Dear Partners in Ministry,
Happy Lent! As I write this, we are one Mass in on this Ash Wednesday and off to a beautiful start.
This week's Report is all music-focused, so if you're a Music Minister, please read on!
Peace be with you,
Tony
NEWS
MUSIC MINISTRY
What Does a Music Minister Give Up for Lent?
We do a lot of things right as a ministry, and I am so very proud of all of you and all the good you do for this parish and those who visit us.
That said, we need to have a little chat.
There are two habits that we all know happen on an all-too-consistent basis that I feel we need to address. These items are stumbling blocks that we have to overcome to some degree every time they occur; worst of all, they have the effect of making all our jobs much harder. I am challenging you, individually and collectively, to put these harmful habits behind you, so that we create as few hindrances as possible for one another in our ministry.
1. TALKING. I know well that our choir is a large family, and our time together means more than coming to church and doing a job. It's an opportunity to spend time with people we love— as it should be! But I don't think I'm surprising any of you by saying that the constant buzz of little side conversations during rehearsal is a real problem. It's much worse when it occurs during liturgy. It's a distraction to yourself and those around you— I've heard from several of you that all the talking near you makes it really difficult to hear instructions, answers to questions, and so on. Personally, one of my greatest anxiety triggers is extraneous noise; I can't tell you how frustrating it is to have voices I shouldnt be hearing in my ear when, say, I'm trying to improvise after communion, or hearing a cantor practice on the other side of the choir.
From now on, please keep in mind that talking while any music is being made is not acceptable. Whether it's a cantor practicing a verse, the intro to a song, the bells rehearsing, a section rehearsing their part, or an instrumental during the liturgy, having conversations is a clear sign that you are not focused on the music at hand. It's a distraction to those who are trying to work. It's also rather rude. Once the music starts, the talking stops—period. I would also ask that, before you offer a comment on something I'm trying to tell the whole choir, to ask yourself whether what you have to say moves the discussion forward or stops it in its tracks.
2. LATENESS. Certainly, things happen once in a while that cause us—myself included— to run late. I certainly understand this. But when late arrivals to rehearsals or warmups are constant, it affects everyone. It's a distraction to see someone running in while we're singing, or to have to let someone though to their seat. It's frustrating to everyone when instructions and late-breaking changes need to be repeated when we've already moved on. The time we spend preparing for our liturgies is crucial, it's something every member of the choir has to commit to on a regular basis, and is equally necessary for every member regardless of skill level or time spent in the choir. Each of us is responsible to each of us, and doing your part to arrive and be ready on time is what good musicians do (flat tires and traffic snarls notwithstanding).
If you do have a persistent difficulty that prevents you from arriving on time—say, a work conflict, responsibilities to family, etc— please talk to me. I can certainly relate!
I wouldn't bother saying any of this if I weren't sure we can overcome these habits; frankly, I should have said it long ago, and for that, I apologize. We've done much harder things together. Let's do everything we can to make the task of growing as ministers and musicians as unburdened and well-supported as possible.
Music Turn-In March 6
A reminder that tomorrow night is a regular rehearsal, with the added bonus of a massive turn-in opportunity to lighten your music binders! You can return any piece of music belonging to the parish except for the list of "keepers" below, all of which you'll need in the coming weeks. If you don't have some of these pieces, it's likely to be in your folder next week, so don't fret just yet.
As always, do not burden the librarians with old TEMP files, old song sheets, bulletins, etc. These items can be recycled.
KEEP LIST for March 6 (if you already have these pieces, do not turn them in).
- 1.005 Kyrie Litany (Rosen)
- 2.016 Psalm 22 (Cosas)
- 2.017 Psalm 23 (Ward)
- 2.018 Psalms Vol I (Ward)
- 2.023 Psalm 34 (Ward)
- 2.024 Psalm 126 (Ward)
- 3.045 I Am the Bread of Life
- 3.047 O Christ Our Life
- 3.048 Ubi Caritas
- 3.061 Take and Eat
- 3.068 With You, O Lord
- 3.069 In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful
- 3.082 It Would Have Been Enough
- 3.083 In God Alone My Soul
- 3.084 Lord Jesus Christ
- 6.007 Hosanna
- 6.008 Bless the Lord (Ward/STN)
- 6.010 We Adore You, O Christ (the "green stripe" copy)
THIS WEEK IN LITURGY
Mar 9 · First Sunday of Lent · Rite of Sending, 11:00 a
Readings
- Read online at usscb.org
- Lectionary for Mass: 24
- 2025 Workbook: p. 79
- Breaking Bread 2025: p. 81
Cantors: David R (5:00), Marie P (9:00), Pam P (11:00)
Music Selections
- Gathering: WA · 3.083 · In God Alone My Soul (Taizé)
- Penitential Act · Kyrie: BB 398 · 1.005 · Kyrie Litany (Rosen)
- Responsorial Psalm: WA · TEMP · Psalm 91: Be With Me, Lord (Ward)
- Gospel Acclamation: BB 860 · JS 178 · Mass of Renewal (Stephan)
- Preparation of the Gifts: BB 131 · JS 360 · Beyond the Days (Manalo)
- Eucharistic Acclamations: BB 861–865 · JS 179–183 · Mass of Renewal (Stephan)
Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen - Lamb of God: BB 846 · JS 174 · Chant Mass: Agnus Dei
- Communion: WA · 3.047 · O Christ Our Life (Ward)
- Sending Forth: BB 651 · JS 535 · Change Our Hearts (Cooney)
LOOKING AHEAD
Mar 16 · Second Sunday of Lent
Readings
- Read online at usscb.org
- Lectionary for Mass: 27
- 2025 Workbook: p. 83
- Breaking Bread 2025: p. 83
Cantors: Rich W (5:00), Karin O (9:00), Mary P (11:00)
Music Selections
- Gathering: WA · 3.068 · With You, O Lord (Taizé)
- Penitential Act · Kyrie: BB 398 · 1.005 · Kyrie Litany (Rosen)
- Responsorial Psalm: WA · 2.018c · Psalm 27: The Lord Is My Light (Ward), p. 10
- Gospel Acclamation: BB 860 · JS 178 · Mass of Renewal (Stephan)
- Preparation of the Gifts: BB 649 · JS 345 · Turn to Me (Foley)
- Eucharistic Acclamations: BB 861–865 · JS 179–183 · Mass of Renewal (Stephan)
Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen - Lamb of God: BB 846 · JS 174 · Chant Mass: Agnus Dei
- Communion: BB 364 · 3.061 · Take and Eat (Joncas)
- Sending Forth: BB 518 · JS 824 · Christ, Be Our Light (Farrell)
Mar 23 · Third Sunday of Lent · Scrutiny of the Elect, 9:00 a
Readings
On the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent at 9:00 a, we celebrate the Scrutinies with our catechumen, Samantha. The readings for these Masses come from Year A. The Year C readings will be proclaimed at the other two Masses.
- Read online at usscb.org:
- Year A Readings (9:00 a)
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a)
- Lectionary for Mass:
- Year A Readings (9:00 a): 28
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a): 30
- 2025 Workbook:
- Year A Readings (9:00 a): p. 90
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a): p. 86
- Breaking Bread 2025
- Year A Readings (9:00 a): p. 88
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a): p. 85
Cantors: Tony W (5:00), Greg E (9:00), Kathy P (11:00)
Music Selections
- Gathering: WA · 3.069 · In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful (Taizé)
- Penitential Act · Kyrie: BB 398 · 1.005 · Kyrie Litany (Rosen)
- Responsorial Psalm
- Year A Readings (9:00 a): BB 779 · JS 71 · Ps 95: If Today You Hear His Voice (Soper)
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a): BB 653 · JS 532 · Loving and Forgiving (Soper)
- Gospel Acclamation: BB 860 · JS 178 · Mass of Renewal (Stephan)
- Preparation of the Gifts: WA · 6.008 · Bless the Lord (NETTLETON/Ward/St. Noel)
- Eucharistic Acclamations: BB 861–865 · JS 179–183 · Mass of Renewal (Stephan)
Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen - Lamb of God: BB 846 · JS 174 · Chant Mass: Agnus Dei
- Communion: BB 625 · JS 829 · The Cry of the Poor (Foley)
- Sending Forth: BB 458 · JS 692 · I Heard the Voice of Jesus (KINGSFOLD/Bonar)
Mar 30 · Fourth Sunday of Lent · Scrutiny of the Elect, 9:00 a
Readings
On the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent at 9:00 a, we celebrate the Scrutinies with our catechumen, Samantha. The readings for these Masses come from Year A. The Year C readings will be proclaimed at the other two Masses.
- Read online at usscb.org:
- Year A Readings (9:00 a)
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a)
- Lectionary for Mass:
- Year A Readings (9:00 a): 31
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a): 33
- 2025 Workbook:
- Year A Readings (9:00 a): p. 99
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a): p. 95
- Breaking Bread 2025
- Year A Readings (9:00 a): p. 91
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a): p. 93
Cantors: Kathy H (5:00), Anthony S (9:00), Ken H (11:00)
Music Selections
- Gathering: WA · 3.084 · Lord Jesus Christ (Taizé)
- Penitential Act · Kyrie: BB 398 · 1.005 · Kyrie Litany (Rosen)
- Responsorial Psalm
- Year A Readings (9:00 a): WA · 2.017 · Psalm 23: Complete Setting (Ward)
- Year C Readings (5:00 p, 11:00 a): WA · 2.023 · Psalm 34: Taste and See (Ward)
- Gospel Acclamation: BB 860 · JS 178 · Mass of Renewal (Stephan)
- Preparation of the Gifts: BB 131 · JS 360 · Beyond the Days (Manalo)
- Eucharistic Acclamations: BB 861–865 · JS 179–183 · Mass of Renewal (Stephan)
Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen - Lamb of God: BB 846 · JS 174 · Chant Mass: Agnus Dei
- Communion: BB 502 · JS 739 · O Beauty, Ever Ancient (O’Connor)
- Sending Forth: BB 571 · JS 680 · Amazing Grace (NEW BRITAIN)