I did speak to them. The choir director is a professional accompanist so he certainly can play the appropriate music and not just hymns. I hope I can express this without seeming like I am criticizing the priest and people (because I can’t know what is in their hearts, and certainly if they believe what they are doing is fine, which they do even though it is not, again, it’s not like they are deliberately and knowingly doing wrong, so again, I am not criticizing or judging motives), but the thing is, I have been told that I am not supposed to be questioning but ‘participating’, and that THIS is the way that things are done here because, “This is what we do here”. It is said in a very pleasant way, but a very final way, “This is right because this is what we do.” In fact I was told not to even bother looking at 'the front of the song book" (IOW, not to even look the first part of the missalette which gives the liturgy, the readings, etc.), but just to sing where the people sing, as this is ‘active participation’.
Many in the parish make rude remarks but go ‘to fulfill their obligation’. I want to fulfill my obligation but I don’t want to make ‘rude remarks’ (meaning, instead of saying, “There’s Father McLeftwing showing off again”, which remarks were made in my hearing though not to me, I would say, to Father himself, “Father, I really wish we could say the Creed at Mass, I really like the feeling of participation of all us joining in”), but it does get tiresome to hear, “Now, just come to Mass with your heart open for surprises and don’t be rigid and formulaic, we’re all about participation here”. IOW, it’s a nonanswer that puts me in the position of either looking like I’m arguing if I pursue it further, or that I’ve HAD the answer and just need to do what I’m told. So I’m praying. And hoping!
