The video announcing No Playback of online Mass is up on SHC Youtube channel on June 15
By Agnes Chai
June 20 2020
KARAMUNSING – Audience of Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHC) live streamed Mass was caught on the spot when SHC decided not to playback the live streamed Mass video on YouTube channel.
Since the beginning of the MCO – the government restrictions against people gathering in groups as part of efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus, SHC has been live streaming Mass through its Facebook channel. Recently it was changed to YouTube channel when the audience realized that they could no longer playback Mass as they did before.
After observing that audience go in to the live streamed Mass at other times other than the fixed hour for Mass, SHC parish priest Fr Paul Lo informed that the parish made the decision to remove the live streamed video from the channel so that anyone coming in after Mass is over will not be able to follow the Mass.
“There could be a misunderstanding on the part of the parishioners that they are still following the live streaming even though the Mass is over,’ suggested the rector.
He corrected the possible misconception among the parishioners coming into the live streamed Mass at any other time other than the fixed hour.
“If the Sunset live streamed Mass is fixed at 6.30 pm on Saturday, there are parishioners coming in at 8.00 pm, or even the next morning. By then the live streamed Mass is over a few hours ago,” pointed out Fr Lo.
He underlined “For live streamed Mass, we need to follow at the fixed hour; following it at any other time is only a replay. The Mass is over. Hence the decision to remove the video immediately after the live streaming in order to correct any misunderstanding or misconception of following a live streamed Mass.”
Blessings by Electronic Broadcast by www.catholicdoors.com
Frequently Asked Question: When a priest, a Bishop or the Pope blesses the people, this blessing being transmitted worldwide electronically, does that blessing only apply to those present? Or does it also apply to those who are watching the televised program, those who are watching a large screen in a Church hall when there is an overflow at the Holy Mass, on the internet, on the radio or by DVD replay?
Answer: That is a very good question. The blessing of a priest, Bishop or the Pope, is valid via electronic broadcasting when a priest is doing the blessing at the present moment. For example, if you are watching a live program of the Pope blessing the people, then you may include yourself among those who are receiving the blessing.
The same applies if it is on the internet or on the radio.
In Churches where it is impossible to sit all the faithful who wish to attend the Catholic Mass, the overflow is often directed to the attached hall or the school where the Holy Mass is broadcasted on a large screen. This is no different than pilgrims who are outside a famous Cathedral because there is no more seating or standing capacity inside the Church. In such a case, not only is the blessing valid, but also the participation at the Holy Mass. This is because the faithful is present in the faith community and he is participating in the liturgy.
In the case where a Papal program is being broadcasted later during the day, or you are playing a VHS or DVD of a service that was recorded in the past, such a blessing is not valid because there is no priest giving a blessing at that exact moment.
The rule to follow is, if it is happening right now and it is being broadcasted, it is valid. You qualify to receive the blessing. If it happened in the past and you are watching a replay of the service, the blessing is not valid at the present time.
