Episcopal ordination to be multicast

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

The Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Sioux City - and those anywhere throughout the world for that matter – will be able to have a bird’s eye view of the episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect John E. Keehner on May 1.

According to Dawn Prosser, diocesan director of communications, the 2 p.m. ordination will be broadcast live from the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City on the local NBC-affiliate, KTIV, and for those outside of this viewing area it will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Sioux City YouTube channel.

“As much as we would love to have seating for all the diocesan faithful who would want to come, as well as Bishop-elect Keehner’s family and friends, we are limited in seating at the Cathedral,” she said. “As this is an event of interest to a wide variety of people in multiple geographic areas, it made sense to plan on providing options in both television broadcasting and livestreaming.”

For those unable to watch the ordination Mass live, the recording will remain on the diocese’s YouTube channel permanently.

Prosser“We have asked KTIV, working in concert with KES Productions, to provide their expertise for a quality broadcast and livestream of the ordination Mass,” said Prosser. “Additionally, KES will assist us in livestreaming the April 30, 5:30 p.m., vespers service, also available of the Diocese of Sioux City YouTube channel.”

(The vespers service will be open to the public, unlike the ordination Mass.)

Color commentary for the ordination will be offered by retired priest Father Brian Hughes and Bridget Breen, vice president and general manager of KTIV.

“Father Hughes held many positions during his active ministry including master of ceremonies for the bishop and he guided the major restoration of the Cathedral of the Epiphany over 25 years ago. He has great knowledge of the Cathedral and the ordination rite,” said Prosser, who added that Breen has a long history in broadcast and was working at KTIV at the time of Bishop Nickless’ ordination.

Breen, a lifelong Catholic from Sioux City, said as a person that has always produced and been behind the scenes in the broadcast industry, she is honored to serve in this role.

“KTIV is proud to serve our communities and having this opportunity to multicast the ordination allows us to connect viewers to this historic event,” she said.

Breen pointed out that the news station did broadcast Bishop Nickless’ ordination as well and mentioned that over the 19 years technology has changed significantly.

“For example, instead of running a lot of cable and connecting to a big live truck, we now use portable backpacks that connect our cameras wirelessly, allowing us much more flexibility in how we can broadcast live,” she explained. “There will still be a few cables to run, they are smaller in size but are necessary.”

Good internet connectivity, Breen stressed, is essential for a clean multicast so all of their equipment can work seamlessly together.She pointed out that KTIV’s over the air broadcast can reach all counties of Northwest Iowa and the multicast delivery allows access to reach viewers that can’t watch traditional TV.

“Anyone can watch the ordination from their phone, computer or tablet, anywhere in the world where internet access is available,” said Breen.

In addition to streaming on the Diocese of Sioux City YouTube channel, the ordination Mass will be available on KTIV.com, the KTIV Facebook page and News 4 Now, which is KTIV’s Smart TV app that can be downloaded at no cost.Bridget B
A great deal of planning has gone into this event as a whole, including the media coverage of the festivities.

Prosser mentioned that the diocese has working with KTIV and KES since the summer of 2022, in an initial meeting not long after Bishop Walker Nickless submitted his mandatory letter of resignation to the Holy Father on his 75^th birthday, May 28, 2022.

It was decided by the Episcopal Transition Team early on in the planning stages to bring KTIV and KES on for this project.

“Our team at KTIV has started working ahead on various aspects of this production including programming adjustments, stepup processes, promotions, scripting and eventually rehearsals,” said Breen.

KTIV site check in preparation of the ordination multicast.About a month ago, KTIV and KES did a site survey of the Cathedral.

“We determined that we would use four cameras to capture the many elements, so the viewers get the full experience of the ordination,” said Breen. “We plan to give viewers the best views possible.”

During that site survey, the broadcast personnel met with Prosser and Father Andrew Galles, diocesan director of worship, to take an in-depth look at the facility and discuss equipment/cable placement.

“It will take some time to run cabling through the building ahead of the Mass so the controls are in the lower level of the Cathedral, out of the way of the clergy and guests but still functional,” said Prosser. “Both KES and KTIV were cognizant of the need to be as discreet as possible to not take away from the dignity of the ordination Mass while still providing a quality broadcast/livestream.

Due to set-up needs, the rector of the Cathedral, Father David Esquiliano, has closed the church for the evening of April 29 and all day April 30.

“We plan to place an electronic version of the ordination Mass worship aid on both the diocesan and Lumen Media websites and social media prior to the Mass and vespers so that the faithful can be with us in prayer from their locations,” said Prosser.

An ordination magazine/booklet will also be posted on both websites and on social media platforms for the faithful to learn more about Bishop-elect Keehner and the upcoming Mass.

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