GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- It was one of the first Dioceses in the country to air a live, weekly mass. This year, the Diocese of Grand Rapids celebrates 60 years of its broadcast.
It started as a 15 minute program discussing religious matters with Father Hugh Michael Beahan, in 1953. It was called called “Fifteen with Father.”
Then in 1966, thanks to donations, the Cathedral of Saint Andrew was able to buy cameras and set up a control room to begin a live, weekly broadcast.
It's led by Father John Geaney. He says the live broadcast not only reaches those who are home-bound and unable to make it to church, but it gives people the chance to see what the Catholic religion is about.
"There are many people out there who have never seen the Mass or know what Catholics do on Sunday morning," Father Geaney said.
"They get a very clear point-of-view of how it's done and realize the beauty that we do. The music, the readings, they're all well proclaimed. It's very important.”
FOX 17 began airing mass from the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in the mid 1980s. It can be seen every Sunday at 10 a.m., as well as live on the diocesan website.
