4 July 2010
| Entrance | The kingdom of God |
| Penitential Rite | St Gabriel (mtgf) |
| Gloria | Jeanne Jugan Gloria (Christopher Walker) |
| Psalm 65 | (Cry out with joy (mtgf)) |
| Gospel Acclamation | Alleluia (Murray) |
| Preparation of Gifts | God has chosen me (Bernadette Farrell) |
| Eucharistic Acclamations | No Greater Love (Michael Joncas) |
| Lamb of God | St Gabriel (mtgf) |
| Communion | We adore you, O Christ (mtgf) |
| Final | Forth in the peace (Quinn) |
Over the summer, well and at other times of the year, we have a number of visiting supply priests. For each one it is a case of learning their idiosyncrasies — and their learning ours. The conversation before Mass for the first time goes something like: 'Here is the Mass sheet', 'We sing everything except the Creed and the Our Father', 'Will you sing the doxology?', 'What form of Penitential Rite were you thinking of using?'. Most usually come more than once so that we are mutually aware of the other's 'ways'. My impression is that most appreciate what we are doing musically.
We also over the summer have visiting groups using the college facilities. This can vary in size between a number of Catholic individuals who are part of a larger group and whole conference groups. In previous years I have suggested that it might be good to know in advance but large institutions might not be good at this. I am not sure about inviting individuals from outside groups to minister. It is not just a question of local idiosyncrasies. In part it is theological — I think there is an aspect of (lay) liturgical ministry which is local. It is also practical — can you assume that your normal expectations of good practice are shared? And what skills are needed to communicate them? This is a convoluted way of explaining why the psalm is on brackets. A reader from a visiting group was invited read and was not aware that we normally sang the psalm and so carried on reading after the first reading. Irritating but may be not life-threatening. As the psalm is invariably sung what I noticed is that it does change the texture of the Liturgy of the Word — a succession of read texts is flatter and maybe therefore less engaging.
I'd have interrupted them - I think it can be done in a kindly way, and the community would expect you to stick up for their usual way of doing things. It happens from time to time with our dozier readers. They soon learn!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a visitor whom I kindly assume may not be used to psalms being sung. I think some burden lies with the invitation - being clear about what you are inviting someone to do.
ReplyDeleteIt also might not have helped that we were unaccompanied. I was sharper about staking music's claim when we got to the Gospel Acclamation.