APRIL 2022
AND NEATLY FOLDED
L
aundry Day! If your house is anything like mine, Laundry Day is whenever someone runs out of socks (or pants) and can’t find any clean ones in
the jumble of somewhat-recently-washed-and-dried clothes on the living room couch. Let me just say that managing laundry for the five of us has never been my finest moment in domesticity.
A few weeks ago, we renovated our laundry room after 20 years of “making do” with an ugly yellow paint job, oddly-placed faux-wood cabinets, and cracked floor tiles dating back to 1968. We opted for a cheery turquoise on the walls and installed clean white cabinets and a gorgeous (and practical) workstation. All of a sudden, I can’t spend enough time in that room! And instead of dumping the clean clothes in the next room as had become my habit, I’m holding myself to a higher standard and using our new workstation to actually fold the laundry.
I certainly don’t measure my self-worth by my motivation or ability to complete household chores, but my domestic transformation in this regard is something of a metaphor for my personal life and may perhaps speak to you as well. Intentionality, vision, and commitment to growth produce positive results. Remaining mired in the past or stuck in old habits holds us back from achieving our true potential. Where is God calling you to break free?
Te theme of this issue, “Becoming Our Best Selves,” shines a spotlight on ways that we can grow ever closer to reaching God’s vision for us. Barbara Leyden presents her take on current research regarding peak “performance” for music ministers. I’ve contributed an article on the importance of cultivating an attitude of ongoing conversion for the newly initiated and for
“Remaining mired in the past or stuck in old habits holds us back from achieving our true potential.”
all the baptized. Joe Paprocki takes an in-depth look at Ignatian spirituality as a resource that pastoral musicians can incorporate into their daily prayer life. Leda Scearce offers recommendations for optimizing vocal health after a lengthy hiatus.
I hope you enjoy this issue, and I’m sure you will find something in it to enlighten you on your personal journey as a pastoral musician. Don’t forget to check out the 2021 Annual Report to see how the Association has been working during the past year to become its best self for you. As for me, I’ll be in my laundry room— washing, drying, and neatly folding things. Sometimes, a new coat of paint is all you need to take that next right step!
Nancy Douglass Managing Editor
lseditor@npm.org
5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
