Livestreaming Ministry: Staying Connected In Worship During Pandemic

Our parish’s Livestreaming Ministry provides a wonderful example of what it means to embrace stewardship. When it became apparent that the COVID-19 pandemic was going to impact both our parish and the wider Grand Island community, Parish Council member Clay Pfeifer stepped forward with his time and talent to help make it possible for us to join in the celebration of the Mass while staying safe and healthy.

Clay approached Fr. Marty on Friday, March 13, about putting together a livestreaming setup, and was given the go-ahead, although there was not much time to do so. In fact, the last public Mass in the diocese until Pentecost (the weekend of May 30-31) was held that Sunday.

As Clay began to draw on his knowledge of livestreaming, he first had to deal with the old equipment available.

“The problem was recording on the old equipment we had,” Clay says. “I had to create a DVD and then take the DVD to my computer at home, and then upload it to Facebook. This wasn’t live. I recorded the 5:30 p.m. Saturday Mass and got it up online for the 8 a.m. Sunday Mass.”

Complicating the task As part of the livestreaming Mass feed, graphics can be placed on the image, listing hymn numbers, the readings and the Nicene Creed, as well as the Prayer for Spiritual Communion. was the fact that Clay had to convert the analog audio/ video signal to a digital format in order to livestream. He admits that this was entering new territory for him. “I’m just willing to try things,” he says.

Clay found free streaming software online and after consulting with an equipment supplier, he located analog to digital conversion hardware that enabled him to livestream Mass.

In the meantime, Fr. Marty approved a budget, and Clay ordered new equipment for high-definition streaming in mid-September to make the whole process easier and provide a better experience. The shipping date was on a one-month backlog, so he was hoping the equipment would be in place by the end of October.

“The equipment we ordered is a bit pricey, but it is more robust,” he says. “We traded off price for ease of setup and control.”

Early on, parishioner Darin Jacobsen began working with Clay on the project.

“He’s been my partner in all of this,” Clay says. “I run plans by him and we bounce ideas back and forth.”

Clay and Darin quickly realized that setting up and running the livestream for Mass is a two-person job. One person operates the cameras with a joystick control panel that has presets for closeups and wide shots, while the second person sets up the stream. The system allows the second person to place overlay graphics on the image, such as hymn numbers, the readings and the Nicene Creed, as well as the Prayer for Spiritual Communion.

For a while this summer, Darin’s son, Caleb, was helping run the system, but when he returned to college, Clay and Darin were in a bind.

“One weekend, we needed help and Sheridan Puncochar, Office Manager Teri Puncochar’s daughter, was in Sister Bernadette’s office sewing masks, and we asked her to help,” Clay says. “After spending 10 minutes on the camera, she was a natural. She picked it up quicker than I did, running the cameras.”

Although the streaming has been running off the WiFi signal from the school, a hardwire connection has been installed in the sanctuary to bolster the signal.

With the streaming system in place, there are plans to celebration of the Eucharist. continue its use and explore “In March, it looked like new uses. the writing was on the wall,”

“Fr. Marty wants to continue he says. “We can’t meet as a it beyond the pandemic,” Clay parish family each week. So, I says. “One possibility is this asked myself, ‘If not me, then new ministry can take tablets who gets us online?’ It’s kind of with cellular connections on what it is. I didn’t know how, them to shut-ins. This is a tool but I thought I’d be capable.” our homebound ministers can Even with the many use when they visit shut-ins.” challenges and hours of time

As he looks back on how involved, Clay thoroughly enjoys this new ministry came about, the work and opportunity to Clay muses on how he was serve in this way. able to use his talents and “But it’s something I enjoy,” time to enable us to join in the he says. “It’s a challenge.”

There is a need for additional ministry members, both adult and high school age. Those interested will be trained. Anyone wanting more information or wanting to volunteer may call the parish office at 308-384-0532.

As part of the livestreaming Mass feed, graphics can be placed on the image, listing hymn numbers, the readings and the Nicene Creed, as well as the Prayer for Spiritual Communion.

As the First Reading is proclaimed, the words are included on the livestream screen.