Is there a rule on choir membership?

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I am currently enrolled in RCIA in a smaller parish, and I would like to be a part of the choir at another parish (the Cathedral) here in town. Is that okay?

The english mass at my “home” parish is at 9:00AM and the cathedral choir only sings at the 11:00AM service, so logistically it doesn’t pose a problem.
 
Kaleb Kroger:
I am currently enrolled in RCIA in a smaller parish, and I would like to be a part of the choir at another parish (the Cathedral) here in town. Is that okay?

The english mass at my “home” parish is at 9:00AM and the cathedral choir only sings at the 11:00AM service, so logistically it doesn’t pose a problem.
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The liturgical books have a option of catechumens being dismissed for the Liturgy of the Eucharist (at the end of the General Intercessions). If the this is the practice where you are, then this would be problem.
I think the cathedral choir director could reasonably say: “You are not Catholic, you may not become Catholic, so at this stage I do not think you are ready for this ministry.”
Certainly you should inform him or her of this.
 
Kaleb Kroger:
I am currently enrolled in RCIA in a smaller parish, and I would like to be a part of the choir at another parish (the Cathedral) here in town. Is that okay?

The english mass at my “home” parish is at 9:00AM and the cathedral choir only sings at the 11:00AM service, so logistically it doesn’t pose a problem.
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You don’t say if you are a Catechumen or Candidate? However if leaving to go to the 11 AM Mass does not interfere with ay of the RCIA Rites at your local parish. I personally would not see any problem. Does your local parish not have a choir?
 
John Lilburne:
The liturgical books have a option of catechumens being dismissed for the Liturgy of the Eucharist (at the end of the General Intercessions). If the this is the practice where you are, then this would be problem.
I think the cathedral choir director could reasonably say: “You are not Catholic, you may not become Catholic, so at this stage I do not think you are ready for this ministry.”
Certainly you should inform him or her of this.
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I thought I made it clear to the conductor that I was in RCIA. He welcomed me to come to the next practice.
Br. Rich SFO:
You don’t say if you are a Catechumen or Candidate? However if leaving to go to the 11 AM Mass does not interfere with ay of the RCIA Rites at your local parish. I personally would not see any problem. Does your local parish not have a choir?
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I’m in the period of “Evangelization and Pre-Catechumenate”. There is a choir at the parish I’m doing RCIA with, but I’ve never heard them. What brought me to the Catholic Church in the first place is the cathedral I mentioned, so that’s part of why I want to continue to be a part of it. I don’t know if it matters or not, but I’m headed off to college, so none of this is long-term. (save my conversion)
 
Kaleb Kroger:
I thought I made it clear to the conductor that I was in RCIA. He welcomed me to come to the next practice.
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Then I do not see a problem, unless catechumens are dismissed for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Obviously you would not be part of the Communion Procession, which I expect most of the choir would be part of.
 
To the best of my knowlege there are no rules about who may sing in a Catholic Church choir (other than any that might be imposed at the diocesan or other local level.) While it might be preferable, I’m not aware of any regulation that says a choir member must be Catholic. In fact I know of non-Catholic spouses that sing with a Catholic spouse.

As long as there are no time conflicts between the two locations I see no problems here.
 
In my limited experience, my RCIA experience (I was a Christian, converting from non-denom) - the Parish suggested that we wait until full reception before participating in things like Chior. Be patient! And, WELCOME HOME!
 
We have several non-Catholics singing with their spouses in the choir. It’s a great way for the non-Catholic spouse to participate in the Mass.

We welcome non-Catholics to the Mass, and encourage them to come. Obviously, they cannot partake in the Sacraments, but the last time I checked, singing in the choir wasn’t a sacrament. (Listening to some people around here, one might think that most choirs were sacreligious based on their music choices, actually.)

I am also aware of some larger churches in big cities that use paid soloists that are non-Catholic.

The bigger problem at our church, quite frankly, is that more people in the pews won’t sing, or won’t join the choir.
 
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kage_ar:
In my limited experience, my RCIA experience (I was a Christian, converting from non-denom) - the Parish suggested that we wait until full reception before participating in things like Chior. Be patient! And, WELCOME HOME!
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That was quite possibly a wise practice for those going through RCIA. But I think that advice was for the benefit of the convert. In general, the only real requirement to sing in a choir is the ability to sing. (And even that requirement is occasionally disregarded. :whistle: )
 
From the differing answers above, I think it is safe to say - this is not an Official Catholic Rule - it is practice at the discretion of the Parish.
 
Some organists are not even Catholic…join the choir! Celebrate the Lord by singing. It’s praying twice according to the saints!
 
I have lived in several dioceses and have never heard of non-Catholics being forbidden to sing in a choir. The last choir I sang in was a professional choir, where all the singers were paid (I sang for free because I belonged to the parish). Many of the choir members were non-Catholic, but I know of two who converted to Catholicism because of their experiences in the choir. I hope that you join the choir of your choice and have a great spiritual and musical experience!
 
I just got back from the first practice and it was wonderful. I can’t wait to sing this during this Sunday’s mass.
 
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SMHW:
I’m not aware of any regulation that says a choir member must be Catholic
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SMHW:
In general, the only real requirement to sing in a choir is the ability to sing. (And even that requirement is occasionally disregarded. :whistle: )
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It so happens that I can carry a note in a basket, but I still like to tell folks that since God gave me my voice, He’s the one who has to listen to it 🙂
 
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