I have a couple of ideas that may help with the problem of a shortage of priests.

Using interactive video, a priest could say Mass in Portland and have it on big-screen monitors in every church in the diocese. As the faithful gather at churches in their parishes, collections can be made, communion given and announcements made.

One priest in one location could say all three Masses each weekend and every church community will be there. The same could be done for daily Mass or any other important events.

For the consecration of the hosts, deacons and lay ministers could place the items to be consecrated on the altar during Mass.

All the manpower needed is a deacon or lay minister to open the church, lay out the altar as it needs to be, turn on the video system and collect money, and folks don’t have to be denied Mass or communion because of a priest shortage. There would be no struggle to find replacements for priests on vacation.

Plus, the interactive video system could be used for other functions, such as parish meetings with the bishop. There would be no more traveling, which would save gas.

I think this would open up the possibilities of what could be done, given the shortage of manpower.

Joel Denison, Strong