Anson Cabello works on the parish instructional video. (Photo courtesy of St. Anthony Parish, Wailuku)
By St. Anthony Parish staff
Special to the Herald
On the weekend of June 13, St. Anthony Parish in Wailuku, Maui, was ready to reopen its doors to parishioners after being shut down for nearly two months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The joy of seeing each other again was tempered by health protocols and procedures, including reduced Mass seating.
“There was much preparation work that was needed,” said Stephen Kealoha, St. Anthony parish council chairman. “Guidelines from the Diocese of Honolulu, our local and state governments, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined our future in dealing with COVID-19.”
Videos were needed to be played before Masses to inform parishioners of the new procedures. To create the videos, the parish recruited two of its acolytes, Jasyah Macugay, a junior at Kamehameha Maui, and Anson Cabello, a sophomore at Kamehameha Maui. Both volunteered their videography skills to support the parish’s new initiatives.
“We took pictures, did the video editing, and voiceover,” said Jasyah.
“I didn’t mind doing it,” said Anson, “making videos is fun for me. And if I can help the church, too, then that’s a bonus.”
In place of missalettes, text and hymns are projected onto a screen in the center of the church. Weekend Masses are livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.
Kahiau Snyder prepares for projecting parts of the Mass. (Photo courtesy of St. Anthony Parish, Wailuku)
Volunteers were needed to operate a projector during Mass.
“I’ve been an acolyte for the last six years,” said Kahiau Snyder, a junior at Kamehameha Maui. “Uncle Roger (Yarborough), who makes the slides, came to me after I pau acolyte one Sunday and asked if I could help with the projector and I said ‘Yes.’”
At first, operating the projector’s software and equipment was challenging but Kahiau learned quickly. He has been managing the projector since June. “This is fun for me, and as a Boy Scout, I am obligated to provide ‘cheerful service,’” says Kahiau, “I’m able to do this. The church needs my help. And if I can help, I will.”
Jathen Macugay, left, and his brother Jasyah Macugay set up the video and audio for livestreaming Sunday Mass. (Photo courtesy of St. Anthony Parish, Wailuku)
Since March, St. Anthony has livestreamed Masses to parishioners at home on its Facebook page. When the person scheduled to do the livestreaming was no longer available, Jasyah stepped up. In June, he started streaming the Masses. A month later, his brother Jathen, a Maui Waena eighth-grader, joined him.
Jasyah and Jathen work as a team livestreaming the 10 a.m. Sunday services to parishioners who cannot attend in person. Jathen typically operates the camera, while Jasyah monitors the sound.
“I do this because it’s kind of in my field of interest, and I like to get to know all of the aspects of what I’ll be trying to pursue in the future,” said Jasyah, “I find this really fun to do.”
“I do this to help out the church,” said Jathen. “Sometimes it’s safer for the community to stay inside, so I want to help them still go to church.”
The talents of the youth at St. Anthony have been invaluable during the pandemic, and their contributions expand the reach of our faith beyond the walls of the church.
“You’re not just giving your talents to the church just to give them,” says Jasyah, “you want to feel like you’re doing something good for others.”
This is part of a series on how Hawaii youth and young adults are helping their parishes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
