Easter Sequence

[old barmaid]

No choir on Easter Sunday morning. We have used 'Christ the Lord is risen today' for the Sequence for the last 2/3 years. The congregation knows it well and it is a reasonable translation of 'Victimae paschali laudes.'

[asb]

No choir on Easter Sunday morning'

Why not? By inference you have one.....

[old barmaid]

Why no Choir on Easter Sunday morning? All exhausted following singing at Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday,
Good Friday and Easter Vigil. To cap it all , Parish Party following Vigil went on till nearly midnight! One
faithful turned up at Mass next morning and helped with congregational singing. We are all volunteers after
all and do as much as we are able. What is going to happen when this generation has passed away?

[asb]

Why no Choir on Easter Sunday morning? All exhausted following singing at Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday,
Good Friday and Easter Vigil. To cap it all , Parish Party following Vigil went on till nearly midnight! One
faithful turned up at Mass next morning and helped with congregational singing. We are all volunteers after
all and do as much as we are able. What is going to happen when this generation has passed away?

I shall refrain from commenting on the basis that I would definitely upset someone!

[VML]

We had a few years like that, in the early 90s, and it IS difficult to get younger family members to a Sunday morning Mass as well as the Vigil, which meant that some of my offspring never went to Mass on Easter morning.
Yes of course we are volunteers, it is our mission and ministry. And yes it is often true that far more thought and planning goes into the Triduum than the Sunday morning, but Easter morning is the completion of the whole celebration, the reason for the Church, and many who are on its edges come only to this Mass. I know we are all exhausted by midday on Sunday, but it's a lovely fulfillment.
I am amazed and sometimes rather shamed by the amount of work put in by musicians in other Christian churches.

[JW]

I didn't turn up on Easter Sunday either - I wanted to do other things. After rushing to church from work on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, a two-hour choir practice Saturday morning, and the Vigil, I've definitely had enough. I don't normally play on Sunday mornings anyway. This Easter, we also had a big funeral with choir and soloists on the Wednesday, at which I played.

As music ministers we need to be very careful that we don't burn out and that we don't feel guilty about saying 'No'. I imagine priests have to make similar types of decision. I've been playing the organ for about 45 years now and still manage to retain enthusiasm.

[docmattc]

As music ministers we need to be very careful that we don't burn out and that we don't feel guilty about saying 'No'. I imagine priests have to make similar types of decision.

My PP went on holiday for Easter Week, returning home ready for Mass last night. In contrast, I went back to work.

I had a bout two thirds of my choir for each of the vigil and Easter morning. Since long before my arrival in the parish the pattern had been established that some don't come to the vigil and some don't come Sunday, some are happy to do both. I'd like a full choir for both, but then I'd like a nice car and job security too.