There is an entire universe of priests who are active on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. In addition to their own local duties, they minister to people online, evangelizing, catechizing, and counseling the laity on these platforms. In the last few years, one of the most edifying and powerful things some of them have started to do is gather prayer intentions online and offer a Mass immediately. That’s right – they gather digital prayer requests and head right to the altar.
Doing this in your own Catholic parish can bring comfort and hope to those who are suffering right now. Here’s how to get started:
- Track down an image of your pastor celebrating Mass or take one at daily Mass
- Create a post for your parish Facebook page that reads, “Father is offering Mass at <INSERT DATE AND TIME HERE>. Please respond in the comments with your prayer intentions and these will be the intentions for the Mass.
- Ten minutes before Mass begins, print all of the comments and get them to Father.
- Bonus points if you then use Facebook Live to give a quick update just before the Mass begins or right after it ends.
It’s a beautiful way to leverage the power of social media to gather up the needs of your parish and immediately bring them to the Lord on the altar. It’s also an amazing way to communicate your mission of helping others know, love, and serve our Lord. Just gather digital prayer requests…and offer a Mass right away!
