School Graduation Masses

[Psalm Project]

Hi Folks...
I need some help here!

A teacher colleague of mine needs to assemble a programme of hymns for a school graduation mass in the not too distant future. She wants to avoid being sucked in to the trap of pop songs and other inappropriate material etc.
The age group is averaging 17. The theme of the celebration is to be loosely centred on 'memories together'... I suppose that can mean many things to many people.
The liturgy is a mass.
Composers like John Bell and Liam Lawton sprung to mind (in terms of music style only) together with several names from the North american resources... but, texts elude me as I am not particularly familiar with a lot of their material. There may well be a few gems in there!
Any suggestions anyone?
Thanks in advance!

[Hare]

One would need to know the readings for the mass; will it be the mass of whatever day it is held on, or a Votive Mass - if so, of what?

The mass should mould the celebration - not vice versa.......

[musicus]

Hare is correct, of course, but this might come as news to your colleague's colleagues, Psalm Project. If that is the case, you and she might need some support. Does the school have a chaplain who knows his or her stuff? Is there any help and advice available from the diocese? Who is going to preside at the Mass? - he might be very helpful.

In my own experience of preparing liturgy with young people, I have found them to be very open to a bit of liturgical formation, if it done with sensitivity. Once they have got over their initial astonishment that there actually are such things as liturgical principles, they soon get the hang of it, and much prefer it to the "there's-going-to-be-a-Mass-and-we-want-you-to-choose-the-music" approach.

It goes without saying that I know absolutely nothing about your situation, PP, and could very well be deep in granny egg-sucking territory!

[oopsorganist]

That one we sang at SS school year before last, Now Go in Peace... that is a corker for the end of a Mass.... it is Wild Goose yes? and the "Thanks be to God" hymn that is in CFE that is a very nice one. Well, they were all very nice, I do miss such like, in deer - pants- land.

[musicus]

Then again, you could just choose some music

[Hare]

Hare is correct, of course, but this might come as news to your colleague's colleagues, Psalm Project. If that is the case, you and she might need some support. Does the school have a chaplain who knows his or her stuff? Is there any help and advice available from the diocese? Who is going to preside at the Mass? - he might be very helpful.

In my own experience of preparing liturgy with young people, I have found them to be very open to a bit of liturgical formation, if it done with sensitivity. Once they have got over their initial astonishment that there actually are such things as liturgical principles, they soon get the hang of it, and much prefer it to the "there's-going-to-be-a-Mass-and-we-want-you-to-choose-the-music" approach.

It goes without saying that I know absolutely nothing about your situation, PP, and could very well be deep in granny egg-sucking territory!

Indeed-me too!

[HelenR]

I am going to throw myself deep into egg-sucking granny territory here
but even worse would choose to forget good liturgical practice of hymns chosen to fit readings
and just focus on and the principles of a school graduation mass which will be a celebration of success of those present, a rite of passage and anticipation of living a vocation on and

The theme of the celebration is to be loosely centred on 'memories together'...

My mind just started racing with what I would love to sing on an occasion like this - so here goes some suggestions
Oh the Word of My Lord D Lundy
If God is for us Who can Be against
Everyday God Bernadette Farrell
O Lord you know me and you search me Bernadette Farrell
Centre of My Life - Paul Inwood
Take oh Take me as I am - John Bell
Will you come and follow me - John Bell & Graham Maule
He Who would valliant be - J Bunyan
We are called David Haas
Rejoice all who are chosen David Haas
You are mine David Haas
Praise my soul the King of Heaven
Be Still for the presence of the Lord
oh and
Here I am
But before I go on forever I for one would really love to see what others could suggest.
I could also suggest readings for the occasion but perhaps that would be sucking eggs

[Psalm Project]

Helen,
Thank you for this.

It is not a case of ignoring the readings etc - many of these 'celebrations' are rife with liturgical non-observances!
The 'rite of passage' idea seems to strike a chord.
As for the guiding input of some clerics/chaplains... don't even go there! Let's just say that it is a 'relaxed' approach in many situations!
That list is very useful.
Thank you.

[Southern Comfort]

Following on from Helen's list:

God has chosen me - Bernadette Farrell
Sent by the Lord am I - Nicaraguan trad.
Lord, you give the great commission

[johnquinn39]

Following on from Helen's list:

Go in peace - Haugen
Eagles WIngs - Joncas
Taste & see - James Moore
Everyday God - Farrell

[nazard]

I would like to suggest a totally different tack. We are talking of seventeen year olds, who are finishing the first stage of their education and taking a step (gradus - a step) out into the adult world. This is a momentous occasion in their lives, and should be a momentous event that they will remember for the rest of their lives. I suggest something like:

Start with an organ prelude. If it is still Easter when the mass happens, RVW's Hyfrydol would be suitable.
Use the propers of the day from the Graduale Romanum, or polyphonic settings if the school choir is up to it.
Use an ordinary from the Kyriale.
Finish with a Te Deum, or "Now thank we all our God"
Send them packing to a Bach P&F

Our local C of E comp manages the anglican equivalent every year. Last year they did Bruckner's "Locus iste".

[johnquinn39]

Ambitious stuff Nazard!

Perhaps even Gordon Young's prelude on Hyfrydol could be used. (IMHO this is much more exciting than the RVW)

It would be good to have some of the Propers in addition.

If you are using polyphony, why not try some Arvo Part!

I have to say though, that one of my own personal memorable favourites (this was sung at the end of the RCIA Mass at St Chad's Cathedral some years ago with Fr Peter Jones' ad hoc choir) is Marty Haugen's beautiful 'Go in peace' - 'Go in peace, the peace of Christ, and learn the ways of God'

[Nick Baty]

Start with an organ prelude. If it is still Easter when the mass happens, RVW's Hyfrydol would be suitable.

Without wishing to be rude, why?

I would have thought, start with Alleluia and Eucharistic acclamations – but I'm an angry old *beep* who doesn't understand what's happening these days.

Why did it bleep b-u-g-g-e-r when it will accept the much more offensive fart?

[nazard]

Sorry, Nick, I was not as clear as I could have been. When I said start with an organ prelude, I meant play an organ prelude immediately before mass starts. Hyfrydol is a good subject for a prelude in Easter Time because most people instantly recognise the tune coming prominently through the prelude and associate it with the words "Alleluia, sing to Jesus."

I assume that you meant that if you havn't got a singing community then start by teaching them alleluia and the eucharistic acclamation, but if they are in that position at the moment for a mass at the end of this term, it will need a miracle to achieve the programme I suggested. Such things have happened before, of course (miracles, that is.)

[Hare]

Well, I understood exactly what our 2.2/3' flute-toned friend meant

Presumably we now know why there are so many fine organs languishing neglected in Liverpool churches! (And I speak as a born and bread Scouser myself)