Music gives wings to the Word for New Roman Missal

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By Tom Gallo

Want to know the secret to a successful parish implementation of the new Roman Missal? It’s no secret at all. A survey of Priests and Music Ministers across the United States reveals three factors leading to a joy-filled Eucharistic celebration on Sunday, November 27, 2011.

#1 – Open Hearted Pastoral and Musical Leadership
Fr. Tom Ranzino, director of the Office of Worship in Baton Rouge Louisiana, and Pastor of St. Jean Vianney, began with open communication. “Letting people know that changes are coming later this year and that the changes are fairly simple for the assembly has already netted a positive response. Once people work through the initial news they are fairly open to the idea of the new words.” In addition to some catechesis around the reasons for the changes, says Ranzino, “inviting the congregation to sing and speak the new changes is met with a welcome spirit.”   In fact, dozens of clergy and music ministers from around the country report that when “folks in the pew” are encouraged to bring the new words to life in song, worried hearts quickly transform.  The end result is a joyful and excited parish.

#2 – A Simple Plan
“In September, we’re teaching responses, sung and spoken. In October - the Gloria and the Creed.  In November - Eucharistic Acclamations.” Fr. Larry Christian, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in San Antonio, Texas and former Rector of Assumption Seminary, says, “We’re using a simple plan, our parish website, the USCCB resource pages, and existing parish gatherings to accomplish two things. 1.) Sing and speak the new changes a little at a time and 2.) Insure that November 27th is not the first day they’ve heard of Roman Missal 3, but truly the first day of the season of Advent.”  Many Pastors plan to include a brief “Did you know?” section in their bulletins to raise awareness and help phase in adoption of the new language.  Interesting bits of history and tradition along with practical guidance on where changes reside in the order of Mass are hot topics.  The USCCB website www.usccb.org/romanmissal  under “Parish Resources” has a list of Bulletin Insert topics with extensive information.  Parishes that have embraced the “digital age” are pointing their parishioners to third party Catholic websites and podcasts (see sidebar) that allow them to actively listen to new musical settings.  These efforts are generally planned from just before Labor Day to the first Sunday of Advent.

#3 – A Singable Mass Setting
Joan Maher, Director of Worship at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri, planned ahead, “picking one of the new Mass settings that I know our congregation will enjoy singing. We chose the Gokelman/Kauffman Mass of Renewal (www.massofrenewal.com) because it will help our parish sing and pray the new Roman Missal with a sense of ease and joy, really. My choirs have already learned it, and they’ll help the assembly pick it up quickly.”  Like many in charge of parish music and worship, Maher also decided that the November 27th milestone is an ideal time to embrace a brand new hymnal for Holy Spirit’s pews.  She chose The Saint Augustine Hymnal from ILP Music (www.ilpmusic.org) which includes new Mass settings and a rich collection of songs from several Catholic publishers.

Thank a Composer
“Thank a composer!” said Monsignor Anthony Sherman, former director of the Office of Divine Worship for the USCCB. “It’s these men and women who have given wings to the new words.  Whether you use a revised setting like Haugen’s Mass of Creation or Hurd/Canedo’s  Mass of Glory or the NPM award winning Mass of Renewal by Gokelman/Kauffman, the melody writers are really helping the church embrace the new Roman Missal.  If you like a composer’s work, call or email them and say thank you!”

The Secret’s Out
So what will make for an A+ transition to Roman Missal 3rd Edition in your parish?  The secret’s out…and it’s no secret at all…

  • A willing spirit of pastoral and musical leadership
  • A simple plan to teach the flock beginning in early September
  • A singable Mass setting

Let us all pray that Sunday November 27th, 2011 is not a shock to the system, but a celebration of a Season.

Valuable resources for your parish leadership:
Parish Guide to Implementing the Roman Missal 3rd Edition (www.usccb.org/romanmissal)

  • A wealth of valuable and definitive resources for your entire parish staff and congregation to utilize

NPM 1st Place Musical Mass Setting www.massofrenewal.com

  • Audio & video details of the Mass that was voted 1st place by more than 2,000 Catholic Music Ministers at the 2010 NPM Convention in Detroit, MI.

Leading Catholic Music Publishers:

News release from USCCB regarding new translation: http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2011/11-126.shtml

Tom Gallo

Tom Gallo is Managing Director of San Antonio, TX based Good For The Soul Music™, a Catholic publisher of liturgical and ministerial music/resources for healing and hope.