From the bulletin of May 30, 2021
With the restoration of the Sunday Obligation, I have decided to end livestreaming of Masses. June 6 will be the last streamed Mass. On certain special occasions, we may sometimes record and/or stream, but not on a weekly or daily basis. The reason for this is simple: I want to incentivize and prioritize us being together for Mass. Our attendance is barely more than half of what it was during the pandemic and, quite frankly, I miss seeing my people. The Lord misses them too.
With a year’s worth of experience, it seems abundantly clear that Mass in person can be done safely. Nearly everyone who wants the vaccine has had the chance to get it. Communion is distributed with extra precaution (masks and sanitation). Spacing is available in a least a few pews every Mass. The holy water dispensers are touchless and sanitary. Finally, I don’t know of a single case where someone got Covid from coming to our Church despite the occasional discovery that some had attended Mass with it before they found out they had it. Attending Mass in person can be safe.
Even more importantly, Mass is meant to be in person. We come to worship God, to offer him our actual presence and attention. The Mass is not a show to be watched, but a mystery that is made present to us. All of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, are about personal contact with God and no amount of screen time is equivalent to being there in person. Just as we cannot go to confession remotely, we cannot properly participate in Mass virtually.
For those who are homebound – people incapable of travelling anywhere – watching Mass can be a great consolation and assistance to their faith. For such people, the availability of professionally televised Masses as on EWTN or at various Cathedrals around the world meets their needs. My Sunday homilies will still be recorded and posted on my website and social media each week, so there will be a way for our homebound to stay in touch with what our community is reflecting upon together.
It may be more convenient to watch Mass online, but our faith is not about convenience. It is about the pursuit of salvation and holiness. God became Man to make the point that he is present to us. He left us the sacraments for the same reason. I urge all Catholics to re-prioritize being in person for Sunday Mass. Between us and all the churches within 15 minutes of Jeanerette, there are a dozen options over a 26 hour period for attending Mass. Please do not see this as though you’re losing something (virtual Mass), but as an opportunity to grow through putting a little extra effort into something that we love.
In Christ,
-Fr. Albert