LIVESTREAMING MINISTRY
Brings Our Community Together with the Support System of the Parish
F
or many years, television Masses have been commonplace in many Catholic dioceses across our country. However, some of us may not have watched them, except for an occasional Sunday. But last year’s events changed the way we worship. When the COVID-19 pandemic left church doors shuttered, a dedicated group at St. Timothy jumped in to be sure all of us could still watch the weekend Mass as it was celebrated in our parish. Chase White, Director of Music, also does computer and information technology work at St. Timothy. When the closing of churches seemed imminent, Fr. Kenneth Malley asked Chase to research ways for the Mass to be broadcast, to keep our community connected. Through trial and error, a camera, a microphone, and a good Internet connection, Chase got started on what would be an evolving process throughout the subsequent months. “Before the pandemic, our community was alive with meetings, prayer groups, rehearsals, dinners, and liturgies,” Chase says. “For some of our members, the streamed events are their only connection to the parish community. It did not take us long to realize how incredibly important
“I can tell you that we as a parish staff take this seriously. We are a special community, and we know how challenging it has been for some to be separated from this parish support system. We want to do whatever we can to ease that burden.” — Chase White, Director of Music
Stephanie Escher assists with the Livestream Ministry.
this was to so many members of our community.” Even though public Masses resumed, some parishioners still prefer watching from home to avoid potential exposure to the virus. Thus, the livestreamed Mass is essential to their faith. Chase and parish staff plan
to continue livestreaming even after the threat of the virus has passed. Currently, the 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses are both available via broadcast. The evening Mass is a LifeTeen Mass geared toward youth and those who enjoy contemporary praise and worship music. In addition,
continued on back cover
7
