Churches Get High Tech
Every year since I got married, my family and I spend the Christmas Eve Mass in the San Jose de Trozo Parish, in front of Metropolitan Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila. One thing I noticed in this Parish is how they take advantage of technology (aside from the sound system) to reach to the hundreds of people who go to mass there on Christmas Eve:
Yes, a video camera is inside the Church. This is connected to two projectors, one behind the lectern and one outside the Church, beside the front entrance. The projectors get their feed wirelessly, as you can see the camera has a small antenna protruding on its side. Through this setup the parishioners in the far end of the Church and those outside could see the priest as if they’re somewhere near the altar. A pretty simple setup at this day and age, yet one that has a great impact on both the celebrant and the parishioners.
It’s not only in this church where technology is being used altogether — Saint Joseph’s Parish in Balut, Tondo occassionally uses a computer running PowerPoint connected to an LCD projector in place of the usual overhead projector and acetate films.
See, Science and Religion can still go hand in hand.