By editor - 13 September, 2016
Mother Teresa became Saint Teresa of Calcutta on 4th Sep 2016.
A collaboration between Church Services TV and Heaven’s Road Catholic Online Radio gave thousands of people around the UK and Ireland the opportunity to participate in events organised to honour St Mother Teresa.
During the weekend of the canonisation of St Mother Teresa Heaven’s Road Catholic On-line Radio, in conjunction with Church Services TV, Dublin, broadcast a ‘marathon’ of online-TV to celebrate the life and legacy of this Holy woman of God.
This is the first time a UK organisation has used online media to evangelise in such an ambitious manner.
Broadcasts were transmitted live from 12 cathedrals and churches in England and Ireland showing Masses, sung Evensong, a Baptism, Vespers and Benediction.
They featured interviews with people who had met Mother, live reports from the canonisation in Rome, live concerts, singers, musicians, choirs, poets and comedians – all focusing on the legacy of St Mother Teresa.
Catholic charities who help the forgotten and destitute were also highlighted, including
Aid to the Church in Need; Apostleship of the Sea; Cafod; Caritas; Cornerstone; Let the Children Live; Mary’s Meals, St Vincent de Paul Society and The Passage.
Commenting on the two days, Gerry Coates, Creative Director of Heaven’s Road said, “We wanted to pay our own tribute to Mother and decided to use the webcams in Cathedrals and churches to bring the day into the Community.”
“By using these cameras linked to the web, it was possible for people to join us from anywhere in the world. In this way churches were joined with their sister churches, orphanages in Africa could watch Mass and perhaps a concert in their sponsor church. Just fantastic!”
“It was truly inspirational to see that anyone with access to a computer or smart phone could use wifi and join us on the day and take part in our homage to St Mother Teresa.”
“Thousands did and it was a humbling experience to become a huge world-wide community sharing the joy and witness of Saint Mother Teresa’s remarkable life.”
“It also showed the power of the web for evangelisation. We used simple kit and technology and reached out to thousands – it is a compelling tool for extending the Mission of the Church.”
“It was a hard work for our small team of dedicated volunteers, but worth it and we hope to repeat the idea several times a year. Watch out for our ‘Christmas Special’ next!”
Some of the highlights for the homage to Saint Mother Teresa are featured at http://www.heavensroadfm.com/mtc/
Heaven’s Road Catholic Online Radio broadcasts prayers, features, music all day everyday on the internet. The website also transmits the services from 20 churches in England and Ireland.
Programmes are available to listen back to here: http://www.heavensroadfm.com/
Speaking to CatholicIreland.net, Tony Bolger of Church Services TV said all the new technology performed very well as expected.
Church Services TV was trialing its new Parish TV technology of which Tony Bolger was “very positive”.
He advised “Any parish wishing to use the very best in modern communication technology for their local parishioners and a worldwide outreach for ex-parishioners and to encourage new on-line congregations should have a word with Church Services TV.”
Interest in and enquiries about live streaming and recordings (for later playback or downloading) of weddings, funerals and baptisms are on the increase this is where the latest technology from Church Services TV assists parishes best.
Further information info@churchservices.tv
