Posted on 08/18/2009 3:44:35 PM PDT by NYer
..... Or you can attend an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy where you will find all of the above, especially a reverent Sign of Peace that brings smiles to all the congregation.
Our announcements go on and on. I could see announcing if there’s donuts and coffee afterwards...but other than that we ought just say “READ THE BULLETIN.”
Chanting psalms could be a wonderful thing, but then our organist wouldn’t be able to perform.
This is a good article. I see some points that can be applied to our Spanish liturgy, and some things we’re already doing.
For example, I like the idea of “chant,” or a simple Spanish song ;-), before the Mass “officially” begins. The Spanish-speaking congregation is not used to chant, so this would be a place to have it performed by the choir, without worrying about the congregation’s being flummoxed.
We also have the resources to sing more of the Psalms, which our parish does in the English services, while it hasn’t been the custom in the Spanish Mass. We could start with major feasts and see how it goes over.
I so agree with this guy’s 14 ways to improve. I have attended Masses where the Sign of Peace lasts for so long that you have time to offer your hand to everyone there. Also, I REALLY agree with this statement: “Cantors use microphones as if they’re music-video performers.” Please. I am worshipping here, save it for a stage. Singing the Kyrie is pleasing idea, as well.
I still hope to attend a Maronite Mass some day.
Failing that, I will continue to strap myself into my time machine and attend the traditional Tridentine Rite, the unmodernized and unprotestantized liturgy of centuries past, before other considerations became more “important” than worshiping God.
Not true. Where do you think the term "organum" came from, anyhow?
A good organist can work out a reverent, musically coherent accompaniment for chant that doesn't drown out the choir. Our man does it all the time (of course he is an absolutely stellar organist, quite possibly the best in the city).
No matter how many things you post in the Sunday Bulletin, congregants often skip over the important items. Announcements 'reinforce' the key items they should actually read in the bulletin.
Chanting psalms could be a wonderful thing, but then our organist wouldn’t be able to perform.
Our Maronite liturgy is chanted from beginning to end. Our aging organist spends winters (and other extended holidays) in Florida. That leaves the congregation to chant the responses. Father tells us this is the perfect opportunity to give back to God what He gave to us ;-) We sing like the monks who chant without the benefit of an organ. Give it a try!
Our music director has already implemented 90% of this.
I hear through the ecclesiastical grapevine that people are coming from all over to hear the music. It's a shame that reverent, authentic Catholic music is so darn rare!
Glad it was helpful. Are you involved in liturgical planning? As I pointed out to another poster, chant does not require an organist. The monks chant using their God given voices ;-)
Announcements - Read the bulletin.
Eucharistic ministers - If you must have them pick the nuns. Otherwise have them partake after the choir. “He who is last shall be first, and the first last”. I would rather wait longer if necessary.
Agree about the songs. Less is more. I come from an evangelical church and it is nice that you have the stillness and quiet.
Dismissal - “Go forth to serve the world.” Exeunt.
Kyrie, yes please.
Sign of peace. I like it but it’s very awkwardly placed. Can it be moved?
Good suggestions all.
Great post. If only all our churches would adopt these guidelines. I find myself very distracted at Mass and this would help tremendously.
Prayer &/or reflection or a moment to say your own "favorite" prayer...But this is my favorite "improvement." Give us a minute to be alone with our thoughts.
Yes, we (my husband and I) have quite a lot of influence on the liturgy when we're doing the music. I'm tight with the Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, the Spanish Battleaxe (that's a compliment), and we're on the same page, as it were, with our pastor. There's another musical group that's electronic-pop-charismatic, about one week out of three, and people in the congregation have different preferences which everyone gets a chance to mention.
We can definitely work in some of these suggestions, most of which I like, especially in Advent, Lent, and on major feasts. Last Saturday we played for a Quinceanera - 15th birthday celebration for Mexican girls - and we did the whole Mass for the Assumption of Mary.
The monks chant using their God given voices ;-)
My God-given voice can lead an entire congregation two steps flat, even without a microphone :-). The guitar keeps us all more or less on pitch, and Bill on the Latin percussion more or less on beat.
ROFL!
We sing the Kyrie ("Senor, Ten Piedad") in the Spanish Mass, but we have a custom of rousing songs for closing (Salida).
I'm of two minds on this issue: on one hand, as an ex-Presbyterian (old-school, Church of Scotland) I'm used to a more stately liturgy. On the other hand, the spirit of our parish is evangelical and charismatic, and the Spanish-speaking congregation has little experience of old-fashioned music. Depending on where they come from, they might have seen a priest every five years, or even attended Protestant churches, before coming to the US where Catholic churches are easily available. We have to work *for* the people we're serving, under the guidance of our Bishop and pastor (both solid guys), and try to make everyone's experience of Mass better - where "better" means more productive of holy Catholic lives.
The sign of peace should be in the Liturgy of the Word.
Who thought it was a good idea to glad handling during the Liturgy of the Eucharist?!?
It’s not about community at that point.
I agree. I like the sign of peace - even with enthusiasm! - but it’s in the wrong place.
We sing a song during the sign of peace - “La Paz Este’ Con Nosotros” - and watch what Father and the deacon are doing to see when it’s time to switch to “Cordero de Dios.”
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