Showing posts with label U. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U. Show all posts

Monday, May 29, 2017

6th Sunday of Easter

21 May 2017

Entrance Christ is alive
Penitential Rite Lux et origo (mtgf)
Gloria Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Psalm 65 Cry out with joy (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation Celtic (O'Carroll/Walker)
Preparation of Gifts Let nothing trouble you (Bernadette Farrell)
Eucharistic Acclamations Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Lamb of God Lux et origo (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon If you love me (mtgf)
Communion We have been told (David Haas)
Final Go to the world

A solo cantor this morning.

I was away at a Conference in Hungary. It is always dangerours to draw the general from the specific but I was interested in a country's minimum liturgical/musical standard. So though we had for our Masses a singer and organist from the local cathedral we managed Kyrie, Sanctus & Agnus from Mass XVIII and little else. For example in Mass with the bishop the doxology was said. Admittedly our unfamiliarity with Hungarian was a possible issue - but the group is usually game to have a go and will happily sing a Taizé chant.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

28 August 2016

Entrance Gather us in
Penitential Rite At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 67 In your goodness, O Lord (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation (Murray)
Preparation of Gifts What does the Lord require (mtgf)
Eucharistic Acclamations Missal
Lamb of God Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon How great is your goodness (mtgf)
Communion Call us to your table (Christopher Walker
Final Lord of all hopefulness

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

21 August 2016

Entrance Gather us in
Penitential Rite At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 116 Gou out to the whole world (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation (Murray)
Preparation of Gifts Travelling the road to freedom (John Bell)
Eucharistic Acclamations Missal
Lamb of God Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon Whoever eats my flesh (mtgf)
Communion One bread, one body
Final The kingdom of God is justice and joy

We are lucky that even that if everyone else is away a solo cantor will lead the music.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

7 August 2016

Entrance All people that on earth
Penitential Rite At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 32 Happy the people (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation (Murray)
Preparation of Gifts Lord, you have come to the lakeside (Gabardine)
Eucharistic Acclamations Missal
Lamb of God Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon I am the bread of life (mtgf)
Communion I'll love the Lord (John Bell)
Final Lord of all hopefulness

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Most Holy Trinity

22 May 2016

Entrance God, whose almighty Word
Penitential Rite At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 8 How great is your name (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation (Murray)
Profession of Faith Credo III
Preparation of Gifts Father in heaven (arr. Niles)
Eucharistic Acclamations Missal
Lamb of God Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon Since you are children of God (mtgf)
Communion God beyond all names (Bernadette Farrell)
Final We praise you, O God (Jones)

I enjoy this change from the festivity of the Easter Season to our more simple Summer fare. We were unaccompanied which meant you could really hear the congregation singing. The last hymn might have been a risk but they seemed to remember it -it is a good melody. I think it may also have been the first time we have got the alternation right in Credo III.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 September 2015

Entrance Brother, sister let me serve you
Penitential Rite St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria Angels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 53 The Lord upholds my life. (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts Ours were the griefs (Stephen Dean)
Eucharistic Acclamations Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of God Angels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion Antiphon I am the Good Shepherd (mtgf)
Communion Like a child rests (Christopher Walker)
Final Be thou my vision

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

6 September 2015

Entrance Gather us in
Penitential Rite St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria Angels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 145 My soul give praise to the Lord (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts Song of the man born blind (Bob Hurd)
Eucharistic Acclamations Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of God Angels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion Antiphon I am the light of the world (mtgf)
Communion How can I repay the Lord (mtgf)
Final Now thanks we all our God ( )

Unaccompanied again so some close harmony. Otherwise our autumn repertoire started. Another priest, new to us, who preached one of the best short homilies I have heard in a while. He is a scripture scholar - but he gave some context for each readings, including the psalm (!) but also a thought for reflection/action.

Monday, August 31, 2015

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

30 August 2015

Entrance Dear Lord and Father
Penitential Rite At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 14 The just will live (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation (Murray)
Preparation of Gifts O God, you search me (Bernadette Farrell)
Eucharistic Acclamations Missal
Lamb of God Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon How great is your goodness (mtgf)
Communion What does the Lord require (mtgf)
Final The kingdom of God

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

23 August 2015

Entrance Your words are spirit
Penitential Rite At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 33 Taste and see (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation (Murray)
Response to final Intercession May the choirs of angels (Ernest Sands)
Preparation of Gifts How can I repay the Lord (mtgf)
Eucharistic Acclamations Missal
Lamb of God Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon Whoever eats my flesh (mtgf)
Communion One in body, heart and mind (Christopher Walker)
Final Alleluia, sing to Jesus

The end of John 6. The Communion antiphons were first used 3 years ago as way of giving a thread through this min-season and we have continued ever since. They are one of the most obvious examples where the antiphon echoes the gospel and leads to communion. They have fulfilled one of their objectives which is that the singers should find them memorable and easy to pick up. Though I usually print either text or text and music in the service sheet this is not something which the congregation has picked up in a big way.

This week we had a reunion of 62-65 - who have been a number of times before. One asked if he could sing May the choirs of angels after the names of those who had died was read out as part of the intercessions. Though we had put the number on the hymn board there is not a good moment to announce it at this point - but people responded suggesting that the Song of Farewell is a piece of common repertoire across the country.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

2nd Sunday of Lent

A Lenten fast from music this week for the congregation. We were with the University Choir at the annual Cathedrals Group Choirs Festival which was this year was in Chester.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

21st Sunday on Ordinary Time

24 August 2014

EntranceChrist is made the sure foundation
Penitential RiteAt the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
GloriaAt the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 137Your love, O Lord, is eternal (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation (Murray)
Preparation of GiftsWe walk by faith (Marty Haugen)
Eucharistic AcclamationsMissal
Lamb of GodNores (mtgf)
Communion AntiphonWhoever eats my flesh (mtgf)
CommunionHe became poor (John Bell)
FinalAt the name of Jesus

I have noted previously the lack of hymns which deal with key moments in the Gospels. I have wondered since then if hymns about Gospel (or scripture) texts need to be anamnetic rather than mimetic - just recounting what happened - so adding a present and future dimension to a past event.

To reflect Peter's confession of faith we used Philippians 2: first as verses to the Communion Song and then as the basis of the last hymn - Name him, Christians, name him!

Sunday, August 10, 2014

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10 August 2014

EntranceDear Lord and Father
Penitential RiteAt the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
GloriaAt the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 84Let us see, O Lord (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation (Murray)
Preparation of GiftsLet nothing trouble you (Bernadette Farrell)
Eucharistic AcclamationsMissal
Lamb of GodNores (mtgf)
Communion AntiphonThe bread that I will give (mtgf)
CommunionAs the deer longs (Bob Hurd)
FinalEternal Father, strong to save

This morning we seemed be suffering from a pathetic fallacy due to 'ex-Hurricane Bertha'; cycle rides also meant that to everyone could actually get to the chapel. I seemed to recall that a previous time we have sung 'Eternal Father' the weather has been torrential - leading someone then to presume that it was chosen because of the weather rather than the gospel.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

4th Sunday of Easter

11 May 2014

EntranceAll people that on earth do dwell
Penitential RiteLux et origo (mtgf)
GloriaMass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Psalm 22The Lord is my shepherd (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationCeltic (O'Carroll/Walker)
Preparation of Gifts
Eucharistic AcclamationsMass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Lamb of GodLux et origo (mtgf)
Communion AntiphonThe Good Shepherd has risen (mtgf)
CommunionShepherd me, O God (Marty Haugen)
FinalHail redeemer, King divine

I was away in Germany for EuroCat where our Sunday celebration was with the neophytes in Paderborn Cathedral. Rather than leave St Mary's with 2 weeks without Choir members led the music.

3rd Sunday of Easter

4 May 2014

EntranceSing of one who walks beside us
Penitential RiteLux et origo (mtgf)
GloriaMass of Angels & Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 15Show us, Lord (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury (Walker)
Preparation of GiftsOn the journey to Emmaus (Marty Haugen)
Eucharistic AcclamationsMass of Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodLux et origo (mtgf)
CommunionKe bona leseli (Barbara Bridge)
FinalThis joyful Eastertide

This Sunday the university Choir had been invited to sing by our Chair of Governors, Bishop Richard Moth, at his cathedral in Aldershot. Parts of the liturgy were based on the Feast Day Mass - including using the same arrangement at the Preparation of Gifts as we sing for No wing at the window. The piece at Communion - We have seen the light - was the choir's piece of the annual choirs festival which we had repeated for the graduations.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

6 October 2013

EntranceWe walk by faith
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 94O that today (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of GiftsListen, Lord (John Bell)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion AntiphonThe Lord is good (mtgf)
CommunionLord, you have come to the seashore (Gabarain)
FinalHoly God, we praise thy name

Something that hasn't happened for a while this morning - just cantor and congregation. A combination of possibly cats, colds, Canvey and airport cars led to this. As ever it good opportunity to get an idea of how the congregation is singing - to which the answer would seem to be well if invited. So they will be verbally invited to sing first and last hymns and be animated for Gloria, Psalm and Acclamation. My desire is to not be an additional focus in the liturgy and so I don't usually animate Holy, Holy etc. but this would suggest that people still need some visual clue, something which is sometimes supplied more effectively) by the Presider.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

6th Sunday of Easter

5 May 2013

EntranceUnless a grain
Penitential RiteLux et origo (mtgf)
GloriaMass of Wisdom (Stephen Janco)
Psalm 66Let the peoples praise you (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationCeltic (O'Carroll/Walker)
Preparation of GiftsRegina Caeli (Soriano)
Eucharistic AcclamationsMass of Wisdom (Stephen Janco)
Lamb of GodLux et origo (mtgf)
Communion AntiphonIf you love me (mtgf)
CommunionLive on in my love (Collegeville)
FinalChrist is alive

Monday, October 1, 2012

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

30 September 2012

EntranceYour words are spirit
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 18The precepts of the Lord. (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of GiftsFaith, hope and love (Christopher Walker)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion Antiphon(mtgf)
CommunionThe love of the Lord (Michael Joncas)
FinalForth in thy name

Like last week the second reading from James provided some of the inspiration today, in particular Michael Joncas' The love of the Lord which is uses Pauline imagery of relative wealth - what I have lost and gained in Christ. Faith, hope and love with Ubi caritas verses was employed as a commentary or tangent to the gospel - the company John should aspire to.

A new visiting priest who not only preached well but, and it seems odd to say this but the experience is the exception, when asked knew what Penitential Act he intended to use, the third, was happy with a sung Lord, have mercy and in practice was ready for it when it happened. This should not be remarkable but it is!

This was the last of the first group of Communion Antiphons. One of the ideas behind the setting was a formula used over a number of weeks - about 2 months seemed right for dividing Ordinary Time. Though they don't seem to have taken the congregation by storm yet - for reasons I have surmised in the past - it has been an interesting start/experiment. To me they sound simple and attractive in unaccompanied harmony and the choir sing them for the whole of the procession beginning when the priest receives from the chalice.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

23 September 2012

EntranceBrother, sister let me serve you
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 52The Lord upholds my life. (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of GiftsO God, you search me (Bernadette Farrell)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion AntiphonI am the good shepherd (mtgf)
CommunionChrist our peace (Marty Haugen)
FinalBe thou my vision

I am not sure whether there are many good texts which deal with Christ's prophecy of his Passion - suggestions would be welcome. Singing a 'passion tide' hymn seems not quite to be the same, such as When I survey or My song is love unknown. All that is hidden is a possibility but as we were unaccompanied and it would be new to 1 or 2 it was discounted.

In the end I went in an opposite direction and went for the Servant Song which I hoped captured something of the truth of relationships in the Gospel. There was also an element of stewardship, which I think is another one of those skills referred to last week, it will be sung at the Academic Mass next week and so may prove more familiar to some at that point.

I did want to pick up the image of children in the Gospel and wondered about a setting of Psalm 130(131). The Walker setting was dismissed as again possibly unsustainable unaccompanied. I had suggested the Deiss My soul is longing for your peace but circumstances in the week meant I was not able to follow this through. Looking at the readings again I went for Christ our peace.

A final comment about the psalm response which is one of those I find too short - again is this a shared view?

Saturday, September 22, 2012

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

16 September 2012

EntrancePraise to the holiest
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 114I will walk in the presence (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of GiftsHe became poor (John Bell)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodLamb of God 9 (mtgf)
Communion AntiphonThe chalice of blessing (mtgf)
CommunionHow can I repay (mtgf)
FinalAt the name of Jesus




The moment of recognition and the turning point of the Gospel. A suitable response seemed to be the canticle from Philippians and this was the source text not only for the final hymn but also for the verses between the John Bell chant He became poor.

I find it odd that Praise to the holiest is a hymn I find difficult to shorten whereas At the name of Jesus can be happily chopped to 1, 3, 5, 7 and still make sense. As i mentioned a couple of weeks ago I am interested about people's expectations of meaning - whether that it is in the text itself or in its function. I expect the two to interelate - that is part of what liturgy does interpret or add meaning through function. I suspect that for many who do not have this interest surface level function is enough - we sing something at the opening and we have sung something and so the function is fulfilled. The same may apply to prayers. I think there are levels of nuance. To come at the question from another direction my guess is that many people in a similar position to me that hymn x would work well as an opening but not closing - something about function and flow. With these two hymns my what, instinct, knowledge, skill? says this way round - though I can conceive of Praise to the holiest at the end of Mass. I think this way round was partly musical, Camberwell is slightly more rousing and outward facing, similarly the text of At the name of Jesus has something of a response to the question 'who do you say that I am?' and follows the gospel (even reminds us) and send us out for the week.

Behind this is the question 'my what, instinct, knowledge, skill?' or a situation which I am sure familiar to many when face why can't we just sing x or y how do you communicate craft when it is not seemingly apparent to the other person nor be the liturgical terrorist either - you may need people's skills as well! I suppose part of the raison for this blog is to say this is not random, there may be method in the perceived madness.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

9 September 2012

EntranceO changeless Christ
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 145My soul give praise (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation (Murray)
Preparation of GiftsSong of the Man born blind (Bob Hurd)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodLamb of God 9 (mtgf)
Communion AntiphonI am the light of the world (mtgf)
CommunionUbi caritas (Bob Hurd)
FinalPraise my soul

Our changeover continues with the Gloria. We had another reunion group in again — and again they sang responded well. The Song of the Man born blind is a song of healing and so there was a connection but it also sound well unaccompanied with close harmony.