I have been serving as a pianist for Sunday Masses for three years. Saturday Vigil Masses at our parish were “cantored” by our former priest. Now that we have a new priest that doesn’t sing, I have stepped up to cantor on Saturdays in addition to playing the piano on Sundays. Our non-Catholic pianist for Saturday still plays and has played/sang numerous times. However, I feel stuck. I feel like people now expect me to be there Saturday as a cantor and Sunday as a pianist. What should I do? It’s too much.
You have received great tips!
If you give jeannetherese’s suggestion a positive spin and submit a calendar showing the dates you
will be available, they will see you are there say, three out of four weekends/Sundays of the month. Not bad at all!
In my area, it is the “Director of Music Ministry” (a parish employee/paid position) or the Pastor who looks for cantors, etc., and places announcements on the parish bulletin for the “positions”, etc.
The new Priest does not sing? There does not have to be any singing at a Mass. It is nice, but not required. Some Priests have a gorgeous speaking voice! All that is needed for a Mass at a church is a duly Ordained Priest! What a blessing to have a Priest!
“
I feel stuck.
I feel like
people now
expect me to be there
Saturday as a cantor and
Sunday as a pianist. What should I do? It’s too much.” [Emphasis is mine.] Take a break. It is not just the cantoring or playing the piano for there is practice. . . ! If you you feel the “pressure” just attending Mass there, go to another parish for Mass. Those
feelings are telling you something. If you are Married, spend that time with your Spouse; if not, then with friends or your sweetheart. With Mass ministries where I live, if it is a “volunteer” position, it is not customary to give a
reason for not “being there” or not cantoring, etc. The whole parish does not have to know your “business.”
If the parish has a choir, then the choir director may pick someone from the choir (man or woman) who can do the cantoring or a choir member may step up.
LOL
Ask for a stipend. They’ll leave you alone.
O yes! That is another way!
The rate here is $150.00/Mass for the cantor and the pianist is that and up! The thing is that then they might expect more from you because they are paying you. Just be careful.
Please note that not a thing I wrote is against your parish or the church.
My best to you.
**Let Nothing Disturb You
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience,
Obtains all things,
Whoever has God
Lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.
Santa Teresa de Jesús `
(Santa Teresa de Ávila
España: 1515—1582)**
Luz María
.
