Even though we often accuse technology (especially social networks) of keeping people apart and being substitutes for a “real” life, today, while a large proportion of the Canadian population is in self isolation due to Coronavirus Covid-19, these same tools are vital to sustaining our need for human contact. So, in a today’s context, how can technology help clergy and laypeople maintain personal connections and build community?
One idea is to take our gifts and adapt them to the new context of physical isolation where we find ourselves living in. For example, if you work at a retreat centre and have suddenly found that your calendar has freed up over the next few weeks, this could be an occasion to transform your methods and reach out to the same people who have been forced to cancel their plans for spiritual nourishment.
This could mean using Skype to give spiritual accompaniment to the retreatants, Zoom to offer retreat conferences online, or YouTube Live to broadcast a mass.
Here are some of our recommendations. This list is a working document which we’ll continue to update.
Equipment
The necessary hardware is not uncommon. In most cases, you only need a computer with a webcam and a microphone, as well as an Internet connection. If you live with other people who also work online, don’t forget to check with your providers about the limits of your connection: you may have to invest in a new plan with enough bandwidth to support multiple users.
External communications
One-on-One Meetings
Are you a spiritual director? Do you have a one-on-one meeting planned? Why not use the telephone?
But if you would prefer something more personal, with video, there are many other tools available: Hangouts (Google), FaceTime or Messenger (Facebook). Each of these tools requires signing up to their platform and, of course, the Internet. Teams (Microsoft) is another alternative. People without an account can join meetings . Here’s how schedule and run them.
Group Meetings (5-10 people)
If you want a group of people to interact (for example, for a spiritual conversation, Liturgy of the Word, an educational class or communal discernment) you can leverage Zoom or Free Conference. Both offer several free or cheap plans and are relatively easy to use. Teams is also still a great useful tool for group meetings and, again, doesn’t require people without an account to join in. Just invite them and they can participate without much hassle. One content example: this article offers a model to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word online and foster communion.
One-to-many (broadcasting)
Dans le cas où vous voulez parler avec des interactions limitées avec un public plus large (homélie, discours, conférence, etc.), vous pouvez diffuser une vidéo sur YouTube (comme la messe de l’Oratoire Saint Joseph) ou, si vous êtes un leader ou une institution ayant un public important sur Facebook, vous pouvez utiliser Facebook Live (de la même manière que James Martin, S.J.) Il est crucial d’utiliser les canaux auxquels votre public est déjà habitué.
Si la technologie constitue un obstacle, les leaders peuvent afficher leur contenu sur leur site web (par exemple, homélie, réflexion, etc.) et le distribuer à leur communauté via les médias sociaux ou par e-mail.
Plus d’exemples
Check out these examples of online apostolic work by both Jesuit and non-Jesuits:
Live-streams
Our Lady of Lourdes is uploading their Sunday Mass online. The online mass streams every Sunday at 11:30am ET. The link: www.lourdes.to/tv. For those who are unable to watch at that time, the Mass is available for viewing afterwards. They also plan to record and upload other events, such as the Way of the Cross.
The Cincinnati Jesuit Communities are live-streaming weekday Masses on YouTube, and offering morning reflections and an evening Examen on Instagram live.
The Denver Jesuit Communities offer live-streamed Masses: Mon. – Fri. at 5:00 p.m.; Sundays at 10:00 a.m MST.
In France, KTO has compiled a list of parishes who livestream their liturgies.
Spiritual conversation
The Jesuits of Canada delivered two Liturgies of the Word online, along with time for spiritual conversation via Zoom and promoted them via our Facebook page.
Recorded content
The Bronco Catholic Association, Newman Center at Boise State University is publishing their homilies online; and so is St. Joseph Parish in Seattle.
Text reflections
The Jesuit Conference has published a Meditation for the Anxious During COVID-19.
