Parish Liturgy Planning Groups

[dunstan]

Being the smaller of our PP's two parishes (the presbytery is at the larger), we run our own affairs and, as organist/DoM, if I didn't plan things the parish would fall silent. Whenever I ask for preferences/opinions all I ever get is "carry on as you are, you're doing a good job" - and our growing congregation would seem to suggest that things aren't too awfully wrong.

But I think back to when I was a weekly congregant (?!?) and how much I missed out on in terms of the progression through the seasons. And, as a one man band, if I'm short of inspiration then the mass is musically pedestrian, if I don't like a particular piece of music then it never features (Nun Danket and Amazing Grace immediately spring to mind), and I fall into the trap of "what did I use for this Sunday three years ago?"

To return to the subject of the article, perhaps we should start by striving more to engage people for the two main seasons (Lent->Easter and Advent->Christmas) - it would be a surprise for them to discover how far inadvance we need to plan.

[mcb]

I fall into the trap of "what did I use for this Sunday three years ago?"

Is it a trap? I think we musicians can relish change more than the assembly does, because we can pick new things up more quickly, and perhaps get tired of things more rapidly too. But the assembly can be left constantly feeling the rug is being pulled out from under them.

The trouble, I find, is that there isn't yet enough of a repertoire of good quality music suitable for the post-Vatican II liturgy. So we (musicians) feel the need to keep moving on to new items, in search of something that might prove to be enduring. Perhaps a rule of thumb ought to be: keep it the same as it was three years ago, unless you've found something better?

Or maybe not! Perhaps I'm too pessimistic about the wealth of things to choose from, or about the ability of a willing assembly to adapt quickly to a changing repertoire.

I'm another one who goes in for solitary planning. I find doing it by committee always seems to be driven by a need to settle things in good time. Whereas by myself I can take as long as I like. Mind you, I don't know that doing it this leisurely way necessarily leads to better results than if I slapped down the first thing I thought of.

In previous incarnations I've done it by committee. With a group doing the planning, it's good that there are more ideas washing around than I find I can muster inside my own head. But I've not always found that the ideas washing round are uniformly good, and it can be hard to find ways of resolving an impasse that doesn't, at least sometimes, involve choosing an inferior piece of music out of politeness or a sense of it being someone's turn.

I'm comfortable with doing it by myself, and there's always feedback from clergy, choir and assembly to help me see whether I'm getting it vaguely right.

For big occasions (I'm pleased to say) it's a less solitary activity, since the clergy tend to share in the planning process. Then I find it's good to have done one's homework, and to come along with too many ideas rather than a blank sheet and the pressure of the clock ticking.

M.

[Dot]

Is it a trap? I think we musicians can relish change more than the assembly does, because we can pick new things up more quickly, and perhaps get tired of things more rapidly too. But the assembly can be left constantly feeling the rug is being pulled out from under them.

The trouble, I find, is that there isn't yet enough of a repertoire of good quality music suitable for the post-Vatican II liturgy. So we (musicians) feel the need to keep moving on to new items, in search of something that might prove to be enduring. Perhaps a rule of thumb ought to be: keep it the same as it was three years ago, unless you've found something better?

I feel very much in agreement with mcb here, he's almost taken the words out of my mouth. Just one qualification, of finding something better: does this mean better for the assembly because they are more inclined to join in (talking of Glorias and Sanctuses and acclamations), or does it mean better in terms of musical quality and liturgical aptness, or better in terms of how it affects us emotionally, spiritually....

This is a particularly knotty issue with children. We are told (by a teacher at school) that our children from the Parish primary sing the Mike Anderson clapping Gloria really well: does this mean we are doomed to sing it at every parish celebration involving them, or should we be trying to lift their hearts and minds with slightly more "grown up" music? What is "best" for them, and for the parish assembly sharing the celebration with them?

dot

[Merseysider]

...of finding something better: does this mean better for the assembly because they are more inclined to join in...or does it mean better in terms of musical quality and liturgical aptness, or better in terms of how it affects us emotionally, spiritually....

It's probably just a question of balance. There are items around which are singable by the congregation with enough challenge for the musicians. And I know my own singers relish the opportunity to sing a Holy or an Acclamation which doesn't involved them worrying about the descant on the Hosannas – they too like to emerse themselves in prayer during the consecration and are then happy to worry about the technicalities of music at other parts of the Mass.

...our children from the Parish primary sing the Mike Anderson clapping Gloria really well: does this mean we are doomed to sing it at every parish celebration involving them, or should we be trying to lift their hearts and minds with slightly more "grown up" music?...

Perhaps we should accept our children (and their teachers) the way we accept the rest of our assembly – where they are at – and then lead them on a little (if that doesn't sound too patronising). Yes, use the clap-clap Gloria occasionally but, more to the point, use the opportunity to develop a relationship with the teachers so that you can show them what else is available. Often, the teacher in school with responsibility for music might know little of what else is around. The "music specialist" is one of our local schools has no musical background – "but I can play the piano with one hand which noone else can" – and she knew nothing about Catholicism before joining the school. I have found her very open to ideas.

Sorry if this sounds a tad preachey.

M

[VML]

We're nearly into First Communion time. Last year the teacher of the class most involved gave me a list of music items, including some from her 'Evangelical worship group.' She is a Catholic but somehow keeps her options open. I have a feeling that a similar list will come my way this week.

What music do you have for First Holy Communion? A few years ago the school used the Israeli Mass for any celebrations that weren't hymn sandwiches. Now they just stick to hymns, which is a pity. Over the years we have had a wealth of lovely FHC Masses, but it seems to have become one big performance. The video man plonks his tripod on the side of the altar... There must be some good relevant hymns, and I would like to use an appropriate psalm, school permitting.

Regarding accepting people where they are, we have a number of weddings coming up, and most of the couples simply, and quite reasonably, choose 'The hymns I learnt at school,' especially if one of them is not a Catholic. This tends to mean Colours of day, I watch the sunrise, Make me a channel, etc.
I have to admit I have baulked at these at times, but I have softened now I see that if the Catholic has the choice of Church, church, and form of service, the other must quite reasonably have a major say as to what hymns are sung, and what I may sometimes feel is a bit old and passe is really what is required to make sure a mixed congregation is properly included in the Nuptials.

[Merseysider]

...it seems to have become one big performance. The video man plonks his tripod on the side of the altar... ...

Not at our place – the parents have all received a letter the video recording is banned because of 1) the sacredness of the occasion 2) performance licensing rights.

[gwyn]

VML asked,

What music do you have for First Holy Communion?

Bob Hurd's Gloria from his Missa Ubi Caritas is well sung by our primary school bunch. It has a very singable Latin refrain and the English verses are easily cantored by a schola drawn from year 5 and/or 6. Bernadette Farrell's Christ, be our Light is readily learned too.

[Merseysider]

Last year we had a couple of verses from Bernadette Farrell's "We Are Waiting to Welcome Jesus" – actions based (roughly) on BSL. Gave me a chance to get really involved with visiting parents and grannies as I made a prat of myself showing them the signs.

[contrabordun]

2) performance licensing rights.

That's brave. What do you do when somebody waves a chequebook and points out that the major purpose of having licensing rights is so that the owners of the rights can derive money by exercising them?

Stick to reason number 1 - it's more than good enough by itself.

[sidvicius]

...doomed to sing it...

Well WE have to sing the grown ups' Glorias! - us six year olds, that is.