And the music at the end of Mass should be a little more theologically rich than “Go Make a Difference”. That’s a completely meaningless phrase if I ever heard one.Some of you may find this article interesting.
crisismagazine.com/2012/catholic-music-its-time-to-stop-making-stuff-up
I use to attend the praise and worship Mass at my old church. The lead singer for the band would go into rock star mode. She did this even during the communion hymn. That was one of the reasons I left. I love contemporary Christian music, but it has it’s time and place. The music during communion should be reverent.
Chorus:
Go make a dff’rence, we can make a diff’rence
Go make a diff’rence in the world
Go make a diff’rence we can make a diff’rence
Go make a diff’rence in the world
First Verse:
We are the salt in the earth, called to let the people see
The love of God in you and me
We are the light of the world, not to be hidden, but be seen
Go make a diff’rence in the world
Chorus
Yes, this song really inspires me; to do what I have no idea.Second Verse:
We are the hands of Christ, reaching out to those in need
The face of God for all to see
We are the spirit of hope, we are the voice of peace
Ah yes, some of the most insipid and theologically lacking lyrics to date. I have only ever had to do this once for a PSR (CCD, Faith Formation, whatever you want to call it) prayer service (not a Mass). I told the lady in charge that that song is like nails on a chalkboard for me, and if it were a Mass, I would make her change it to something else.And the music at the end of Mass should be a little more theologically rich than “Go Make a Difference”. That’s a completely meaningless phrase if I ever heard one.
Here are the lyrics for said song:
Yes, this song really inspires me; to do what I have no idea.
Still, even outside of Mass it’s awful. I can understand some of the praise and worship songs to be used outside of Mass. Even with bad music they have relevant lyrics. But this song? Not only does it contribute to the decay of language (by using utterly meaningless phrases) but it’s also that phony uplifting music that makes you feel good for doing nothing.Ah yes, some of the most insipid and theologically lacking lyrics to date. I have only ever had to do this once for a PSR (CCD, Faith Formation, whatever you want to call it) prayer service (not a Mass). I told the lady in charge that that song is like nails on a chalkboard for me, and if it were a Mass, I would make her change it to something else.
Time-out. What is the specific objection to this song?Still, even outside of Mass it’s awful. I can understand some of the praise and worship songs to be used outside of Mass. Even with bad music they have relevant lyrics. But this song? Not only does it contribute to the decay of language (by using utterly meaningless phrases) but it’s also that phony uplifting music that makes you feel good for doing nothing.
What is the song actually calling us to do?Time-out. What is the specific objection to this song?
The sentiments are taken directly out of scripture. Can you be more specific in your condemnation of the song, aside from your personal tastes?
I think these two are good suggestions. As to what else could be done, I would say that would depend on the OP’s role in the music ministry. So to the original poster, do you assist by instrument or vocally in the music?My suggestion.
Talk to the Pastor in person with a copy of the Vatican II Hymnal, so he can see it for himself.
Then, with the approval of the Pastor, offer to pay for the hymnals for the parish or start a donation drive to pay for it, so it will not be a finacial burden on the parish.
It tells us to go make a difference, but doesn’t tell us how. Therefore, I will make a difference and make the world a better place by burning all copies of this song that I find.What is the song actually calling us to do?
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:Your ‘liturgy director’ either works for OCP or is a shill for them.
Unfortunately neither. I do have a musical background as I did play the saxophone for 9 years. So I’ve been trying to learn how to sing and generally trying to follow this guideline.I think these two are good suggestions. As to what else could be done, I would say that would depend on the OP’s role in the music ministry. So to the original poster, do you assist by instrument or vocally in the music?
What is the song actually calling us to do?
Mark 16:15Go make a dff’rence, we can make a diff’rence…
Salt and LightFirst Verse:
We are the salt in the earth, called to let the people see
The love of God in you and me
We are the light of the world, not to be hidden, but be seen
It’s not perfection, but what music is? It doesn’t take too much effort to discern the meaning behind the lyrics.Second Verse:
We are the hands of Christ, reaching out to those in need
The face of God for all to see
We are the spirit of hope, we are the voice of peace
Your personal iinability to find meaning in the song doesn’t mean it deserves this:Great, those scripture verses have plenty of meaning. The song does not. Just because it makes an allusion to scripture does not mean that it is actually telling us anything.
Still, even outside of Mass it’s awful. I can understand some of the praise and worship songs to be used outside of Mass. Even with bad music they have relevant lyrics. But this song? Not only does it contribute to the decay of language (by using utterly meaningless phrases) but it’s also that phony uplifting music that makes you feel good for doing nothing.
It’s not a personal inability. The lyrics just have no meaning (and I think the music is campy, but I’ll agree that is just personal taste) because it’s not saying anything substantial. Here’s an even bigger issue; it focuses almost completely on us instead of God, and thus should have no place in the liturgy (along with the fact that such pop music is unsuitable for Mass). If you want to have it outside the liturgy then go ahead, but it’s still a meaningless song.Your personal iinability to find meaning in the song doesn’t mean it deserves this:
Might I suggest you check with the diocese and see if they have a diocesan choir. Many of these rely heavy on chant.Right now I’m just trying to learn some hymns and learning how to chant. My big worry is the next step since I’m not sure how to find people that would want to do this with me.
Thanks for the suggestion. That sounds much better than just asking random people after Mass if they want to sing something that they’ve probably never heard before.Might I suggest you check with the diocese and see if they have a diocesan choir. Many of these rely heavy on chant.
The meaning of the song is that we as Christians are to do the work of Christ by ministering to others. I never heard this song, but I thought the lyrics were pretty simple to understand.Great, those scripture verses have plenty of meaning. The song does not. Just because it makes an allusion to scripture does not mean that it is actually telling us anything.
But how? The closest line that I can find is “reaching out to those in need”. The rest is vague.The meaning of the song is that we as Christians are to do the work of Christ by ministering to others. I never heard this song, but I thought the lyrics were pretty simple to understand.