Teenagers and Church Music

[ethelzguy]

I will echo the sentiments of Cat.

It boils down to who you trust and believe in, the priests, bishops, and Rome? Or, the interpretations of some folks in an online forum.

Let’s face it. The priests, bishops, and Rome all know what the documents say as well. Yet, we have LifeTeen, guitars, drums, keyboards, Glory and Praise hymnals, Gather hymnals, the list goes on and on.

CLEARLY the interpretation of the documents by those IN AUTHORITY are in conflict with those here who insist otherwise.

Obviously, someone is in error here. I know with whom I will cast MY lot.

 

[ethelzguy]

time…one thing
opportunity… another thing

plural

verb used would be are… like in “… they are…”

if you prefer “…they is…” where they is substituted with time & opportunity…

go for it.

And that is Mr S, sir, to you

Sorry, Mister Ess, SIR. I taught High School English for 25 years. You put “time and opportunity” together without a comma or other division. Thus, “time and opportunity” are as one, and the proper word use is “IS”

Time to go fix my hubby some supper.

eml

 

[snhs]

What this post says to me is that I cannot trust my Bishop and my priests.

And to me, this means that I cannot trust the Catholic Church.

What am I do with this?

I am not “allowed” to just let the Bishop and priest approve of the people who select the music for my parishes. According to you, snhs, I have to read through all kinds of documents and encyclicals and writings and histories in order to be fully informed, and I have to make the decision about whether the music in the Masses that I attend is “suitable.”

snhs, you ask why I think the music is “suitable” for Mass. I HAVE NO IDEA! How do you like that for an answer? I DO NOT KNOW!

I am not an expert in Church Rubrics, GIRMs, and Papal encyclicals. I’m not an expert on music.

You want to know something, snhs? Most Catholics are in the same boat as me. They don’t know an awful lot.

I am a convert who is still working on reading through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Of course, it’s probably the WRONG Catechism, since it’s the one that came out during Pope John Paul IIs reign, and apparently THAT Catechism is flawed. So I’m probably wasting my time to read it.

snhs, unlike you, I have to trust my priest and my bishops to regulate the Masses for me. I lack the knowledge to tell them how to do it.

Again, snhs, most Catholics are the same as me.

Our priests select various people to be in charge of the Liturgy in the parishes that I play piano for–it’s called “chain of command” and they have the authority from the Pope to do this.

And so I have to trust that the people my priest selects are worthy of the calling and know what they are doing.

And I THOUGHT that was what the Catholic Church is all about–trusting in the Authority of Jesus Christ that He has delegated to the Pope and the Bishops, and the priests.

That’s why I LEFT the Protestant churches–because I wanted to be under the Authority of the Pope and the Bishop. I did not want to be my own authority anymore.

snhs, I am NOT ASHAMED to confess to you that I trust my bishop, Thomas Doran, and my priests, and the people that they hire, to choose good music that is worthy of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

And snhs, I apologize if I was muddled in my post this morning. I do not think music is suitable for Holy Mass because I “like it.” No, never!

I think music is suitable for Holy Mass because it is approved by my Bishop and priests. I submit to THEIR leadership.

And I apologize for coming across as a “martyr” because I used the word “submit.” I didn’t mean that to imply that I would “grit my teeth and submit even if I hate it.” No, what I meant is that I am willing to obey my Bishops and priests, because to me, they represent my Lord Jesus. In the same way that I submit to my husband, in love and trust, I will submit to my Bishop and priests. No “martyrdom”, snhs–only joy and love.

If I cannot trust my Bishop, priests, and hired staff at my parishes, then I cannot trust the Catholic Church, and I may as well quit now and go back to nothing.

snhs, do you see why I am upset and disturbed in my soul? You have said an awful thing, a thing that is capable of destroying the trust and faith that many Catholics, especially new Catholics, have in their Bishop and priests.

You do realize that most of the parishes in the U.S. use the OCP published music materials. So according to you, ALL of these bishops are doing something wrong and defying the Church and giving their parishes “bad” music.

No wonder the Catholic Church putzes along in the U.S. People like you and benedictgal are constantly telling us that we can’t just “accept” the Mass music–we have to study everything ever written and question the Bishop that does not agree with our interpretation of the documents.

To me, this thread isn’t about music at all. It’s about willingness to submit to our Bishops and trust their judgement about the music in their diocese. I TRUST THEM. Am I a fool? Perhaps. But I would rather trust the Bishops and priests, who are ordained by the Lord, than trust my own foolish mind, which for years, kept me Protestant and away from Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

If the rest of you want to accuse our Bishops of slacking and being “liberal” and allowing themselves to be led around by the nose by the moguls at OCP, that’s too bad. I hope you will think about keeping your mouths shut in front of new Catholics and converts. It’s hurtful to our faith.

To make this as clear as I can, the Catholic Church is bigger than Priests and Bishops. Look to what the Lord has promised us and it will sustain you through far worse things than this kind of discussion.

You are allowed to do what your conscience, formed by the teachings of the Church tell you to do. Some people feel drawn to look at Scripture, others the Writings of Church Fathers, or Papal Encyclicals some just become Altar servers or go to Mass every week. We are all different in that regard.

And nor am I.

I never said that the Catechism that came out during Pope John Paul II’s reign was invalid did I? Part of the problem with knowledge is that it can disturb us, if you go on the Traditional Forum you’ll find some people who think we’ve not had a valid Pope for decades, if you go on the Eastern Catholic forum you might find some EO people who consider the Catholic Church guilty of heresy and goodness knows what. And that’s just why we need to listen to authority, but we must be aware what kind of authority we are listening to. You might have came across Papal Infallibility in the Catechism? But even that only applies to certain things. What the Church teaches is built up so if you ever see a Document from VII its got dozens of references, from Scripture, and what previous Saints and Popes have said etc.

Despite what you might think, I deeply respect our Priests and Bishops because they have answered a calling and done things which I’m not at all sure I’d be brave enough to do. But that doesn’t mean that they’re never wrong or make the wrong call in deciding who’ll choose the music for the teen Mass or whatever else.

I’m not your confessor, nor am I qualified in even the slightest way to be one. I can tell you that I to trust the Priests and Bishops, but if they say something I think to be wrong then I’ll ask them about it, and if they can’t give an answer I understand then I might have to ask again, and at the end of the day if they can’t provide the answer then I might need to look at another source on it, or ask another Priest.

There can be love and joy in martyrdom just as surely as there can be love and joy in this life.

I have to tell you a lot of the hired staff are probably just slightly more knowledgeable than your average lay person. Priests and Bishops often will be well informed, knowledgeable, capable, but sometimes they won’t. You will know that abortion is wrong, but there are some Priests who will dissent from that. You might know that the Catholic Church, indeed no Church, can ordain women because we don’t have the authority to, but that doesn’t stop some Priests, even some Bishops, thinking we can and wanting to ordain them to the Priesthood.

If you don’t believe what I have said then ask a Priest about it. The fact is if Priests and Bishops were perfect then there’d have been no sex abuse scandals and we’d never have had Schisms within the Church.

I’m not going to speak for any Diocese in the US, or even a single Parish. But I think what you’ll find is that most of the time its the Parish Priest or a music director who’ll order in the hymn books, his choice is further constrained by what funds his Parish has available, what hymn books are on the market etc. If you’re ordering however many hundred hymn books then you’re going to go to a fairly big company to get them, hopefully get some sort of bulk discount. And if they happen to have a certain hymn book, like OCP, which they’ll be pushing the company may give a better deal than they normally would. I’m afraid that point is about the market rather than anything else. And what you’ll also find is that these companies want to keep costs down so they’ll produce a hymn book which can be used in other churches, and ultimately if they find Evangelicals buy more hymn books then when they revise that book guess who they’ll target to sell to?

I don’t think we’ve told you to do anything. Basically its how debate works, if I produce a source like ‘my Priest says X, is he right?’ and then another poster comes along and says ‘no, because Bishop J says…’ . And then someone else might come along and says ‘Well actually the Priest was right after all because in the … Pope J said …, and the Bible says … and St R says…’. If someone builds an argument around their own Parish, or Diocese then it’s weak compared to someone saying the Universal Church says … Do you see what I mean? There is still room for personal experience obviously, but when we’re discussing something like this which applies to the whole Church we also need to look at what the Church actually teaches about it.

It might be better to trust in God, after all no matter who or what lead you to convert it was him who was behind it in some way or another. Just my own thought on it but I don’t think a fool would have known to answer him, yes. Or at least not a fool by my interpretation .

 

[japhy]

The priests, bishops, and Rome all know what the documents say as well.

I was not aware we had established that as fact (as far as the priests and bishops are concerned).

Yet, we have LifeTeen, guitars, drums, keyboards, Glory and Praise hymnals, Gather hymnals, the list goes on and on. CLEARLY the interpretation of the documents by those IN AUTHORITY are in conflict with those here who insist otherwise. Obviously, someone is in error here. I know with whom I will cast MY lot.

We also have Jubilate Deo… oh, no, we don’t. At least, 99% of us don’t. 99% of us also haven’t been taught to make the responses of the Mass in Latin (and a good portion of the 99% would very likely take offense at the very idea!).

 

[snhs]

If I read his posts correctly, what I gather he is saying is that youth crave something deeper than the superficial, happy-clappy stuff that is being offered to them as “music” for the Mass. Young people intrinsically yearn for something greater than the ordinary, than what is presented to them by well-meaning, but, severely misguided music directors who think that new and novelty is the way to go.

The fact of the matter is that even the great propoent of WYD, Pope John Paul II didn’t buy into that argument as he noted in ihs Chirographh on Sacred Music:

There are those who have criticized me for putting quotes from the documents and the popes into my posts. However, these quotes fully substantiate the positions that I have taken and I’ve tried my best to put these words into practice when planning liturgies.

Too bad the publishing houses that promote the kind of banality that is supposed to pass for “liturgical music” don’t seem to pay attention to what the Church has written.

That’s exactly it. If you look at the ‘mega churches’ etc it is easy to see why they go down the route of concerts because at the end of the day they are hollow, there is just no substance behind it. So they try to conceal that fact behind a screen of lasers and guitars.

Then if you look at the Church it has more substance than you could need, what has sustained the Saints of the past still exists within the Church and our Liturgy. But well meaning ‘youth ministers’ and others seem so determined to keep all of that hushed up. They put a veneer over it, trying to fill it in with a lighter version of what Protestant groups do by adding the guitars, and the music they thing will draw people in.

The fact is when it comes down to it the Church can’t compete with the mega churches etc because they can add in the rock bands have no rules, teach nothing of value. However if you try to hide the true Church behind a coating, however light, it makes it that bit more difficult to get a hold of. The best way for the Church to get young people to stay in and others to join the Church is by showing an image which is completely unlike that which they normally have and which is true to our heritage. Perhaps some of you will have heard about the WYD falling short of the economic predictions in Australia, and that was mainly as a result of one Homily the Pope gave them.

I know next to no Latin, and have never heard a Sung Mass, in Gregorian Chant or otherwise, nor have I been able to attend a TLM or even a NO Mass in Latin. But I can tell you that I feel most separated from the Church when I’m attending these ‘youth Masses’ at my local Parish. And when I’m serving at the Christmas or Easter Vigil it is then that I feel closest to that “sensus Ecclesiae”, and I don’t think that’s just from standing too close to the Thurible.

 

[Joysong]

Sorry, Mister Ess, SIR. I taught High School English for 25 years. You put “time and opportunity” together without a comma or other division. Thus, “time and opportunity” are as one, and the proper word use is “IS”.

Wonderful news, Ethelsguy! Maybe you can enlighten those who feel called to ‘educate’ others on these fora, how exactly learning occurs – with professional insight from one who went to school to learn how to teach.

One of my files for CCD teaching contains this instruction:

The traditional notion that education consists of one person transmitting his knowledge to another hs been dispelled by modern research into the psychology of learning.
[In other words, we often find that a poster will present a specific document that s(he) interprets personally, submits it in black and white, and expects that when it is read, everyone else will simply accept it. If they don’t, then the goal is to provide additional documents until they agree with the material, and/or browbeat them with verbiage unbefitting an educator which increases their resistance to ‘learning.’]

**Learning is not merely a passive absorption of information. **
Learning occurs when an individual experiences a problem or recognizes a gap between where he is and where he wants to be, and then institutes a self-inquiry in which he draws on whatever resources available to acquire the learnings necessary to solve the problem or close the gap. In the last analysis, all education is self-education. A teacher can’t really teach another person, he can only help him learn.

Can we not see how some well-meaning posters who have no qualifications to teach are the very ones who often inhibit real learning? Let’s take the teen mass, for instance. If the so-called learner is fine with where s(he) is, and has no desire to institute that self inquiry to close the gap, then all the documents in the world are not going to change this person.

I think CAT was right, that the majority of people are in that position, pleased with their pastors’ and bishops’ guidance, and have no dissatisfaction with their liturgies. Until the ‘educators’ on this forum are equipped to know how to inspire others to adopt their positions, very little will be gained except ill-will and controversy.

My pastor permits a youth mass once monthly, and has instructed the congregation to attend another liturgy if this is not suitable to their temperment. I am one who goes elsewhere, so I am not promoting a lifeteen mass, per se, in case anyone was misinterpreting my post.

May I invite you who believe in your own truth to learn patience and loving-kindness if you expect to be at all effective. In John 6 where Jesus spoke of the Eucharist, He let them go who did not accept His teaching. He did not browbeat them into it or run after them. There is a wonderful poster here that follows the same practice: Puzzleannie. I have yet to see her run after anyone after she simply presents her teaching. But then again, Puzzleannie is a professional educator! [If pastors allude to anyone being a liturgical cop, it would be good to listen to that important feedback.]

 

[jjschlueter23]

SNHS, I will definitely give you that one. When you turn Mass into a rock concert, something’s gone very wrong. I myself have never been to a TeenLife or LifeTeen or whatever they’re called Mass (shocking, yes, I know, but my parish doesn’t have them). But from what you say, I expect it to be a crummy attempt at Christian Rock Music.

Now I’m not saying TeenLife shouldn’t be allowed, I’m saying that it’s not what I mean by contemporary. I don’t always want rock songs at Mass. The best songs after Communion are always the soft ones with the reflective words, but they’re modern, and when sung well and played well, really help the congregation connect with what they’ve just received, The true Body and Blood of Christ. Yeah, there can be rock songs in places, but I’m not saying the entire Mass’s music should be replaced with screaming electric guitars.

From my previous posts, you know my opinion’s on music and the church. I would actually rather attend a very good choral Mass than sit through a terrible attempt at rock music that sounds like a wedding band. I think it’s quite distracting when you can sit there and pick out flat notes and loose harmonies, so whatever music is used, it should be done well. Be that TL, contemporary, choral, or yes, Gregorian chant

 

[agapewolf]

SNHS, I will definitely give you that one. When you turn Mass into a rock concert, something’s gone very wrong. I myself have never been to a TeenLife or LifeTeen or whatever they’re called Mass (shocking, yes, I know, but my parish doesn’t have them). But from what you say, I expect it to be a crummy attempt at Christian Rock Music.

Now I’m not saying TeenLife shouldn’t be allowed, I’m saying that it’s not what I mean by contemporary. I don’t always want rock songs at Mass. The best songs after Communion are always the soft ones with the reflective words, but they’re modern, and when sung well and played well, really help the congregation connect with what they’ve just received, The true Body and Blood of Christ. Yeah, there can be rock songs in places, but I’m not saying the entire Mass’s music should be replaced with screaming electric guitars.

From my previous posts, you know my opinion’s on music and the church. I would actually rather attend a very good choral Mass than sit through a terrible attempt at rock music that sounds like a wedding band. I think it’s quite distracting when you can sit there and pick out flat notes and loose harmonies, so whatever music is used, it should be done well. Be that TL, contemporary, choral, or yes, Gregorian chant

Just to clarify, Lifeteen music would not promote any kind of “screaming electric guitars” during communion (or anytime in the mass for that matter). It is stated in their books that communion is a time for meditative music.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of this debate is from the definition of “Rock music”. A slow reflective praise and worship song called “Be with me Lord” (from the psalm) and the terrible screeching marilyn manson seems to be defined by folks here as all inclusive under the umbrella “rock music”. This is why so interpretations of the documents differ.

 

[japhy]

Can we not see how some well-meaning posters who have no qualifications to teach are the very ones who often inhibit real learning? Let’s take the teen mass, for instance. If the so-called learner is fine with where they are and has no desire to institute that self inquiry to close the gap, then all the documents in the world are not going to change them.
…
Until the ‘educators’ on this forum are equipped to know how to inspire others to adopt their positions, very little will be gained except ill-will and controversy.

I’ll accept that. So please, teach me (or rather, help me to learn) how to assist others to “want to be” more attuned to the traditional musical heritage of the Church. Help me help them to appreciate Gregorian chant to the point that they desire it to have its pride of place in their parish’s celebration of the liturgy!

[If pastors allude to anyone being a liturgical cop, it would be good to listen to that important feedback.]

I’m sorry you feel that way, because I was genuinely concerned for the Precious Blood; I wasn’t trying to be a policeman (although I suppose some people think that’s an unavoidable conclusion). There’s a reason the Church tells its ministers not to pour the Precious Blood from one vessel to another, and I was concerned when I saw it done time and time again. I had kept silent for months on it. I was polite in my email to my pastor; I wasn’t telling him to do his job or getting on his case about it (as if it were somehow his fault – he doesn’t pour the Precious Blood).

 

[japhy]

May I invite you who believe in your own truth…

I take offense to that, Joysong. Once again you are pitting those of us who are reiterating the Church’s teachings on sacred music against, well, some other “truth” which we’re not privy to.

Why can’t people just deal with the actual issues?

 

[snhs]

Can we not see how some well-meaning posters who have no qualifications to teach are the very ones who often inhibit real learning? Let’s take the teen mass, for instance. If the so-called learner is fine with where they are and has no desire to institute that self inquiry to close the gap, then all the documents in the world are not going to change them.

I quite agree with you. After all this is about teenagers and the music they like in Church. Now as you have not been a teenager for quite a while you’re outdated, and, though I regret to say it, this leaves you most under qualified to voice an opinion.

But do not despair, for the teachings of the Church do apply to teenagers as well. So if you can go and do a bit of homework and come back with a position which is based on what the Church and the Popes etc have actually said rather than what you think they have then your contribution would also be most welcome, in spite of your age, which we’ll do our best not to hold against you.

Also as you have highlighted your desire to avoid mere passive absorption of information I should like to cordially invite you to ‘hang’ in ‘da hood’ with me and ‘ma crewe’, where we can engage in typical teenage activities such as ‘hangin, talkin, and rappin’, followed by a discussion of how much we all adore having Eagle’s Wings and other Praise and Worship Songs played during Mass.

I know you’d like nothing better than this thread to be locked so you can continue to evade answering questions, however I’m not going to aid you in doing so. Please continue to bait away, I fully intend to ignore any such future posts.

 

[snhs]

SNHS, I will definitely give you that one. When you turn Mass into a rock concert, something’s gone very wrong. I myself have never been to a TeenLife or LifeTeen or whatever they’re called Mass (shocking, yes, I know, but my parish doesn’t have them). But from what you say, I expect it to be a crummy attempt at Christian Rock Music.

Now I’m not saying TeenLife shouldn’t be allowed, I’m saying that it’s not what I mean by contemporary. I don’t always want rock songs at Mass. The best songs after Communion are always the soft ones with the reflective words, but they’re modern, and when sung well and played well, really help the congregation connect with what they’ve just received, The true Body and Blood of Christ. Yeah, there can be rock songs in places, but I’m not saying the entire Mass’s music should be replaced with screaming electric guitars.

From my previous posts, you know my opinion’s on music and the church. I would actually rather attend a very good choral Mass than sit through a terrible attempt at rock music that sounds like a wedding band. I think it’s quite distracting when you can sit there and pick out flat notes and loose harmonies, so whatever music is used, it should be done well. Be that TL, contemporary, choral, or yes, Gregorian chant

Glad we’ve found something to agree on .

Just my own preference but I prefer quiet instrumental or silence just after receiving Communion, but that’s a personal preference.

Certainly the ideal for the Mass is a close to perfection as we can manage.

 

[Joysong]

Japhy:

Originally Posted by Joysong
May I invite you who believe in your own truth…

I take offense to that, Joysong. Once again you are pitting those of us who are reiterating the Church’s teachings on sacred music against, well, some other “truth” which we’re not privy to.

Japhy,

Why do you always read my posts in such an uncharitable light? Let’s put the emphasis on the right words, ok?

May I invite you who believe in your own truth to learn patience and loving-kindness if you expect to be at all effective. I’m not saying at all that your truth is not true, if you read again my clarification immediately after those words, about Jesus’s teaching in Jn. 6. His words were ALSO true and he believed in His own truth (of course!), but he let people go when they were not ready for it.

 

[japhy]

Why do you always read my posts in such an uncharitable light? Let’s put the emphasis on the right words, ok?

You could have found a more charitable phrase than “you who believe in your own truth”. Of course I agree with the “patience and loving-kindness” part, but the first half is disagreeable to me.

Now, would you mind helping me to understand your interpretation of the quote from Pope John Paul II that we were discussing earlier today? I would very much like to hear your perspective, because I did not have the same reaction from what he wrote.

 

[Cat]

I quite agree with you. After all this is about teenagers and the music they like in Church. Now as you have not been a teenager for quite a while you’re outdated, and, though I regret to say it, this leaves you most under qualified to voice an opinion.

But do not despair, for the teachings of the Church do apply to teenagers as well. So if you can go and do a bit of homework and come back with a position which is based on what the Church and the Popes etc have actually said rather than what you think they have then your contribution would also be most welcome, in spite of your age, which we’ll do our best not to hold against you.

Also as you have highlighted your desire to avoid mere passive absorption of information I should like to cordially invite you to ‘hang’ in ‘da hood’ with me and ‘ma crewe’, where we can engage in typical teenage activities such as ‘hangin, talkin, and rappin’, followed by a discussion of how much we all adore having Eagle’s Wings and other Praise and Worship Songs played during Mass.

I know you’d like nothing better than this thread to be locked so you can continue to evade answering questions, however I’m not going to aid you in doing so. Please continue to bait away, I fully intend to ignore any such future posts.

I am going to request nicely, in love, that you please refrain from making insulting remarks about the hymn, “On Eagle’s Wings.”

Most of the people in the 100 year-old Italian parish where I play piano request this beautiful hymn for the funeral Masses of their loved ones. It is hard enough to mourn the loss of someone you love. It does not help anyone to hear the song that was played at the funeral of the loved one ridiculed. It makes that person feel that they have done something bad for their dearly beloved.

The words to the hymn are taken almost word for word from Sacred Scripture. As I said, I am not qualified to decide which hymns are suitable for Holy Mass. But I do think that if I was going to decide, songs that are taken word for word from Sacred Scripture would go into the “Suitable” pile.

Thank you for practicing this simple kindness.

 

[Joysong]

Snhs:

Now as you have not been a teenager for quite a while you’re outdated, and, though I regret to say it, this leaves you most under qualified to voice an opinion.

You know nothing about me whatsoever except that I am not a teenager, but not a clue about my experience. That is a very arrogant statement.

But do not despair,

I wasn’t. You assume too much.

So if you can go and do a bit of homework and come back with a position which is based on what the Church and the Popes etc have actually said rather than what you think they have then your contribution would also be most welcome, in spite of your age, which we’ll do our best not to hold against you.

For such a young person, you have a most uncourteous manner of speaking to adults. Obviously my post went right over your head.

Also as you have highlighted your desire to avoid mere passive absorption of information …

This highlighted wording was not mine, nor was it ‘my desire’ … but it is part of the document for CCD teachers. It is a very important concept, which you ignore to your detriment.

… and Worship Songs played during Mass.

These were not my words, but you added them as though they were. It is customary to quote exactly and not use innuendo.

I know you’d like nothing better than this thread to be locked so you can continue to evade answering questions, however I’m not going to aid you in doing so. Please continue to bait away, I fully intend to ignore any such future posts.

You know nothing about my feelings concerning this thread, except what I have stated. I would repeat my concerns, but I see they would be dismissed. There were no questions asked of me that I failed to answer, so this is more wrongful innuendo.

Please do ignore my posts. There is a feature in the user control.

 

[MrS]

Sorry, Mister Ess, SIR. I taught High School English for 25 years. You put “time and opportunity” together without a comma or other division. Thus, “time and opportunity” are as one, and the proper word use is “IS”

Time to go fix my hubby some supper.

eml

Now I understand…

Ethel and Ethelzguy is going to have some supper.:tiphat:

 

[japhy]

I am going to request nicely, in love, that you please refrain from making insulting remarks about the hymn, “On Eagle’s Wings.”

Given that it is taken almost word-for-word from Psalm 91 (the refrain uses concepts from elsewhere in Scripture), I would suspect that the displeasure toward it is its musical arrangement.

 

[Cat]

I’ll accept that. So please, teach me (or rather, help me to learn) how to assist others to “want to be” more attuned to the traditional musical heritage of the Church. Help me help them to appreciate Gregorian chant to the point that they desire it to have its pride of place in their parish’s celebration of the liturgy!

I’m sorry you feel that way, because I was genuinely concerned for the Precious Blood; I wasn’t trying to be a policeman (although I suppose some people think that’s an unavoidable conclusion). There’s a reason the Church tells its ministers not to pour the Precious Blood from one vessel to another, and I was concerned when I saw it done time and time again. I had kept silent for months on it. I was polite in my email to my pastor; I wasn’t telling him to do his job or getting on his case about it (as if it were somehow his fault – he doesn’t pour the Precious Blood).

(Boldface mine)–one of the best ways to help people appreciate the music that you like is to never criticize the music that they like.

You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.

Good luck with that Gregorian chant thing. I’ve been trying to use it as background music for prayer so that I can learn to like it or at least not dislike it. So far it isn’t working. I just don’t get it.

Maybe the fact that it’s all men–do women ever do Gregorian chant?

I’m considering buying a CD that I heard advertised on Relevant Radio the other day. It’s by the Pauline Sisters, and one of the featured hymns (the one they played on the radio) is “Amazing Grace.” Here’s a link: catholiccompany.com/catholic-gifts/5003212/Catholic-Classics-CD-Volume-2/?category=1023

To me, the mix of hymns on this album is perfect. But of course, it’s not about me, is it?

I suppose someone is going to tell me that the Pauline Press is one of those groups that is dumbing down the Church and promoting “bad” music and “Protestant” hymns?

Do you sense a little antagonism here? You see, japhy, the kind of salvos that people are firing at those of us who like 70s music and rock music and “Protestant-written” hymns don’t influence us in the least to reject our “badness” because these salvos are so full of hatred against the music that we love and the priests that encourage its use in Masses.

These salvos just convince us to put up a stronger, higher WALL around ourselves.

The way to get people to tear a wall down is to help them feel safe and loved, not attack them.

 

[Joysong]

Well said, CAT.