Dear Partners in Ministry,
Advent will be here before we know it, and with it comes our Gaudete concert on December 15 (some news on that front; see below). But first: on this 23rd anniversary of one of America's darkest days, let us take some time today to remember those whose lives were lost, and do all we can to be peacemakers and consolers wherever we can be. As it is written in twelve languages right outside our church doors: "May peace prevail on earth."
Peace be with you,
Tony
ALL MINISTERS
Concert Series Volunteers (Still) Needed
Our first Concert Series event is just ten days away! We welcome the Stow Heritage Ringers on Saturday, Sep 21, followed by two concerts in October and one each in November and December. Each of these concerts benefits from the help of a few volunteers to greet and hand out programs, answer questions, and generally take care of business. If you're interested in lending a much-needed hand and hearing some great music while you're at it, please let me know.
LECTORS
Reminder: 2025 Lector Workbooks Now Available
Our copies of the 2025 Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers, and Proclaimers of the Word have arrived and are ready for pickup. This is a truly valuable resource as you prepare to proclaim the Word, from insights to pronunciation guides.
Stop by the sacristy over the next few weekends or at the office during the week, and be sure to check off your name so we know you've received your copy.
MUSIC MINISTRY
Gaudete Concert Repertoire
While the concert order won't be finalized for a while yet, I'm happy to share with you the four pieces the Parish Choir will be singing for this year's Gaudete! concert on December 15, which will also include performances by the Bell Choir and instrumentalists.
For now, check out the links to hear these pieces. Next week, look for these scores in your folder; we'll do a listen-through next Thursday night, and begin rehearsing in earnest the following week.
Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn (Rejoice! Rejoice!), Marty Haugen. Since its publication in 1983, Marty Haugen's Advent/Christmas hymn has become a staple in the hymnals of several Christian denominations. Haugen's text and tune captures the joyful hope of Advent in a delightful way, and will call us to a lightness and exuberance in singing it that expresses "gaudete" perfectly. Working on finding a reliable recording
Christmas Day, Gustav Holst. Holst is best known for his orchestral masterpiece, The Planets— from which we receive the tune, THAXTED— Holst's most unique contribution to choral music was as a passionate curator of English folk music. Christmas Day, which he composed for his students at Morley College in 1910, is a brilliant intertwining of English Christmas carols that will call forth a spectrum of musical and emotional goodness from us. Enjoy the 2023 performance linked here by the Byrd Ensemble (which, to my surprise and delight, includes a grad school classmate of mine among the tenors!)
E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, Paul Manz. I'm leaning heavily toward beginning the concert with this piece, as it will establish a profoundly prayerful tone for us right away (and it's darn impressive too). This piece was already in our library, and it appears from some of your notes that you sang this either in 2011 or 2016? Either way, I can't wait to begin crafting our performance of this gem together.
Unexpected and Mysterious, Calvin Hampton, arr. John Ferguson. I'm really excited to bring this beautiful hymn into our repertoire. Calvin Hampton's tune, ST. HELENA, and Jeanette Lindholm's text combine in a wonderful work that is part narrative, part reflection, and thoroughly intriguing. The linked recording on GIA's website can be accessed by clicking the "Preview" button on the product page.
THIS WEEK IN LITURGY
Sep 15 · Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings
- Read online at usscb.org
- Lectionary for Mass: 131
- Workbook: p. 253
- Breaking Bread 2024: p. 206
Music Selections
- Gathering: BB 687 · JS 557 · The Lord Is My Light (C. Walker)
- Glory to God: BB 885 · 1.001 · Mass of Creation: Glory to God (Haugen)
- Responsorial Psalm: BB 804 · JS 93 · Ps 116: Our Blessing-Cup/ I Will Walk with the Lord/ The Cup of Salvation (Soper)
- Gospel Acclamation: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Gospel Acclamation
- Preparation of the Gifts: BB 416 · JS 640 · Christ Before Us (SUO GÁN/Whitaker)
- Eucharistic Acclamations: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward)
Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen - Lamb of God: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Lamb of God
- Communion: BB 364 · 3.061 · Take and Eat (Joncas)
- Sending Forth: BB 387 · 3.026 · The Summons (KELVINGROVE/Bell, arr. Fisher)
LOOKING AHEAD
Sep 22 · Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings
- Read online at usscb.org
- Lectionary for Mass: 134
- Workbook: p. 256
- Breaking Bread 2024: p. 208
Music Selections
- Gathering: BB 310 · JS 768 · Gather Your People (Hurd)
- Glory to God: BB 885 · 1.001 · Mass of Creation: Glory to God (Haugen)
- Responsorial Psalm: WA · TEMP · Psalm 54: The Lord Upholds My Life (Ward)
- Gospel Acclamation: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Gospel Acclamation
- Preparation of the Gifts: BB 479 · JS 689 · Shelter Me, O God (Hurd)
- Eucharistic Acclamations: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward)
Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen - Lamb of God: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Lamb of God
- Communion: BB 337 · JS 789 · Taste and See (Kendzia)
- Sending Forth: BB 447 · JS 686 · How Can I Keep from Singing (Lowry)
Sep 29 · Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings
- Read online at usscb.org
- Lectionary for Mass: 137
- Workbook: p. 259
- Breaking Bread 2024: p. 210
Music Selections
- Gathering: BB 301 · JS 771 · Our God Is Here (Muglia)
- Glory to God: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Glory to God
- Responsorial Psalm: WA · 2.018b · Psalm 19: Lord, You Have the Words (Ward), p. 7
- Gospel Acclamation: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Gospel Acclamation
- Preparation of the Gifts: BB 408 · JS 655 · These Alone Are Enough (Schutte)
- Eucharistic Acclamations: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward)
Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen\ - Lamb of God: WA · 1.004 · Mass of Encounter (Ward): Lamb of God
- Communion: BB 356 · JS 776 · Ubi Caritas (Hurd)
- Sending Forth: BB 599 · JS 824 · Christ, Be Our Light (Farrell)
RESOURCES
MUSIC SELECTIONS: Ordinary Time III (Fall) · Sep 1–Nov 24, 2024