Why Televised Masses for Shut-ins?

[Luz_Maria]

Most likely this is more of a cultural question than anything else, but here it goes:

Why are there televised Masses for shut-ins?

If the person is elderly or sick and may not get out of the house, nursing home, etc., s/he is not obliged to attend Mass. The televised Mass does not fulfill the Sunday obligation; which that Mass does not have to because the person is not obliged to attend Mass.

Maybe, just maybe I understand it better when the Mass is being said at the hospital building or complex, televised live to the patients’ rooms, then an EMHC brings Communion to the hospitalized Catholic patients. My human mind can understand that one.

As a business person, I can see the business side of having a staff of priests, cameramen, technicians, guest choir directors from different parishes for the televised Mass who get paid. Then there is the “advertising” of the paid people (the choir members do not get paid), the coordinator for filming two Masses on, say a Thursday in March to televise on two non-consecutive Sunday in April.

This is not about the televised Pope’s Mass when he goes to different countries. Those are more like news events.

So . . . why are there televised Masses for shut-ins? Are they a U.S.A “thing” or do other countries have them? When did they start? For the “why” question, I am looking for something better than a why not.

Thank you for any thoughts.

**Let Nothing Disturb You

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.

Patience,
Obtains all things,
Whoever has God
Lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.

Santa Teresa de Jesús `
(Santa Teresa de Ávila
España: 1515—1582)**

Luz María

 

[Ad_Orientem]

I don’t know the history or statistics, so will confine my answer to the “why” question.

True it is not full participation and does not fulfill the obligation; however, it still provides a level of connection with the Church’s public worship and may be useful in stirring the heart. Seeing the ceremonies of the Mass, one can the more easily turn one’s thoughts to the sacrifice. If it is a live broadcast, he can participate by uniting himself and his prayers to those of the community. He can make a spiritual communion and receive grace. Of course he can do these things without seeing a live broadcast, but seeing those familiar ceremonies and hearing those familiar prayers and hymns may help him to do so. It is no substitute for the Mass – or for a pastoral visit – but it is an aid to worship. It may also help a person to feel connected to the community, and not totally isolated.

 

[tawny]

I don’t know the history or statistics, so will confine my answer to the “why” question.

True it is not full participation and does not fulfill the obligation; however, it still provides a level of connection with the Church’s public worship and may be useful in stirring the heart. Seeing the ceremonies of the Mass, one can the more easily turn one’s thoughts to the sacrifice. If it is a live broadcast, he can participate by uniting himself and his prayers to those of the community. He can make a spiritual communion and receive grace. Of course he can do these things without seeing a live broadcast, but seeing those familiar ceremonies and hearing those familiar prayers and hymns may help him to do so. It is no substitute for the Mass – or for a pastoral visit – but it is an aid to worship. It may also help a person to feel connected to the community, and not totally isolated.

Well stated. It does fulfill a spiritual need for them.

 

[Allegra]

While I’m not a shut-in, and I do attend regular Mass, I also enjoy listening to daily Mass on the radio. It makes me feel connected to the Mass, even when I’m on my way to work. I don’t think any form of prayer is wasted.

 

[Bonnie]

True it is not full participation and does not fulfill the obligation; however, it still provides a level of connection with the Church’s public worship and may be useful in stirring the heart.

When I could get a radio station that broadcast daily mass, I liked listening to it. Even more so on Sundays that I wasn’t able to make it. Now, if I can’t go to mass for some reason, I read the readings, but it’s just not the same.

Being able to see & hear other people is very important for shut-ins, who may not have many visitors. And being able to immerse oneself in the mass, even if not able to participate, can be wonderful.

 

[fastenatingguy]

I am a Homebound Minister who brings the Holy Eucharist to shut ins.

As explained previously, it is about the connection to the faith community. Most of the people I see are very lonely, and truly miss physically being in church at mass. Or so they say.

 

[SteveLy]

In my experience it brings a great sense of fulfillment, peace and a continuation of connection with the Church for those who cannot attend. For many without families or who are not able to even get out of their room, it might be the most regular or frequent connection they have with the faith.

Many pray along with the Mass, and as such is similar to one who attends Mass and does not receive communion. It is a great ministry of caring for the people who would not be possible without the use of technology.

Good topic!

 

[triumphguy]

Well, they can hear the readings and and a homily and pray along with the people in the Church and avoid the other dross that is on TV.

 

[MaryT777]

I don’t know the history or statistics, so will confine my answer to the “why” question.

True it is not full participation and does not fulfill the obligation; however, it still provides a level of connection with the Church’s public worship and may be useful in stirring the heart. Seeing the ceremonies of the Mass, one can the more easily turn one’s thoughts to the sacrifice. If it is a live broadcast, he can participate by uniting himself and his prayers to those of the community. He can make a spiritual communion and receive grace. Of course he can do these things without seeing a live broadcast, but seeing those familiar ceremonies and hearing those familiar prayers and hymns may help him to do so. It is no substitute for the Mass – or for a pastoral visit – but it is an aid to worship. It may also help a person to feel connected to the community, and not totally isolated.

Well said. Also they get to hear the Word of God proclaimed; the readings for the day.

 

[CatholicHockey7]

I’m neither a shut-in, nor a Eucharistic Minister for the Homebound, so I’ll answer from a different perspective…

Televised Masses for me provide an opportunity to hear different priests than I normally would in my home parish. This allows me to hear a different homily on the same readings and can help further my understanding of the faith.

It also serves as a great tool for evangelization. You may not be able to get a friend to join you at Mass, but maybe you can convince them to watch it on TV. Like sports, it won’t be the same. But like sports, watching on TV can get someone interested enough to try going in person.

 

[Luz_Maria]

Thank you Ad Orientem, tawny, Allegra, Bonnie, fastenatingguy, SteveLy, triuphguy, MaryT777, and CatholicHockey7.

Your answers help me understand the why a little better.

In my family we do not make connections to the Mass people on TV. Well, unless we personally know the Officiating Priest – which is very rare because there is a staff of them to say those Masses. We also know that it is not a “live” broadcast, but taped way ahead of time for later broadcast on the specific Sunday.

Now that I have read the posts, I am very sad if this is the best the Church does for those who may be homebound, sick, and “old” when those are the very same people who supported the Church we have now with their time, treasure, talents, and money. An EMHC minister’s visit brings Our Lord to them, which is priceless; however, that is a 10-minute “visit” and is only the spiritual side. It is just so sad. So very sad.

Thank you for your insights.

**Let Nothing Disturb You

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.

Patience,
Obtains all things,
Whoever has God
Lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.

Santa Teresa de Jesús `
(Santa Teresa de Ávila
España: 1515—1582)**

Luz María

 

[Chatter163]

I don’t see anything sad about it at all. I think it’s a wonderful thing, and shows everyone–active and inactive Catholics, as well as non-Catholics–what the Mass of the day is. It’s outreach and it’s a tool of evangelization. Think of the protestants who may stumble across it and think, “Wow, I thought those Catholics mostly worshipped Mary. This isn’t at all what I expected.” I’m surprised that you don’t ask why EWTN broadcasts daily Mass several times each day, with the second and third airings being tapes of the earlier live Mass. as you can see from the responses here, there are indeed people who connect with it, even without being a shut-in, so even more may the connection be for those who are.

Knowing the priest personally is not the connection. Knowing or learning the Mass is. Your last post makes it sound as if the TV Mass is all that is done for shut-ins, or an all too brief visit by an EMHC. That may sometimes be the case, but the level and resources for pastoral care for the sick is ultimately the domain of the local parish, and that is true, regardless of whether or not there is a televised Mass.

 

[CatholicHockey7]

Thank you Ad Orientem, tawny, Allegra, Bonnie, fastenatingguy, SteveLy, triuphguy, MaryT777, and CatholicHockey7.

Your answers help me understand the why a little better.

In my family we do not make connections to the Mass people on TV. Well, unless we personally know the Officiating Priest – which is very rare because there is a staff of them to say those Masses. We also know that it is not a “live” broadcast, but taped way ahead of time for later broadcast on the specific Sunday.

Now that I have read the posts, I am very sad if this is the best the Church does for those who may be homebound, sick, and “old” when those are the very same people who supported the Church we have now with their time, treasure, talents, and money. An EMHC minister’s visit brings Our Lord to them, which is priceless; however, that is a 10-minute “visit” and is only the spiritual side. It is just so sad. So very sad.

Not every broadcast is pre-recorded. My parish broadcasts every liturgy on our website for those not able to join us, and the homilies are recorded and put on a YouTube channel for anyone to see.

I also know EWTN broadcasts Mass every day, not just on Sunday. These may be recorded earlier in the day/week/month, but they still serve the same value and purpose.

I was also blessed to be part of the 2016 Christmas Mass in our Diocese that aired nationally. We recorded it in October. For some people, that Mass might be the first connection they’ve ever had with true Catholic liturgy.

Lastly, I agree if this is the best we can do, that is very sad. However, I do not believe this is the best we can do. I know parishes have discussed - and some have offered - free rides for those who need them to get to Mass. I know some parish homebound ministries which are not just a 10-minute trip to fulfill the need for the Eucharist, but also serve as a way to discover what other needs the parish can help fill whether it’s someone to pick up groceries, or scheduling visits with the parish nurse, or anything else the community might help with.

 

[Allegra]

I find it highly unlikely that anyone is going to pre-record liturgy for a specific day. I suppose they may record the vigil Mass on Saturday and air it on Sunday, but since the liturgy is the same, that’s not a big deal. I don’t really watch Mass on TV, since it’s usually broadcast on Sunday, which is when I’m at Mass anyway, but the daily Masses on Catholic radio all seem to be live broadcast, or at least recorded the same day as they are being broadcast. You can tell because of the readings and the subject of the homily. Occasionally, they will re-broadcast a homily of the bishop, but not the full Mass.

 

[Kielbasi]

Broadcasting the Mass for TV and/or radio has been done almost since the advent of radio. For many years, the requirement has been eased, but all TV and radio stations had to broadcast “in the public interest”, and they all had religious broadcasting- almost all of it local religious services including the Mass. Not every station had the Mass on the air, but those who didn’t, might broadcast the message from a presbyterian church or someone else.

Nowadays, not so much. Cable outfits like EWTN provide most of it, but you’ll still hear some local masses on the air.

 

[Mammoths]

I have listened to a lot of Catholic programming on ewtn when driving as a longhauler for weeks at a time on the road–including masses and homilies etc. no claim that it fulfills the Sunday obligation. See my public profile and read between the lines.

 

[Herculees]

You are absolutely right the homebound are exempt from attending Mass! Offering TV Mass is simply a service to those who desire to be there (at Mass) and who can’t get there. Yes, I know that the could read the reading themselves but maybe they have poor eyesight and maybe they don’t have enough of a theological background to come up with a reflection/sermon from the readings.

I was homebound recently for a few months. I, however, had to go across the street from where I live everyday to transmit a cardiac monitor that I was wearing to the hospital. It had to be transmitted from a landline and my apartment building does NOT have landline telephones. So everyday I cross the street to the pharmacy to use there phone. Fortunately for me it is right next to the Methodist Church so I worshipped with them each Sunday to fulfill my obligation. In my condition the Latin Rite Catholic Church was to far to walk to and my parish a Maronite Catholic Church is 7-9 miles away and I was not in a condition to drive/travel on public transportation. I thank God the Methodist Church was so convenient and the people were very kind. One of the members of the Methodist Church would take me shopping.

 

[Luz_Maria]

I find it highly unlikely that anyone is going to pre-record liturgy for a specific day. I suppose they may record the vigil Mass on Saturday and air it on Sunday, but since the liturgy is the same, that’s not a big deal. I don’t really watch Mass on TV, since it’s usually broadcast on Sunday, which is when I’m at Mass anyway, but the daily Masses on Catholic radio all seem to be live broadcast, or at least recorded the same day as they are being broadcast. You can tell because of the readings and the subject of the homily. Occasionally, they will re-broadcast a homily of the bishop, but not the full Mass.

Allegra, that is what I, my family, and many here used to think until we found out that the diocesan Mass for shut-ins here are filmed ahead of time. Two Masses are recorded the same afternoon weeks ahead of time for future Sundays’ broadcast. Attendees are asked to not wear clothes that identify the season. Winter coats are placed out of camera range. The first Mass is filmed and people take a break. The people return to the recording chapel, the people on the right side switch to the left & vice versa, the choir members sit/stand at different places, and the second Mass is recorded for another future Sunday. We may Receive twice on a day and a Priest may say two Masses; therefore, everything is fine. The whole thing is very professionally choreographed with the correct readings, homily, vestment colors, etc. I guess taping the Mass ahead of time frees the Celebrant to say Sunday Mass where he is assigned.

Again, that is the way this diocese does it here.

I do not watch TV Masses either because, like you, am at Mass during the broadcast. Then again, my Family has never ever watched a TV Mass so we do not even think of it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with our not watching it. We like the other ways we keep the Day holy when we absolutely are unable to attend Mass, U]and our Spritual Directors have approved it going back for many years.

**Let Nothing Disturb You

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.

Patience,
Obtains all things,
Whoever has God
Lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.

Santa Teresa de Jesús `
(Santa Teresa de Ávila
España: 1515—1582)**

Luz María

 

[Luz_Maria]

…]

Knowing the priest personally is not the connection. Knowing or learning the Mass is. Your last post makes it sound as if the TV Mass is all that is done for shut-ins, or an all too brief visit by an EMHC. That may sometimes be the case, but the level and resources for pastoral care for the sick is ultimately the domain of the local parish, and that is true, regardless of whether or not there is a televised Mass.

I can see your point of view. Thank you. As plainly said, am trying to learn and understand.

The way I see it, I, personally, do not have to throw everything on the Priest’s lap. As a human being, I may visit the elderly or shut-in, bring needed groceries (because at times I could be asked and given the money for it. I make sure to have the receipt for him/her), take the person to coffee or the beauty parlor/barber shop or simply visit. There are also plenty of lonely people at assisted living and nursing home facilities with whom I may sit in the common area. If the person is a “stranger” and asks, I say am Catholic. Well, stranger to me, but a brother, sister, aunt, etc. to someone else.

**Let Nothing Disturb You

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.

Patience,
Obtains all things,
Whoever has God
Lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.

Santa Teresa de Jesús `
(Santa Teresa de Ávila
España: 1515—1582)**

Luz María

 

[Bran_Stark]

Allegra, that is what I, my family, and many here used to think until we found out that the diocesan Mass for shut-ins here are filmed ahead of time. Two Masses are recorded the same afternoon weeks ahead of time for future Sundays’ broadcast. Attendees are asked to not wear clothes that identify the season. Winter coats are placed out of camera range.

I find it very strange that in the age of the Internet the diocese would still feel the need for such an artificial system. There are hundreds and thousands of churches that put recordings or videos of their services live, or a few hours after the fact, on YouTube or similar sites.