by Barry de Silva
This year, the Diocese of Lismore celebrates six years of bringing Bishop Greg Homeming’s online Mass to the world. What started as a response to the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, has evolved into one of the diocese’s most far-reaching ministries.
Since it began, the diocese’s YouTube channel has amassed over 13 million views and has over 34,000 subscribers. The father and son team behind the production, Joe and Daniel Pereira, share the work that goes into the Mass every week, how the ministry has had an effect on their own relationship, and what it’s like working closely with Bishop Greg.
How did the idea for the online Mass first come about?
Joe: It was a Thursday in March 2020. The Bishop’s Office, the Chancery, called asking us to live stream the following Sunday Mass as COVID-19 shutdowns began. Bishop Greg was aware of my background in radio and television, and by the following Saturday, we were conducting technical tests at the Carmelite Monastery in Goonellabah, and on Sunday morning at 8am, we went live on YouTube. It was an uncertain time, and this was a way of providing that spiritual communion for people.
Did you expect it to grow into such a regular and well-received ministry, or did that come as a surprise?
Daniel: I think naturally, because people couldn’t get out, people turned to online services. The quality of Bishop Greg’s homilies and the production kept people coming back. It now reaches people across the whole world.
Joe: We initially thought we’d be doing this for six or eight weeks. Six years later, it has evolved into a permanent ministry. We have looked at the analytics of the videos, and what we have found is people like that our production is simple – with minimal camera angles. We call it a point of pew perspective, where we give viewers the experience of being in a Mass with a congregation, as if they’re sitting in the pew.
We have a lot of international viewers, so we put the words from the readings, prayers, and hymns up, so they can improve their English if it isn’t their first language. For hard of hearing viewers, it also makes it easier to follow.
“It was an uncertain time, and this was a way of providing that spiritual communion for people.”
For those that don’t know, what goes into producing a weekly online Mass?
Joe: We follow a well-established formula. We record at least two weeks in advance, ensuring our readers reflect the diversity of our parishes and schools. The slides are produced the week before the broadcast, and they’re placed in the final edit a few days ahead of the upload, which is then posted on the diocesan website and YouTube. The Easter live streams are a completely different kettle of fish. That is a mammoth task, and involves hundreds of metres of cabling, multiple cameras, and precision timing under Daniel’s skilful direction.
Daniel: When we do live broadcasts like Easter, I’m like an octopus handling vision switching, audio mixing, and slides simultaneously. It’s a high-pressure environment where you’re constantly balancing technical precision with the flow of the liturgy.
How many people work on it and what do they do?
Joe: It’s a very small team. I have overall responsibility for coordination; Daniel looks after editing and creative direction; Nancy Tarlinton coordinates our readers and Bishop Greg’s schedule; and Julie Youngberry and Imogen Hurst produce the slides and graphics and select the hymns. The Carmelite Missionary Sisters set up the altar for each Mass and Deacon Graeme Davis usually assists Bishop for each recording. We also have Rod Smith, who assists us with cameras for major events.
What’s it like working with Bishop Greg?
Daniel: The more you work with him, the more you appreciate his humour. He often jokes that he doesn’t understand why people are watching, but he knows it reaches a lot of people that don’t necessarily get to Mass.
Joe: Bishop is a remarkable individual with such grace. He responds well to direction but has very clear ideas about the message he wants to share. It is a privilege to receive his wisdom at close quarters.
How has your father-son relationship shaped the way you work together?
Joe: I see a lot of my younger self in Daniel. I grew up in the analogue world, but Daniel has taken that interest and taken it to a new level with digital technology. It’s a wonderful to be able to share our faith through this shared passion.
Daniel: I wouldn’t be into videography if it weren’t for Dad having cameras around the house. Supporting each other in this ministry has made it a really positive experience.
Have you discovered a new side of your relationship through this?
Daniel: We’ve discovered a shared sense of humour through the monotony of the editing suite! But more importantly, it’s made sharing our faith very easy. I’m past the angsty teenage years, and now we can talk openly about what the Gospel means to us.
Joe: My wife and I have always said that if any of our children have a passion, we will support them to develop in that. In Daniel’s case, it’s been his videography, his music, and his Catholic faith. It’s passing on what was passed on to me by my parents.
With many viewers unable to attend Mass in person, how do you see the online Mass serving them spiritually?
Joe: It is never a substitute for attending in person, but for the aged or those in persecuted countries, we feel a strong responsibility to present the Mass as prayerfully as possible.
Daniel: I often think if the Mass is the source and summit of our faith, in a metaphorical sense, if you can’t climb the mountain, then looking at the mountain is still a great thing to do. Lots of our viewers from quite remote areas of the world would have to walk considerable distances to attend a Mass in person. I hope they occasionally get that, but to have something on a device in their hand where they can grow their faith is still of value.
Has being involved in this ministry changed how either of you experience Mass?
Daniel: I now contemplate the readings all week while I edit, so I have a much greater appreciation when I receive the Eucharist on Sunday.
Joe: When you look through a lens, you can lose focus on the moment. Because of that, we have a newfound appreciation for being in the pew with our community.
“Go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15
What have you learned about the Church’s presence in the digital space?
Joe: It’s the way of the world now. It’s not a substitute, but it’s a powerful means of enhancing faith.
Daniel: My generation is always online. Having a Catholic presence there allows young people searching for the truth to encounter the beauty of the Church.
How would you like to see the online Mass grow or evolve?
Joe: The liturgy remains the same, but I’d love to involve more volunteers and perhaps refresh our hymn recordings.
Daniel: It evolves as God wants it to. Our goal isn’t millions of views; it’s providing a service that reaches whoever needs it most.
