MERGED: Music in Mass/Sacred Music

[Cat]

Thanks Snowlake.

Singing the Mass as opposed to singing at Mass is the goal. On the rare occasion when the Mass has been sung, I have found it so heart lifting, and more spiritual than (not) singing a few verses of a syncopated hymn that is too hard to sing and has lyrics that are boring and often don’t even rhyme.

Compare the approved antiphons (virtually always a direct quote from scripture) to the texts of the unapproved hymns that get sung at Mass and you’ll see which are superior, and (not that one’s looking at a watch) shorter.

In fact how many people are aware that it is a liturgical abuse to sing Here I am Lord? The GIRM says the texts for the Entrance, Offetory and Communion Chants have to be approved by the conference of Bishops.

For 30 odd years we’ve given chant the boot for dodgy hymns. Some people, in good faith, are accustomed to the tunes that are whistled night and day at Mass, with guitars, drums etc and if you seek to change this, some, thats some, accuse you of going against Vat II and wanting to turn back the clock to the 1950s and living in the dark ages - just look at some of the oppostion to the Re-translation of the Roman Missal for English speakers.

I say we should all be forced by Papal bull to learn Jubalte Deo

Then maybe people will see just why the council said that G-Chant should be given (and more fully in the Latin obtain, maintain) first (foremost, original, most necessary) place (position, heirachy) in liturgical services.

Jubalte deo?

Is this the correct spelling, please?

 

[Cat]

The reason the organ is not played is that there are not enough people left who know how to play it.

There’s no spiritual crisis or encroaching modernism or anti-tradition rebellion here–it’s just a practical issue. If there are no organists, there will be no organ.

In our city of 150,000, as far as I know (I’m very involved with local classical music scene and know many of the church organists and pianists), there is not one organ student. I personally do not see a revival of interest in pipe organ in the near future and so I predict that Catholics will see even less organ in Mass. I recommend training your ears and heart to learn to appreciate if not enjoy piano and guitar music.

The reason that Gregorian chant is not used is that people don’t know how to “do it.”

Again, no spiritual problems or crisis here. It’s all practical. If people aren’t trained in this kind of singing, they won’t do it because they don’t know how and they don’t know where the music is or what’s appropriate or anything.

Most of the trained and competent musicians (sacred music) are working in Protestant churches that actually pay a living wage. I’m not sure why there are so few competent lay musicians left in the Catholic Church; in another thread, I proposed a theory that many classically-trained musicians have departed the Catholic Church to show solidarity with their fellow musicians against the Church’s dogma forbidding homosexual sex. Another reason why many Catholic lay musicians have left the Catholic Church is that their musical opportunities are greater in other churches and they have more freedom to compose new pieces and perform them in church settings (which means more income).

BTW, I see nothing wrong with a musician wanting to make a living wage from his/her art. This is not worldly or evil, it’s practical. A musician wants to support him/her self and family just like everyone else.

I do see a possibility of a revival of interest in Gregorian chant, as it only takes one musician to train others.

I think that various parachurch Catholic organizations, perhaps even CAF, will play a major role in this revival of interest. Parachurch organizations could train a few musicians who could be speakers at Catholic conferences or in parish missions around the U.S. and train lay musicians in Gregorian chant. They could also do webinars to train Catholics–this would be a cheap and effective way to get lay people like myself knowledgeable about chant. I suggest that many of you who prefer Gregorian chant and know how to do it should lobby CAF and other parachurch Catholic organizations to develop this sort of thing. It might make a huge difference in the level of knowledge of chant in parishes.

 

[snowlake]

The reason the organ is not played is that there are not enough people left who know how to play it.

There’s no spiritual crisis or encroaching modernism or anti-tradition rebellion here–it’s just a practical issue. If there are no organists, there will be no organ.

In our city of 150,000, as far as I know (I’m very involved with local classical music scene and know many of the church organists and pianists), there is not one organ student. I personally do not see a revival of interest in pipe organ in the near future and so I predict that Catholics will see even less organ in Mass. I recommend training your ears and heart to learn to appreciate if not enjoy piano and guitar music.

The reason that Gregorian chant is not used is that people don’t know how to “do it.”

Again, no spiritual problems or crisis here. It’s all practical. If people aren’t trained in this kind of singing, they won’t do it because they don’t know how and they don’t know where the music is or what’s appropriate or anything.

Most of the trained and competent musicians (sacred music) are working in Protestant churches that actually pay a living wage. I’m not sure why there are so few competent lay musicians left in the Catholic Church; in another thread, I proposed a theory that many classically-trained musicians have departed the Catholic Church to show solidarity with their fellow musicians against the Church’s dogma forbidding homosexual sex. Another reason why many Catholic lay musicians have left the Catholic Church is that their musical opportunities are greater in other churches and they have more freedom to compose new pieces and perform them in church settings (which means more income).

BTW, I see nothing wrong with a musician wanting to make a living wage from his/her art. This is not worldly or evil, it’s practical. A musician wants to support him/her self and family just like everyone else.

I do see a possibility of a revival of interest in Gregorian chant, as it only takes one musician to train others.

I think that various parachurch Catholic organizations, perhaps even CAF, will play a major role in this revival of interest. Parachurch organizations could train a few musicians who could be speakers at Catholic conferences or in parish missions around the U.S. and train lay musicians in Gregorian chant. They could also do webinars to train Catholics–this would be a cheap and effective way to get lay people like myself knowledgeable about chant. I suggest that many of you who prefer Gregorian chant and know how to do it should lobby CAF and other parachurch Catholic organizations to develop this sort of thing. It might make a huge difference in the level of knowledge of chant in parishes.

 

[pnewton]

I notice that many of the characterizations of some of the music used at Mass are rather demeaning. I will assure you that such attitudes will do little to improve anything. We are always limited to what the Church has said and what she has not said. Everything else should be handled charitably. Charity is when we go beyond what we want to say and feel like saying and put our brothers in the Lord in the most favorable light.

Cat has pointed out some practical issues that must be considered and cannot be ignored. I would like to add the more pragmatic problem of egos and personalities. Any change, other than that which is ordered from the top down, must come with a respect of others, even if we do not agree with them, and a willingness to either do the work yourself, or help pony up the money to have it done.

 

[snowlake]

The reason the organ is not played is that there are not enough people left who know how to play it.

There’s no spiritual crisis or encroaching modernism or anti-tradition rebellion here–it’s just a practical issue. If there are no organists, there will be no organ.

In our city of 150,000, as far as I know (I’m very involved with local classical music scene and know many of the church organists and pianists), there is not one organ student. I personally do not see a revival of interest in pipe organ in the near future and so I predict that Catholics will see even less organ in Mass. I recommend training your ears and heart to learn to appreciate if not enjoy piano and guitar music.

The reason that Gregorian chant is not used is that people don’t know how to “do it.”

Again, no spiritual problems or crisis here. It’s all practical. If people aren’t trained in this kind of singing, they won’t do it because they don’t know how and they don’t know where the music is or what’s appropriate or anything.

Most of the trained and competent musicians (sacred music) are working in Protestant churches that actually pay a living wage. I’m not sure why there are so few competent lay musicians left in the Catholic Church; in another thread, I proposed a theory that many classically-trained musicians have departed the Catholic Church to show solidarity with their fellow musicians against the Church’s dogma forbidding homosexual sex. Another reason why many Catholic lay musicians have left the Catholic Church is that their musical opportunities are greater in other churches and they have more freedom to compose new pieces and perform them in church settings (which means more income).

BTW, I see nothing wrong with a musician wanting to make a living wage from his/her art. This is not worldly or evil, it’s practical. A musician wants to support him/her self and family just like everyone else.

I do see a possibility of a revival of interest in Gregorian chant, as it only takes one musician to train others.

I think that various parachurch Catholic organizations, perhaps even CAF, will play a major role in this revival of interest. Parachurch organizations could train a few musicians who could be speakers at Catholic conferences or in parish missions around the U.S. and train lay musicians in Gregorian chant. They could also do webinars to train Catholics–this would be a cheap and effective way to get lay people like myself knowledgeable about chant. I suggest that many of you who prefer Gregorian chant and know how to do it should lobby CAF and other parachurch Catholic organizations to develop this sort of thing. It might make a huge difference in the level of knowledge of chant in parishes.

We have the same problem w/ lack of trained organists who often can’t even begin to survive on parish wages , so they seek employment elsewhere. As far as the “homosexual
sympathizer” theory goes, I’ve never heard that one in my area.
As far as knowing “how to do” Gregorian chant, it is far easier to sing than the tunes that we currently use. Even our “hip” hymnal has a pretty good array of chant printed toward the back of the book. Knowledge of chant notation isn’t necessary because regular notation is used, at least in this particular book. Even if it wasn’t, only the music director would need to learn how to read it, as most people don’t know how to read even regular music notation, and have managed to learn our “current” repertoire. They use the hymnals primarily for the words.
Personally, I think that a good place to start is w/ the simplest of the simple. And even
organ is not necessary, really, except to sustain the singing - no virtuoso moments need ever occur.

About piano: As a classical musician , I absolutely detest electronic “keyboards” for
private instruction in piano, but am starting to change my views about its use in Mass
provided that the organ setting is used. The only reason is that, as you said, there are
so few organists around. Some keyboards come w/ very believable “organ” sounds.
Although the sound is synthetic, as someone has already pointed out most parish organs
are electronic anyway, they are not pipe organs. The use of a keyboard on an organ setting would be far closer to the sound needed than a piano or guitar. The latter two instruments lend an aura of a cocktail lounge or coffehouse.
At my parish there is a grand piano up front , to the right of the altar, and a keyboard
sitting near it. The keyboard has never been used in any of the masses I’ve been too,
but the piano has been used at virtually all Masses, and that w/ major AMPLIFICATION (even though the pianist plays so very loudly). I find this ironic. At least the keyboard is capable of creating sounds conducive to Catholic worship (if used w/ organ sound).

 

[Dave_in_Dallas]

I was listening to an older podcast of CAL and they were discussing music. I found it interesting that there was little singing done in Catholic congregations (historically) ever – usually done by choir, monk, or not at all. The congregational singing was done in the protestant communities though.
The same show mentioned that certain types of music should never be played in Mass because, regardless of the lyrics, the style will always be associated the secular style. For example… polka or speed metal. Grant those are two extremes…

One issue I’ve seen since I was a kid is the level of audience participation depends on the key the cantor or choir is singing in. If it’s a higher register than not many are going to join in, however, if it’s a lower one, then many more people will join in…

Also it seems like the Eastern churches are able to keep the same words fo many centuries and just port them to different languages… to make the ancient accessible to the contemporary.

 

[snowlake]

I was listening to an older podcast of CAL and they were discussing music. … The same show mentioned that certain types of music should never be played in Mass because, regardless of the lyrics, the style will always be associated the secular style. For example… polka or speed metal. Grant those are two extremes…]

I’ve often wondered about the local “polka” masses in my area, and the "mariachi"bands that I’ve seen at some Masses aired on TV. I think that some people are under the impression that “folk music” is what the Church is referring to when speaking of incorporating music from certain cultures…but I always took it to mean that various cultures (primarily non-western) have/had certain musical styles/scales/harmonies/
instrumentation associated with their RELIGIOUS music that can be legitimately included in communities of converts. Again, further CLARIFICATION by competent authority and the use of specific examples would have been helpful!

 

[snowlake]

…but I always took it to mean that various cultures (primarily non-western) have/had certain musical styles/scales/harmonies/
instrumentation associated with their RELIGIOUS music that can be legitimately included in communities of converts.]

…somewhat like the transformation of pagan Roman temples into Catholic churches, or the
transformation of pagan holidays into Christian ones…The outward religious “form” of the architecture, etc.,might be the same , but entirely "tranformed " from within.Some Roman TEMPLES were turned into churches, but not the BATHS! Does anyone have thoughts on this?
This is just the impression that I had when reading the documents, I could be wrong. But it sure would seem strange if the Church actually meant incorporating secular folk music styles. What would be the point of that?

 

[benedictgal]

Dave in Dallas;6796036:

I was listening to an older podcast of CAL and they were discussing music. … The same show mentioned that certain types of music should never

be played in Mass because, regardless of the lyrics, the style will always be associated the secular style. For example… polka or speed metal. Grant those are two extremes…]

I’ve often wondered about the local “polka” masses in my area, and the "mariachi"bands that I’ve seen at some Masses aired on TV. I think that some people are under the impression that “folk music” is what the Church is referring to when speaking of incorporating music from certain cultures…but I always took it to mean that various cultures (primarily non-western) have/had certain musical styles/scales/harmonies/
instrumentation associated with their RELIGIOUS music that can be legitimately included in communities of converts. Again, further CLARIFICATION by competent authority and the use of specific examples would have been helpful!

The so-called “Mariachi” Masses are, in my opinion, horrendous. The music is not only liturgically inappropriate, but, even the parts of the Mass are ilicit because they are paraphrased. It’s also a bunch of noise that is more suitable for a fiesta or a dance than it is for the Mass.

Yesterday, we celebrated the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul at my dad’s parish. We had the organist from the Cathedral come and play the organ and I helped with the singing. It was actually quite good. The faithful responded very well to the music, all sacred, and they also sang the chanted pieces in Latin from Missa de Angelis. People were happy. I am hoping that this will continue.

 

[snowlake]

snowlake;6796168:

The faithful responded very well to the music, all sacred, and they also sang the chanted pieces in Latin from Missa de Angelis. People were happy. I am hoping that this will continue.

YAY!!! God is good! This reminds me of what I just read yesterday from an interview w/ Cardinal Arinze in 2005: when we “make the effort to celebrate it (Mass) as Holy Mother Church wants…the people are happy, they feel nourished. Their faith grows, their faith is strengthened. They go home happy and willing to come back next Sunday.”

As mentioned before, using the current type of popular Mass music in order to make people “feel good” doesn’t work anyway! There are far too many tastes and preferences
about secular styles to accomodate everyone, and that’s not what we’re there for anyway!

It’s funny that the music geared toward “youth” at our Masses is played/sung by people in their 50s and 60s! They encountered it during the crazy 70s (along w/ its attendant theology) and have never let go! They consider themselves “modern and contemporary”.
How do we know that our young people will not respond to chant and sacred music? Have we ever tried? If they are catechized well, they should be receptive to it. They can still encounter the other stuff at their youth gatherings.

Someone once said “Whatever is most modern will soon be the most out-of-date.” All I have to do is look at my high school yearbook to see the validity of this staement - what we thought was so cool and modern then looks so silly now! And quite frankly (and I don’t mean this to be uncharitable, just a realistic observation) so do a lot of things in the church that are hang-overs from the same time period. Thank God those days are over, but we still have “relics” from that era strumming away at Mass!

 

[snowlake]

Thank God those days are over, but we still have “relics” from that era strumming away at Mass!

I’ve been learning a lot from all of your posts, and a few things have really made me think. One was the suggestion that those of us who have things to say against abuses should try to become involved in the music-making ourselves. Maybe those of us w/ a music background who have been hesitant to do this because of a lack of organ/voice training
should just go ahead and try anyway. I’ve learned, especially from BG and Canto that organ music (although the preferred instrument, etc.) does not have to be (and perhaps should not be) of a virtuosic level, it simply needs to “support” the congregation’s singing.
I’ve always been afraid to try because I know that the organ employs a different type of finger technique than piano (due to the lack of the piano damper pedal’s effects), and a knowledge of organ foot pedal technique would be required as well.
Even if we don’t sing well ourselves, we can certainly help a cantor learn his/her part!
The best thing would be a trained organist…but if this is not available…?
I’m quite aware that our pianist and guitarists have little or no formal training on their instruments, so there shouldn’t be a big fracus.

 

[Steven95747]

I am not a musical expert; I am not musically gifted; I like sacred music, but I very seldom hear it at Mass. This has become a HUGE annoyance to me, and I can’t seem to get beyond it. My pastor is a faithful, reverent, and holy priest who ALWAYS celebrates the Sacred Liturgy BY THE BOOK (semenarians, deacons, priests PLEASE, PLEASE don’t add to or subtract from our Sacred Mass!) but his reverent celebration is often surrounded by clunky, discordant, profane, non-melodious and difficult to sing *hymns. The question (2 parter):

1. Any suggestions? 2. When, oh when, will we see the pendulum swing back?

Peace be with you!

 

[CatholicZ09]

The music used in Mass usually part is not the priest’s decision. The music generally is chosen by the music director of your parish. I’m not sure what hymnals or missals you use, but I am suspecting you mean the Haugen/Hass, Schutte, Farrell, Hurd, etc. line of music? If you have a problem with it, go to your church’s website and see if they have a list of emails so you can email your music director. If you feel uncomfortable doing that, email your parish priest about your concerns and suggestions. It’s best to take this situation lightly, because you don’t want to make it seem like the music director isn’t doing his or her job right.

For your other question, I do not know. It could happen someday, but only God knows.

 

[Apollos]

1. Any suggestions?

Bring a vuvuzela.

1. When, oh when, will we see the pendulum swing back?

It’s already happening.

 

[Sarabande]

Most of the trained and competent musicians (sacred music) are working in Protestant churches that actually pay a living wage. I’m not sure why there are so few competent lay musicians left in the Catholic Church; in another thread, **I proposed a theory that many classically-trained musicians have departed the Catholic Church to show solidarity with their fellow musicians against the Church’s dogma forbidding homosexual sex. ** Another reason why many Catholic lay musicians have left the Catholic Church is that their musical opportunities are greater in other churches and they have more freedom to compose new pieces and perform them in church settings (which means more income).

You do raise good points regarding that some areas do not have access to organists or organ teachers. Also, that many organists do make their way to Protestant churches since they pay a living wage, plus benefits which is usually not heard of in Catholic parishes. I understand and am aware of this problem in some parts of the country. And as discussed before in many threads, I believe the Church and the people have to put their money where their mouths are if they want to enrich and encourage organists, chant, etc. - Give musicians a living wage, start teaching it in the schools so that children will be able to pick it up easily. (As a former music teacher and children’s choir director for a parish, I can attest that the children pick it up much more easily than one would think), and perhaps start a scholarship program for children to encourage this musical training. I know that other churches do this.

That said, I’d have to disagree with your theory. If this was the case, they’d be leaving many Protestant churches which preach the same thing. I work with many classically trained musicians in the Church and outside of it. Yes, there are homosexuals in the arts, but never have I ever heard of my heterosexual and homosexual colleagues and/or friends talk about leaving because of the Church’s teaching on homosexuality. Also, I can honestly say that most of the male pianists I’ve worked with at Catholic parishes (To date I’ve worked in many throughout 5 different states as a freelancer - so I’ve been to a lot of parishes, in which I’ve lost count, and have met and have gotten to know a lot of different musicians) have been gay and there are still a lot of pianists in churches. Those who are gay understand the Church’s and almost any other Protestant church teachings on homosexuality. Some may not agree with it, but they are also practical and understanding about it. It’s just a given to them that most religious institutions will teach this. Many are not even open about it to those at the parishes or not even practicing.

The main reason I hear my organist colleagues leave is mainly the money factor and the music factor. Since they’d usually have to listen to the boss (the pastor) as to what he wants played at mass, what is desired is not the kind of music which would give one a good reputation as being a good musician if you’d choose to work outside of the Church one day - at least in the classical music world. The Church once had an incredible reputation for sacred music, but no longer. That has always made me sad, but it is what I hear from musicians. If you mention that you work at a Catholic parish, the immediate reaction from other musicians (before they hear you sing or play) is that you are probably a lousy musician and play lousy religious music. That has been slowly changing - at least in the areas where I sing. More and more I’m freelancing in parishes where they are trying to take the music to a higher level. Schola choirs are being formed, organists are being sought, etc. But I live in and between major cities so the people would be different. You see less of that in suburbs, though.

I do know the history of that parish you work at where they fired an openly gay organist and that the AGO put the parish on the blacklist, and I’m sorry for that parish and what has happened because of it. I found out more how this worked from my boss at the parish where I work. (Any organist on the forums please correct me where I may be wrong with this) Apparently, when you become a member of the AGO, you have to agree to the rules of the guild. If a member is fired for whatever reason and has placed a grievance with the AGO, the church or other organisation is “blacklisted” until an investigation is made. The church can stay off limits after the investigation should the investigation determine that the church/organisation fired a person for reasons which go against the law. For instance, in the secular world, you can’t fire a person because of one’s race, religious beliefs, sexuality, etc. Thus no AGO member is allowed to apply for a permanent position at that place because the AGO believes the position legally still belongs to the person who was fired. A guild member can substitute and freelance there, but cannot take on a permanent position When a guild member looks for a job, the guild will actually have next to the job posting a note of some sort which shows that they are not allowed to apply for the position. I don’t believe it says why it is blacklisted.

All that said, most of the organists I know (usually the younger ones in their 20s and 30s and some who are older) don’t belong to the AGO. It doesn’t have as high of a reputation as it once had at least in the chapters around here

 

[Sarabande]

Jubalte deo?

Is this the correct spelling, please?

Jubilate Deo.

 

[Sarabande]

One issue I’ve seen since I was a kid is the level of audience participation depends on the key the cantor or choir is singing in. If it’s a higher register than not many are going to join in, however, if it’s a lower one, then many more people will join in…

I think part of this is true. Most hymnals have the music in at least two different keys. I have found some congregations like the hymns in one key and other congregations like the hymns in another key. It also depends on the cantor. If she or he sings more in a head voice or just part of his/her body, no matter what key it is in, this sometimes tricks a person’s brain into thinking that the music is higher than what it actually is. I’ve seen and heard this happen. It has even happen to me when I’ve heard a cantor sing until I look at the music and realize that it’s pretty low. If the cantor sings “from his/her toes”, the sound is much more grounded and easier for the brain to compute.

I’ve also found that if the instruments are strong with the support, the congregation will sing full-heartedly. Along with that, they sing better when the music isn’t difficult just straight forward.

 

[Sarabande]

I am not a musical expert; I am not musically gifted; I like sacred music, but I very seldom hear it at Mass. This has become a HUGE annoyance to me, and I can’t seem to get beyond it. My pastor is a faithful, reverent, and holy priest who ALWAYS celebrates the Sacred Liturgy BY THE BOOK (semenarians, deacons, priests PLEASE, PLEASE don’t add to or subtract from our Sacred Mass!) but his reverent celebration is often surrounded by clunky, discordant, profane, non-melodious and difficult to sing *hymns. The question (2 parter):

1. Any suggestions? 2. When, oh when, will we see the pendulum swing back?

Peace be with you!

1. You could speak to the music director or whoever it is who choose the music, but try to be as nice about it as possible. Musicians can be sensitive and you most likely won’t get anywhere if you sound like you’re complaining. If that doesn’t seem to work, speak with the pastor and see what he has to say.
2. I don’t know if this is the case in your area, but I’ve seen it happening little by little where I live. The suburbs are pretty much the same except for a one or two parishes, but the cities have been changing more.

I will say I often hear music directors or the other musicians grumble about having to play or sing the music you describe. They are either following the music director or what the pastor or other priest in the parish wants. I’ve seen it with pastors telling organists or music directors not to play many of the beautiful organ preludes and postludes (it’s “too good”) or to not play the the more traditional hymns or to not do any chant. I’ve also seen it where the pastor feels like he has his hands tied even if he’d want the sacred music back because he has a fairly volatile congregation who’d protest with their feet if they try to bring back some of that kind of music.

 

[Cat]

I am not a musical expert; I am not musically gifted; I like sacred music, but I very seldom hear it at Mass. This has become a HUGE annoyance to me, and I can’t seem to get beyond it. My pastor is a faithful, reverent, and holy priest who ALWAYS celebrates the Sacred Liturgy BY THE BOOK (semenarians, deacons, priests PLEASE, PLEASE don’t add to or subtract from our Sacred Mass!) but his reverent celebration is often surrounded by clunky, discordant, profane, non-melodious and difficult to sing *hymns. The question (2 parter):

1. Any suggestions? 2. When, oh when, will we see the pendulum swing back?

Peace be with you!

1. My suggestion is that you personally finance a child/teenager or even an adult who is taking organ lessons, IF you can find one. Perhaps if you offer to pay all their expenses, then there will be a child/teenager, or adult in your parish who will eager to learn to play the organ.
2. You will see the pendulum swing back when children begin taking organ lessons again, which at the moment, doesn’t seem too likely considering how expensive organ training is.

 

[Guitar]

I’ve learned, especially from BG and Canto that organ music (although the preferred instrument, etc.) does not have to be (and perhaps should not be) of a virtuosic level, it simply needs to “support” the congregation’s singing.
I’ve always been afraid to try because I know that the organ employs a different type of finger technique than piano (due to the lack of the piano damper pedal’s effects), and a knowledge of organ foot pedal technique would be required as well.

Pedal technique should be a goal, yes, but it is not essential for providing basic congregational support, though it will certainly enhance it. If you make the effort to understand the basics of good registration and your keyboard technique is appropriate, you can lead a congregation without them. Pedals have not always been a part of all organ traditions anyway, especially not the English tradition.

You obviously won’t get the full potential out of an organ if you don’t use pedals but if your aim is to support a congregation rather than put on a recital, take it one step at a time. Don’t feel guilty for not using them at first. And there is no shortage at all of voluntaries for manuals only, the vast bulk of it originally written that way plus a lot of “core repertoire” arranged for players who don’t/don’t yet use pedals.