We had no sound for the 8 AM Mass livestream.  Yesterday, I updated the computers which caused OBS to lose track of the sound system.  I fixed it after Mass.

     I'm leaning toward replacing our livestreaming camera with two broadcast cameras.  They can zoom more and pivot farther.  Having cameras on the front and back walls will allow us to do better with processions, weddings, and stations of the cross.  I recently found out that several parishes have two or three cameras in order to get a greater variety of views.

     We could then move our current camera somewhere else.  Two possibilities are the parish hall and the chapel/conference room.  I can figure out the technical issues.  I'm wondering if any of our groups would be interested in having a virtual component to meetings in the parish hall.  We can already do this in the chapel/conference room.  By a virtual component, I mean that members could view the meeting from home while other members meet in person.

     Today, our computer guy, Dan Molnar, helped me with our network topology.  He fixed a problem I was having with our security system.  We talked about the broadcast livestreaming cameras.  And he installed several wireless access points.  One is in the food pantry which will allow the St. Vincent de Paul Society to use the food pantry as an office with a computer and a phone.  One in the confessional will allow me to play music via the sound system during confessions.  Two are in the rectory which also covers the music room and the RCIA meeting room.  The last one is in the sacristy.

     I'm not inclined to give Wi-Fi access to just anyone because of the livestreaming trouble we've had recently.  While livestreaming, I want to have the best possible Internet connection with no competition.  Once I finish cleaning up our computer network, I hope the livestreaming interruptions will stop.  If they don't, I'll probably have us subscribe to eCatholic's livestreaming option which uses StreamSpot, a much more reliable service than YouTube.

     A Comcast truck was outside on Friday.  We lost our Internet connection which also knocked out our Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phones.  I moved the modem to the rectory to restore our connection.  Well, our office connection still isn't fixed.  Comcast is sending a technician tomorrow between 10 AM and 12 PM.  At that time, I will move the modem back to the office.  Until the technician fixes the problem, our Internet and phones will be down.

     At St. John's, I'm the tech person, but I can go to Dan Molnar if I can't figure out a problem.  I asked him what other parishes do.  Many have tech savvy parishioners.  If they can't solve a problem, he's called in.

     Well, that's the technology news.  Technology is a tool that can be used for good or ill.  We're trying to use it to evangelize and help people connect with the Lord and each other.

God love you,

Fr. Jim