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THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: October 23, 2024

Dear Partners in Ministry,

What a weekend! I cannot thank you all enough for your role in making our Parish Feast Day weekend such a wonderful experience. From the outstanding music to readings well proclaimed to servant leadership in every ministry, you made it abundantly clear how blessed we are as a parish family. I was exhausted but elated, and I couldn't be prouder to work along side all of you as we manifest Christ present in our worship.

Peace be with you,
Tony

NEWS

Music Ministers: Showing Mutual Respect

As grateful as I am for your magnificent ministry this weekend, there was one disappointing thread running through the weekend that speaks to a much larger issue we seem to have as a ministry. As our guests, the Bellflower String Quartet, offered a prelude before each Mass, there were several folks in choir and bells who carried on loud conversations over them. Now, many of you offered sincere gratitude and well-deserved compliments to them after each Mass, but talking over their prelude was an inadvertent but meaningful slight. This has happened when Steve or the bells would play a postlude; it happens when I'm trying to concentrate on the difficult task of improvising after communion. I witness it constantly in our rehearsals too: sidebars happening when a section is trying to work out a tough passage, or when I'm speaking to a section, or even as we're starting a song. The talking has been so bad during bell choir that I've had to address it rather forcefully on occasion (which, by the way, is among the last things I want to be doing as a director), but ringers have often returned the favor as the choir is getting started.

I don't believe for a second that any of you mean any disrespect or insult when these incidents take place, but the net effect is the same. Every word of extraneous conversation during rehearsal—and definitely while musicians are making music— is disrespectful. It suggests a lack of concern for others' good work and growth, and a lack of understanding that each and every one of us is dependent on each other as servant leaders in this ministry. It's a rare disservice we do to each other, especially when in so many other respects we are so supportive and loving to each other. We can definitely do better, because we almost always do.

Going forward, I am placing these expectations on all of you, and myself (I forget this all too often as well):

1. If there is music happening, you do not enter into conversation. This applies to preludes, meditations, introductions to songs, and definitely to leading congregational singing. If you absolutely have to ask for, say, a page number (which I likely gave you before we started), do so as quietly and efficiently as possible. Be in the music from the first note to the last.

2. The narthex is a great place to greet, shoot the breeze, and otherwise enjoy each other's company before rehearsal... but conversations are not welcome in the church while the Bell Choir or Parish Choir is actively in rehearsal.

3. Do not talk over another section's efforts to learn their parts, even if this means you're not actively singing for a while. We all have to allow each other to learn and practice, after all. Use the time to review your parts, or learn with the other section for the sake of growing as a musician!

I'm not saying our rehearsals must be carried out in stark attentive silence— that's not who we are, and that's not what makes music rewarding. But we all have a duty to each other to help and not hinder our mutual development and preparation, especially because that hard work is a gift we give in service to God and the people who gather with us in God's name. Thanks to each of you for doing what you can to make this ministry an even greater gift to God and each other.

Servers, Lectors, EMHCs, Ushers, Sacristans, and Coordinators: We Still Need You.

We have three important liturgical celebrations in the near future— two Masses for All Saints' Day, and the annual All Souls' Memorial Mass— and, unfortunately, we're still missing quite a few ministers for these celebrations, especially ushers and coordinators! If you are able to volunteer for these roles, please visit MSP as soon as possible to add your name.

As of this writing, we're in need of the following:

  • All Saints (Nov 1), 8:30 a: Server, 4 EMHCs, 3 Ushers, Sacristan, Coordinator, Livestream 
  • All Saints (Nov 1), 7:00 p: Server, Lector, 4 EMHCs, 3 Ushers, Coordinator
  • All Souls (Nov 2), 11:00 a: Server, 2 EMHCs, 3 Ushers, Coordinator

All Souls Selections Now Available

Readings and music for our All Souls Memorial Mass on Saturday, November 2 are now available; see "Looking Ahead" below for details.

Music Ministry Rehearsal Agenda: October 24

This week, you'll have new music waiting for you, and will be able to let a few scores go. The dropoff box will be in its usual spot next to the piano.

Reminder: Between Halloween, All Saints Day on Friday, and All Souls on Saturday, we definitely will not rehearse next Thursday, October 31.

Pick up:

  • 2.009 · Psalm 146: Praise the Lord, My Soul! (Cosas)
  • 2.017 · Psalm 23 Complete (Ward)
  • 2.014 · Psalm 24 Complete (Ward)
  • 3.026 · The Summons
  • 3.059 · I Received the Living God
  • 3.077 · Confitemini Domino
  • TEMP · Psalm 126: The Lord Has Done

Drop off: (ONLY these scores; do not include TEMP files)

  • 3.070 · The Blessed and Broken
  • 3.079 · Bread of Life
  • 3.080 · Taste and See (Moore)

7:05 p · Weekend Repertoire

  • TEMP · Psalm 126: The Lord Has Done

8:10 p · Gaudete Repertoire:

  • Christmas Day: Review [A]; NRW [D]
  • E'en So: Review mm. 1–20; NRW 21-end
  • Unexpected: Review melody; add SA harmony (verse 3)

THIS WEEK IN LITURGY

Oct 27 · Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings

Music Selections

  • Gathering: BB 566 · JS 593 · Lift Up Your Hearts (O’Connor)    
  • Glory to God: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Glory to God
  • Responsorial Psalm: TEMP · Psalm 126: The Lord Has Done (Ward)
  • Gospel Acclamation: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Gospel Acclamation
  • Preparation of the Gifts: BB 387 · 3.026 · The Summons (KELVINGROVE/Bell, arr. Fisher)
  • Eucharistic Acclamations: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward)
    Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen · Lamb of God
  • Communion:  WA · 3.059 · I Received the Living God (French carol, arr. Ward)
  • Sending Forth: BB 450 · JS 680 · Amazing Grace (NEW BRITAIN)  

LOOKING AHEAD            

Nov 1 (Friday) · Solemnity of All Saints (Masses 8:30 a, 7:00 p)

Readings

Music Selections

  • Gathering: BB 721 · JS 503 · Litany of the Saints (Becker)        
  • Glory to God: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Glory to God
  • Responsorial Psalm: WA · 2.014 · Psalm 24: Complete Setting (Ward)  
  • Gospel Acclamation: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Gospel Acclamation
  • Preparation of the Gifts: BB 356 · JS 776 · Ubi Caritas (Hurd)
  • Eucharistic Acclamations: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward)
    Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen · Lamb of God
  • Communion: WA · 3.047 · O Christ Our Life (Ward)  
  • Sending Forth: BB 593 · JS 759 · Sing With All the Saints in Glory (HYMN TO JOY)           

Nov 2 (Saturday) · All Souls Day Memorial Mass, 11:00 am

Readings

  • Wis 3:1–6, 9
  • Rev 21:1–4
  • Jn 14:1–6

Music Selections

  • Gathering: 3.068 · With You, O Lord (Taizé)
  • Responsorial Psalm: 2.017 · Psalm 23: Complete (Ward) 
  • Gospel Acclamation: Funeral Gospel Acclamation (Ward); prints ready for you in the music area.
  • Preparation of the Gifts: 3.060 · In Your Dwelling Place (Ward)
  • Eucharistic Acclamations: 1.001 · Mass of Creation (Haugen)
    Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen
  • Lamb of God/Communion Song: JS 789 · Lamb of God/Taste and See (Kendzia)
  • Sending Forth: 3.077 · Confitemini Domino (Taizé)

Nov 3 · Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings

Music Selections

  • Gathering: WA · 3.069 · In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful (Taizé)    
  • Glory to God: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Glory to God
  • Responsorial Psalm: BB 751 · JS 18 · Ps 18: I Love You, Lord, My Strength (Honoré)
  • Gospel Acclamation: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Gospel Acclamation
  • Preparation of the Gifts: BB 517 · JS 739 · O Beauty, Ever Ancient (O’Connor)
  • Eucharistic Acclamations: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward)
    Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen · Lamb of God
  • Communion:  BB 509 · JS 665 · Center of My Life (Inwood)  
  • Sending Forth: BB 599 · JS 824 · Christ, Be Our Light (Farrell)           

Nov 10 · Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings

Music Selections

  • Gathering: BB 420 · JS 639 · Earthen Vessels (Foley)
  • Glory to God: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Glory to God
  • Responsorial Psalm: WA · 2.009 · Ps 146: Praise the Lord, My Soul! (Cosas)
  • Gospel Acclamation: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Gospel Acclamation
  • Preparation of the Gifts: WA · 3.073 · Take, Lord, Receive (Foley)
  • Eucharistic Acclamations: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward)
    Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen · Lamb of God
  • Communion: BB 480 · 2.010 · Shepherd Me, O God (Haugen)
  • Sending Forth: BB 526 · JS 741 · Holy Wisdom, Lamp of Learning (BEACH SPRING/Duck)           

RESOURCES

MUSIC SELECTIONS: Ordinary Time III (Fall) · Sep 1–Nov 24, 2024 

MUSIC SELECTIONS: Advent and Christmas · Dec 1, 2024–Jan 5, 2025
Advent selections now available; Christmas selections coming soon.

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