History of Cathedral TV Mass

At the request of Bishop René H. Gracida and through the generosity of the Kenedy Memorial Foundation, a grant was made in late 1984 to Corpus Christi Cathedral for video production equipment and three years of operational funds for the purpose of producing a weekly live television broadcast of the 9:30 AM Cathedral Sunday Mass.

After delays occasioned by other structural renovations in the Cathedral Church, the system was ultimately installed, and weekly live broadcasts of the 9:30 AM Mass began to air on KZTV Channel 10 in November of 1985. The original system consisted of four Saticon tube cameras, videotape record and playback equipment, video switchers, audio mixer, character generator, required engineering monitors, and a video microwave link to deliver programming to KZTV. Platforms were constructed at discreet locations to allow the cameras to capture the liturgy appropriately. Fifty-four kilowatts of television lighting were installed in recessed ceiling enclosures to appropriately light the sanctuary and choir areas.

The Cathedral Mass became a Sunday morning tradition over the years, gaining wide acceptance and viewership. Since its inception in 1985, the Cathedral Sunday TV Mass broadcasts were produced and managed by the Diocesan Telecommunications Corporation and the Catholic Communications Network until July 2022 when the Diocese of Corpus Christi assumed responsibility for the TV Mass Broadcast portion. Proudly, the Diocesan Telecommunications Corp./CCN continues the On-Air portion of the Cathedral TV Mass on FM 89.5 KLUX radio every Sunday.

Due to Diocesan budget cuts in July of 1996, resulting in a 40% reduction in subsidies to Diocesan Telecommunications, numerous programs operated by DTC on behalf of the Diocese were scaled back, including the Cathedral Sunday Mass broadcasts, sparking considerable public outcry as documented in local media. After nearly 11 years of uninterrupted airing, the weekly telecasts ceased on July 7, 1996.

Immediately following, negotiations commenced with various entities to secure necessary funds for the broadcasts’ revival, complicated by the aging and unreliable state of the video production equipment, which was over a decade old.

In late 1996, recognizing the broadcasts’ significance in ministering to the sick, elderly, and shut-ins, Christus Spohn Health System generously provided substantial operational funding. Additionally, the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation approved a grant to replace an aging camera, and the Diocesan Telecommunications Corporation pledged the use of two state-of-the-art CCD video cameras. These efforts culminated in the update of primary production equipment and the availability of adequate funds to resume broadcasting. The broadcasts resumed on January 5th, 1997, garnering widespread acclaim.

The weekly broadcasts of the Cathedral Sunday Mass over the years have been a cornerstone of Diocesan evangelization efforts. The telecasts have touched thousands of viewers, both Catholic and non-Catholic alike, with the Word of God and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Many have been moved to inquire about the Catholic Faith or have been drawn back to the Church because of the rich liturgy, outstanding music ministry, and exceptional homilies that comprise the Cathedral celebrations.

Of equal, if not greater, importance is the fact that this weekly broadcast is paramount in reaching the sick, the elderly, and shut-ins with Holy Mass. Without this broadcast, these members of the faithful would not have the benefit of celebrating the liturgy of their faith.

The Cathedral Sunday Mass also enables the broadcast of other significant liturgical celebrations not only across South Texas but also internationally. Some of the notable events made possible by these facilities include:

• Yearly Broadcast of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration and Liturgy live across South Texas
• Yearly Christmas Broadcast of “A Cathedral Christmas” Service of Lessons and Carols and Midnight Mass
• Live Broadcast of the Welcoming Liturgy for Bishop Roberto Gonzalez O.F.M. (prime-time telecast)
• Live Broadcast of the Installation Liturgy of Bishop Edmond Carmody
• Broadcast of the Installation Liturgy of Bishop Michael Mulvey
• Broadcast of the Funeral Liturgy of Bishop Thomas Drury
• 1991 live International Broadcast via the Eternal Word Television Network of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration and Liturgy Live from the Cathedral Church (23 million potential households)
•  1993 live International Broadcast via the Eternal Word Television Network of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration and Liturgy Live from the Cathedral Church (23 million potential households)
• Special taping of Diocesan events e.g., Ordinations, Red Mass, etc.