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pianistclare
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Wow, this thread sure go derailed.
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dochawk
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CatholicRaven
Guest
As a side note, if your voice cannot take singing off and on for an hour or so, you’re probably “pushing” your voice, and perhaps don’t have proper breath support. 
No need to sing loudly at Mass, nor sing in a key that’s uncomfortable; you should generally sing in the same comfortable tone of your speaking voice. And as someone else mentioned, you don’t have to sing with every song, or every verse, just do what you can.
I love a Mass full of singing, and it’s not about “showing up fellow parishioners.” Yes, I do love to sing. At Mass, though, I’m singing to praise God, and I don’t care whether anyone else even hears me or not (I think most are focused on their own singing, anyway).
But I have also attended Masses where there is little or no singing at all, and that’s fine, too.
We should not choose a parish based on the amount of music, or whether there is a cry room, or the priest is older or younger, or the homily is shorter, or there’s better parking, or any number of other little preferences that don’t really matter. Because it’s not really about me and what I like or what I’m “getting” out of Mass. It’s about being there to GIVE, to worship and praise God, to give of my time in obedience and love for Christ. Sometimes, it’s more of a gift to humble oneself out of obedience and tolerate things we don’t enjoy, for the sake of the One we love.
“The problem with the Mass” generally isn’t where we think it is–it’s what’s inside your heart and mind. I mean, if you’re busy counting the stanzas of the songs, do you think you are really focused on what you should be?
Maybe it’s time to stop “church-shopping,” stop thinking about what we want out of Mass, and instead focus on what we are bringing to Mass.
If you’re struggling, you might offer up your struggles and doubts to God (“Lord, I believe–help my unbelief!”). If you’re distracted, bring your focus back as soon as you notice you’re distracted, offer it up, and keep working at staying focused on Him. It does take practice, and believe me, if you ask God to help you learn to stay focused, He will give you plenty of opportunities to practice ignoring distractions!
No need to sing loudly at Mass, nor sing in a key that’s uncomfortable; you should generally sing in the same comfortable tone of your speaking voice. And as someone else mentioned, you don’t have to sing with every song, or every verse, just do what you can.
I love a Mass full of singing, and it’s not about “showing up fellow parishioners.” Yes, I do love to sing. At Mass, though, I’m singing to praise God, and I don’t care whether anyone else even hears me or not (I think most are focused on their own singing, anyway).
But I have also attended Masses where there is little or no singing at all, and that’s fine, too.
We should not choose a parish based on the amount of music, or whether there is a cry room, or the priest is older or younger, or the homily is shorter, or there’s better parking, or any number of other little preferences that don’t really matter. Because it’s not really about me and what I like or what I’m “getting” out of Mass. It’s about being there to GIVE, to worship and praise God, to give of my time in obedience and love for Christ. Sometimes, it’s more of a gift to humble oneself out of obedience and tolerate things we don’t enjoy, for the sake of the One we love.
“The problem with the Mass” generally isn’t where we think it is–it’s what’s inside your heart and mind. I mean, if you’re busy counting the stanzas of the songs, do you think you are really focused on what you should be?
Maybe it’s time to stop “church-shopping,” stop thinking about what we want out of Mass, and instead focus on what we are bringing to Mass.
If you’re struggling, you might offer up your struggles and doubts to God (“Lord, I believe–help my unbelief!”). If you’re distracted, bring your focus back as soon as you notice you’re distracted, offer it up, and keep working at staying focused on Him. It does take practice, and believe me, if you ask God to help you learn to stay focused, He will give you plenty of opportunities to practice ignoring distractions!
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WT1
Guest
My experience is that difference between a good Mass and a “bad” Mass lies within the attitude of the individual. If I come out of a Mass unfulfilled, I need only look in the mirror because provided His glory if I chose to recognize it or not.
When it happens I typically don’t like what I see in the reflection.
When it happens I typically don’t like what I see in the reflection.
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Martina_Cat
Guest
I love the singing. I sing for two masses and one is lengthy, old school and full of chant, motets, and otherwise difficult pieces. The other is shorter and modern.
I love to sing and hate truncated pieces. I also love it when most of the liturgy is sung or chanted, including the prayer petitions. If you are getting tired, just hum or pray silently.
I love to sing and hate truncated pieces. I also love it when most of the liturgy is sung or chanted, including the prayer petitions. If you are getting tired, just hum or pray silently.
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claymcdermott
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I kindly disagree with those who rejected my advice, and give my original advice again, because getting to pick from licit, canonically legal, options is not the dictatorship of the individual.
Also, what you get out of the Mass definitely does matter.
And although we definitely have different views there, a larger discussion on territoriality, rites, forms of the mass offered at various parishes, and ethnic parishes is beyond the scope of the Ops question.
Also, what you get out of the Mass definitely does matter.
And although we definitely have different views there, a larger discussion on territoriality, rites, forms of the mass offered at various parishes, and ethnic parishes is beyond the scope of the Ops question.
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tawny
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Sure did; as with so many other threads.
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tawny
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In my Parish no one sings “to show up fellow parishioners”. Singing in done reverently & to praise God.
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Gertabelle
Guest
At the mass where I play the organ, the pastor has told me that he wants the music to keep going and then end at very specific moments – and we do our best to follow his request. It makes for some interesting instrumental music with me trying to end at just the right moment. 
During Advent and Lent, we aim for a lot of silence. And we never have instrumental music.
Point is, that the music at our mass is about prayer and the mass. Mass is never extended because of the music. We (musicians at our mass) try to allow silence. But since our pastor wants the music, we strive to make sure the music creates an atmosphere in which people’s minds and hearts are directed to the altar, not the choir loft or even their hymnal.
Of course, people have very different opinions about the arts and music and what is appropriate for mass and for prayer.
Never gonna please everyone.
During Advent and Lent, we aim for a lot of silence. And we never have instrumental music.
Point is, that the music at our mass is about prayer and the mass. Mass is never extended because of the music. We (musicians at our mass) try to allow silence. But since our pastor wants the music, we strive to make sure the music creates an atmosphere in which people’s minds and hearts are directed to the altar, not the choir loft or even their hymnal.
Of course, people have very different opinions about the arts and music and what is appropriate for mass and for prayer.
Never gonna please everyone.
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kdbueno
Guest
Just sing as the Holy Spirit does.
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ProVobis
Guest
Liturgical committees do it all the time, if not those with loud voices.
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