A replay of the Chrism Mass will be available on WNEM TV-5 on Saturday, March 26, following the 11 p.m. news and on ENEM MY5 on Friday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Click here to watch the Chrism Mass online.
Click here to view the online photo album.
Saginaw - On Tuesday, March 22, the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw broadcast its Chrism Mass live from the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw. It was the first time the diocese ever broadcast the Chrism Mass, during which the holy oils used for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick, as well as the Dedication of Churches and Consecration of Altars are blessed by Bishop Cistone. The oils are then distributed to representatives of each of the 56 parish communities for use within the diocese. The priests of the diocese concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Cistone and made a renewal of their priestly promises.
In addition to the nearly 700 people who were present inside the cathedral, including priests and deacons, seminarians, religious sisters, pastoral administrators, lay ministers, Catholic school students and parishioners, representing the diocese's 56 parish communities, many more people were able to experience the Chrism Mass live through television. The diocese partnered with WNEM TV-5 to share the Mass throughout its viewing area. Some special viewing audiences included students in the 13 Catholic schools, residents at St. Francis Nursing Home in Saginaw and those in the area's hospitals, including St. Mary's of Michigan in Saginaw and Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc.
"As a Church, we are continuing to look for ways to reach out and share the Good News of Jesus Christ, not only with our Catholic population, but also with the community at large," said the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw. "Sharing our Chrism Mass is one way in which we can invite people to experience the loving and merciful heart of Jesus."
Bishop Cistone also used the Mass as an opportunity to teach those present and at home more about the various sections of the Mass, so they are better able to understand it.