Liturgical Music Ministry
Liturgical music ministry is more than performing the right notes!The Our Lady of Merch Parish believes that music has a profound effect on the Church’s many liturgical celebrations: from Sunday Mass, through the various Feasts and Solemnities that mark the Catholic year.
Msgr. Gerald T. Ritchie - Pastor
The Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (n.112) speaks of the "ministerial" rather than incidental function of music.
A 1972 document by the U.S. Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, "Music in Catholic Worship," speaks of the importance of singing acclamations, processional songs, responsorial psalms, and chants. It also highlights the importance of congregational song, rather than the past emphasis placed on chants by the priest.
Music is an integral part of Catholic worship and liturgy.
The goal and purpose of Music Ministry is to enhance the experience of worship by heightening the Word of God with music and to provide beauty to the liturgy through music. Through strong musical leadership, music ministers strive to enable the song of the assembly to encourage full, active and conscious participation. Cantors, Choirs and Instrumentalists also minister to the assembly by providing music which allows and encourages spiritual reflection.
Our musicians seek to lead the entire congregation in praising God, through the use of well-loved traditional and newer hymns, and a diverse repertoire of historical and modern music embracing a wide variety of traditions.
You are invited to participate in our music ministry! Consider singing with one of our ensembles or contribute your talents by joining the ranks of our cantors and instrumentalists.
If you enjoy singing, you should be in this choir. We are a fun and friendly group of men, women and youth of all levels of ability. No experience is necessary and if you don’t read music we can help you. Our choir has a very good reputation and we sing a wide range of repertoire in varied styles. You can join the Parish Choir at any time during the year so don’t wait to give us a call. We need singers in all voice parts.
Music Ministry Handbook
