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Music Ministry Newsletter
A resource for all serving in parish music ministry

August 2013
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Greetings!

Happy new year!  I know, I know, it's only September, but the start of the school year and the start of regular choir rehearsals always gives me a great sense of beginning anew.  I hope that you, too, are experiencing a renewal of your ministry during this time of year.

This month's newsletter is jam packed with information and events. Come be renewed at the Blessing of Musicians. Join the Diocese for a day of prayer, reflection and learning at the Parish Ministry and Catechetical Conference. This year there is a specific music track with sessions by Bob Batastini, Dennis Rybicki, Nick Palmer, Michelle Ogren, Mary Cusack, Phil Konczyk, and Fr. Charlie Brown. These sessions will count for anyone who is pursuing a Music Ministry Certificate. We are also excited to announce our upcoming event for high school and college aged youth -- Youth Proclaim: A Day of Music & Liturgy for Today's Church -- led by Steve Petrunak.

I hope that you find our newsletter informative and helpful in your ministry.  As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or content that you would like to see included.

Mary Harwood
Editor
St. Paul the Apostle, Grand Rapids
From Our Chapter Director...

Choir rehearsal is cancelled!

            In our parish, the first choir rehearsal of the season will be Sept. 5th. But one week later, Sept. 12th, we are cancelling rehearsal and strongly encouraging all of our choir members to carpool from Holland to St. Andrew's Cathedral for the annual Blessing of Musicians.

            Now in ways, I'm blessed every day of my life by the ever-present grace of God, and certainly, to receive a formal blessing along with other musicians of the Diocese is indeed special! But in my mind, the real reason for the event is to gather with other musicians of the Diocese in sung evening prayer; and to celebrate our ministry by praising God in song, for the gift of song, in Jesus' name.

            In the gospel account of the Transfiguration, Peter exclaims, "Lord, it is good for us to be here," and for a lot of the same reasons, it is good for us -- not only the NPM members, but for the choir members, cantors, and instrumentalists with whom we work -- to be part of this communal prayer. The ministry of liturgical music in the Diocese of Grand Rapids includes several thousand dedicated individuals. How good it would be on Sept. 12th, to be in a room with a truly sizeable representation of you folks, singing as only we musicians can do when we gather. It promises to be a mountaintop experience.

            Oh, I almost forgot, there will be refreshments afterward with time to meet and greet. See you there.

 

 

P.S.  Thanks to Gerry Arthur, of St. Paul the Apostle, Grand Rapids, for volunteering to be the researcher for our Article Reprints feature, commencing this issue!

  

Bob Batastini
Chapter Director
Youth Proclaim! A Day of Music & Liturgy for Today's Church

Look forward to an exciting day led by Steve Petrunak, a nationally known liturgical guitarist!  He has been involved in the production of numerous CDs for GIA Publications, Inc., and has several of his own collections available.  He is the author of a series of books on guitar playing.  Steve has been involved in the annual Guitar Institute offered by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) for several years, and has presented clinics and workshops on liturgical ensemble and guitar for liturgy.  He is the Director of Music for the parish of St. Michael in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

  

Come, join us for informative and fun workshops where you can learn how best to share your gifts and talents in the music ministry of your church! Bring your voice and your instrument to workshops that tackle topics such as guitars, cantors, choral techniques, keyboards, woodwinds, contemporary and traditional styles, and liturgical ensembles in today's music ministry!

 

Saturday, October 19th 

 

What time? 

Registration at 9:30am

Beginning at 10:00am and ending after Mass at 4:00pm.

  

Where? 

Aquinas College- The Art and Music Center.

  

Who Can Participate?

Any High School or College age student!

  

What Does it Cost?

$5 per person to cover the cost of the provided lunch and a canned good to donate to the local food pantry.

  

What Can You Do?

Meet other students interested in music ministry, hear from awesome speakers and presenters, learn more about your individual specialties, ignite your own passion for music ministry, and celebrate with Mass at the end of the day!

 

You may register for one section of each of the Breakout Sessions 1 and 2.  

Session 3 will be determined that day.

 

Session 1:

Guitar

Keyboard

Cantor 

Choral

Woodwinds

 

Session 2:

Contemporary Vocal music

Instrumental Liturgical Ensemble

Traditional Choral music (schola)

 

Session 3: Preparing for Mass

Ensemble Rehearsal

Choral Rehearsal

Mass Preparation (i.e. lectors, altar servers, hospitality, etc.)

 

Presenters for the day include Steve Petrunak, Dennis Rybicki, Elizabeth Christian, Mary Cusack, and Caitlin Cusack. 

 

To register for the event, please send an email to [email protected] with each individual's name, age, parish, and preferred breakout session.  Please include food allergies.

Eye Has Not Seen, Ear Has Not Heard: New Developments in Our Understanding of the Responsorial Psalm

Kathleen Harmon

How we define the function of the Responsorial Psalm in the Liturgy of the Word has bearing on our liturgical practice, our liturgical participation, and our liturgical catechesis. Our understanding of the role of the psalm determines how the psalm ought to be rendered musically and where the psalmist ought to stand when singing the psalm. It shapes how assembly members participate through the psalm in the Liturgy of the Word. It guides how pastoral leaders form the assembly in appreciating the psalm and its relationship not only to a particular liturgical celebration but to daily Christian living.

 

           Since the promulgation of the revised Lectionary following the Second Vatican Council, pastoral thinking and pastoral practice concerning the function of the Responsorial Psalm has generally fallen into three categories. One approach defines the psalm as a reading; a second sees the psalm as a meditation; a third identifies the psalm as a ritual response to the proclamation of God's Word. Each approach has its liturgical history, and each draws forth a different mode of liturgical participation from both psalmist and assembly. The mode of liturgical participation is crucial. Precisely what mode of participation is meant to take place in the singing of the Responsorial Psalm? How does the assembly arrive at that level of participation? What role does the psalmist play in leading them there?

 

           This article explores changes in our way of viewing the Responsorial Psalm, concluding with the most radical change of all: the realization that the Responsorial Psalm is proclamation of the transformation God has brought about in us through encounter with the word/Word, a proclamation not limited to the timeframe of the liturgical celebration but encompassing the entirety of our daily Christian living. In the proclamation of the Responsorial Psalm, something more than we have yet seen or heard is happening. What is this "more"? What does this "more" mean for the formation of psalmists? What does this "more" mean for liturgical catechesis of the people? What does this "more" mean for the life and mission of the Church?

  

Click here to continue reading.

 

Reprinted with permission from Pastoral Liturgy, Liturgy Training Publications, � 2013 Archdiocese of Chicago. All rights reserved.

100% Campaign 
 
Now that regular rehearsals are starting again, isn't it time to consider joining the ranks of 100% parishes? For $150, you can add every adult member of your music ministry to our local chapter! They will receive our monthly newsletter, invitations to events, and discounts on the admission price for chapter events.  Did you already renew your individual membership? No worries! We will credit you the amount.  Just send your application with the amount of the difference. Ready to join?  Click here for additional information and the application form.

New 100% parishes for September:
  • Our Lady of Consolation, Rockford
  • St. Paul the Apostle, Grand Rapids
From the Office of Liturgical Music 

I would like to extend a final invitation to all involved in music ministry to join us for the annual Blessing of Musicians on Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m.at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Fr. Chris Rouech will preside. Celebrate the musicians and music ministry in your parish by joining musicians from across the Diocese for an evening of musical prayer. For a printable flyer, click here.
 
Also, please mark your calendars for a Seminar on Reading and Singing Chant! 
On Monday, October 21, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., Dr. James Jordan from the critically acclaimed choir -- Gloriae Dei Cantores -- will lead a workshop on reading, understand, and performing the song of the Church -- Gregorian Chant. More information to follow.

Dennis Rybicki
Director of Liturgical Music
StL: When the choir sings along*

28. The choir must not minimize the musical participation of the faithful.

30. At times, [however] the choir performs its ministry by singing alone...appropriate times when the choir might commonly sing alone include a prelude before Mass, the Entrance chant, the Preparation of the Gifts, during the Communion procession or after the reception of Communion...

12. Even when listening...to the singing of the choir, the assembly continues to participate actively as they unite themselves interiorly to what the ministers of the choir sing, so that by listening to them they may raise their minds to God.

 


*This is part of an ongoing series addressing specific topics by drawing excerpts from Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, approved and issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007. The full text of the document can be found here.

WANTED

NPM-GR is seeking the help of someone with Development or Fundraising experience for a very special project for the 2015 Convention.  Please contact Bob Batastini if you or someone you know would be willing to help.
***
The Office of Worship is seeking an Administrative Assistant for the Office of Worship and the Office of Hispanic Ministry.  See the Diocesan website for additional information.
***
Gather Comprehensive (green)

Madeleine Barrette from St. Jude, Grand Rapids, is seeking Guitar Accompaniment Books (3-volume) for a bass player.  Please contact Madeleine at 616.443.4970 or [email protected] if you have a set you are willing to part with.

Whitney Richer from Sts. Peter & Paul, Ionia, is seeking a few Choral Editions. Please contact Whitney at [email protected] if you have any extra.

***
Calendar Editor
 
In addition to the calendar of chapter and Diocesan events, we wish to offer a calendar of music events from throughout West Michigan. This would include symphony concerts, choral concerts, recitals; in churches, schools, and concert venues. In short, we hope to list just about everything happening in our area that is related to sacred music. Is there someone out there who would be willing to gather this information on a regular basis?

To volunteer, contact us 
Music Ministry at the Cathedral

The Cathedral of St. Andrew celebrates Masses every Sunday evening at 5:30 and 7:30.  
 
The 5:30 Mass is led by Phil Konczyk and uses a mixed repertoire of hymns and songs  The choir has a tradition of singing contemporary, Gospel and American folk music, though music of many styles suits their tastes.  I've found their shape-note singing to be the most authentic I've heard in the city.  
 
The 7:30 Mass is our "contemplative" Mass, which means that we sing Taize repertoire, chant, contemplative music from OCP and GIA collections, and many other sometimes surprising sources.  This Mass is now filling the church regularly, but not many attendees are stepping up into music ministry.  If you want to end your weekend in an especially beautiful way, with a singing congregation and a very appreciative director (Nick Palmer), your voice and instrument are most welcome.

Nick Palmer
Cathedral of St. Andrew

Prayer List

Is there someone in your music ministry who we should lift in prayer?  Please send the person's name and parish to Mary Harwood.  Names will be listed for one month unless otherwise specified.
Upcoming Events
  • September 9: Prayer in the Spirit of Taize 
  • September 16: Diocesan Choir begins
    • Open to all singers in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
    • 7:00-8:30 p.m.|Mondays (no rehearsal second Monday of each month)
    • Cathedral of St. Andrew
    • Major Work: John Rutter's Requiem
  • September 28: Diocesan Parish Ministry and Catechetical Conference
    • Opportunity to pray, reflect, and learn
    • 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    • West Catholic High School, Grand Rapids    [map]
    • Pre-registration is required.  Click here for more info
Save the Date!
  • October 19: Youth Ministry Day with Steve Petrunak
It's never too soon to mark your calendar for the NPM National Convention in Grand Rapids MI -- July 6-10, 2015!
Coda: Quote of the Month

"It is important to devote attention to the songs used by the assembly, since singing is a particularly apt way to express a joyful heart, accentuating the solemnity of the celebration and fostering the sense of a common faith and a shared love. Care must be taken to ensure the quality, both of the texts and of the melodies, so that what is proposed today as new and creative will conform to liturgical requirements and be worthy of the Church's tradition which, in the field of sacred music, boasts a priceless heritage."
 
Dies Domini, Pope John Paul II
You are receiving this email as a benefit of your membership in your parish music ministry. 
 The Grand Rapids Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians exists to support all music ministers as they seek to utilize their art to enhance worship and prayer throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids.  Questions, comments, concerns?  Let us know!
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Copyright � August 2013. All Rights Reserved.