If you watched our livestreamed Mass last week, you might have noticed a bit of a difference. We installed a new system which produces better pictures and has way more flexibility. The cost was just under $5,000, and we actually got some of the equipment for free.
Two things about this. I think livestreaming one of our Masses a week is here to stay. It will give us an outreach to homebound parishioners far beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also giving us an outreach to other parts of the United States and the world. People have seen
our celebration of the liturgy from California to New Jersey to Spain and Rome. The second benefit from this system will be livestreaming and recording special events. Now, if there is a funeral and the family cannot come in from out of town, they can partici- pate at home. Weddings no longer need videographers, because we have the system already in place.
Here is what I envision. I would like to train some of our students (two of them have already worked the system) to do this. This is a new ministry that our youth are particularly adept to do. The system itself is both simple, yet can become a bit tricky. It is possible just to set a single shot and run with it. Or, as you might have seen last Sunday, we can go back and forth to a variety of shots. It might also be possible to stream school Masses as well as First Communions and Confirmation. If you would like to give it a try, please come and talk to me. It would take you fifteen minutes to learn the system and about an hour to become proficient at it.
If you are still looking for our YouTube channel, go to YouTube and search for Holy Redeemer. There are several of them, so click on the one that has my “mug shot” on it. There you will see many of the Masses we have livestreamed. Check out the difference between last week’s liturgy and the previous ones. The difference is amazing. We could have the ability to livestream every day if people wanted that, but as of now, we will only stream the 9 am Sunday Mass.
Father Kevin