Too critical of my parish

  • Thread starter Thread starter signumcrux
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

signumcrux

Guest
Hello all,

Both of the churches I attend regularly have guitars, clarinets, or other instruments accompany the singers. Am I being irrational for finding this irritating? I feel like this is an abuse and is making our churches more protestant. Does anyone else have problems with this?
 
It’s not unreasonable, a lot of modern church music is dreadful. I play the guitar and bass myself, but whenever I see someone break one out in church, I just go, ‘Oh no…’ 😦

That said, it doesn’t in and of itself necessarily constitute an ‘abuse,’ unless they’re singing something that’s totally inappropriate. It’s probably more just a matter of a well-meaning music director who doesn’t have very good taste in music.
 
robertericleech said:
It’s not unreasonable, a lot of modern church music is dreadful. I play the guitar and bass myself, but whenever I see someone break one out in church, I just go, ‘Oh no…’ 😦

That said, it doesn’t in and of itself necessarily constitute an ‘abuse,’ unless they’re singing something that’s totally inappropriate. It’s probably more just a matter of a well-meaning music director who doesn’t have very good taste in music.
Click to expand...
Or it could well be that that those are the only instrumentalists they can find to play.

In my parish there are 3 guitar strummers and it’s far from great. But, until someone steps up to the plate who can play the organ (preferably) or piano and is willing to do so at Mass, we’re stuck with guitars as musical accompaniment whether we sing “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” & “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” or “Gather us In” and “Here I Am, Lord”.
 
Not an abuse, but don’t feel bad if it doesn’t suite your fancy.
 
signumcrux said:
Hello all,

Both of the churches I attend regularly have guitars, clarinets, or other instruments accompany the singers. Am I being irrational for finding this irritating? I feel like this is an abuse and is making our churches more protestant. Does anyone else have problems with this?
Click to expand...
You may not like it but its not an abuse.
 
signumcrux said:
Hello all,

Both of the churches I attend regularly have guitars, clarinets, or other instruments accompany the singers. Am I being irrational for finding this irritating? I feel like this is an abuse and is making our churches more protestant. Does anyone else have problems with this?
Click to expand...
Do you have Psalm 150?

read that and I think you may find an answer to your question yourself. 😃
 
Well, it’s not an abuse. The church where I attend Mass during the week near my job doesn’t have anyone who can play the organ. One of the priests insists on making the congregation sing, and we do so *a capello, * and most of us do not have decent singing voices. We’re making some kind of joyful noise to the Lord, and I truly hope He likes the sound of the droning of a hundred or so annoyed bees, because that’s what we sound like!

If you, or a family member, have some skill with the organ, maybe you can get involved in the music ministry in your parish and change the current state of affairs. My late mother in law was the organist at her Lutheran church, and from what I’ve observed, even an electric organ is a pretty difficult instrument to play. I know there are some parishes who have hired professional organists for certain Masses. That might be an alternative as well.
 
Just wondering…, Given the near-universal difficulty of having an organist always available - is there a rule against using recorded music, like a holy karaoke?
 
I have been a cantor in church and Choir director since 1974 and have observed many styles of music and instrumentation, including recorded music which is unacceptable during liturgies. As stated in “Sing To the Lord: Music in Divine Worship” (Publication of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) “Of all the sounds of which human beings, created in the likeness of God, are capable, voice is the most priveledged and fundamental.” Those parishes in which the priests encourage singing are very blessed, The publication mentioned above also states that musical instruments are extensions of the voice and used to support the voice and of all the instruments that might be suitable for divine worship the organ is “accorded pride of place” due to its capacity to sustain and support singing of a large congregation. Especially the pipe organ, since it is one of the instruments that is so closely related to the human voice. When a pipe organ is played to support singing in church it creates a prayeful atmosphere that few other instruments can… I have attended liturgies where the guitars and / or piano do not lead me into a prayerful state as does the organ instead I just find it entertaining. As stated in Sing to the Lord, " the manifold possibilities of the organ in some way remind us of the immensity and the magnificense of God." At my parish we use only organ for worship. When I attend a Liturgy in which a piano is used I am transformed into a feeling that I am in a hotel piano bar. One cannot equate the magnificent sound of an organ accompanying a congregation to a piano plunkng away as the congregatin sings. Anyone who contributes to church music in a parish should always keep in mind that Sacred Music and Secular music are very different and should not be intermingled. I would not expect to hear the Ave Maria played in a lounge as we shuld not expect to hear popular secular music played within the church during any liturgy whethere it be Sunday Mass or Funeral liturgy or Wedding liturgy. Guitars at Mass equally do nothing for me spiritually except entertain me.
 
Please understand that I’m genuinely curious and not trying to cause trouble. Can someone explain why the organ is considered to be more holy and reverent accompaniment to singing than other instruments.

Also, like one poster, the 7:00 pm Mass I attend is done a capella (because of the unavailability of musicians) and I am a droning bee. 🙂 I try to sing quietly!
 
grasscutter said:
Please understand that I’m genuinely curious and not trying to cause trouble. Can someone explain why the organ is considered to be more holy and reverent accompaniment to singing than other instruments.

Also, like one poster, the 7:00 pm Mass I attend is done a capella (because of the unavailability of musicians) and I am a droning bee. 🙂 I try to sing quietly!
Click to expand...
I would think the instrument of choice would be the harp. After all, that is what the angels sit around all day playing, isn’t it?😃
 
grasscutter said:
Please understand that I’m genuinely curious and not trying to cause trouble. Can someone explain why the organ is considered to be more holy and reverent accompaniment to singing than other instruments.

Also, like one poster, the 7:00 pm Mass I attend is done a capella (because of the unavailability of musicians) and I am a droning bee. 🙂 I try to sing quietly!
Click to expand...
From Sacrosanctum Concilium, Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy:
  1. In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.
But other instruments also may be admitted for use in divine worship, with the knowledge and consent of the competent territorial authority, as laid down in Art. 22, 52, 37, and 40. This may be done, however, only on condition that the instruments are suitable, or can be made suitable, for sacred use, accord with the dignity of the temple, and truly contribute to the edification of the faithful.
 
I have finally “weened” myself from the guitar crowd at our local parish. I attend the EF every weekend.😃
 
In regard to recorded music DURIING liturgy. “Recorded Music lacks the authenticity provided by a living liturgical assembly gathered for Sacred Liturgy. While recorded music may be used advantageously outside the Liturgy as an aid in teaching new music, it should not, as a general norm be used within the Liturgy. … However recorded music should never become a substitute for the community’s singing.” (Sing To The Lord - USCCB).
We shouldl have the full and ACTIVE participation of ALL at liturgy. If an organist is not available then a cappella works well. We in the Western Church sometimes do not consider that in the most Eastern Rite Churchs all sung prayer is chanted a cappella and is very beautiful and PRAYERFUL. Keep in mind that Liturgy also calls for significant periods of silent reflection often referred to as Sacred Silence which we do not allow enough of in many of our parishes today…
 
grasscutter said:
Please understand that I’m genuinely curious and not trying to cause trouble. Can someone explain why the organ is considered to be more holy and reverent accompaniment to singing than other instruments.

Also, like one poster, the 7:00 pm Mass I attend is done a capella (because of the unavailability of musicians) and I am a droning bee. 🙂 I try to sing quietly!
Click to expand...
You could bring a whipper snipper and “hum” along.😃
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top