St. Cecilia Sing!

Two weeks ago, the Seattle Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) hosted their annual St. Cecilia Sing! This event, which is held near the Feast of St. Cecilia -patron saint for musicians- gathers pastoral musicians throughout the Archdiocese to celebrate the great gift of music and join together in fellowship and prayer.

Although not a pastoral musician myself, I continue to find myself inspired and renewed in ministry with the work that this group does. St. Cecilia Sing! especially moves me because as each of the participating choirs and ensembles sing their piece(s), I enter into a deep joy and peace where all stress and worry disappear for just a brief couple of hours. Many find this feeling watching movies or theater.

Wanting to support and encourage pastoral musicians in their ministry and to spread the word about the chapter, I began taking pictures at their events which may now be found on their website. There is also a lot of helpful resources and information such as job openings and information about musicians salary.

Let us continue to be inspired in ministry through the art of musical liturgy. Thank you to all of the pastoral musicians for their dedication and service to the Church of Western Washington!

pro multis ~ For many

After months of staring at the computer screen thinking about whether or not to begin blogging, after a "final push" from one of the priests in our Archdiocese, I have decided to become a blogger!

This blog will be a reflection (my reflection) on liturgical events, news, and happenings throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle...told from my perspective in a little corner of the Liturgy Office.

Recently, I had dinner with one of the pastoral musicians, and I mentioned to her a concern of mine, that I am just in the Chancery Offices while people like her were really doing the grunt work and getting their hands dirty...and how I felt as though I'm not making much of a difference (I've learned in time that the dark spirit continues to tell me this on a regular basis).

She told me that it is thanks to people like me who are in the Chancery Offices she is able to do her job well and with much enthusiasm and joy. We went on to discuss the possibility of my becoming a blogger and she said that it would be a great way to continue to keep in touch with people like her who do the grunt work in the parishes throughout the Archdiocese. She reminded me that I am making a difference throughout Western Washington, even though I might not know it.

Hence the blog. My hope is that through this blog, I will be able to stay connected to liturgical ministers in the Archdiocese and more importantly will be able to help them minister to the people of God.

I close this first blog with the Prayer for the New Evangelization.
In this Year of Faith, may all the faithful continue to spread the Truth of Jesus Christ through both word and deed.

Prayer for the New Evangelization
Heavenly Father,
Pour forth your Holy Spirit to inspire me with these words from Holy Scripture.
Stir in my soul the desire to renew my faith and deepen my relationship with your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ so that I might truly believe in and live the Good News. 
Open my heart to hear the Gospel and grant me the confidence to proclaim the Good News to others.
Pour out your Spirit, so that I might be strengthened to go forth and witness to the Gospel in my everyday life through my words and actions.

In moments of hesitation, remind me:
    If not me, then who will proclaim the Gospel?
    If not now, then when will the Gospel be proclaimed?
    If not the truth of the Gospel, then what shall I proclaim?

God, our Father, I pray that through the Holy Spirit I might hear the call of the New Evangelization to deepen my faith, grow in confidence to proclaim the Gospel and boldly witness to the saving grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.