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.

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

21 June 2015

Entrance	O changeless Christ
Penitential Rite	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 106	O give thanks to the Lord (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	(Murray)
Profession of Faith	Credo III
Preparation of Gifts	If we are living (Mexican)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missal
Lamb of God	Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	The eyes of all (mtgf)
Communion	Let nothing trouble you (Bernadette Farrell)
Final	Eternal Father, strong to save
Song at Icon	Ave maris stella

Today's psalm setting was new. It had a slight shanty feel to it - it was in 6/8. I am not sure whether the response was too long for a single breath but as I had run the two lines on there was little chance for a breath in the middle. As a text this is a good example of the psalm narrative mirroring the gospel.

We had a reunion - students who were celebrating 40 years since they left. If you can participate in the liturgy lustily - they did. One also came and joined us which is always lovely - she had run the folk group when she was a student. It is perhaps a sign of how times have changed but it is hard to imagine the class of 2015 in 40 years time engaging in such numbers - it is a credit to the college at the time. The opening hymn as well as having a reference to the calming of the storm also names Christ the teacher. As a rule we try to do what we would normally do but if we can make appropriate choices for our guests we do. It had been requested by older Simmarians who are still regular to sing the College Hymn for these reunions - so our practice has been to sing it after Mass at the Icon presented by Pope Benedict. The former students don't come rushing for this - perhaps they might if it was included within the procession - but I suspect it is not one of things they are nostalgic for - if they are nostalgic at all.