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Some of the tasteless kitsch that has been tolerated on consecrated ground is shameful. I wish they would add seminar courses on Sacred Art, Music, Style, and Taste in Western Culture to priestly formation. I have heard fellow Catholics tell me they have a friend or spouse they would love to convert BUT that they would be embarrassed to take them to Mass at their parish. Why and how does this happen?

I have heard fellow Catholics tell me they have a friend or spouse they would love to convert BUT that they would be embarrassed to take them to Mass at their parish.

This is my exact situation with my sister-in-law. She is very open and receptive to the Catholic faith, but I know that the fastest and most thorough way to douse all interest would be to have her attend her local New Mass parish. She's too smart not to see through the obvious discrepancy between the traditional Catholic faith and what's being foisted upon people these days. She's also has too much taste to put up with the hideous aesthetic quality of the New Mass church, especially the kind of music described in this article. As much as it breaks my heart, I find that playing wait-and-see is the only alternative until some future time when she has an opportunity to observe true Catholicism in action.

On the other hand, nostalgia bump for "Take Our Bread" which is featured prominently in the article. I remember learning this in grade school, and I could probably still sing it. As I recall, the refrain wasn't so bad, but the verses were particularly tuneless.

"they would be embarrassed to take them to Mass at their parish."

I have been there, so I got these folks started in a Portland parish with a traditional choir. Unfortuately our bishop, one of Bernardin's boys, and his liberal minions put the skids under the choir last year.
I hate (I wish I knew a stronger word) the drivel that is sung in our parish and I refuse to sing any of the inane, irreverant and sometimes heretical garbage in our OCP songbook.