Tech Ministry: Keeping Parishioners Connected And Safe During Pandemic

Ever since the onset of COVID-19 last spring, we have all had to find creative ways to stay connected and involved with our families, friends, community, and parish. As Masses went virtual — and then later on, as parishioners began to return to Mass — the need for a good technology team became apparent.

“The Tech Ministry grew out of the need for livestreaming Masses, communicating the songs and responses we are using during the Mass to the congregation, and figuring out what we’d need in the future due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says ministry leader Lisa Wells. “We started out with four members and have added two others who have volunteered to help with getting projectors, cameras for doing the live feeds of Masses, and communication to the community. We have had to communicate in new ways with our church family, and we hope that soon we can welcome back more of those who have been relying on the livestreams.”

The ministry works with Fr. Anthony Pangan to acquire and use the equipment necessary to livestream the Mass as well as project song lyrics, announcements, and video messages both during and after the Mass.

“We don’t know what the future holds as far as our ‘new normal,’ so if we are completely phasing out all missals, then we will need to use technology to transmit songs during our Masses,” Lisa says. “I do want this ministry to also become a communication format both for parishioners and also to the greater Catholic community — for example, by submitting articles to the Hawaii Catholic Herald.”

Going forward, Lisa sees the ministry as an important asset to the parish, even in post-pandemic times. Lisa hopes that more parishioners, especially younger and more techsavvy people, will get involved.

“I know that we could continue to livestream Masses for those who are homebound and cannot attend our Masses,” she says. “I see that as a great outcome from this pandemic. I think there will be ways of using our new technology to welcome people to our liturgies. I hope that we can get more youngsters involved in helping to run the livestreams of the various Masses so that it doesn’t always fall to one person to do it. We will also be training those who might need to use it in the future.

“I will really be so overjoyed when we are able to get the congregation to sing with us once again and welcome back all our parishioners who we have missed seeing since the lockdown,” she adds. “There are so many little things that we take for granted, and this ministry has helped me to see just how important it is to connect and communicate with our parish family.”

The Tech Ministry welcomes any volunteers, especially those with Microsoft Word experience, or who could provide technical consultations. For more information, contact Lisa Wells at 808-885-0945 sign up via your Stewardship Commitment Card, or contact the parish office at 808-887-1220.

Mark Rebellon, Fr. Tony Pangan, and Lisa Wells are three of the six members of the Tech Ministry.

Mark Rebellon, Fr. Tony Pangan, and Lisa Wells are three of the six members of the Tech Ministry.