Mass Through the Camera Lenses

We had been thinking about livestreaming the Masses for quite a while, but nobody expected that we will introduce it the way it actually happened. The announcement about closing the church due to Covid19 pandemic came just a day before the feast day of the patron of our parish, St. Patrick. So, on March 17, 2020 we went LIVE for the very first time. As it was time of trial and error, we didn’t turn off the filters on iPhone streaming software. So, I began the Mass with googly eyes the first couple of minutes until we figured out what was happening…

Over time, thanks to talented and dedicated IT team, we improved our broadcast drastically. We’ve got the necessary equipment, installed the lighting and set up “control room” for every service being streamed LIVE. The décor of the church has changed and the interactions with the people became virtual. We welcome all to our Digital Church! This might be our new normal for quite some time, we are continually trying to find ways of how we can be present for the people.

For me as a priest and missionary, it certainly changed the way of celebrating Mass and “encountering” people. I thrive on “crowded” gatherings, school Masses with hundreds of students, religious conferences, when I can look in the people’s eyes when I speak or got a smile at the humor I just shared. Interactions were more real than through the digital means, when I speak to the camera… In an Oblate spirit, I don’t see this as an obstacle, but rather as an opportunity. Leave nothing undared, once again takes on new meaning!

There is always a special moment for me during the online Mass. When we come to the Communion, we invite and pray with our “viewers” to receive the Eucharist in spiritual communion. I hold them all dearly in my heart, when I sacramentally receive the Body and Blood of Christ, and they can unite Spiritually.

There is no way we are going back to normal. The only way is to move forward to new normal. We believe the Digital Church will remain a significant part of our mission and ministry going forward. Recently I’ve read a reflection by Carey Nieuwhof, “As tempting as it will be to reopen the doors and believe everyone is coming back to church, the data shows that’s probably not the case.” The mission of the Church, takes on a new reality of going beyond the walls and encountering people where they are, in the basic church, in people’s homes and amongst their families. We walk this journey of faith together!

By Jarek Pachocki, OMI