Some reflections on all of us assembled at Liturgy

Here is a quote from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal....our source of direction regarding the celebration of Mass.

"For this people is the People of God, purchased by Christ's Blood, gathered together by the Lord, nourished by his word, the people called to present to God the prayers of the entire human family, a people that gives thanks in Christ for the mystery of salvation by offering his Sacrifice, a people, finally, that is brought together in unity by Communion in the Body and Blood of Christ. This people, though holy in its origin, nevertheless grows constantly in holiness by conscious, active, and fruitful participation in the mystery of the Eucharist."

What a beautiful statement of the action that we take every time that we participate in the celebration of Mass.

The General Instruction goes on in #16 to state: "The celebration of Mass, as the action of Christ and of the people of God arrayed hierarchically, is the center of the whole of Christian life for the Church both universal and local, as well as for each of the faithful individually. For in it is found the high point both of the action by which God sanctifies the world and in Christ, and of the worship that the human race offers to the Father, adoring him through Christ, the Son of God, in the Holy Spirit."

From the focus of liturgical music, then these statements begin to shape how we prepare the music for liturgy:

* Music choices are not personal taste, or the latest music for it's own sake, but are embodying prayer, unity, thanksgiving, adoration, petition...focused on the Trinity. Music can do this through traditional hymn choices, through contemporary Catholic music, through chant, and through the use of many instruments....all music focused in prayer.

* Music is the prayer of the assembled people. It is not performance, or the "kingdom" of the choir/organist/cantors. It belongs to the assembly praising and thanking God, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit.

* Music choices come from the Sacred Scripture readings for a particular Mass, and from the season of the year; always within the general focus of the paragraphs referenced above. Finally, music is integral to the liturgy....not an option. We "sing" the Mass. The General Instruction #40 states: "Great importance should therefore be attached to the use of singing in the celebration of the Mass, with due consideration for the culture of people and abilities of each liturgical assembly. Although it is not always necessary (e.g. in weekday Masses) to sing all the texts that are in principal meant to be sung, every care should be taking that singing by the ministers and the people not be absent in celebrations that occur on Sundays and on Holydays of Obligation."

The liturgy is your prayer. Please watch this site for continuing education on music and the liturgy of the Church.

CHOIR/CANTORS/INSTRUMENTALISTS: If you are not already in music ministry at St. Therese, consider joining this ministry. It is my joy and privilege to be with you at St. Therese, as servant in the vineyard.

So much talent in this parish!

It has been a month since I officially began my music ministry at St. Therese. It is my joy to be here with you.

St. Therese has an abundance of musical gifts, and I am just now beginning to find out who you are. The adult choir is well-trained, very dedicated, and has a beautiful sound as it leads you in prayer at liturgy. The children's choir is really good....strong voices that are singing in two part harmony with also a lovely sound, under the direction of Vanessa Proulx. There are many quality guitarists, and flute, clarinet, rumors of trumpet and violin players. St. Therese is blessed! And very important are the cantors who proclaim the scripture through the responsorial psalm, and lead the assembly in every liturgy in the sung prayer of the Mass. St. Therese cantors are excellent! The first week I was here at St. Therese we had three funerals, and I was impressed by the Choir of Hope which comes together to support families in a very difficult time of the death of a loved one. This is an important ministry, and you do it so well!

Remember, all are welcome to join the music ministry. There is a place for your musical gift. Please refer to the previous blog writing for more information. The adult choir is actively recruiting for next choir season which begins in September. We especially need more sopranos and tenors, but also welcome altos and basses. We have 27 choir chairs....let's fill them up. The adult choir is open to all of high school age and above who can commit to a weekly Thursday rehearsal and singing on Sundays, Christmas, and Holy Week; and who can sing. You do not have to be able to read music.

We are now in the Easter season of Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed! It is also the month of May dedicated to Mary, mother of the risen Christ. The music will reflect especially the readings of Easter/Ascension/Pentecost, but at every weekend Mass in May a hymn will honor Mary.