Children singing at Mass

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ColleenMo

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Once or twice a year our parish has a Mass that includes children singing special songs.(particularly songs learned at Vacation Bible School). I have been told that this is not liturgically correct to have the children sing the songs they learned at VBS. In the past the children will sing some of their VBS songs at the Mass right after VBS has ended. They will usually sing an opening song, Communion song and a closing song. Is this a violation of liturgical correctness?
 
Nothing incorrect about having children sing at the mass, and opening, closing and communion songs are the usual ones sung. I guess the only questions would be are they suitable songs.

Is the VBS run by the Catholic church? I’m not aware of any that aren’t run by Evangelicals around here, it’s practically a pillar of their faith (just kidding, but it does seem to be an important mission for them).
 
Without knowing the songs it is hard to answer.

Songs like “This Little Light Of Mine” or “Rise and Shine” are probably not appropriate for the Communion song.

But if the Mass is geared toward children such songs might be justified for an opening or closing song since technically those are not part of the Mass. Even then I would say they are not especially appropriate.

But there are other children’s songs which, though simple, were written for Liturgical purposes.
 
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ColleenMo:
Once or twice a year our parish has a Mass that includes children singing special songs.(particularly songs learned at Vacation Bible School). I have been told that this is not liturgically correct to have the children sing the songs they learned at VBS. In the past the children will sing some of their VBS songs at the Mass right after VBS has ended. They will usually sing an opening song, Communion song and a closing song. Is this a violation of liturgical correctness?
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I understand that the music used in the normal parish Sunday Mass is determined by the approved liturgical music published by the USCCB. Now Childrens Masses may allow certain exceptions. But childrens Mass is never a substitute for a regular Parish Sunday Mass. It is a special Mass said at a special time specifically for the children.
 
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SMHW:
Without knowing the songs it is hard to answer.

Songs like “This Little Light Of Mine” or “Rise and Shine” are probably not appropriate for the Communion song.

But if the Mass is geared toward children such songs might be justified for an opening or closing song since technically those are not part of the Mass. Even then I would say they are not especially appropriate.

But there are other children’s songs which, though simple, were written for Liturgical purposes.
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My personal theory as to “Why Catholics Can’t Sing,” pace Thomas Day, is that they are not encouraged from an early age to lift their voices in song to the Lord. You’re right, those two songs may not be Communion material, but if the little ones know them already – prelude or postlude, maybe?
 
Br. Rich SFO:
I understand that the music used in the normal parish Sunday Mass is determined by the approved liturgical music published by the USCCB. Now Childrens Masses may allow certain exceptions. But childrens Mass is never a substitute for a regular Parish Sunday Mass. It is a special Mass said at a special time specifically for the children.
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Our kids sing the VBS songs for the opening and closing song for the mass right after VBS. This mass is held at 11:00am on Friday, the last day of VBS, with mostly VBS kids, VBS teachers and parents of VBS kids attending.

It is a Catholic VBS, held in our classrooms with Catholic teachers.

It is great to hear all the young voices sing for the Lord. 👍
 
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a_cermak:
Is the VBS run by the Catholic church? I’m not aware of any that aren’t run by Evangelicals around here, it’s practically a pillar of their faith (just kidding, but it does seem to be an important mission for them).
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Many Catholic churches where I live (including mine) run Vacation Bible Schools, so it’s not just an Evangelical thing. 🙂

My church has two children’s choirs – one for school-age kids, and one for pre-school (9th grade and up can join the adult choir). Once a month, they join the adult choir and sing with us at Mass. They generally will sing one or two songs on their own. The songs they sing are liturgically correct. They sound great, by the way.

Some of the kids who have outgrown the children’s choir have joined the adult choir – so maybe that’s a small step toward fixing the “Catholics don’t sing” thing. 🙂

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CarolAnnSFO:
Many Catholic churches where I live (including mine) run Vacation Bible Schools, so it’s not just an Evangelical thing. 🙂
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Ditto here! Our DRE has been running Catholic VBS since the olden days, when you could not buy Catholic VBS material packages!

Thank God you have Catholic kids who want to sing!
 
When I lived in the Philadelphia area, the Parish I wend to had a Childrens Choir that would sing at Mass every couple of weeks. All the songs they sang were in the Music book that was used. Mind you, they were the more simple songs, but they were songs in the book.

PF
 
Our parish has VBS and children’s chior, I usually help at VBS with music and we teach the refrains to songs usually sung at the contemporary music mass. Then we have the kids sit at the fromt of the church so when it comes to singing the refrain. they are load and clear!
 
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CarolAnnSFO:
My church has two children’s choirs – one for school-age kids, and one for pre-school (9th grade and up can join the adult choir). Once a month, they join the adult choir and sing with us at Mass. They generally will sing one or two songs on their own. The songs they sing are liturgically correct. They sound great, by the way.

Some of the kids who have outgrown the children’s choir have joined the adult choir – so maybe that’s a small step toward fixing the “Catholics don’t sing” thing. 🙂
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Yay! My point exactly! Keep up the good work! :clapping:
 
Our parish offers a three or four day Catholic VBS and a 12-week, up to five days a week, day camp for working families.
 
I love going to my mom and dad’s church (indult TLM) because they have a children’s chior at the Low Mass. It is wonderful to hear those little voices singing Panis Angelicus as you go up for Communion. THey have also started classes for children to learn Gregorian chant and many parents who were not originally attending Mass at that parish have started attending so that their children can learn chant. I think that is awesome.
 
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