Why Televised Masses for Shut-ins?

[FrDavid96]

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.

Have you ever tried to explain to a 95 year old shut-in with failing eyesight how to use Youtube???

 

[Bran_Stark]

Have you ever tried to explain to a 95 year old shut-in with failing eyesight how to use Youtube???

That’s a good point.

I suppose the whole situation just seems weird to me because I am a “shut-in” myself insofar as I rarely get the chance to attend church due to logistical difficulties, so I spent a fair amount of time watching/listening to services online. And even if I were able to go to church regularly I probably still would, since I like exploring the liturgies and music of various places.

 

[Chatter163]

Cable networks that broadcast daily Masses will typically have these live, though the same Mass is often repeated later in the day, as is done on EWTN. Stations that have only a Sunday Mass in a TV studio chapel, as opposed to one in a regular church, are almost always taped in advance. The demands on priests’ Sunday time, as well as lectors, choristers, servers, etc., make this a necessity.

 

[CatholicHockey7]

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.

It depends where the Mass is going to be broadcast. If it’s just going to a video hosting site on the Internet, most won’t worry about post-production. But if the Mass is being aired nationally, as the Diocese of Buffalo Christmas Mass was last year, they will film ahead of time so they can make everything appear better for the TV audience.

I know here in Buffalo our Diocese does televise Masses at the Cathedral, and most are aired live or same-day recordings. EWTN apparently does the same with many of their Masses.

 

[Bonnie]

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.

We have no access to cable & can’t afford satellite. I get the Internet over my phone & can’t afford the data to watch youtube stuff. Our diocese just started a great service of a lot of videos on-line, but of course it does us - & others in our position - no good.

I’m in an odd situation because we barely get radio reception here. My car radio gets Spokane stations & I would be able to listen to the Mass if I sat in the car. But generally, if I’m staying home because I’m sick or in pain, there’s no way I’m going to sit in the car for an hour!

 

[MissRose73]

When I was a child, I remember a local station would have parishes from all over the diocese participate in the taped Sunday Masses for future Sunday morning broadcasts. Each parish sent over their priest and about 30 to 40 people and were advised for which Sunday and date the taping was to be. Singing of hymns was kept minimal, along with the homily to keep the Mass within 30 minutes commercial free. By the time I got to my teens, the local station no longer did the Mass tapings. I do remember going to a few of them as a kid with my parents and sister. My cousins and their parents did the same in their respective parishes too a few times. A neighboring diocese now broadcasts their Sunday morning Mass - I am not sure if it is live or a tape delay.

I am glad EWTN does the Mass broadcasts and repeats them a few times a day. I also like they show special Masses for Holy Days, etc from various places throughout the world that many of us may never get to see in person. They are a good thing for those who may not be able to attend Mass for one thing - example shut ins, the elderly, disabled, and/or the sick. I know when I have severe cases of flu/colds that I was able to watch the Mass in the comfort of home & not spread my illness to others in public. I know they do not take the place of normal Sunday and holy day attendance too.