Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The Catholic Diocese of Lincoln will end its diocesan-wide broadcast of the “TV Mass for the Homebound,” with the final airing scheduled for Sunday, October 26. The Masses have been available on KLKN-TV in Lincoln, KSNB-TV in Hastings, KNOP-TV in North Platte, and on the diocese’s YouTube channel. Additionally, Spirit Catholic Radio has aired audio versions every other week.

Father Caleb La Rue, chancellor of the diocese, explained the decision: “It was a very difficult decision as we know there are people who are homebound or who are sick and cannot attend Mass in person who watch those TV Masses from the diocese. It was a combination of factors that led us to conclude we needed to promote alternative methods to share the Mass with those people.”

He cited production time and resources, broadcasting costs, and demands on priests as key reasons for discontinuing the program. Efforts were made to find ways to continue production, but ultimately attention shifted toward alternative solutions.

Currently, at least 11 parishes within the diocese livestream Sunday—and sometimes daily—Masses. Information about these livestreams is now available through a guide on the diocesan website at lincolndiocese.org/streaming. The guide provides parish names, times for livestreamed Masses, links to broadcasts, and additional Catholic resources including programs from EWTN, The CatholicTV Network, Word on Fire, and local initiatives.

The TV Mass for the Homebound has been broadcast for decades. In recent years, five or six Masses were recorded monthly between October and May for year-round airing. Priests volunteered their time alongside acolytes, lectors, musicians, and cantors.

Sandy Danek from Cathedral of the Risen Christ Parish often led singing and organized music volunteers. She said: “I was proud of the quality of the broadcast we offered… and I mean in terms of the presentation. I always felt personally it was such a privilege to participate that I could come into that setting and shut out the outside world and be like in my mini-retreat for the day. It was amazing the spiritual blessings I received.”

Longtime acolyte Bill Stull from St. Joseph Parish served alongside Brad Seeman; Dan Nortman from Cathedral Parish acted as lector and coordinated lector schedules.

Church teaching states that attending Mass in person is required to fulfill Sunday obligation; watching online does not suffice unless illness or duty prevents attendance—in which case individuals are excused from obligation but may still benefit spiritually by viewing online services.

Homebound individuals are encouraged to contact their local parish if they wish someone to bring them Communion.