So how does it all work? Gamers “catch” Pokémon on their devices then pit them against other players. While all the action is virtual, the locations are real. Pokémon Go uses a cell phone’s GPS to determine the location of the player and the nearest Pokémon. A map then leads the way. Churches are often designated as “PokéStops” where players collect supplies or “Gyms” where players do battle.
Parishes in the Diocese of San Bernardino that have unwittingly found themselves as locations for the game include St. George in Fontana, St. Anthony in San Jacinto, Christ the Redeemer in Grand Terrace, St. Vincent Ferrer, Sun City, St. Catherine of Alexandria in Riverside and St. Thomas the Apostle in Riverside. But the Pokémon pot of gold can be found in Corona.
“Our Virgin Mary is a Pokéstop,” explains Molina Erb, Youth Minister and Confirmation Director at Corpus Christi in Corona. “We also have two other stops and a gym.”
That’s plenty of enticement for Pokémon players, just look to the gathering crowds as proof.
“We noticed more and more people and not just kids, whole families are out there. They sit in our grounds area and swipe their phones.”
It was an opportunity not lost on Erb, who’s hoping to get visitors to play then pray.
“I see a lot of teens I recognize from Mass but they’re not coming to Youth Ministry or a Confirmation program. I’ll say, ‘did you go to the flag pole yet? There’s another Stop by the parking lot.’ Then I’ll say, ‘hey, we have Youth Night since you’re here.’ ”
But the extra foot traffic is not without drawbacks. On Sundays, people lurk around the open doors of the church.
“Hello, this is Mass,” exclaims Erb. “This is not the time to fill up on Poké Balls!”
But she’ll take the bad with the good.
“I don’t see it as a negative, but a way of evangelizing.”
So does Abraham Villela, Youth Minister at St. Mel Parish in Norco.
“We should be rolling with it,” he says. “We want to welcome them.”
And maybe play a little Pokémon too. As a child, Villela mastered the Pokémon card game and eventually won a national championship. You could say the game has left its mark.
“I even have a Poké Ball tattoo,” he admits.
Not only can Villela talk the talk, he organized a Pokémon walk. High-schoolers were invited to grab a phone and grab a monster.
“It turned out to be one of the best times of relational ministry we had over the summer. Because as we were walking and we were looking, we were also saying, ‘how’s your summer been, how are things with you?’ ” describes Villela.
The teens felt the positive vibes, too. Angel Rodriguez thought playing Pokémon Go would be a good way to get out and explore the city, but he got much more.
“Our Guy’s Group was really fun. We bonded with each other. It was really cool to hear the other guys’ stories about their lives,” explains the 17 year old.
He thinks Villela is right on track with his approach.
“I feel that it’s an awesome thing that my Youth Minister is playing Pokémon Go,” Rodriguez says. “It shows that our ministry is trying to stay up to date but still teach us religion.”
Villela knows modern technology gets the attention of young people but says once you have it, you’ve got to keep it.
“Technology is a great way to get the conversation started. But the conversation will never be over with just an Instagram or a website. It’s always got be personal, one on one.”
It’s that meaningful interaction that got to Angel.
“I was very emotional and had no real idea about religion at that time,” he recalls. “I was invited by my Youth Minister and I really felt the Holy Spirit in all the people I met.”
Natalie Romano is a freelance writer and a parishioner of The Holy Name of Jesus in Redlands.