FROM THE BOARD
Where Do We Stand? Valerie Lee-Jeter, NPM Board Member
T
he Black Lives Matter series at the 2020 NPM virtual convention met a demand from NPM members to answer the following questions:
Where does the association stand in reference to the systemic racism in the United States that has resulted in the senseless deaths of many African Americans, sending millions across this country into the streets chanting “BLACK LIVES MATTER?” And where is the diversity within the NPM association, showing its recognition and support of all peoples of color within the universal Catholic church?
Tese are big and complex questions which need to be broken open and talked through before an adequate answer can even begin to be formed. Tat was the purpose of the BLM series: to ask questions, listen to stories, dig deeper, and— most importantly—send each of us “back” to our ministries continuing to unpack the question, “Why is it my responsibility that our sung prayer incorporate the gifts of ALL God’s people?”
I am a Black Catholic female liturgist, born and raised in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Tere, I was blessed to be indoctrinated in the art of multicultural liturgy at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Music Directors Ms. Alice Parker and Dr. Edwin Newberry were Cardinal Krol’s right and left hands when it came to Black and/or multicultural celebrations. Tanks to them, I always knew that the “Gifts of Blackness” Pope Paul VI referred to when speaking to the young churches of Africa were meant to enhance the liturgical prayer of the entire Catholic church (USCCB, Plenty Good Room: Te Spirit and Truth of African American Catholic Worship, Article 31).
Te beauty of having African roots is that joy comes just in waking up in the morning (as my
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grandmother would tell me). Knowing God loves me, sometimes I just need to say “AMEN!” or wave my hand in thanks or give God a hand clap of praise. Pope Paul VI recognized joy to be one of the many gifts of Blackness. He knew that these gifts (and the gifts of many other peoples) were needed to enrich the entire Church, making it truly catholic.
NPM’s mission includes the goal that “persons entrusted to lead the faithful in musical worship are equipped with the musical, liturgical, and pastoral skills and knowledge necessary to provide excellent leadership in service to the Church” (USCCB, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, 48-51). You and I are called to use every gift at our disposal to enhance the sung prayer of our assemblies so that—fed by God’s Word and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ—all can go forth and do the hard work at hand: dealing with a pandemic, unemployment, police brutality, looting, poverty, illnesses, etc. It is our responsibility to meet each person in their lived condition. Tat means asking ourselves, “What music can and will enhance the prayer of the individuals gathered in front of me?” It doesn’t have to be familiar; it has to evoke the Spirit.
Our Church includes all of God's magnificent colorful tapestry of people. What more does each of us need to do, or learn, or listen to, so that our eyes and ears are opened to gifts other than those we grew up with? Whether they are the gifts of Blackness or the gifts of new ethnicities moving into our parishes, they are gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit to be unwrapped so that all people know they are welcomed in God's house.
Valerie Lee-Jeter teaches theology at Mercy Career and Tech High School and serves as the music director for St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Philadelphia.
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