Beloved Family:
A couple of weeks ago, we offered two evening opportunities for parishioners to come together and reflect on the role of music in worship. The “structure” for these meetings was simple. We considered: 1) personal experiences of music in a sacred context that had particular impact on us; and 2) how may the Holy Spirit be calling us forward, as a parish community, in the application of principles from a Church document entitled, Musicam Sacram. Instruction on Music in the Liturgy. 5 March, 1967.
While the gatherings were small, excellent conversation was generated. In fact, only a very brief excerpt of the above document was examined. As a “next step,” Fr. David, Music Director Ivy Meyer and I believe it makes sense to offer a further opportunity to look at Musicam Sacram at least a bit more in detail. To that end, we have identified Wednesday evening, September 25, for such a meeting. Whether or not you are able to come to one of the first two evenings, we encourage you to join the discussion that evening.
Fundamentally, we want to cultivate occasions for giving fitting praise to God that authentically elevates the human spirit to encounter with the Spirit. Pertaining to the Mass: how do we most fittingly unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, in re-presenting His One Perfect Sacrifice to the Father. Extending beyond the Mass, how may we additionally pray, using music and song—for example, at a praise and worship gathering that includes Eucharistic Adoration. For an excellent reflection on the role of music at the recent Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, check out the article: “What the Music of the Eucharistic Congress Means,” by Adam Bartlett (substack.com).
Have you ever had an occasion of meeting someone whose work you greatly admired? This could apply to the Arts, of course, as well as to athletics. For me, such an encounter just took place in this week finishing. I have cited the articles and podcasts of Fr. John Riccardo, Director of an evangelizing organization named Acts XXIX. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles has 28 chapters of text—this name, therefore, implies that we are “writing” the next chapters with our lives and our testimony to Jesus Christ. I hope a good many people will recall that back in 2022, the parish hosted “The Rescue Project,” a major offering from Acts XXIX.
A group of pastors from several dioceses gathered in Livonia, Michigan (the location of the organization’s headquarters). As I mentioned last week, this is a first module of a program aimed at further forming pastors to serve as “supervisor-mentors” (“disciplers” is a more biblical word) for future transitional deacons in our diocese. It was a great joy to experience in-person, the presentations of Fr. Riccardo and his “family”— as they refer to themselves, rather than “staff” or “team.” I truly believe the work they are doing with clergy and dioceses is going to prove increasingly vital as the Church advances the mission of Jesus Christ in a world desperate for healing— that only Jesus Christ can effect!”
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
