Immaculate Conception High School
The class of 1958 of Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst plans to hold its 50-year class reunion Oct. 3-4 at the Wyndham Drake Oakbrook Hotel. For details or to help locate alumni 630-833-2939.Mary Queen of Heaven Parish
Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Elmhurst plans to continue its Women in the Church/Women in the Bible speaker series.The schedule is as follows:
Franciscan Father Benet Fonck, a renowned presenter, is slated to speak at noon Aug. 10 about St. Clare.
Dominican Sister Barbara Reid, a prominent biblical scholar, is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 about women of the New Testament.
Mary Foley, pastoral life coordinator at the Elmhurst parish, is planned to speak at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 about "Women in Ecclesial Ministry Today."
For complete details 630-279-5700.
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