Ash Wednesday A few years ago, it felt like all of California was burning. Massive wildfires broke out up and down the state and burned for weeks. The fire that destroyed the town of Paradise in Northern California roared for … Read More
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time The dialogues and acclamations are the church’s first preference for what is sung at Mass (see last week and “Sing to the Lord,” 115). But how do you choose everything else? You probably already know … Read More
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Liturgical music communicates the story of the mystery of Christ, and the assembly in whom the Spirit dwells is the principal storyteller. The primary way they tell that story is by their “fully conscious, and … Read More
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time We’ve been reviewing principles for choosing liturgical music, starting with the “story” that liturgical music supports, which is the mystery of Christ revealed through the liturgical year. Now let’s look at the people who tell … Read More
The Presentation of the Lord Several feasts and solemnities interject a specific focus of the paschal mystery into the steady pace of Ordinary Time. This Sunday is one of those feasts. Occurring 40 days after December 25, for some cultures, … Read More
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Last week, we explored the flow of the liturgical seasons Advent-Christmas and Lent-Easter. In between these seasons are 33 to 34 weeks that make up Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time is not a liturgical season like … Read More
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Resources like GIA Quarterly are useful for helping you choose music. But you also want to understand the liturgical principles that will guide your choices. We’ll explore these over the next few weeks. Choosing liturgical … Read More
Fourth Sunday of Advent If you know any Filipinos in your community, you might have noticed a star-shaped lantern decorating their home during Advent and Christmas. These parols (“lanterns”) are usually made of bamboo frames covered with paper and tinsel. … Read More
Third Sunday of Advent Throughout Advent you might already have been singing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Or perhaps you have been waiting for today, Gaudete (“Rejoice”) Sunday, or for December 17, the traditional time the church begins singing the … Read More
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Last year, the Immaculate Conception fell on a Saturday. This year, December 8 is Sunday! Now what? Sunday is always a holy day of obligation. The Code of Canon Law … Read More