Choice of Music: The General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM) reaffirms the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that singing forms a "necessary or integral part of the liturgy." In essence, the words and actions of the liturgy are joined with music in such a way that the liturgy has a musical character.  The GIRM regards the primary role of music to be its ritual function, enabling the community to participate in the texts and actions of the rite -- to sing the liturgy.

Several documents of the magisterum guide our choice of music:
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
General Instruction on the Roman Missal
Music in Catholic Worship
Diocesan documents

From these documents three basic principles are derived:
1. The core principle of the liturgical renewal is the “full, conscious, and active participation” of the faithful. That takes many forms. It does require that the assembly is a community of believers who worship as a community, a family of faith. It is a family that comes together to offer corporate worship and praise to the God who does not need our praise. It requires a shift from the individual piety of pre-conciliar worship to a shared worship.
2. The Sunday Eucharistic celebration is the source and the summit of the life of the faithful. We bring all the joy and sorrows, trials and successes, blessings and failings to each celebration and share them with the community that gathers around the table. We offer them as thanksgiving to the God of salvation. From the celebration, we experience God’s love in word, sacrament and the faithfulness of the community that has gathered. We receive grace to meet the challenges of the week ahead to go out and continue our work of spreading the good news that Jesus is risen and, thereby, help build the kingdom.
3. Music is central to this experience of faith. We sing what we believe and we believe what we sing. Music is not an enhancement but a fundamental vehicle for opening the heart for a dialogue with God.

In addition to these principles, there are clearly articulated hierarchy of parts of the mass that are to be sung or not. For example, the Gospel Acclamation, Eucharistic Acclamations and Communion Hymn are the highest priority for singing and are assumed sung at all celebrations. The Profession of Faith is generally not sung. The rest of the parts of the mass fall somewhere in between.

Selection of songs for mass: On a seasonal basis, these principles are applied to the selection of music. The music director reads the lectionary reading for each celebration and selects music to match the major themes of the texts. The selections are shared with the Pastor for review and discussion. A music plan is then in place for a season or celebration.

For additional information, please contact Owen: 238-3260

The Parish Adult Choir:
Meets at 9:50 on Sunday morning and sings at 10:30. All are encouraged to participate!

The Parish
Children’s Choir:  Performs for special events such as Christmas and during Lent. 
Please see Owen