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Monthly Archives: May 2017
Ministers of Liturgical Music, Directors: SttL 45-47
The last of the music ministries discussed in the US Bishops’ 2007 document Sing to the Lord: the director. This person is defined first as a collaborator: A professional director of music ministries, or music director … (works) with the bishop or … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music, Sing to the Lord
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Wood or Stone, Clutter or Plain?
PrayTell has been monitoring developments at a Houston parish, in 2015 here and a few days ago here. The before picture on the 2015 link is illustrative. I noticed a few things in the redecoration: a shift from stone (maybe … Continue reading
Ministers of Liturgical Music, Instrumentalists: SttL 41-44
Early in their document, Sing to the Lord, the US bishops review the various ministerial roles within liturgical music. Writing of any instrumentalists, the bishops remind us of their purpose with regard to the song of the assembly: “lead and sustain … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music, Sing to the Lord
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Wedding Lectionary: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
It might be that Jewish thread running through my family, or the associations I’ve enjoyed over the years with my elder sisters and brothers in Judaism, but I feel an affinity to the Old Testament that not every Catholic gets. For … Continue reading
Posted in Rite of Marriage, Scripture
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Wedding Lectionary: Psalm 121
Every so often, I get the itch to suggest an addition to the Roman Lectionary. If I had been asked to consult on the new Order for Celebrating Matrimony, I would have offerred we make room for what is admittedly … Continue reading
Posted in Rite of Marriage, Scripture
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Scarlet Letter
Jimmy Mac sent me a link to this RNS piece on a student being barred from Christian school graduation ceremonies “because she was immoral.” The young woman in question is also pregnant. It’s a new twist on an old story: … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary
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VNO: Outline Of Masses And Prayers For Various Needs And Occasions
We continue with the second in a series on the Roman Rite’s Masses And Prayers For Various Needs And Occasions (VNO). Remember that this section addresses liturgy for “intentions, which may be used in many situations, and for various needs and occasions.” … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy
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Ministers of Liturgical Music, The Cantor: SttL 37-40
The third music ministry examined by the US Bishops’ document Sing to the Lord is the cantor. Thanks to my consistent experiences in getting small choirs recruited to serve at multiple Masses, I’ve only occasionally worked with cantors. Official church … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music, Sing to the Lord
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Gospel Verbs, Ascension Edition
Depending on how or when you observe, from tomorrow or this weekend’s last Scripture reading: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, … Continue reading
On My Bookshelf: Women F/SF Authors
Sometimes I get surprised by authors at the early end of their career. Imperfections can be easily forgiven, especially for a new writer with something new to say or a different approach to something old. Becky Chambers’ debut novel The … Continue reading
Posted in fantasy, On My Bookshelf, science fiction
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Ministers of Liturgical Music, The Psalmist: SttL 34-36
Paragraphs 28 through 47 of the US Bishops’ document Sing to the Lord reviews the various ministries within liturgical music. A few days ago, we looked at the role of the choir (SttL 28-33). Today, we consider the psalmist (34-36) as a … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music, Sing to the Lord
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Ministers of Liturgical Music, The Choir: SttL 28-33
Paragraphs 28 through 47 of the document Sing to the Lord reviews the various ministerial roles within liturgical music. First up is the Choir. The US bishops start off with an echo the importance given in SC 114 to the balance between … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music, Sing to the Lord
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VNO: Masses And Prayers For Various Needs And Occasions
One of the least-used sections of the Roman Rite is the chunk of pages nestled between Ritual Masses (sacraments, etc.) and Votive Masses. Masses And Prayers For Various Needs And Occasions take up only 87 pages in my parish’s Missal. … Continue reading
Music For The Sprinkling Rite: On The Day Of My Resurrection
The second of five options for the Easter season Sprinkling Rite is a mash-up of two prophets, Zephaniah (3:8) and Ezekiel (36:25). At first, I wasn’t sure this was a suitable blending, but after doing a bit of research, I … Continue reading
Catholic Sensibility 
On Memorial Day
As a culture, we have some missteps when it comes to observances like Memorial Day. To be sure, I don’t think I get it 100% right. I do perceive the difference between today and Veteran’s Day. I’m aware of its … Continue reading →