The Mission of the Church: Communications

From Livestream Masses to Engaging Content

Dear Friends,

During the lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic, livestreaming Mass became a way for us to stay connected. However, when churches were able to reopen, it was discovered that many people did not return. A significant number of the faithful felt that watching Mass fulfilled their Sunday Obligation. Thankfully, after a number of years, most people have returned to the church for Mass. It has taken time for many to realize that we must gather as the Body of Christ, the Church, in person to hear the Word of God proclaimed and to offer and receive the Most Holy Eucharist.

Recent statistics and conversations with parishioners have indicated that livestreaming Mass is no longer necessary for the following reasons:

Low engagement. While the Mass is taking place, few people actually follow along with the livestream. Most views come after the Mass is over. They can be anywhere from 30 seconds on. Many people report that they go directly to the homily and listen to that at some point during the week.

A plethora of options. The homebound of our parishes report that they often watch Mass from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 6:30 AM on Sunday mornings because they do not use Facebook or YouTube and this Mass can be viewed on their television. Others say that they watch multiple livestream Masses from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Encouraging attendance. There are a number of people who are not sick or homebound but still report “attending” Mass via livestream broadcast because their parish provides it.

As our parishes consider how we can better communicate the mission of the Church, we are going to shift the great deal of resources it takes to livestream Mass (both money and personnel) to other methods of engagement. Like Saint Rose of Lima in North Syracuse, we will begin providing an engaging video of the Sunday homily each week instead of the entire Mass. We hope to provide more short reels capturing all the wonderful things taking place at our parishes to encourage engagement and attendance. We also hope to provide short videos on a regular basis to help evangelize and so much more!

This change will take place right after Pentecost. We will make sure any homebound who may rely on our livestream Mass are aware of the many other options available. As always, we stay connected with them through frequent visits, cards, bulletins, etc.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Please keep this exciting venture in your prayers. If you have any experience with technology or communications and would like to be part of our efforts to communicate the mission of the Church, please contact our Communications Coordinator: Rebecca Waterman (rwaterman@syrdio.org).

In Christ,

CRS

State of the Parish Report 2023-2024

Click Here to read the State of the Parish Report

Click here to read Father Seibt's homily about the State of the Parish Report

Click here to view the video of the homily about the State of the Parish Report

Mass Intentions

The intention of every Mass is that the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ be for the salvation of the whole world. Specific intentions and needs (e.g. for the living and the dead) can be joined to this intention. The parish will begin scheduling Mass intentions on Monday, December 2nd for the new year. Please note the following:

1. The suggested offering for each Mass in the Diocese of Syracuse is $15.00. The offering is given to the priest as part of his livelihood. Priests may only receive one offering per day unless the law of the Church provides otherwise. Additional offerings will be used at the parish to provide for the mission of the Church.

2. One intention is offered at each Mass except on Thursdays and Saturdays. At the 8:00 AM daily Mass on Thursdays, multiple intentions will be offered. At the 4:00 PM anticipated Mass on Saturdays, multiple intentions will be offered. Please note that when selecting these Mass times, you are agreeing to combine your intention with other intentions.

3. One Mass on Sundays and one Mass on holy days of obligation is always offered for the people of the parish. Please note that other intentions may not be offered at this time or joined to this intention.

4. Each family may select up to three dates to have specific intentions offered at Mass. Additional intentions will be placed on a list and scheduled based on the availability of Masses this year. Please indicate the following when asking to have an intention offered at Mass: (a) the dates you would like to have the additional intentions you submit offered, (b) whether it is okay to combine your additional intentions with others, (c) whether it is okay to send your additional intentions and the offerings associated with them elsewhere to be offered (e.g. another parish, the missions, etc.).