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And So With All the Choirs of Heaven
By Fr. Dennis | September 9, 2008
I know that some of my readers are wondering, “Where is this week’s homily?” Well, the truth is that this week I was rushed for time and so I preached from an outline rather than typing out the entire text of it.
The reason I was so busy is that I was getting ready for Sunday 6PM Mass.
The 6PM Mass saw something of a makeover this week in what I have described to some of my friends as a “proof of concept.” Members of our parish’s high school CYO group served as altar servers, ushers, and lectors.
Also, we formed a new Youth Choir and Ensemble to lead the music. We bought all the appropriate copyright licenses from the appropriate agents and printed up song sheets. We got 8 of our CYO girls to sing in a schola. We got 3 of our CYO boys (who already perform together in a garage band) to play guitar, bass, and (subdued) percussion. The kids brought a sound mixer and a few microphones. We set up everything in the choir loft.
Once Mass started, we led the congregation in singing some new music. And some old music.
Entrance: “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship” by Brian Doerksen
Kyrie: by Jim Cowan
Gloria: from “Mass of Light” by David Haas
Psalm: “If Today You Hear the Voice of God” by Ed Bolduc
Offeratory: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” by Paul Baloche
Holy: “Mass of a Joyful Heart” by Steve Angresano
Memorial Acclamation: “Christ Has Died” by Jim Cowan
Great Amen: by Jim Cowan
Lamb of God: from “Mass of St. Timothy” by Matt Maher
Communion: “Breathe” by Marie Barnett
AND “Panis Angelicus” by Louis Lambillotte
Recessional: “Shout to the Lord” by Darlene Zschech
I knew going into it that almost all the music would be new to the people who go to that Mass, but I was pretty sure most of the youth would recognize most of it from Diocesan youth events.
The young folks who helped with the music were GREAT! We had only had 3 rehearsals, and we had never rehearsed with all the sound equipment, so I was a little nervous about how it would go, but they were really good.
The pastor was the celebrant for that Mass and he told me afterwards that he thought it was excellent and that the congregation had a lot of energy and they seemed to participate more than usual. In the last 2 days, as I’ve walked across the church parking lot to a little kids soccer game, or as I’ve been getting ready for morning Mass, or any number of other parish functions, I have been stopped by at least 10 different people enthusiastically thanking me for starting the youth choir, or telling me that their normally ambivalent or rebellious teenagers came home from Mass raving about how great going to Mass was.
Additionally, many have commented on how good it was that our CYO youth had taken leadership roles in the liturgy by serving as lectors and ushers.
So, now that the concept is proven…
The next appearance of the Youth Choir and Ensemble will be the 6PM Mass on Sunday, October 12. My goal is to do this once a month until Christmas and then see.
Nota Bene: There is probably someone out there who wants to wring my neck after reading this, wondering why I didn’t start a polyphony or Gregorian chant schola. My only answer is, I’ll get to it.
Topics: Evangelization, Liturgy, Music |
September 10th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Bravo, Dennis!
Why should the Protestants have all the good music?
September 10th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Fr Dennis, This is so way past due in that “Sinners Mass”! I can remember taking my kids to it a couple of times years ago & deciding not to return because people were literally talking to each other while walking back up the aisle after receiving Communion. Thank you for all you do.
September 11th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
or, as the song says,
“Why should the devil have all the good music?!?!”
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:44 am
Fr. Dennis,
I am so glad to see that you are still publishing the blog after your priestly ordination! I have, indeed, enjoyed your writing and thinking for quite some time. (I hope that I provide a similar enjoyment.)
I am also grateful that a priest such as yourself can bring some balance to creating dynamic liturgical reform. Please pray for our youth ministry and our youth choir. I am currently in a discernment process about the direction of both.
God bless!