The powerful, prayerful experience of being a distant parishioner

Editors’ note: This fall, America Media released the groundbreaking documentary “People of God: How Catholic parish life is changing in the US” with the aim of sparking a national conversation in regards to the diverse ways the Catholic faith is lived out across the country. That is one story from that narrative.

It’s 9 a.m. on Sunday. I make my coffee and prepare to attend Mass, but I’m not rushing out the door to get to a church. As a substitute, I make myself comfortable in my home and sit in front of my TV. For a couple of 12 months and a half I even have been attending the liturgy at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Boston, Mass., over livestream on YouTube. But this is just not just an informal viewing; I’m actively involved with this parish. The truth is, I even have change into a registered distant parishioner. Although I split my time between Recent York and Florida, St. Cecilia is my parish.

It was not at all times this fashion. I used to be in Florida in January 2020 when news of Covid-19 began to spread. At the moment, I used to be a weekly Massgoer, however the church I attended closed overnight. Participating within the liturgy is a vital a part of my life, so I used to be very grateful once I learned from friends that I could attend Mass survive TV or the web.

At first of the Covid-19 pandemic, I sat and listened to the Mass and tried to listen. I bemoaned the actual fact I couldn’t receive the Eucharist and did my best to remain focused on prayer. But a couple of month into the lockdown, my experience of Mass modified again. A friend of mine shared that online there was a very engaging, welcoming, energetic and down-to-earth priest at a parish that celebrated the liturgy live each Sunday on YouTube. The church was St. Cecilia in Boston, the priest was the Rev. John Unni.

Finding a parish that’s alive, welcoming, committed to the equality of all no matter race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or creed was, for me, a present.

The primary time I attended Mass at St. Cecilia by livestream, my whole world opened up. The heat, the spirit, the love, the sense of community and the embracing nature of Father John and his homilies ignited a latest flame in me. I became an unofficial worshiper at St. Cecilia Church. Because the months and the pandemic progressed, I returned to my home in Recent York, but I continued to spend my Sunday mornings participating in Mass at St. Cecilia through my screen.

Each Sunday’s liturgy became the leaven for more prayer. It sparked discussion with friends and a greater understanding of my faith and a deeper connection to a God who loves me and everybody. I could hardly contain the keenness and excitement I felt at having found such an incredible church where all are welcome. By the summer of 2021, I made a decision to officially register as a parishioner on the parish—something I had never done, even at a neighborhood parish.

Some people might wonder how I felt so connected to others from afar, but there are various ways in which I connected with my parish. First, the experience allowed me to feel like I actually belonged, though I used to be far-off. Finding a parish that’s alive, welcoming, committed to the equality of all no matter race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or creed was, for me, a present.

I also supported the church in traditional ways: with my time and treasure. I donated to the parish and I volunteered. My role as a volunteer monitor of the chat function on the virtual Mass has helped me to construct and maintain connections. The chat feature allows people watching the liturgy to greet each other before and after Mass and offer their love, support and gratitude in a single place, though we’re apart. I’m touched by the tender, loving tone that permeates the comments from my fellow parishioners. We have now formed a real community of virtual attendees inside the larger community of the parish. Our virtual attendees include people from all around the globe.

My faith has been enriched and deepened as distant participants have shared their gratitude for locating such a welcoming, nonjudgmental group of individuals of God.

My experience has not been perfect, but no parish experience is. Because the pandemic progressed and vaccines became available, Covid-19 precautions were scaled back and churches began to reopen. I faced various questions: Should I am going back to Mass in person at a neighborhood parish? Where would I am going? Would Mass at St. Cecilia proceed to be livestreamed? What about reception of Communion?

This last query has been the toughest for me. As I watched people receive holy Communion, I felt overlooked. I felt the lack of the sacrament of the Eucharist. Still, I made a decision my spiritual nourishment and the deepening and sharing of my faith were best served by remaining a component of the St. Cecilia community. I selected to proceed to satisfy remotely with others and attend the liturgy by livestream. But I also make some extent to go to a neighborhood church throughout the week, where I attend Mass and receive the Eucharist.

My virtual parish has in some ways strengthened my local, in-person relationships. I’m desperate to share my excitement about my virtual parish, and so it has change into known to many friends, including those with no religious affiliation. They often ask me, “So how was Father John today?” Two or three friends now even tune in to the Mass or hearken to Father John’s homilies sometimes. Nobody could have predicted this impact. It’s secure to say that in my experience, distant livestream liturgy has brought many individuals back to the church and to God!

Now that Masses have largely returned to the way in which they were before the pandemic, St. Cecilia stays committed to continuing its livestream liturgy each Sunday. As a member of what now has affectionately change into often called the “Far-Flung Flock,” I even have had a probability to interact with my fellow Catholics in latest ways. Communicating with other distant churchgoers before the liturgy by the livestream chat has enabled individuals who have never met one another to greet each other, pray for each other and have a connection that is exclusive. My faith has been enriched and deepened as distant participants have shared their gratitude for locating such a welcoming, nonjudgmental group of individuals of God.

We live during a time of criticism, questioning and reflecting on the role of the Catholic Church in our world and its importance in people’s lives. Many parishes are struggling to stay open. But on any given Sunday, well over 1,000 persons are attending the liturgy over livestream at St. Cecilia. I really imagine that distant participation at Mass has the potential to proceed to bring more people back into the church.

Being a distant parishioner has filled a void for me. I don’t fear judgment because I’m not physically in church. I feel blessed. I feel at home. I feel grateful to be a part of the far-flung flock, knowing that as we gather around to observe the liturgy, the Good Shepherd watches over us all.