My church changed the way we sing the Gloria

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*“MY church.” What is a “my church?” I believe the only individual who can use that adjective is, in fact, the bishop. Any interpretation, however colloquial, other than that will be faulty.
*The “church” didn’t change “the way (you) sing…” Someone given charge of repertoire decisions at the discretion of the bishop’s pastoral vicar in your parish made that call. That’s reality; the Church is not a democracy, local or global.
:ehh:

Well first off, I thought it was widely understood that when people say “my church” they mean “the parish at which I attend Mass”. Similarly, if I say “my/the Newman Center”, I assume it’s understood that I mean “the parish associated with the Newman Center at the college I attend”

Also, I always assumed the choice of Mass setting would belong, at least in part, to the choral director. (Though, of course, with approval from a bishop or priest)
 
Our parish usually changes Mass settings twice a year. I disliked the Gloria that was used in the first part of the (Church) year, and love the one they are now using. But that will soon change back. There is no reason to complain, because I am sure it is the exact opposite for other people. So all of us get to have what we like at least part of the time.

I do not consider myself not liking the Gloria, or the Sanctus, or whatever as reason to change parishes. That would be like me saying to my sibling “If you don’t do something my way, then I’m going to quit playing with you.” (I am not implying this is what the OP is doing, only my own thinking).

Jesus is the reason for Mass, IMO. All else is secondary.
 
This is probably the most common version for the choir and congregation:

The Gloria in Latin
That is the one we use at our OF parish. We alternate between that one and a chanted English Gloria.

Every other Sunday, the common of the Mass is chanted in Latin\Greek, the other Sundays, it is chanted in English.
 
That is the one we use at our OF parish. We alternate between that one and a chanted English Gloria.

Every other Sunday, the common of the Mass is chanted in Latin\Greek, the other Sundays, it is chanted in English.
I’ve heard this one used by Cardinal George more than once at Christmas. Gloria starts at 1:55

Missa Brevis in C
 
“Wearisome comforters are you all!
Is there no end to windy words? Or what sickness have you that you speak on?”

Let’s remember the OP is just venting. Just venting. Is it necessary for us to be so formal and reprimanding with her? What about when she is calm and we are upset about something silly…? Bear patiently with her.

For what it’s worth, I’m disappointed with the Gloria at my church, too. I went from a beautiful, shining version to a disjointed, non-melodious version. Perhaps it’s a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord but to me it stinks!

Oh well! 🤷😛
 
I am so upset. My church changed the Gloria melody and shortened it. The melody is jagged and it just doesn’t flow as well. The Gloria was my favorite part of Mass. It could be sung with gusto and my heart felt like it might burst. I am going to stop in the office or call and ask a few questions, so I can better understand why the change was made. But gosh darn it, I wish they would change it back. I went to a different parish this morning and they sing the Gloria the way my church used to. I am tempted to change parishes but I am a PSR teaching assistant and I want my kids to see their friends from school at church. I love going to my neighborhood church.

I am so upset. Thanks for listening.
I understand being upset. I personally don’t like most musical settings of the Gloria written for the congregation, and I know I’m probably in the minority. I tend to prefer choral settings of the Gloria or the Latin or English chant setting of the Gloria which can be sung by the congregation and choir.

You mentioned that they “shortened” the Gloria. Did your parish originally use a response “Gloria”? I’m wondering if they have decided to go with a Gloria sung through, without repeating the “Glory to God…” part. I’m also wondering if they went with a re-setting of older music to the new text. Some of the older settings with the previous text were re-set, but the music didn’t always flow as well.

I wouldn’t suggest going to the office to ask them about this. I think what might be the better solution is to contact the music director or whoever is in charge of the music and ask him/her about the reasons for the change in the Gloria setting. Musicians can be sensitive, so it’s always best to approach them with kid gloves if you plan on critiquing their choices. I have found as a musician and a congregant that you get better results if you don’t go in upset or with a more critiquing mind-set. First focus on the things you do like what’s happening for the music liturgy. Or if you don’t like anything that they are doing, you can focus on their commitment and hard work. Something like, “Mr./Mrs. X, thank you so much for taking the time out to talk to me. I really appreciate all that you do for our parish and the beautiful music liturgies. The motet that the choir sang last week during communion was especially beautiful and inspiring. Anyway, I noticed that the Gloria was changed and was just wondering why. I really love and miss the previous setting of the Gloria, and honestly, I’m having some difficulty trying to pick this new setting up…” Now this will leave an opening to the person in charge to give you the reason(s) for the change. It could be that the pastor didn’t want them to use the previous Gloria. It could be that at one of the meetings between the pastor and the music director or a meeting with the church council, etc. it was decided that the congregation should learn new mass settings. It could be that the Director of Worship for your diocese wanted all parishes to learn this particular setting. (I know that has happened in my diocese). You might also find out that they are just testing some new settings out and if it doesn’t seem the congregation is picking it up, they’ll drop it. The list of reasons can go on an on.

There will probably be more than one reason, but if you keep it friendly and civil and listen to the reasons, you might understand and accept the reasons for the change. OR the music director will also take your concerns into account (especially if there has been more than one person expressing their concerns) and take it up with the pastor or council about this change.
 
(replying as TCCOV)

@Ranzinar- Of course, as mentioned, the intended meaning of “MY church” was obviously clear by Peanut(name removed by moderator). However, no one can deny that her concern reflects a personal discomfort many catholics manifest publicly, one way or another, when some affect of “church” doesn’t go their way. This is, again, not a critique of Peanut(name removed by moderator) or her concerns, but to presume that any change in any aspect of the experience of church is a personal affront to “me” is a situational reality as old as the Church Herself.
And, as far as the change being the setting of the Gloria, of course a choir director, cantor, song leader, director of music etc. made that decision. But even if one uses words to describe one’s own perception of the merit of that setting, those words would still fail to express all aspects of its worthiness. However, I would agree that many liturgical “shot callers” are more likely to rely upon their own personal “taste” as the sole criterium for making such a change. However, thankfully the crowd of peers (CMAA) I hang with are very circumspect in their deliberations, even to the point of involving congregations in the discernment of when to change which settings, or to introduce new musical literature at service in the Mass.

@SighGuy- I don’t know if your words, which by their Shakespearean eloquence, were quite breezy themselves, were directed my way or not. But if you found no comfort in some of the responses to her, might you have missed the clearly stated strategies offered her to open a dialogue with TPTB at her parish about her concerns? If a parishioner comes up to me after Mass with such a concern I will take whatever amount of time is necessary to avail them of as many aspects and circumstances that resulted in the choice of music, and without a condescending, lecturing or hectoring tone, and with a listening heart. So, shall we all take a breath, and not presume the worst about each other?
 
I’ve heard this one used by Cardinal George more than once at Christmas. Gloria starts at 1:55

Missa Brevis in C
We used to do this mass at a previous parish where I belonged as a choir member. We also did an English version of it.

At one of the parishes where I currently work, we do the Kyrie, Gloria and Agnus Dei from Mozart’s “Coronation Mass” every Christmas, although we do shorten some of it. We are basically a schola of between 6 to 8 singers. All of the cantors at the parish make up the schola, including a couple ringers. We just use the organ and a brass quartet for it. No orchestra. We’re fortunate that the parish has all classically trained singers and instrumentalists. Other than that, though, during the rest of the year (besides Christmas and Easter) we do regular congregational masses. This particular parish is very comfortable with the Mass of Creation, although the music director has been slowly and surely introducing new settings since her arrival.

This particular recording of it was done at St. Peter’s Basilica during a High Mass. The Kyrie happens at 3:34 mark. (As a side note, I love JPII’s speaking voice when he is praying the Confiteor.)
youtube.com/watch?v=UeUjMagnJ_M
 
“Wearisome comforters are you all!
Is there no end to windy words? Or what sickness have you that you speak on?”

Let’s remember the OP is just venting. Just venting. Is it necessary for us to be so formal and reprimanding with her?
:o

Good observation!
 
I am always amazed, really amazed that often we read on this forum that people get upset because something they “don’t like”. Why the “I” is always the first concern? :eek:

That is how anyone can sue nowadays. For example, if “I” don’t like the word “God”, I will sue to take it out because “I” am offended. Not only the atheist has such mentality and attitude, we see it right and left right here!
 
Charles-
The words (they are the words of Job, by the way! Job 16:2-3) were not directed at anyone specifically. I was stating that the OP needed first comfort and time to gather herself, and afterwards, advice.
 
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