music ministry

[AntalKalnoky]

I only know about ushering since i’ve never been in a chorus or served as an altar server. I personally agree with our usher leader. It has never been mandated to us that we HAVE to attend another mass just strongly encouraged. I’m sorry if I wrongly explained it before.

I personally don’t feel I have enough focus during the mass when I’m ushering. I have to walk back and forth in the large church, help people find seats, kindly suggest to people to stop outside to use the phone, go up during communion and make sure no one is doing anything inappropriate with the Eucharist, help in both collections, help people find the bathroom and how to get there, etc. Maybe other people are better at doing the ushering job and paying attention at the same time but I guess I’m not that talented. There have been times where I haven’t gone to an extra mass and I’ve felt funny about it. Again I’m not passing any judgement on any of you who feel it’s enough to attend the mass you are serving at.

When I’m at mass I like to close my eyes and immense myself in the liturgy, I like to sing all the songs, and really be one with Christ, I can’t do this if someone is asking me where the bathroom is or if I have to tell a kid to stop texting. I really can’t close my eyes either lol!

We have 3-6 Ushers per Mass. We Only Seat before Mass, Ask Handicapped Before Mass if Need Eucharistic Minister, Collect, then Watch Eucharist Swallowing. No Distractions: Full Mass Focus. Never in my Life have I heard that requires another Mass Attendance. But everyone has Own Ideas. Again, Ushers are Part of the Mass, like Choir and Altar Servers are. Everyone, Ushers included, KNEEL for The Consecration: the Most Solemn Moment in The Catholic Church. I Love every detail of The Mass.

 

[quiet52]

Many parishes have a policy which asks new Catholics to wait at least one year before they apply to one of the liturgical ministries. Proper formation in the faith has a higher priority than serving the liturgy, though of course service is certainly an important part of faith formation.

The OP isn’t Catholic yet – I could be wrong, but it seems to me his pastor wants him to help lead, not just participate in, the music ministry. That is a lot of responsibility, and taking on a responsibility during Mass CAN BE a huge distraction for someone who isn’t used to the Mass and doesn’t yet have a full understanding of it. Perhaps the OP is up to it – and may he and the parishioners be blessed in many ways if he is.

If the OP wants a crash course on the liturgy before it’s officially taught during the RCIA process, that’s fine – but he should have a solid grasp of what the liturgy is, for himself, before he is expected to play a highly-responsible role in it. I hope he discusses this with his RCIA leader and his pastor.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

Many parishes have a policy which asks new Catholics to wait at least one year before they apply to one of the liturgical ministries. Proper formation in the faith has a higher priority than serving the liturgy, though of course service is certainly an important part of faith formation.

The OP isn’t Catholic yet – I could be wrong, but it seems to me his pastor wants him to help lead, not just participate in, the music ministry. That is a lot of responsibility, and taking on a responsibility during Mass CAN BE a huge distraction for someone who isn’t used to the Mass and doesn’t yet have a full understanding of it. Perhaps the OP is up to it – and may he and the parishioners be blessed in many ways if he is.

If the OP wants a crash course on the liturgy before it’s officially taught during the RCIA process, that’s fine – but he should have a solid grasp of what the liturgy is, for himself, before he is expected to play a highly-responsible role in it. I hope he discusses this with his RCIA leader and his pastor.

                                                                                                                               The  Pastor  of  each  Church/Parish  Decides,  rules.  Like  the  Apostles,   Each  Pastor   is  the  "Bishop"  of  that   Church.  It  is  the   Pastor's  Wishes  we  have  The  Responsibility to   abide  by.   Only  if  the  Pastor  violates a  Norm  (Rule)  of  The  Church  do  we  have  the  responsibility   to  complain  to the  Bishop,  after  the  Parish  Council. The  OP   has  Very  Much   Experience.                                                          God   Bless you,  Sir:  He   Is  Blessing You.  Any  questions  about  anything  you  can  ask  the  Pastor  or  his  Designee.

We should not be Looking for problems that don’t exist; there is no “Apparently wants you to Lead…”, nor is there Any Need for the OP to Worry or take crash courses. We are praying for you Not to Worry, Sir. Forgive us in looking for non-existant problems. This is the Catholic Church, where responsibility is in The Pastor, representing The Bishop and the Apostles.

 

[auderyja]

Hello everyone,
I’ve only posted a few times since joining the forum. I have a question and a prayer request. I’ve been attending Mass for almost two months now, and I’m learning more about the liturgy each time. You see, I’m a former Baptist preacher and minister of music, but in my heart, I’m already Catholic. I start RCIA on September 12th. I’m really looking forward to it. I was approached by our priest last Sunday after Mass about the possibility of becoming involved in the music ministry of our parish, and this Sunday after Mass he said that he would be calling me sometime this week to discuss it. I told him that I would be glad to help in any way That I could. But I admit that I’m a little unsure about it. I’ve been content to just come to Mass every Sunday, listen, learn, and worship God with other believers. There’s so much more that I need to learn. I am willing to serve in any way that God wills, even if it’s just sweeping the floors. I love to sing, and I play guitar. Our church has an organ player, but he isn’t always there, and we have a small choir. I’m just wondering if it’s acceptable for me to be a part of the music ministry since I haven’t actually been received into the Church yet. I do have several years of experience in music and singing, but not much experience in liturgical music. I love the liturgy though, and I want to learn as much as I can. Would all of you please pray for me concerning this? I want to be obedient to the Lord in everything, but I don’t want to promote myself, or entertain. I just want to worship God in Spirit and in truth. I need wisdom and clear direction concerning this. Thanks and God bless.

Praying for you. Keep it up! Maybe God is speaking to you through the priest!

 

[TrueLight]

I personally feel that I need to receive before I can give. At this point I need to be totally immersed in the mass and I wouldn’t be completely if I were also singing.

 

[CarrieH]

It’s up to the priest of that particular church. I converted to the Catholic faith from the Methodists. I had always been somewhat interested in Catholicism, but never really pursued it…until I was hired as a professional cantor and assistant organist in a Catholic church. My weekly Mass attendance renewed my interest in the faith, and a couple of years later, I received the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. So maybe God is working through your music ministry, drawing you closer to the faith as He did with me.

I go to weekday Mass about once a week. It’s nice to be able to be a part of the congregation sometimes without the distraction of “what do I have to play/sing next.”

God bless!

 

[Allegra]

I personally feel that I need to receive before I can give. At this point I need to be totally immersed in the mass and I wouldn’t be completely if I were also singing.

You’re supposed to be singing when you participate in Mass. If you aren’t singing, or at least reading the words, it’s called “watching” not “participating”.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

You’re supposed to be singing when you participate in Mass. If you aren’t singing, or at least reading the words, it’s called “watching” not “participating”.

Singing Hymns, Bach, Mozart at Church have been called one of The Highest Forms of Prayer/Worship also. :harp: