PHOTO: The Rev. Ed Clifford, and Jodi Roma, St. Teresa of Calcutta parish administrative assistant chat during a “Cliff Notes” episode. (Submitted photo)
NORWAY — The Rev. Ed Clifford recently told parishioners, “Dear Lord, we thank you for this gift of technology. Even though we are in different parts of our community, we are together, growing in faith and knowledge of each other and of you.”
But Clifford wasn’t speaking from a pulpit, but rather into an iPhone from a comfortable chair in his living room, with a fire glistening behind him and his beloved dog, Sienna, happily chewing on a bone at his feet.
Clifford is the pastor of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish (St. Catherine of Sienna Church, Norway; Our Lady of Ransom Church, Mechanic Falls; St. Mary Church, Oxford) and St. Joseph Parish in Bridgton (St. Joseph Church, Bridgton; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Fryeburg).
Every Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m., he and Jodi Roma, administrative assistant for the parishes, sit down for a Facebook live-stream, “Cliff’s Notes,” a play on Clifford’s name that invites all, including those feeling isolated during the pandemic, inside for a fireside chat, warm conversation, and even the chance to interact. Clifford has been pastor of the parishes since July 2017.
In the weeks and months that have followed, the chats, which typically last around an hour, have grown to not only feature parish updates and pandemic protocols, but also discussions on current events, ways to deal with isolation and even a “Movie of the Week” segment.
“We select a video on www.formed.org for people to watch before our next gathering and then discuss it,” Clifford said. “Adelaide uses the survey function on Facebook to ask what the next film folks would like to watch is and, the following week, whether or not they liked it.”
What began with a handful of viewers has grown into a steady crowd of more than 50 people watching live each Tuesday night, and more than 300 viewers watching the archived live-stream during the week, including viewers from all over the state and country.
“The parishioners love that it’s casual, and they laugh along with us each week so it feels like we are all together,” Roma said. “People tell me it makes them feel like we are all sitting together just chatting, and they love that. It’s so hard not seeing all of our parishioners each week, so this helps us feel more connected. We even get to wish people a happy birthday or tell them we miss them.”
Over the course of the year, the format has allowed for deeper discussions about the faith like the meaning of specific holy days, vocation awareness, the saints and more.
“Cliff’s Notes” also gives Clifford and Roma a chance to communicate improvements and plans at the parishes to viewers who, because of different situations, have not been able to visit a physical church in nearly a year.
Thanks to the comments feature on Facebook Live, participants can write in with questions and comments during the live broadcast and after it has concluded.
“We’re able to keep in touch with more parishioners, get feedback, explain things in more detail than we might saying a few words at the end of Mass or by a notice in the bulletin,” Clifford said.
The show has also welcomed guestsm like Maine priests to join in the fun, but there’s no question that the third “host” of the show is the one who has touched viewers the most — two-and-a-half-year-old Lab mix Sienna.
“She’s usually laying in front of us, but she’s been known to jump on us looking for attention, to play, or get a treat,” Clifford said. “A couple times she done this while I was reflecting on a serious topic or leading prayer. Since then, Deacon Jim and Clare Burns often supply me with hearty bones to keep her occupied.”
Clifford said that in a time of uncertainty and isolation in an area hit hard in many ways by the pandemic, “Cliff’s Notes” has provided a needed respite, a source of community and a reminder to trust in God.
“We begin and end with prayer,” he said. “It’s been a successful way to stay connected, and I anticipate continuing live-streaming after the pandemic.”
“We always say this is one of the blessings that has come from the pandemic,” Roma said. “In fact I ran into a parishioner at the store and as I walked away she said, ‘See you Tuesday on Cliff’s Notes!’ We absolutely love it.”
Catch the live broadcast every Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. at www.facebook.com/parishesofwesternmaine. Each edition is also archived in the “Videos” section.
