News - July 2023 RSS Feed

One stereotype in thinking is that the younger generation of Catholics tend to prefer more contemporary and modern music, while older generations would rather have the more traditional and old music. From my experience, this is not the case; at least, not everywhere. Father Jan Michael Joncas writes, "Age by itself does not seem to determine one’s ability to appreciate a particular musical style: senior citizens may enjoy a Beatles tune while twenty-somethings may powerfully respond to chant" (From Sacred Song to Ritual Music, 1997). [Click to read more]

Praise be Jesus Christ now and forever! As I continue this catechesis on music in our liturgy, there is the need to address some topics of interest, and that are foundational to discerning what the role of music in our liturgy ought to be. This week, I will address the subject of our uniqueness as a parish in South Bend, Indiana. 

Having set the groundwork for what I undertake in my bulletin column for the coming weeks, and explaining the term “liturgy” as the work of Jesus, the head, in union with the his body, the Church, I now turn to some concepts that have acquired multiple interpretations in order to clarify what the church teaches concerning them and how they apply to our liturgies.

Last week I began a series on music in our liturgy to address some concerns that have been raised by parishioners, and also to chart a path for music at our parish. It is the duty of a Pastor to sanctify, instruct and govern the people of God entrusted to his pastoral care. My intention here is to instruct on what the Church teaches concerning music in the liturgy, and at the same time call everyone to embrace it as a way of realizing that universal call to holiness to which all the baptized are called.

Three Sundays ago, the Knights of Columbus sold tickets for chicken dinner in support of Gibault Children's service. The response from parishioners was overwhelming. Many people paid more than the 12 dollars that was requested per dinner!