As churches slowly reopen, video streaming still a reality for most Catholics

While church communities in the Archdiocese of Vancouver are allowed to celebrate public Masses again, the limit on congregations over 50 people means most Catholics are still connecting to their churches through video.

Only about two dozen local Catholic parishes (out of 77) opened their doors for public Masses on the weekend of May 23/24.

Meanwhile, approximately 50 parishes are still offering live streaming of their Masses. Some, like the “Virtual Parish” young adults community facilitated by Father Paul Goo, offers events like a daily Rosary prayer through video conference.

Church choirs are also plugging in video cameras to stay in touch with their communities. The 6:30 p.m. parish choir at St. Paul’s in Richmond recorded themselves singing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah (with Kelley Mooney’s Easter-themed lyrics) for the community to keep the Easter spirit alive while unable to go to church.

St. Joseph the Worker in Richmond put together a virtual choir of school staff, students, and friends singing Matt Maher’s Lord I Need You. On its YouTube channel, the parish said the song is meant to be “a source of comfort and joy to people during these trying times.”

Even Salt + Light Media offered a rendition of “Be Not Afraid” featuring Catholic musicians across the globe with a wide range of backgrounds. They include American liturgical composer Dan Schutte, Maltese-Australian recording artist Father Rob Galea, and Canadian singer-songwriter duo Kathleen and Jesse Leblanc, formerly of St. Joseph’s Parish in Langley.

When Mother’s Day came around, Father Joseph Ly of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vancouver recorded a song and video to encourage and bless mothers in the parish community. In a blooper reel, Father Ly admits it took more than 21 hours of “intensive training” and practice to record the song.