Ministry Monday

Each major convention of Catholic organizations includes at least one session that address a variation of the question, "Where have the youth gone?" In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Bob McCarty about new research into the disaffiliation of young Catholics, why we are asking wrong questions, and what the take-aways are for those of us in liturgical and pastoral ministry. We also hear from Sr. Anne Bryan Smollin, CSJ (1943-2014) on the dynamic importance of "the little things" in building and enriching interpersonal relationships. 

When we began this podcast, our first episode was published on the first Monday of Lent. Our guest for that show was Steve Petrunak, the president of NPM. In that episode we spoke about Steve’s vision for NPM, some of the projects that were in the works, and more. Now, thirty-one episodes later, we’re welcoming Steve back to the show.

But, this time, Steve isn’t here to provide an update. In his time as president, NPM has faced a variety of changes both within the organization and without. These changes have sparked new strategies and initiatives, sure, but have also caused questioning and introspection.

So, today, we’ll speak with Steve about one of the basic building blocks of any organization: membership. How should we, the members of NPM, think about the organization? How to we relate to it? How should it serve our needs?

I know we are only at the midpoint of September, but for those of us in liturgical ministry, we are already thinking about Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. Now, today’s episode isn’t about picking Advent repertoire and you won’t hear any Christmas music in our soundtrack. Soon, you’ll get your fill of premature holiday cheer at your local Target or Starbucks.

Instead, we’re focusing on a different issue. At the end of each podcast episode, I always ask you, our listeners, to contact us and recommend topics for future episodes. So far, many of our guests and topics have been suggested by you. Today, we’re discussing a topic we’ve received a lot of questions about – how do we better plan and lead bi-cultural liturgies? Many parishes have separate liturgies offered in more than one language, often English and Spanish. What do we do, then, for those celebrations when our entire parish community is gathered, like at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Holy Thursday, and so forth?

Today, we’ll hear a special workshop presentation from composer and teacher Jaime Cortez. Offered at this year’s NPM convention in Baltimore, Jaime’s workshop was titled “Bi-Cultural Communities Celebrate Feasts, Solemnities, and Seasons.” In his session, Jaime sought to answer an important question: “How do we merge the traditions of different cultures and create a new tradition that all will find meaningful?”

In 2011, parishes in the United States implemented the English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal. The implementation came after hosts of workshops, conferences, training sessions, new Mass settings, rehearsals, new pew cards or projection screens, and a range of emotional reaction.

Now, in 2018, parishes in the United States are preparing for the implementation of another translation of the Roman Missal. Finally, after years of waiting, a new Spanish translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal has been approved for use in the United States. Across the country, parishes have already been using the new Misal Romano since May, and all are to take up its use by the first Sunday of Advent.

Today, we’re discussing this new translation, its genesis, what you can expect to find, tips for pastoral implementation, and more. To do so, we’re speaking with Rita Thiron, the executive director of the Federation for Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. We’ll hear a song from composer Eleazar Cortes in today’s Ministry Moment.

While the first day of Autumn is a few weeks away, summer is effectively over as the school year begins in districts and dioceses across the country. This means that, for many parishes, the new music ministry season is upon us, too. Just like classroom teachers, music ministers are welcoming back familiar faces, returning to regular schedules, and once again asking age-old questions like, “how could they have forgotten so much over the summer?”

As we start up the new year, we thought it would be good to start with a pep talk. And who better to give it than ValLimar Jansen? Today, we’ll hear a reprise of ValLimar’s keynote given at this year’s national convention.

Here is the official description:

"Imagine you are in a concert hall and Itzhak Perlman is performing on stage. The hair stands up on the back of your neck and you can barely take a breath. Perlman's passion flows into the room. He is aflame. He has mastered the rules and technique and yet they are far from his thinking. He has transcended the rubrics and yet upholds them. They have become a part of his musical instincts. Passion for the musical moment consumes him and he is consumed by the music. Can we praise God like this? Can we get there in liturgical music ministry? Yes, we can!"

Last week, I began our show with a joke. It’s hard to imagine starting with a joke today. This past week, the grand jury report investigating the sexual abuse of minors within six dioceses in Pennsylvania was released. We’ve all been reeling, trying to navigate the flood of emotions: shock, horror, disgust, anger, grief.

I know, too, that many of you feel doubly lost. Lost because of this range of emotions, yes, but also lost because you are unsure of how to respond. Unsure of how you yourself should move forward, but also unsure of how to respond to the questions and hurt and anger of others. Pastoral ministers are visible, we are accessible, and we can often become the go-to people for members of our communities. But, what do we do when we don’t know what to say? What do we do when we, too, are angry and outraged?

I’m not sure that I know exactly what to feature, or whom to speak with, in order to help in this critical time. I do know that it’s important to address this head on and to keep the conversation open. So, today, I’m offering what follows in the hopes that, wherever you are on this journey, you might find something of value.

When you look at those of us serving in the ranks of pastoral musicians, the variance in our music training is just as vast as the variance in our training in scripture, or liturgy, or theology. Some of us took lessons when we were growing up, and some of us learned to play by ear. Some of us studied music in college or graduate school, and some of us haven’t studied formal music theory at all.

Regardless, it is our contention that understanding and utilizing basic music theory concepts are important to effective pastoral music ministry. Today, our goal is to explore this assertion. It is my hope that we’ll challenge those of you who have not studied theory to begin to learn the basics, and that we’ll challenge those of you with years of study to use that information in ways that can boost the knowledge and skills of your ensembles and colleagues. To help us with these tasks, we’ll speak with Keith Kalemba, and we’ll hear from the writings of composer Aaron Copland in today’s Ministry Moment.

Pastoral musicians spend a great deal of effort trying to get people to sing. Our work is animated by the desire to assist the “full, active, and conscious participation” of every person in our assembly. We often select music that is familiar. We spend a great deal of time introducing new music with pedagogic strategies that are measured, reasonable, and pastoral. We put hymns in comfortable keys, we train instrumentalists to support congregational singing, and we form our cantors to be song leaders, not soloists.

For the most part, I’m willing to be we do a pretty good job of promoting and facilitating the sung prayer of those gathered in the pews. But, there is another voice that may need a bit more coaxing and a more delicate pastoral approach. Whose voice is it? Your pastor.

It can be difficult to get your pastor – or deacon, or bishop – to sing. Yet, singing is vital to our liturgy, especially for the role of the presider. The solutions can be tricky because the cause of the hesitancy – or refusal – on the part of your pastor can be varied and complex. To peel back these layers and to discuss some strategies, we turn to Fr. Ricky Manalo. We’ll hear one of Fr. Ricky’s compositions in today’s Ministry Moment.

In last week’s episode, we explored the concept of operational development with Kathy Bartlett. In that conversation, we examined how we in pastoral ministry should apply a strategic, organizational lens to the way we view our work in order to be both efficient and effective.

Today, we are continuing this thread of practical, strategic, and professional topics by discussing the concept of liturgical assessment. Now, before you hit the “skip” button or push “pause,” consider this question for a moment. How effective are your parish liturgies? If your response was negative, what high impact steps can your community take to address this ineffectiveness? If your response was positive, what objective evidence can you point to in order to back up your claim?

Liturgical assessment is NOT about imposing or challenging musical or aesthetic taste, it is NOT about evaluating the personal worth of you or your volunteer ministers, and it certainly isn’t about the style wars. It is about giving good, accurate, real information about the experience of those who participate in your liturgies so that you know what your community does well and so that you know exactly what to do about those things your community doesn’t do so well. To help us understand the process, we’ll speak with assessment expert Mike Novak.

If you examine professional development for pastoral ministers, you see a not-surprising array of topics and offerings. At conventions, parish and diocesan workshops, and even graduate programs, you’ll find classes in music, sacramental theology, scripture, liturgy, and spirituality. These are, of course, well and good. But what about the more practical, even mundane, topics necessary for successful ministry? What about operational planning? Or strategic planning? Or navigating interpersonal relationships? Or budgeting?

In today’s episode, we explore the concept of operational development and why these practical realities are of great importance for anyone who wants their ministry to be both efficient and effective. To do so, we’ll speak with organizational expert Kathy Bartlett, and we’ll hear tips for running an effective parish staff meeting in today’s Ministry Moment.