Sometimes, I imagine that these folks are actually in the choir loft, where the camera and streaming laptop actually are. I can't see them, but for most of Mass, I also can't see the people in the pews behind me. But we're together.

I do see folks during Communion, of course, but I have to admit that I tend to only notice the person right in front of me, making sure I don't step on their heels or do anything else ridiculous as we head up to receive the Body.

This is the climax of the liturgy, and there is something beautiful about the entire activity, the church suddenly becoming a flurry of activity when we had been so dutifully in our pews for the rest of the time.

The pandemic effect

Masses during the pandemic gave us an important — albeit stressful — moment to reflect on the liturgy.

In one of the most poignant moments in the early days of the crisis, Pope Francis offered an urbi et orbi blessing from an empty St. Peter's Square.

Anyone watching that moment — Catholic or not, religious or not — could feel the yawning emptiness of the square. For many, it managed to capture the distance between us all, physical and emotional.

Many of our Protestant sibling traditions adapted easily to online alternatives. Indeed, many were already streaming their services before the pandemic forced them to.

We Catholics, on the other hand, found ourselves gathered for Mass in alien spaces like Facebook Live, YouTube and Zoom.

Ironically, our relative unfamiliarity with these spaces meant radical variation in technical choices. Some pastors and parish professionals adapted easily and made good choices. Others did their best.

But it's 2024. That was then; this is now.

Most of the masks are gone (for better or worse) and the doors of churches are open. Isn't it time for us to close the laptops, unplug the cameras, and end the meeting?

Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese thinks so.

Post pandemic options

As a theologian, I understand what motivates dramatic responses to digital technology in the context of the Mass. Folks like Reese are worried about the sacraments, specifically our physical interaction with them.

The physical elements of the sacraments are not just important — they are the whole point. Indeed, they are the center of a sacramental economy that informs the Catholic imagination to see the whole created world as infused with the grace of God.

But there are at least three strong arguments for continuing to stream the Mass and other liturgical moments.

First, we can uphold the importance of consuming the eucharistic elements while at the same time making liturgical space for folks who are not consuming them.

We already do this.

One can think of a variety of circumstances in which a person would be present for the liturgy but not consume the Eucharist: a child who has not made her first Communion; a friend or family member who is not Catholic coming to Mass with their loved one; a person who discerns that they are not in a state to receive.

By arguing that physical consumption of the Eucharist is the only reason to be present at Mass, we undermine these legitimate ways of being gathered.

It is possible to maintain that the ideal situation is a fully communed gathering, but we already know that at every Mass this is not the reality, and that it is perfectly fine.

Second, there is a group of folks for whom Mass online has widened their experience of the church, namely what I would call being the "church on the sidelines."

Televised Mass has been around for a while, and there is an analogy here, of course.

But with nearly every parish having the ability and willingness to stream, interested people are now able to experience a much wider version of the church.

Televised Masses are not particularly diverse.

Diversity and inclusion

Diversity here need not be about liturgical difference.

By diversity, I mean the simple fact of being exposed to different parishes. The universality of the church holds us all together but our individual communities — with all their quirks and beauty — hold us close.

Here, I want to make a plea for the legitimate space of the sidelines. There are a million reasons why someone might be on the sidelines — personal, political, physical or spiritual.

Online Masses may not be our ideal liturgical encounter, but it remains an important way in which a person can remain somewhat connected to the church to which they may not — for whatever reason — feel totally connected.

There is as yet no evidence telling us that folks are choosing online Mass over Mass in the church building.

What we do know is that there is a growing number of unaffiliated and disaffiliated people in the United States. The data also show that these folks aren't necessarily atheists; many of them are still searching.

Perhaps it's just because it's Easter season, but I can't help but feel like leaving the streams open reflects a deep hope that we still have something to offer the church on the sidelines.

Lastly and most importantly, any call to end streaming the Mass must take a hard look at the way in which this will disproportionately affect people with disabilities or other realities that are preventing them from joining us at the Eucharistic table in the liturgically prescribed way. Continue reading

• Katherine G. Schmidt is associate professor of theology and religious studies at Molloy University in New York. Her research focuses on the relationship of theology and culture, specifically digital culture and technology.

Fr Giltus Matias is stranded in Sydney and because of Covid-19 has not been able to get to New Zealand.

Stuff reports Mathias live-streams a vigil Mass each Saturday evening at 5 pm, while the priest in residence, Fr Jacob Kuman helps during the week.

Addressing the parish on the feast of Corpus Christi, Matias describes his situation in Australia as "extremely difficult".

Matias, on Facebook, tells the parish he has been in Australia for more than a year but is unable to work.

"In Australia, I have been unable to do any pastoral work, which I love doing, because of my Visa status."

Matias laments he is unable to greet people in person but says the prospect of being with the people of the Star of the Sea parish helps him to be joyful, and that when he gets to Blenheim he is keen to listen and learn from parishioners.

He says he will be involved with parish committees over the internet and in touch with parishioners through the parish newsletter. He is inviting parishioners to contact him directly or through the parish office.

Matias left New Zealand five years ago and since has ministered in the United States. He is already known to the people of Marlborough.

Star of the Sea Marlborough is one parish with seven communities covering churches in Kaikoura, Seddon, Blenheim and Picton.

A large geographic parish it stretches from Havelock and Picton in the North West, through Blenheim, the Awatere and on to Kaikoura in the South East.

"It's been good for parishioners to be able to see him through the live-stream," Kuman said.

"It's been a bit of a long wait to get him over, but that's no different to anyone else, we're just hoping and praying that it gets sorted soon," he said.

Indicating that Mass over the internet is less than optimal, Star of the Sea parish council chairman, Greg Stretch said the online live streaming services had gotten more popular during Lockdown.

He told Stuff that because of the 50 person 'Delta Alert Level 2' restriction the Archdiocese of Wellington had decided to cancel all masses.

Stretch said the numbers coming to Sunday Mass would even push the normal Level 2 100 person limit, but a 100 limit gives the parish a few more options.

Sunday Masses remain suspended throughout the country after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern threw what one bishop described as a "curveball", announcing that indoor events are restricted to 50 people under 'Delta Alert Level 2'.

Wellington Cardinal John Dew told priests and lay pastoral leaders that there will be no public Masses or other liturgical events in the diocese until September 21.

"We do not know how long we will be in Level 2 or whether the increased restrictions in this level might be relaxed a little at a later date while still keeping us in Level 2," wrote Dew.

Sources

• Stuff
• Facebook