STAYING A-LIVESTREAM!

In a recent interview with The Evangelist, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger said he felt an ­unexpected sense of connection with the faithful during one live­streamed Mass.

The Bishop added, “there was something going on there that was more than just watching.”

There is no substitute for physically attending Mass, but with livestreamed Masses connecting thousands in the Diocese of Albany back to the Church, the numbers are hard to ignore. People who have not stepped foot in a church, are now watching live­streamed Masses from their homes, making it a powerful evangelization tool that will remain long after the coronavirus pandemic has come and gone.

Let’s take a look at some of the numbers: In March, the Diocese of Albany website (rcda.org) hit a record for the most users in a one-month period with 50,900, easily beating the previous mark of just over 30,000 users. From Holy Week 2019 to Holy Week 2020, livestream page views were up 13,873 percent (81,246 to 17,039), and the parish live mass page was up +4,574 percent (10,096 to 216). On YouTube from March 17 to April 14, views were 16,300; 14,300 more than usual. Holy Thursday (3,097 views), Palm Sunday (2,908), Holy Saturday (2,848), Good Friday (2,514) and Easter Sunday (1,997) all generated substantial viewership.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is continuing its livestream indefinitely, and is one of 34 parishes in the Diocese currently livestreaming Masses to YouTube and Facebook that have also seen significant increases in online viewership.

“We will certainly continue to do livestreaming and or recording once the pandemic crisis is over. Our daily Mass viewing numbers are at least double that of when we have a congregation in the church,” said Father Anthony Barratt, pastor, Holy Trinity Parish, Hudson-Germantown and director of Prayer and Worship in the Diocese. “Several parishioners have commented that they would come to daily Mass, but they have to be at work early and our daily 7:15 a.m. Mass is still too late for them.

“We have also noticed that a number of people that perhaps would not be particularly connected with the parish have certainly reconnected. … Perhaps it gives them an opportunity to look, reflect and even to encounter in a way that is comfortable and non-threatening for them.”

The Hudson-Germantown statistics reflect just that: Palm Sunday, 978 views; Holy Thursday, 384 views; Good Friday, 301 views; Easter Vigil, 487 views. Father Barratt has also seen a jump in weekday Masses with 50-65 views contrasted with a normal weekday Mass attendance around 30.

“One thing that I have noticed along with so many others, is that so many people have reflected on the importance of their faith and their relationship with God and the Church,” Father Barratt said. “I have witnessed myself and I have heard of countless examples of this crisis being a time of people deepening their faith, of seeing their relationship with the Lord with new eyes and also of returning to faith. This has also been expressed in so many acts of goodness and kindness. Despite the terrible cost in so many ways and the many anxieties and fears, the pandemic has also been a time of evangelization and of grace.”

Obviously, those numbers are inflated because there is no other way to worship right now, at least in the Diocese of Albany. But the numbers show a large community of Catholics, perhaps more comfortable online, who are supporting parishes more than ever. The hope is if parishes can keep people tuned in online, they will be excited to turn out to public Masses when the pandemic restrictions are eased.

Mary DeTurris Poust, director of communications for the Diocese of Albany, sees Facebook Live as the key to online engagement.

“We’ve seen a lot of parishes jump into livestreaming during the pandemic — for Masses, Morning or Evening Prayer, concerts, inspirational messages and more — and they’re realizing what a powerful tool digital communication can be,” DeTurris Poust said. “Facebook has become the real evangelization powerhouse here, with many parishes taking Mass straight to Facebook Live and seeing hundreds of people — some parishioners, some new visitors — signing on to watch Mass and other livestreamed events.

“While a handful of parishes have been doing this for years with great success, it took this crisis to drive home just how powerful this mode of evangelization and outreach can be. I hope we’ll see many parishes staying with livestreaming long after the pandemic isolation ends.”

And for the parishes still new to the medium, you don’t have to be Bill Gates to set up a livestream.

“It is not expensive to do. All you need is an iPhone, a tripod, a Facebook or YouTube account, and a willing volunteer to operate the iPhone camera during Mass,” DeTurris Poust said. “There is no expensive equipment to buy or install; video professionals are not required. For those who have started livestreaming and would like to kick up the quality a notch, there is an inexpensive microphone that can be added to improve audio. We have a resource page to assist those who would like to upgrade their production. Livestream resources are at https://www.rcda.org/livemass/live-stream-resources.”

Father Barratt agreed.

“We adapted to livestreaming and recording by using simple and already available technology and devices. We use a smartphone, as well as a digital camera/recorder. You can do this very easily; believe me, I am not a tech person. Basically, any person who can use a camera or a smartphone can do this!”

Again it all comes down to connection, just like the Bishop talked about.

“People are hungry for live­streamed Masses and for a connection to their parish family and the liturgy during this time of isolation. It’s been beautiful to see the response to the parish and diocesan live­streams,” DeTurris Poust said. “Back in 2012, when I spoke to the U.S. bishops about the need to use social media in order to evangelize, I said that Facebook was ‘the new parish hall.’ During this pandemic, Facebook has become the new parish church. Sometimes people will even type in the Mass responses in the comments of the live­stream in an effort to participate in the liturgy in any way they can.”