POCAHONTAS — St. Paul the Apostle Church is going forth and sharing the gospel and is getting a little help through the use of an audiovisual system.
Now at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, video screens are used to display the words to songs, Scripture readings and prayers and show close-up shots of the priest delivering the homily and consecrating the Eucharist.
Operation of the system, which began Jan. 24, also has created a variety of avenues for evangelism.
Danny Ellis, a member of the Liturgy Committee who was selected to make the dream a reality, said the project had become even more than he had envisioned. He said the benefits of an audiovisual system were discussed during a meeting, and he was asked to check into the possibility of having one at St. Paul. A few weeks after sharing the idea with the parish, the system was installed.
“I told everyone I’d check into it, but I really didn’t think it would go over,” Ellis said. “I just didn’t believe that a church with this much tradition and history would go for it. But as I began to research, my mindset starting changing and I could see the potential of what this system could do to enhance the worship service.”
The system consists of two monitors in the choir loft, one that contains software with the words to the music, readings and prayers. The second monitor is connected to the camera and operational tool. It also displays what is being projected onto two 6-by-8-foot screens located on each side of the altar.
A pledge card drive was put into place to ensure members of the parish would support the idea. In a few weeks, the committee had its answer.
“We raised $12,000 in just six weeks,” Ellis said. “It was amazing. I thought it would take a year and here we are. It confirmed to me that the Lord was behind this.”
The equipment was estimated to cost $20,000.
Ellis said the system is being used to complement and enhance the Mass, not change it.
“I’m a convert and when I first starting coming here, the order of the service was very confusing,” Ellis said. “I didn’t understand or know what to expect next. The great thing about this is that the complete order of the service is shown on the screens. Kids are learning how the Mass goes, as well as converts like me.”
And it’s not just the young and young in the faith who are learning. Joseph Jansen, a cradle Catholic who works alongside Ellis with the system, said it’s a great tool for young families like his own.
“The greatest thing for me is that people who sit in the back, it brings (pastor) Father John (Marconi) and the Eucharist right there with them,” Jansen said. “When you have small children, you don’t want to disturb anyone, so you sit in the back. It’s also easy to lose your place in a book at times when you’ve got kids. With this, it’s right there in front of you.”
The equipment also allows Masses to be recorded for commemorative purposes.
“We’re going to film the school sixth-grade graduation, and we’ve got a wedding coming up. It’s starting to grow and has lots of possibilities,” Ellis said.
Other additions to the system include earphones for the hearing impaired and a DVD burner.
“A DVD is now available of the Mass, and we’re geared up and ready to go for the Mass to be televised on the local channel 12,” Ellis said. “We’re now working on having the Mass available for viewing on the church Web site.”
Ellis and Jansen said they have received visitors from throughout the state and Texas who have expressed interest in having a similar system installed in their church.
“It’s amazing,” Ellis said. “It’s becoming a great tool to carry out Christ’s Great Commission to evangelize.”
For more information, contact the church office at (870) 892-3319. The parish Web site can be found at www.saintpaulscatholic.com.
