SEPTEMBER 2022 I
am a pastoral musician who has served the Church as a full-time staff member, as a temporary substitute organist, and now as a part-
time Director of Liturgy/Choir at the newly created and merged parish, Mother of Perpetual Help in West Allis, Wisconsin. I also serve the greater Church in the Midwest as a liturgical design consultant, undertaking renovation and new church construction projects. In light of this background, I offer here some practical suggestions, theological reflection, and pastoral application to the use of a place for musicians and how that space serves the people of God at prayer in the liturgy.
Consult Church Documents
A good first step is to research the collective wisdom of the Church as found in our liturgical documents. Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship (BLS), issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is designed for parish committees who are undertaking a renovation or new church construction project. Tis resource is also a great reference for the continuing use of any liturgical space—a necessity for every parish sacristy library. It is not just for those building or renovating! Built of Living Stones is a comprehensive document with clear direction for all liturgical ministry in the use of sacred space.
It is important to recognize that the building must support the music and song of the entire worshiping assembly. In addition, “some members of the community [have] special gifts [for] leading the [assembly in] musical praise and thanksgiving.” (BLS #89) Te skills and talents of these pastoral musicians, choirs, and instrumentalists are especially valued by the Church. Because the roles of the choirs and cantors are exercised within the liturgical community, the space chosen for the musicians should clearly express that they are part of the assembly of worshipers. In addition, cantors and song leaders need visual contact with the music director while they themselves are visible to the rest of the congregation.
Tis is solid and clear direction! How can a space function so that the pastoral musician can serve the assembly? What about a less-than-ideal space on a limited budget? How can this be applied to a parish
“ Nothing will be perfect, and change is inevitable. So be flexible.”
with merging music ministries? Built of Living Stones provides a solid foundation for addressing these pressing issues. Te local diocesan liturgy office can be another resource offering direction on these and other questions you may have.
Flexibility
Second, nothing will be perfect; just when we think it is, a reason to change will emerge, and then we will have to take that into account as we continue moving forward. I am sure that, as trained musicians, we are all guilty of the desire to completely master every piece of music we play. Our expectations are set rather high. I recall as a young student striving to play from beginning to end without error all of the music that my organ teacher had selected for Mass. Time after time, I would make one little mistake or another and become very frustrated with myself. When I asked my organ teacher how to play through the entire Mass without any mistakes, she smiled at me and said, “When that day comes, you will know that you are in heaven.” I have lived by that principle ever since and have applied it to all aspects of my life, including the use of space as a musician and as a consultant. Nothing will be perfect, and change is inevitable. So be flexible.
Hospitality
Tird, a good space is created with hospitality in mind for the director, the other musicians, and the assembly. It is necessary for the music director to minister in the space provided and be respectful of parish resources, whether limited or not. Evaluate the location of the instruments in the space: determine what is stationary (perhaps the organ console) and what is moveable. Consider how these instruments will be used during liturgy, moving from the organ bench to the piano bench with the greatest ease and least distraction. Be aware of sight lines: to the sanctuary, the aisle for processions, the congregation, the cantor, and the
27
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
