Just before the world shifted with the COVID-19 lockdown, Holy Family Church in Artesia made a bold move, purchasing an adjacent building. Initially, there were concerns that this expansion might become a financial burden, especially with the expected drop in donations during the pandemic. However, the foresight proved to be a blessing in disguise. The newly acquired building, housing the Blessed Carlo Acutis Broadcast Center, has become a powerhouse for growth within the parish and a vital platform for outreach to the Filipino community across the nation.
“We have experienced incredible growth over the past few years,” shared Father John Cordero, the pastor of Holy Family Artesia. This growth is significantly attributed to the broadcast center, which has enabled the church to connect with a wider audience online.
Ronneza Pleyto adjusts the lights as Holy Family pastor Father John Cordero prepares to go live from the Blessed Carlo Acutis Broadcast Center. (Mike Goulding)
The numbers speak volumes. Before the pandemic, Holy Family Church in Artesia had 3,000 registered members. Today, their online presence has exploded, boasting 10,000 Facebook followers and 2,000 YouTube subscribers. Remarkably, regular Mass attendance is also rebounding, nearing pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating that online engagement is translating into real-world connection. A key factor in this digital transformation has been the parish tech team. Father Cordero praised their ingenuity, noting, “They are a mix of hobbyists and quick learners, who came together to create something truly remarkable.”
While Holy Family Artesia is rooted in a community that is at least 80% Filipino, its ministry extends to a diverse congregation. Mass is celebrated in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese, reflecting the multicultural fabric of the parish. The Portuguese parishioners played a crucial role in establishing the multimedia outreach, drawing upon their expertise from running Radio Lusalandia, a Portuguese internet radio station. “The initial volunteers who helped set up our system were from the Portuguese radio station,” Father Cordero acknowledged.
The establishment of the broadcast studio was integral to the new building’s purpose as a hub for youth and young adult ministry. Each room within the center is named after a significant saint, and for the digital production space, the choice was clear. “Who better to name it after than Blessed Carlo Acutis?” Father Cordero remarked, highlighting the young saint’s relevance to their mission. Blessed Carlo Acutis, who passed away at the young age of 15 in 2006, was known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist, his compassionate nature, and his exceptional computer skills. He even created a website dedicated to documenting Eucharistic miracles, making him a fitting patron for a digital ministry.
Holy Family pastor Father John Cordero. (Mike Goulding)
In a poignant moment of adaptation during the initial church closures, the Blessed Carlo Acutis Broadcast Center began its ministry by streaming the Blessed Sacrament. “In those first days of lockdown, people were simply watching the tabernacle online,” Father Cordero recalled, emphasizing the power of even simple online presence during times of isolation. The embrace of technology extended beyond online streaming. The parish innovatively installed a low-watt radio transmitter, enabling parishioners to listen to Mass in their cars in the parking lot, while simultaneously watching on a Jumbotron displayed through a church window. This drive-in Mass experience, facilitated by hundreds of parking spaces, required logistical support. The Knights of Columbus, traditionally an older demographic, found themselves requesting assistance from young adults to manage parking. This unexpected collaboration led to a heartwarming outcome: when the Holy Family Knights chapter recently inducted 18 new members, many were young adults who had volunteered in the parking ministry, demonstrating a ripple effect of engagement.
The video ministry’s rapid expansion led to equipment being used around the clock, eventually causing breakdowns. After replacing the worn-out gear, an unexpected bonus emerged – the original system was repaired. This fortunate circumstance allowed for the creation of a second production team, expanding the ministry’s capacity to produce programming beyond just parish events. This expanded capability led to a significant outreach opportunity. Through the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Blessed Carlo Acutis Broadcast Center secured a grant from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs. This grant enabled them to host “Hapag Kwentuhan” (“Stories at the Dinner Table”), an interactive, nationwide livestream synodal session focused on the future of Filipino ministry in the diaspora, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Philippine bishops’ conference, addressed important topics during the session, including the need for pastoral formation for the millions of Filipino overseas workers who have become “accidental evangelists” in non-Christian households. He also highlighted the revitalizing impact of the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics on parishes in Europe and America. The deep faith of the participants was evident during “Hapag Kwentuhan.” When asked “How do you feel in church?” participants responded via text with a word cloud, with “inspired,” “blessed,” and “nurtured” emerging as the leading sentiments. Following this collective reflection, participants engaged in smaller online chat groups to further discuss their mission.
Father Cordero envisions utilizing the Blessed Carlo Acutis Broadcast Center to continue these meaningful livestream discussions regularly. “There are many dynamic speakers among the young Filipino priests in the United States who can contribute to this broader conversation,” he noted. He also emphasizes the strength of lay leadership within his parish and beyond. Cecile Motus, retired assistant director of the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and a Holy Family parishioner, along with her sister Lucille Motus Parisho, president of the Filipino American Catholic Community, are instrumental in mobilizing Filipino Catholic celebrations locally, regionally, and even nationally.
Production volunteer Jason Closas Holy Family's livestream control console.The Blessed Carlo Acutis Broadcast Center launched by streaming the Blessed Sacrament when the church shut its doors due to the COVID-19 lockdown. (Mike Goulding)
Holy Family Artesia recently hosted Salubong for the first time since 2019, an Easter morning liturgy that begins outdoors at 5 a.m., showcasing the vibrant traditions of the Filipino community. While celebrating these traditions is important, Cecile Motus emphasizes the need to expand outreach beyond ethnic boundaries. “We need to reach out not only to Filipinos but to Catholics in all ethnic communities so that we can transition from being leaders within our ethnic groups to becoming leaders in our multicultural parishes,” she explained.
Production volunteer Riz Bautista in Holy Family Church's choir loft. (Mike Goulding)
Father Rodel Balagtas, priest liaison for the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, sees the Blessed Carlo Acutis Broadcast Center as being strategically positioned to provide pastoral and spiritual formation for these emerging leaders, even though it’s still in the early stages of development. “The question we are asking is, ‘Where is the Holy Spirit leading us as Filipinos in the diaspora at this moment?’” Father Balagtas stated. “We are called to be missionary disciples. We are called to share our gifts… There is definitely a need to utilize media to connect with Filipino Americans across the United States, and we are just beginning to explore that potential.”
Holy Family Artesia’s journey exemplifies how embracing technology and a spirit of innovation can lead to unexpected growth and deeper community engagement, especially in challenging times. The Blessed Carlo Acutis Broadcast Center is not just a studio; it’s a testament to the power of faith, community, and digital outreach in the modern world.
