Faith is a choice…does ‘what we sing’ help people to worship and believe?

As ministers, there is more required of us than just choosing music. Guest blogger John Angotti challenges us to a deeper understanding of why we do what we do in this week’s edition of Setting the Tone.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is an honor to contribute to Ed Bolduc’s blog that enlightens and inspires music ministers across the country.

 

 

A Wide Perspective

As I travel each week, seeing our church from a wide perspective, I see a church that is becoming irrelevant to the average person in the pew.  Here are some statistics that may seem shocking:

- 68 million Catholics are registered in the U.S. and 19% of those practice regular worship.
- It is said that 20% of those in the pews actually believe Christ present in the Eucharist!
- Therefore, 68 million becomes about 3 million people.

The issue is faith.  ‘Faith’ isn’t something I can give you.  It is something you, as an individual, have to accept, like ‘love.’  I can’t force my children to love me.  They choose to love me back.  The one thing God cannot do is force us to love God back.  So, like love, faith cannot be forced or mandated.  Faith is a choice.

 

Our actions matter…

It’s a huge ‘wakeup call’ for all of us who are ministers in the church to rethink what, why, and how we are doing what we are doing. This includes musicians, presiders, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and ministers of hospitality. We must strive for the effects of worship to reach the hearts of the individual so all may accept the mystery of faith. Then, God becomes present and relevant in the world through the image of Christ. Christ becomes visible through our actions- how we treat one another…with dignity, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.  Only then, I believe, will people begin to see that church is relevant in the lives of the faithful. More will come to know Christ, not because someone made them, but because faith is a conscious choice.

Does ‘what we sing’ help people to worship and believe?

I’m finishing up my Masters in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and my final thesis is taking Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi and adding Lex Cantandi.  This statement means that how we worship leads to what we believe, and that leads to how we live.  I am adding: does what we sing help people to worship and believe,  and then apply that to their daily lives?  Are the texts we are singing engaging people in the rituals within the liturgy?  Are they, then, effective in the hearts of the assembly gathered?

In the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy #8: it states that people need to be ‘predisposed’ before they enter the liturgy in order to receive the effects of the worship.  In other words, is the world a better place because we worshipped God or did we just ‘punch our mass card’­­­ as if someone is keeping track?  The document also states that there is something more required by pastors of souls then to just go through the motions that govern the laws of licit worship.  Who do you really know who is ‘predisposed’ before they enter the worship?  For example, if you asked the average assembly member what Presentation of Gifts was all about, would they know? 

As ministers, there is more required of us than picking songs!

So, as musicians, it’s a call to us to realize that there is something more required of us besides just knowing the notes on the page, or how to play our instrument, or sing in tune.  Those are important, but, because we are ministers,  there is more required of us then just picking 4 or 5 songs.  How well do we know what each ritual within the liturgy is to signify? If we don’t, then, how can we really pick the appropriate song for the assembly member who has not been predisposed?

            Father Jim Marchionda once told me that when the preaching can’t do it, the music has to.  So, my encouragement to musicians is to really begin a theological journey of study in deepening your faith to unfold the beautiful treasure that is held inside the liturgy.  Remember, the liturgy is a skeleton.  How you ‘dress it’ is up to the creative skills of the minister. They must relay to people (who may not ‘get it’) the truth held inside each rite and ritual action.  Then, by what we sing, we can come to know the depth of our faith and worship with full, active, and conscious participation.  Then, the world is a better place because we gathered and then are sent forth to love and serve the Lord, glorifying our God through our lives!

What we sing affects how we worship, which challenges us in what we believe. That is visible in how we live, and reveals God to the world in a relevant manner that makes the world a better place.

Peace on the journey home…

- JOHN

Check out John's website at http://johnangotti.com/


(The song suggestions below are by Ed Bolduc)

February 24, 2013 – 2nd Sunday of Lent

(These songs are off of my planning notes for this particular Sunday, which means I am strongly considering using them on these days. After each title I’ve added some thoughts to consider.)

(Click on titles for links to their respective pages.)

 

Christ in Me Arise by Trevor Thompson (spiritandsong.com) – your assembly will love singing and praying this song!  A simple, singable, haunting melody that really captures the text.  (From the CD Christ in Me Arise.)

Suggested use: Entrance/Song of Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Communion

 

Here in This Place by Brian Flynn (WLP) - beautiful song that can be used during many times of worship. The refrain is great for an assembly. The verses, while certainly not difficult, offer an opportunity for a soloist to sing and pray these words while the assembly closes their eyes and prays.
(From the CD Born Again)


In the Light of the Lord by Michael John Poirier (WLP) – I fell in love with this song years ago at a Life Teen training conference. It has stuck with me ever since. Michael's gift of lyric and melody is ever-present in this song.  Please check it out.  (From the CD In the Light of the Lord)  Another, 'stripped-down' recording is available on the wedding music collection "Love One Another."
Suggested use: Entrance/Song of Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Communion


Journey for Home by Ed Bolduc (WLP) – written as a parish Lenten theme song back in...a long time ago...this one seems to have lasted through the years. Written in 6/8, it has a very singable refrain and an assembly part in the verse. It also seems to work well at many places in the liturgy. (From the CD The Face of God.)
Suggested use: Entrance/Song of Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Communion


Let the Weight of Your Glory Fall by Steve Merkel (Integrity) - I was introduced to this song years ago in a mailing from Integrity! Music. I can't remember whose recording it was (probably Steve Merkel) but it really impacted me. We've been using it ever since, and our assembly has really come to call it their own! We've created an arrangement, complete with instrumental parts, in Voices As One vol. 2. (From the CD Come, Holy Spirit)
Suggested use: Gathering/Entrance, Offertory/Song of Preparation, Communion, Dismissal/Song of Thanksgiving


Listen to Him by Danielle Rose (WLP) – beautiful, unaccompanied piece for 4 voices and solo. A chellenge to learn, but powerful. Check out the recording. (From the CD Mysteries.)
Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Communion


Return to God by John Angotti (WLP) - another great song from John's Joy Beyond Our Dreams. The verses by Alan Hommerding are beautiful and so appropriate for this season. John added a great refrain and...the whole thing just works well. This song also works well at many places in the liturgy.(From the CD Joy Beyond Our Dreams) This song is also a part of the More Voices As One vol. 1 collection. (see the link on the sidebar)
Suggested use: Entrance/Song of Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Communion


Take Up Your Cross by Curtis Stephan and Sarah Hart (spiritandsong.com) A great fresh sound with a powerful opening lyric: "Behold the wood that bears our name..." Beautiful...singable. (From the CD Amid Passing Things).
Suggested use: Song of Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory


The Lord Is My Light by Ed Bolduc (WLP) - assembly-friendly psalm setting. (From the CD Awake to the Day) Another, 'stripped-down' recording is available on the funeral music collection "We Will Rest in You."
Suggested use: Responsorial Psalm


There's a Presence by John Angotti (WLP) from the opening piano intro, this song sets a beautiful tone. The refrain, "I believe in you" is so simple, and necessary! (From the CD I Believe)
Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Communion, Second Communion