Comments on: Why Football Fans Can Sing . . . And Catholics Still Can”t

By: leon

leon — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:27:17 +0000

Nice comments. Michael, ever notice that we never really see the organist or DJ at pro sports events? That”s because the game isn”t really about them. And as an aside, I wonder what Raiders” fans would throw at the organist if during the game he played some weird song that nobody ever heard of.

The one who should receive the applause is Christ. Of course, we have other more appropriate words and gestures for use at Mass (kneeling, bow, "praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, etc.).

By: M. Forrest

M. Forrest — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:59:57 +0000

John and Lucien,

Yes! That”s part and parcel of what I was talking about – turning the music into a performance rather than worship. Great quote (paraphrase) from Pope Benedict.

By: Lucien Tenebrae

Lucien Tenebrae — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:25:52 +0000

@John Elfering: In fact, Pope Benedict has written (paraphrasing), "when applause starts, worship stops at Mass."

By: John Elfering

John Elfering — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:11:00 +0000

My pet peeve is something that is likely at the Christmas Masses — applause after a homily or after a hymn. I know people have good intentions, but to me it belittles the homily or hymn. It takes something meant for God and makes it as though it was mostly for us — like giving a group gift to someone and then members of the group congratulating each other on how well they shopped for it and wrapped it. I have nothing against complimenting a priest on his homily or the choir on their music or the wrapper of a gift on the beautiful job wrapping a gift, but it just seems tacky to do it at the point we should be focused on the one we are giving the gift to.

By: M. Forrest

M. Forrest — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:00:55 +0000

"et all" – sorry for the literary stutter. Should have been "et al"!

By: M. Forrest

M. Forrest — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:58:36 +0000

As a musician, I heartily approve this message! Great comparison to sporting events, Leon. As a musician, I would make two other suggestions.

First, if at all possible, DO NOT put musicians and singers in the front of the Church where they are seen. Being placed in front of the congregation tends to create the appearance of a performance and all too often I witness pianists, organists, choir member et all behaving precisely as though the are giving one. Making eye contact with the parishioners, making emotive gestures, etc. The musicians become the central focus of the parishioners rather than helping parishioners to focus on God. And the musicians themselves are too easily distracted by the parishioners rather than keeping their minds and hearts focused on God.

My other suggestion has to do with a very nice but misguided notion that all voices raised in worship to God are beautiful. No doubt, they are beautiful– to God. But to people in the pews, those who have little or no musical acumen can become as much of a distraction as the excellent musicians who turn it into a "show." Choir directors really do need to tell some people that singing in the choir may not be their particular gift.