A camera in your face during Communion

[john_ennis]

Am I overly sensitive? During Mass last Sunday, as we neared the time for Communion, I noticed a guy near the side of the Church filming the Mass. A camera the size of a grenade launcher. Fine.

But as Communion began to be distributed, he took a position just in front of the altar, and roamed back and forth, filming people receiving Communion at the various stations. At times he was just 8 or ten feet in front of them; it’s not possible that many were not distracted as they received the precious Body.

It was apparently part of some promotional video the parish is making.

No big deal?

Peace.
John

 

[Exporter]

Yes, Big deal !

About six years ago the Church hired a “music director”, we are a large Church. I found out that he wasn’t a Catholic, but could play the organ well. O.K. some time passed and then one Sunday as I was walking up the center aisle for Communion I saw that 35 year old red headed man in a short sleeved shirt standing about three feet from our Priest singing to the top of his voice. When I was maybe three people back from the Priest - I got mad as a wet cat. I took Communion and went back to my seat. This was the 10:00AM Mass.

I went to my vehicle and wrote a letter to the Pastor outlining my concerns. I told him how mad I got. I waited for him after the 11:00AM Mass and talked briefly.I asked that the singer stay in the Choir area. Well folks, from then on the singers stayed on the choir area.It wasn’t right for a loud singer to invade your Communion!

 

[puzzleannie]

our parish has a policy about no cameras, video or otherwise, during confirmation or first communions, and there are specific rules about weddings, no photos during the Mass or ceremony, but plenty of opportunity for posed photos afterward. However, our local public TV outlet films a Sunday Mass at a different parish each week to broadcast as a Mass for shut-ins. There is a team of cameramen who do this very well, and as unobtrusively as possible, depending on the size and lay-out of the church. Our parish always films the first 5 Masses of Lent, but all during one weekend, so even though our pastor explains it beforehand, it is confusing because there will of course be different readings for each Mass, and the scrutinies cannot be filmed. We have gotten used to it, and those in charge want it that way because we sing Latin Sanctus etc., without instrumental music, and it is very beautiful.

 

[jpjd]

It’s a temporary situation, and it’s for a good purpose, so I think you should not let it bother you. Pick your battles. This is not a big deal.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

john ennis:

Am I overly sensitive? During Mass last Sunday, as we neared the time for Communion, I noticed a guy near the side of the Church filming the Mass. A camera the size of a grenade launcher. Fine.

But as Communion began to be distributed, he took a position just in front of the altar, and roamed back and forth, filming people receiving Communion at the various stations. At times he was just 8 or ten feet in front of them; it’s not possible that many were not distracted as they received the precious Body.

It was apparently part of some promotional video the parish is making.

No big deal?

Peace.
John

There should have been some type of explaination before Mass. I also believe that there must be a means available for those who do not wish to participate in the picture taking.

I would have sent a letter stating that they would need to pay me $500 each time they used my picture. Since they took my picture without my permission to begin with. But then forget to indicate who I was. In order to publish a picture, especially of a child requires a specific written release.