FROM THE BOARD Communion, Participation, and Mission
NPM: Not Just a Convention T
he National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) is made up of members who, for the most part, are members of local chapters.
Some members join independently and are unaffiliated because there is no local chapter in their vicinity. If you are blessed to have a local chapter in your area, you join by signing up online, and the National Office then submits your name to your local chapter director.
Chapter directors can derive great benefits from attending a National Convention, especially learning of and sharing ideas for programming at the local chapter level. For example, they can learn how to help their local music ministers become musically proficient, increase their knowledge of the liturgical documents and the Tradition of the Church, and develop pastoral skills and wise judgement for different pastoral settings. (See Sing to the Lord, 50.) Te National Convention provides many opportunities to sing and play new repertoire through different showcases, as well as in the context of prayer experiences—the Liturgy of the Hours and the celebration of the Eucharist.
One of NPM’s Ends, or goals, is active participation shown in singing. “One cannot find anything more religious and more joyful in sacred celebrations than a whole congregation expressing its faith and devotion in song. Terefore, the active participation of the whole people, which is shown in singing, is to be carefully promoted.” (Musicam Sacram,16). Te leadership of NPM cannot wave the proverbial magic wand and somehow cause, as if by magic, all worshippers in all parishes across the country to sing robustly after a certain date. NPM can, however, inspire us and give us courage in our own local goal setting, as well as the necessary skills for doing this work of promoting and encouraging singing in our own parishes. Back in the 1980s, I was privileged to attend an NPM Cantor School, and I can tell you that it changed my ministry
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in profound ways. Later, in the early 2000s, I attended an NPM Choral Director Institute, and that helped me to improve my choral directing skills. Some of the programming offered through NPM is in partnership with other organizations, such as Te Essentials of Catholic Liturgy in partnership with Liturgy Training Publications.
Te 2023 National Convention in Reno (July 10-14) is another great opportunity to come together, the principal event where members can gather to learn, share, and grow in ministry. While not everyone can attend a National Convention, everyone can access everything available through the NPM website according to the various levels of membership. You get the highest level of access through Premium level membership. To keep us formed and informed, NPM continues to offer Pastoral Music magazine, as well as the NPM Sunday Word weekly reflection and Cantor Newsletter. Te NPM Notebook e-newsletter provides news, music reviews, and information about events in our Church and our Association.
For those who wish to develop their skills in a more focused way, the Association offers three levels of Cantor Certificates: Basic, Intermediate, and Colleague. Pianists can earn a Basic piano certification, and organists can earn a Basic organ certificate. Tere is also a Service Playing Certificate that can be jointly earned from NPM and the American Guild of Organists (AGO).
So much to learn and apply . . . so little time! What are YOUR Goals for music ministry in your parish?
Dolores Martinez Member, NPM Board of Directors
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