Homilies

Our Music Ministry is focused on helping to make our liturgies more meaningful and more beautiful for all involved, from presider to congregant.  Our watchword is “excellence,” and all who participate within the ministry of music are encouraged to strive for excellence. 

Planning of the music for our Masses and other liturgies is based on one simple criterion: support of the scriptures and/or theme for that Mass or liturgy.  While not every scripture has directly related musical choices, every effort is made to choose music that makes the scriptural theme or theme of the occasion ever more relative to the listener.
 

The Parish Liturgist/Musician is primarily responsible for all elements of planning and implementation of liturgical music.  Ideas and suggestions from members of our congregations are always welcome. 

Primarily, cantors and choir members comprise the heart of our music ministry.

Cantors are an essential element of liturgical worship.  They provide leadership to the congregation in the singing of the hymns and service music.  They introduce the responsorial psalm refrains and gospel acclamation refrains for the congregation to better participate in the singing of them.  Cantors are called to serve based on musical ability, dedication to service of God’s people, and availability.  An audition is required.

The members of our parish choir are aged 18 and up, with some exceptions made for those below 18 and over 100.  Currently our choir sings SAB anthems, specifically arranged for each part.  Practice files in both .pdf format and .mp3 format are provided for each part.  While sight-reading per se is not required to be a member of the choir, a sense of musicality, ability to maintain a strict rhythmic count, and ability to sing independently of others are all essential to one’s being a worthwhile contributor to the choir.  Members of the parish choir are called upon to be responsible to their commitment to the Lord’s service by faithful attendance at rehearsals and Masses/services.  They are also expected to be dedicated to necessary practice outside of regular rehearsals, utilizing the files provided. Auditions are simple and quick, held only to discover one’s ability to sing a prescribed pitch and what one’s vocal range is.
 

Currently the rehearsal time for our parish choir is 7:15 p.m. every Wednesday, beginning after Labor Day and concluding the week before Trinity Sunday.  The choir does not meet nor sing during the summer months.

Instrumentalists are invited to participate on special occasions.  We have a Mass, currently held monthly, the music of which is provided mainly by our youth.  At that Mass, guitars and other instruments are most welcome on a regular basis.
 

Your inquiries are welcome.  Feel free to introduce yourself to the Parish Musician after any Mass or e-mail him if you have an interest in being a part of our ministry of music.

The e-mail address for our liturgist/musician is wjkbtc@gmail.com.