Sunday, September 29, 2013

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

29 September 2013

EntranceGather us in
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 145My soul give praise to the Lord (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of GiftsA touching place (John Bell)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion AntiphonBy this we came to know the love of God (mtgf)
CommunionWhat does the Lord require (mtgf)
FinalThe kingdom of God

Almost 30 years ago when Gather us in was new I remember a member of the congregation saying how much she liked it because of the line 'we are the old who long for your face' and that it was good to feel included. What I find surprising looking back is realising the person would probably have been in their 50s. It easy to knock what some would see as a sentimental, emotional response to liturgy but that need to see oneself as potentially redeemed is important. Today Gather us in was intended to gather in both rich and poor — Dives and Lazarus.

It stuck me that if one of the purposes of music is to make connections we could have sung In Paradisum today — et cum Lazaro but the music has a subject: 'you' and so would not make out of context.

I did briefly wonder about a hymn text that could be sung to Kingsfold or as it is know in ENglish folk song circles Dives and Lazarus. I suspect more people may have wondered why we were singing The Star of County Down.

Friday, September 27, 2013

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

22 September 2013

EntranceChrist be our light (Bernadette Farrell
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 112 (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of GiftsUbi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion AntiphonI am the good Shepherd (mtgf)
CommunionIn perfect charity (Randall DeBruyn)
FinalTell out my soul

A number of years ago, when we were in Year C, it was noted that series of Sundays about sin, forgiveness and God's mercy can if reflected to strongly in the music choices create a dour impression to the newcomer. A example would be last week's Opening Hymn Our Father, we have wandered which speaks of the 'evil that we do'. (As a footnote it was, I think, one the hymns commissioned by ICEL at the time of the translation of the Rite of Penance to provide a hymnody which better reflected the theology of the rite.)

This week beginning and end were hopefully in the well-known category so newcomers could recognise the familiar. I was a meeting in the week where Christ be our light was new to a school teacher.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

15 September 2013

EntranceOur Father, we have wandered
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 50I will leave this place (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of GiftsOut of the Depths (Scott Soper)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodAngels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion Antiphon How precious is your mercy (mtgf)
CommunionLord, for thy tender mercies sake (Farrant)
FinalThere's a wideness in God's mercy

Sunday, September 8, 2013

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

8 September 2013

EntranceDear Lord and Father of mankind
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaAngels & Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 90O Lord, you have been our refuge (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of GiftsRestless is the heart (Bernadette Farrell)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodAngels & Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion AntiphonI am the light of the world (mtgf)
CommunionThe love of the Lord (Michael Joncas)
FinalWill you come and follow me

We don't often note special Sundays. I suspect that this is in part a matter of administration as much a general view that they are effectively a distraction rather than an a helpful addition. When I came to the college this was Sunday after the last night of the Proms and we would sing Jerusalem — at least the festivities didn't extend to Land of hope and glory.

This Sunday the first hymn reflected the calling of the disciples but also had passing reference to Syria and peace. At Communion the Love of the Lord reflected giving up everything for the treasure which is Christ. Restless is the heart was written for an Irish Church Music Association Summer School and I presume the refrain, which is based on St Augustine, was inspired by a wall hanging which used to hang at the Irish Liturgy Centre in Carlow (and now does in Maynooth - or did at least the last time I was there).

Sunday, September 1, 2013

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 September 2013

EntranceWe come as guests invited
Penitential RiteAt the Table of the Lord (Collegeville Composers Group)
GloriaAt the Table of the Lord (Collegeville Composers Group)
Psalm 67In your goodness, O God (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationAlleluia (Murray)
Preparation of GiftsWhat does the Lord require, only this (mtgf)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodLuton (mtgf)
Communion AntiphonHow great is the goodness (mtgf)
CommunionO sacrum convivium (Croce)
FinalMy soul proclaims (Bernadette Farrell)

September brings the next change of Mass settings which, unlike the previous ones in the year, are staggered over a couple of weeks. So this week it was back to the Mass of Creation which will see us through to Christmas.

Banquets and humility were the two strands in the music choices. Banquets in Luke are often seen as eucharistic this led to the Entrance Song and to the motet at Communion — O Sacred Banquet. The Magnificat also seems to be echoed in the Gospel: the first shall be last and the humble shall be raised up. Bernadette FArrell's setting also spoke to the situation in the Middle East/