music ministry

[Celtic_believer]

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.

 

[Phemie]

There is no problem with you being part of the music ministry if it will help out your parish.

 

[trmyjs]

There is no problem with you being part of the music ministry if it will help out your parish.

I agree. There is a guy in our choir that isn’t even Catholic (why he isn’t Catholic, I don’t know).

I’ll pray for your wisdom and guidance. God bless!

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Go for it. I play piano/organ at 8 AM Mass, have been for 25 years. I occasionally have non-Catholics singing – at funerals, weddings, and every now and then as song leaders at Mass. Use your gifts and consider yourself lucky that they want you there.

When I was in Seattle for two months for a business trip, I was looking for a place to practice the piano. There was a Presbyterian church literally across the street from my motel, so I wandered through it and found several pianos I could practice on. They ended up giving me a key to the church so I could practice piano and singing at any time of night, and got me into their choir. Some would say “that’s terrible – you sang praise with non-Catholics,” but it was a wonderful experience so those who would take it from me can just get over it.

Alan

 

[quiet52]

If you are still learning about the faith, including what the liturgy of the Mass is all about, I would advise that you consciously, fully and actively participate in the Mass for a while before jumping into the music ministry. We pray what we believe during the Mass, and even with your wonderful experience as a Christian minister, there are dimensions of worship during a Catholic Mass that you did not experience as a Baptist. If you feel called to help with the music, would you consider attending two Masses, one for your own worship and one to help with the music?

 

[AlanFromWichita]

If you are still learning about the faith, including what the liturgy of the Mass is all about, I would advise that you consciously, fully and actively participate in the Mass for a while before jumping into the music ministry. We pray what we believe during the Mass, and even with your wonderful experience as a Christian minister, there are dimensions of worship during a Catholic Mass that you did not experience as a Baptist. If you feel called to help with the music, would you consider attending two Masses, one for your own worship and one to help with the music?

I don’t understand your concern. What would he lose by being in the music ministry? Are you concerned that paying attention to the music can be distracting from other parts of the Mass? That can be true but usually isn’t in my experience. The main thing for me is that I only get a glimpse of the consecration from time to time because I’m playing the preparation of the gifts hymn, so I just lose a little visual on that but no audio – because I’m leading the audio.

Alan

 

[stanncie]

If you are still learning about the faith, including what the liturgy of the Mass is all about, I would advise that you consciously, fully and actively participate in the Mass for a while before jumping into the music ministry. We pray what we believe during the Mass, and even with your wonderful experience as a Christian minister, there are dimensions of worship during a Catholic Mass that you did not experience as a Baptist. If you feel called to help with the music, would you consider attending two Masses, one for your own worship and one to help with the music?

I agree with this somewhat. In my parish if you are helping out at church for any mass be it as an usher, doing the collection etc you are expected to attend another mass to fulfill your obligation. Our leader told us we should be 100 % focused at mass and you can’t really do this if you are serving in another capacity. I don’t know if the music ministry does this but consider we are all Catholics and very familiar with Mass. I would think the OP as a non-catholic would benefit from attending an extra mass at least until he becomes more familiar with the liturgy

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I agree with this somewhat. In my parish if you are helping out at church for any mass be it as an usher, doing the collection etc you are expected to attend another mass to fulfill your obligation. Our leader told us we should be 100 % focused at mass and you can’t really do this if you are serving in another capacity. I don’t know if the music ministry does this but consider we are all Catholics and very familiar with Mass. I would think the OP as a non-catholic would benefit from attending an extra mass at least until he becomes more familiar with the liturgy

That’s interesting; I’ve never heard of that before. Does it apply to altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, and lectors, too?

Alan

 

[puzzleannie]

yes you have been invited and called to participate in liturgy to the extent you can now, so please accept, your gifts are needed, and being allowed once more to use them is going to be of great benefit to you, as well as your parish

you have probably been attending Mass long enough to know that praise and worship music as it is used in many denominations, perhaps your own, is not the same as music in service of the Mass, so the “performance” aspect is not there, nor is the opportunity to lead worship as music ministry sometimes does in other denominations. This is a wonderful way btw to learn about the Mass more deeply.

you might also ask if your gifts could be of service in music for youth ministry in your parish.

if you have not already contacted the Coming Home Network, for ministers of other faiths who are becoming Catholic, do so. Marcus Grodi was also in music ministry as well as being a preacher before he converted.

 

[Angela77]

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.

Don’t worry that it will seem like you’re trying to promote yourself. Part of being Catholic is participating in the Mass and sharing your gifts (talents) with the parish. Your church will be lucky to have you singing and playing the guitar!

 

[Celtic_believer]

I appreciate all the suggestions and the prayers. I’m all for attending more than one Mass. I’d go to Mass everyday but I’m working Mon. thru Friday, so I’ve only been going on Sunday. Are there any books or online sources that would help me in learning more about the liturgy, the hymns, and the music of the Church? Thanks and God bless.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

If you are still learning about the faith, including what the liturgy of the Mass is all about, I would advise that you consciously, fully and actively participate in the Mass for a while before jumping into the music ministry. We pray what we believe during the Mass, and even with your wonderful experience as a Christian minister, there are dimensions of worship during a Catholic Mass that you did not experience as a Baptist. If you feel called to help with the music, would you consider attending two Masses, one for your own worship and one to help with the music?

The Priest asked him to help with Music Ministry, in which he has been involved for 25 Years. There is No reason for him not to. None. We have an Organist who first plays at Baptist and Lutheran Sunday services before Our Tridentine. No Church objects; there is no reason to object. Expert Liturgical Musiscians are difficult to find. God Bless you, Celtic Believer, Sir, for discovering the True Church Of Christ, and Living the True, full Bible as intended. You have been blessed, as a couple Thousand Ministers have been, interviewed on the famed “Journey Home” on EWTN. One former Minister ended up only as a Greeter at a superstore, but so Blessed he was Catholic.

The Church teaches that only the Holy Spirit converts, not Humans. We can help in teaching truths, answering questions, etc. I belong to the 4 Million Door-to-door Evangelizing Every country Legion of Mary, The Outreach of the Church. We find over half of homes are not connected now to any Faith. Hal;f of our Knights of Columbus Council one Meeting said theuy are Converts or Reverts, of which I am one. The Church, like Christ, respects Every Person, only hates Sin. We respect all real faiths. Celtic Believer can only attend Catholic Mass, not Fully participate like The Eucharist, until full Catholic.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

I agree with this somewhat. In my parish if you are helping out at church for any mass be it as an usher, doing the collection etc you are expected to attend another mass to fulfill your obligation. Our leader told us we should be 100 % focused at mass and you can’t really do this if you are serving in another capacity. I don’t know if the music ministry does this but consider we are all Catholics and very familiar with Mass. I would think the OP as a non-catholic would benefit from attending an extra mass at least until he becomes more familiar with the liturgy

He isn’t Catholic Yet, and has not begun RCIA yet. His Pastor asked him to help with his 25 years experience in Music Ministry. RCIA are not told to Attend Masses First. I’ve been an Usher for 2 Decades; we** Fully Fulfill our Mass Obligation at Each Mass we usher.** Never in My Life have I heard Usher’s being told to Attend another Mass. ** Same Choirs and Organists: They Receive Full Credit for Mass, as active Part of the Mass. **.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

He isn’t Catholic Yet, and has not begun RCIA yet. His Pastor asked him to help with his 25 years experience in Music Ministry. RCIA are not told to Attend Masses First. I’ve been an Usher for 2 Decades; we** Fully Fulfill our Mass Obligation at Each Mass we usher.** Never in My Life have I heard Usher’s being told to Attend another Mass. ** Same Choirs and Organists: They Receive Full Credit for Mass**.

Same here.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

I agree with this somewhat. In my parish if you are helping out at church for any mass be it as an usher, doing the collection etc you are expected to attend another mass to fulfill your obligation. Our leader told us we should be 100 % focused at mass and you can’t really do this if you are serving in another capacity. I don’t know if the music ministry does this but consider we are all Catholics and very familiar with Mass. I would think the OP as a non-catholic would benefit from attending an extra mass at least until he becomes more familiar with the liturgy

Stancie, your “Leader” is uninformed. What type “Leader”? Altar Boys, Ushers Choirs, Organists, Guitarist receive Full Mass Credit every time. The OP is instructed How/When to help in the Music Ministry: Practise. Celtic believer; The Lord already has.

 

[stanncie]

Stancie, your “Leader” is uninformed. What type “Leader”? Altar Boys, Ushers Choirs, Organists, Guitarist receive Full Mass Credit every time. The OP is instructed How/When to help in the Music Ministry: Practise. Celtic believer; The Lord already has.

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!

 

[AlanFromWichita]

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!

I can understand that. My wife used to be an usher and she had some stories to tell…

Alan

 

[pnewton]

Hello everyone,
Thanks and God bless.

This is so odd, but your story is parallel to mine; Baptist preacher, music minister, asked to do music before completing RCIA, play guitar.

Here is what I did. I jumped in and started leading music before I completed RCIA. In fact, it was Easter Vigil that I took a break from playing music and sat for the Mass. I have two suggestions. First, get advice on what you can and can not do. Catholic Mass is much different than a Baptist service. There are do’s and dont’s. Second, read about the liturgy, including the Church’s documents, the USCCB’s documents and Spirit of the Liturgy, which the Holy Father wrote before he was pope.

We have a thread here for exchanging music ideas. Maybe you can glean a little from it.

 

[Allegra]

I agree with this somewhat. In my parish if you are helping out at church for any mass be it as an usher, doing the collection etc you are expected to attend another mass to fulfill your obligation. Our leader told us we should be 100 % focused at mass and you can’t really do this if you are serving in another capacity. I don’t know if the music ministry does this but consider we are all Catholics and very familiar with Mass. I would think the OP as a non-catholic would benefit from attending an extra mass at least until he becomes more familiar with the liturgy

That is bizarre. Of course, serving during Mass doesn’t distract a person from the lituragy. If anything, music ministry requires a person to be even more attentive to the text of the ordinary, hymns, and psalms.

 

[Allegra]

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.

It’s a great idea for you to become involved in the music ministry. The only road-bump I can see is that some parishes might not want you to cantor if you aren’t officially in the church, however, you would probably be fine in most places. (Especially if you are discerning becoming Catholic.)