How The Mass For Shut-Ins Began

Frank Fogarty, retiring general manager at WOWT, was impressed when his successor, Howard Stalnaker, told him about a Mass for Shut-ins he helped start during his tenure at a Phoenix television station. Both men talked with Bishop-elect Daniel Sheehan, founding chaplain of the Serra Club of Omaha, and explained the benefits of offering such a gift to the community at large. Bishop-elect Sheehan related this information to Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan. He explained there would be no charge because the television station would offer Public Service Access (PSA) time to the sponsor. Both agreed that Serra Club of Omaha members could assure the staffing of the liturgy each week of the year. The Serrans readily agreed and the first Mass for Shut-ins was celebrated on February 23, 1964, at the WOWT studio with Bishop-elect Sheehan as the presider.

Thus began one of the longest, continuing, locally-produced religious programs in the USA and abroad. We thank the many Serrans who continue to serve as lectors and commentators. In the beginning years, Serrans also participated as Altar Servers. The parishes were asked a few years later to send altar servers for this unique liturgy.

In 1991, due to economic restraints, WOWT could only offer the PSA time at 6 a.m. each Sunday. Bishop Sheehan said that was too early for our viewers and said we could keep the 10:30 a.m. time if we provided sponsors to pay the production cost each week. Serrans went to work contacting companies, organizations, and individuals. Thankfully the funds were raised to assure that the Mass for Shut-ins would continue. As time went by, many parishes joined those early sponsors because they knew Mass was a source of hope and comfort for many ill and homebound parishioners. It is estimated more than 10,000 viewers participate in this liturgy each week. Countless individuals have expressed their heartfelt appreciation for this gift of the Mass on television.

Thank you to the following Priests who currently participate in the Mass for Shut-ins program: Archbishop George J. Lucas, Archbishop Emeritus Elden Francis Curtiss, Fr. Frank Baumert, Fr. Bill Cremers, Fr. Mike Eckley, Fr. Dave Korth, Fr. Taylor Leffler, Fr Craig Loecke,r Fr. Walter Nolte, Fr. John Pietramale