On liturgical dance

Great quote on liturgical dance, from http://www.musicformass.blog/2017/05/30/what-came-first-rhythm-or-melody/

I’m not altogether convinced by the sort of liturgical dance I have seen, because it tends to be done at people rather than by people, and I think the point about liturgy is that we all do it together, especially the music.

Amen to that.  Liturgical dance is said to be praying with our bodies. But is it prayer for others who are just watching, not taking part. No matter how attentively they're watching, they're still present but not participating.   Their bodies are not engaged.

You have to meet people at least half-way - not turn them off with your exquisite taste

Just found this piece from a pastor who understands why tasteful music cannot be used everywhere.   'Tis a few years after it was published, but still totally relevant.

Two great quotes:

So, whether it’s Kendrick or Byrd, Estelle White or Mozart; the important thing is that it is received. It is not my job to educate people in taste; I am supposed to educate them in sound doctrine, and I will be able to do so more efficiently in a context where they feel comfortable.

and

My people are wonderful people, and as far as I am concerned, the important thing is that they are here at Mass. Our church is full each Sunday, thanks be to God, and if the cost of that is dreadful music, then bring on the tambourines!

I'm going to make some use of these.

Good mappings from scripture to readings

Sometimes indices which list hymns related to pieces of scripture take a very broad view of the link.  These ones are narrower - it's easier to see the link:

Gospel of John - http://catholic-resources.org/John/Liturgy-Music.html

Haugen songs from Mark, Luke and John:   http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Music-Haugen.htm

Ad orientem and versus populum - which side of the altar does the priest stand on

A handy reference to both sides of the story, with not too many comments from haters of either stripe.

http://americamagazine.org/content/all-things/facing-east-during-liturgy-fact-and-fiction

Let's hope the whole thing has blown over before Advent rolls around.

God as King? I don't think so ...

To someone from a democracy, in which the Queen is s figurehead living in a far-away country, the idea of God as King has always been a bit foreign.

This post from Rory Cooney, sharing the back story of one of his recent hymns has some interesting quotes:

" the image of God we've inherited from monarchy and haven't shaken off,an image of God derived from power"

Since moving to Ireland, I've been struck by the extent to which monarchy is the model of church for so many people: bishops are princes, and the Pope is the king.    Even though this is a republic, for many it's like the monarchy is still a deeply ingrained part of how the world works, which has to apply to both church and state.

Me, I'm not having a bar of it.

Church choirs exist to lead and sustain everyone's singing - not to do it all themselves

A quote from the General Instruction to the Roman Missal (GIRM):

Among the faithful, the schola cantorum or choir exercises its own liturgical function, ensuring that the parts proper to it, in keeping with the different types of chants, are properly carried out and fostering the active participation of the faithful through the singing. It is fitting that there be a cantor or a choir director to lead and sustain the people's singing.

When in doubt, give people the benefit of the doubt

A good phrase to remember from the Catechism of the Catholic Church - which maybe some people have difficulty remembering:

2478 To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favourable way:
Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another’s statement than to condemn it.