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CALLING ALL CHOIRS AND NEW MEMBERS from Dan McMahon, Director of Music

“…to sing is pray twice.”  From a poem by St. Augustine

The Music Ministers at Our Lady of the Wayside have the privilege of serving the community of faith by leading our sung worship at all of our weekend liturgies as well as all Holy Day liturgies, Funerals, Weddings, School & Religious Education liturgies, and Group Baptismal Ceremonies twice each month. Music Ministers are called forth from the assembly to guide and direct all of us to full and active participation in the sung rituals of our liturgies.

As we make our transition into the fall season I’d like to extend a special invitation to anyone who wishes to become involved in the Music Ministry at Our Lady of the Wayside Parish. There are many opportunities to be a part of this ministry that helps to lead our singing worship at Mass. Here are some of our groups that lead our music each week:

• Ensemble: A smaller group of singers and instrumentalists who lead music at the 9:30 liturgy and “high feasts.”  This group is open to those of high school age and up. Practices are on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory foyer. The ability to read music is helpful but not necessary. Please leave your name with me at the parish office if you would like to join this group at ext. 225 or musicministry@olwparish.org. Our first rehearsal will be Thu. Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place. Then we will meet every Tues. in the Rectory Foyer beginning Tue. Sept. 10.
• Choir: A larger group of singers and instrumentalists who lead music at the 5:00 Saturday liturgy as well as the “high feasts.” The repertoire covers the scope of Christian music from chant into the 21st Century. This group is open to those of high school age and up. Practices are on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place.  The ability to read music is helpful but not necessary. Please leave your name with me at the parish office if you would like to join this group at ext. 225 or musicministry@olwparish.org. Our first rehearsal will be Thu. Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place.
• Teen Choir: this group of singers and instrumentalists lead our sung worship at the 6:00 p.m. Mass. This group is open to those who have graduated 8th grade through high school. Practices are held at 5:00 p.m. in church until the start of Mass. All interested teens should contact me at the parish office at ext. 225 or musicministry@olwparish.org to join this group.
• Cantors: lead the assembly in our sung worship and have task of proclaiming the Responsorial Psalm. Cantors should be experienced singers with the ability to read musical notation. If you might be interested in this aspect of music ministry please contact me at ext. 225 or musicministry@olwparish.org to arrange for a voice assessment or training to become a cantor.
• Funeral Choir: assists the assembly by welcoming and leading the sung worship as well as spoken responses at our funeral liturgies. There are no regular rehearsals and members are notified by a phone relay. No prior choir experience is required, just the willingness to attend the funeral liturgies as often as your schedule allows.  Please leave your name with me at the parish office if you would like to join this group at ext. 225 or musicministry@olwparish.org.

Please take some time to consider how you perhaps can become involved in our music ministry. We are always interested in seeking and welcoming new members; not only singers but instrumentalists as well. It is one of the most time consuming liturgical ministries, however, it is more than just practicing music – it can be a “small-faith-community” experience with many rewards. If you have any interest or questions about our music ministry, please contact me at the parish office or see me after a liturgy on the weekend.

It is a great privilege to serve as a Music Minister. It is an example of true stewardship: the sharing of one’s time, talent and treasure. Through active participation in this ministry it is a tremendous opportunity to deepen our faith life and have greater understanding of our liturgical rituals. We all should be grateful to all of our liturgical ministers who give so selflessly of their time out of love for God, our liturgical rituals and one another. We will gladly welcome new members even if it is after the first rehearsal dates.