SING A NEW SONG UNTO THE LORD

I met him at Catholic Theological Union, the largest Catholic school for ministry in the U.S. This Franciscan Friar humbly and quietly ministered to prostitutes. Some turned their lives around at Genesis House, a residence for women learning skills and preparing for an alternative way of life. Many began to sing a new tune.

We sing a new tune, too! We continue to learn new skills in Catholic worship. We respond to acclamations with robust energy (e.g., And also with you, Amen, Thanks be to God). We use vibrant sound in speech and song.

We are the chorus of God; Christ is the choirmaster. Singing enables us to enter into the mystery of Christ. We are involved with musical worship. Each Assembly develops a musical style that helps it move from passivity to activity, from having a few virtuosos sing for us to being an Assembly filling the space with communal song.

There is no such thing as a Mass without music. No longer does wedding preparation include getting "a singer." While our culture is used to listening to performers sing on stage (e.g. Celine Dion, U2, the Moody Blues), we Christians make music.

The Sunday Eucharist, weddings, funerals, anointing of the sick, morning and evening prayer are prayed well when we continue to develop skills as lyrical people. Pollsters indicate that, when churches are musically alive, they attract new members. In addition, our bishops indicate that "good celebrations foster and nourish faith. (U.S. Bishops' Music in Catholic Worship)."

Good liturgical music happens when a parish:

1. cultivates a love of good speech in the way the Word of God is proclaimed and cultivates a love of vibrant music in the way this Assembly makes music.

2. prepares the musical selections used at each liturgy.

3 employs a competent director of music ministry.

4. employs musicians who minister, not perform; who pray musically and who encourage the Assembly to be the chorus of God. Virtuoso performances belong on stage, not in churches, at wedding receptions, not wedding liturgies.

5. has cantors who animate and encourage all our people to be an Assembly who sings well.

6. invites everyone to take a music leaflet or hymnal in hand.

7. uses its choir to support the people's spoken and sung responses.

8. has musical instruments (e.g., organ , piano, brass, flute, guitar, base, harmonica, etc.) adequate enough for the worship space and the Assembly's size.

I am delighted that the people of this parish are investing in an organ adequate for this space. I am impressed how much personal sacrifice and generosity people are making for the common good. The organ is uniquely capable of supporting musical prayer. It also blends splendidly with piano, guitar, flute, tambourine, and harmonica. The purpose of the new organ is not to leave us in awe because of its power and beauty. The purpose is ministerial: to enable vibrant sung prayer as we sing a new song unto the Lord.