Viewers who tune in to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland’s 6 a.m. Sunday TV Mass on WJW-TV 8 likely noticed some significant changes, including to the scenery. Beginning on May 3, the recording of the Mass moved from the Fox 8 studios to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland.
For many years, the weekly TV Mass was recorded at the Fox 8 studios, but the coronavirus pandemic prevented access to the studio, which necessitated the change in recording location. Viewers noticed and expressed appreciation for being able to experience Mass from the cathedral.
Staff members from the diocesan Communications Department record the Sunday TV Mass and livestream liturgies daily -- except for Saturday – with a portable video cameras in the cathedral.
This summer, a major investment is being made to install permanent robotic cameras in the cathedral and to construct a permanent TV control room in the diocesan office building across the street. The state-of-the-art equipment will further enhance the TV Mass production and allow for continued livestreaming of daily Mass and special celebrations like ordination Masses.
The improvements are being made with the faithful in mind. Financial support from throughout the diocese is helping to fund the improvements.
In addition to a high-quality broadcast of the weekly TV Mass, those with internet access can watch a livestreamed Mass at 8 a.m. on Sundays from the cathedral. Daily Mass is livestreamed at noon from the cathedral Monday through Friday. There is no livestreamed Mass on Saturday.
Next month, the ordination Masses for the new diocesan priests, permanent and transitional deacons will be livestreamed.
All livestreamed liturgies can be viewed on the diocesan website. The broadcasts are archived so they also can be viewed on demand.