Participating in livestreamed Mass

As the world battles one of the biggest pandemics in recent times, Covid-19, the Catholic Arch/bishops of Peninsular Malaysia were the first in the country to take a blanket action for the public’s health safety on Thursday, March 12.

Mar 29, 2020

By Gwen Manickam
As the world battles one of the biggest pandemics in recent times, Covid-19, the Catholic Arch/bishops of Peninsular Malaysia were the first in the country to take a blanket action for the public’s health safety on Thursday, March 12.

The Shepherds announced suspension of Masses and all public gatherings related to church activities including catechism and catechetical programmes, ministry and BEC gatherings, faith formations and retreats effective Saturday, March 14 to Sunday, March 29 (this was before the government issued the Movement Control Order which extends it to March 31, or until further notice).

Thanks to technology, the bishops were able to offer followers a live broadcast of Mass every day in order to help them remain united spiritually with the Church in prayer from the safety of their homes. Under normal circumstances, “attending” online Mass does not count as ful filling the obligation of attending Sunday service, but in the current situation, the faithful have been exempted.

The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur’s social media team arranged for daily Masses to be broadcast from an undisclosed venue, under the supervision of Fr  Gerard Theraviam, Parish Priest of the Church of Divine Mercy, Shah Alam.

Fr  Gerard said he was working with a small team to fulfil the daily requirements of readers, altar servers and singers for each Mass. The clergy take turns presiding over daily Masses and also the different language Masses during the weekends.

He also said, to be fair to all Catholics in the country, Holy Communion is only consumed by the presiding padre. Everyone else in the room, like those watching online, practise the act of spiritual communion by reciting the prayer of St Alphonsus Liguori.

“Security is also tight and we  note everyone’s name and number, in case anyone present is tested positive for Covid-19,” said Fr Gerard.

“I celebrated BM Mass in a chapel with a choir, in a confined space,” said Fr Gregory Chan.

“Even though the social media team was there, I found it strange not being able to hear their responses, their eye contact and their affirmation and acknowledgement when they got a point.

“I preached on faith, on how Mass without a congregation was necessary because Covid 19 was spreading and how staying away was necessary not because we were fearful, but because we had to use our God-given  intelligence to stay away. Our faith leads us to spiritual communion and with this, we continue to unite ourselves in these coming weeks of Lent. Maybe this is what we have to give up during this season, to grow stronger in him, by staying away from Mass with a congregation.” he added.

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