"To know, love and serve the Lord and one another, in imitation of Mary"

We warmly welcome ALL to join us in worship of our God.  We would love to welcome you to our Catholic Community no matter where you are on your journey of faith.  Please join us because ALL are welcome here!
Click here if you're new or to discover how we can help you on your journey of Faith.

Jesus sang

After identifying the bread as his body and the wine as his blood, the Gospel reads: “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives”. MARK 14:26; MATTHEW 26:30.

The Kyrie, Sanctus or Agnus Dei remain largely constant and important music that has special relevance to the prayers of the day. They are the words the Church wants us to hear sung today. Music intended for the liturgy should remain focused on its purpose and role. It should never be jarring or distract from the meaning of the divine text or from the purpose of worship for which music is made.

What happens at the Mass when God becomes present at the altar is not something that happens in any part of the rest of your life. The truth of what’s happening at Mass is so different than anything else that the music needs to reflect that somehow. In Vatican II it says that sacred music is the most valuable treasure of all the artistic treasures the Church has, if we can be a small part of that, then what better use of our skills could there be?

How does this translate for the average parish? The singing of the Church comes ultimately out of love. It is the utter depth of love that produces the singing. The Holy Spirit is love, and it is he who produces the singing. He is the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit who draws us into love for Christ and so leads to the Father. The Second Vatican Council mandated that the choir be an integral part of the liturgy team: “Choirs must be diligently promoted.” The choir is responsible for the correct performance of the parts that belong to it and for helping the faithful to take an active part in the singing. Like many things in the wake of the Council, the choirs, instead of multiplying, have virtually disappeared. In many parishes today, choirs sing only for special events; however the choir should lead the congregation at Mass, every Sunday. In the Church, in absence of choirs, cantors have taken over as soloists. In that case, the music is treated as a solo, and the average person does not participate.

The Mass is a celebration in the real sense of the word. Music and singing are of the utmost importance in every liturgical celebration. Music and singing give the RITES solemnity, dignity and beauty. And they give joy and spiritual uplifting to all who are celebrating – priests, ministers, congregation. The Choir is at the service of the congregation, the people of God. Its purpose and task (not a free for all, but something precious, an obligation of faith and personal responsibility) is to lead and to help, to animate and support, and encourage the full participation of the congregation.

A special ministry is assigned to the Choir by the Church. Choir members are specially close to the “sacred mysteries”. Surely more of our church members should desire to participate and benefit FULLY from that special closeness.

May we, by singing, meet and encounter and “touch” the Lord,

Ruth Tewksbury, Choir Member

This Sacrament is celebrated on Saturdays...

Or by special appointment by calling the Parish Office.

Can't make it to Daily Mass?  Watch it here.

EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network)
Catholic TV (Diocese of Boston)
EWTN Radio
Ave Maria Radio
 

Please remember in your prayers the sick, the suffering, and the hospitalized from our Faith Community.

Please click here to email the parish office if someone is hospitalized, ill, or in need to prayers.