Morning Prayer: 29th September: Feast of Archangels
September 29, 2011
A Morning Prayer for Feasts of the Angels
This is a simplified form of Morning Prayer to be used before morning Mass.
Holy God, we praise thy name; Lord of all, we bow before thee!
All on earth thy sceptre claim. All in heaven above adore thee.
Infinite thy vast domain, everlasting is thy reign.
Hark! the loud celestial hymn, angel choirs above are raising;
cherubim and seraphim, in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heavens with sweet accord, holy, holy, holy Lord!
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O God, come to our aid: O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, glory to the Son, Glory to the Holy Spirit
Now and for ever. Amen.
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Psalm 62
O God, you are my God, for you I long, for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you, my God, like a dry weary land without water.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.
I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and glory,
for your love is better than life itself; my lips will speak your praise.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.
On you I muse throughout the night, on my bed I remember you,
for you have been my refuge and your right hand holds me fast.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.
Let us pray:
Lord God of hosts,
in your all-wise plan
you assign to angels and to men the services they have to render you.
Grand that the angels, who adore you in heaven,
may protect us here on earth.
We make our prayer] through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
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I bow my knees: Canticle from the Letter to the Ephesians
I bow my knees before the Lord our God.
Each fam’ly comes from God:
The Spirit strengthen yours with inner power.
May Christ dwell in your hearts!
May you be filled now, filled with the fullness of God.
May you be filled now, filled with the fullness of God.
The Spirit strengthen you with inner power.
May Christ dwell in your hearts.
By faith may you be rooted and based in love
and know the love of Christ.
May you be filled now, filled with the fullness of God.
May you be filled now, filled with the fullness of God.
Gloria
Gospel Acclamation
Prayers and Intercessions
Beloved brethren, a host of angels stands before the Lord and praises him with one voice.
Let us proclaim his name with rejoicing: – All his angels, bless the Lord.
O God, you commanded your angels to keep us safe in all our ways:
lead us in your footsteps today and keep us free from sin. – All his angels, bless the Lord.
Father, the angels in heaven see your face always:
may we unceasingly strive to share that sight with them. – All his angels, bless the Lord.
O God, your children will be like the angels in heaven:
keep us pure in heart and body. – All his angels, bless the Lord.
O God, send Michael the great prince to the aid of your people,
to defend us in battle against Satan and his angels. – All his angels, bless the Lord.
During the Preparation of the Gifts
Guardian Angel from Heaven So Bright Watching beside me to lead me aright
Fold thy wings round me O guard me with love Softly sing songs to me of heav’n above
Beautiful angel my guardian so mild Tenderly guide me for I am thy Child.
Beautiful angel my guardian so mild Tenderly guide me for I am thy Child.
Angel so holy whom God sends to me Sinful and lowly my guardian to be
Wilt thou not cherish the child of thy care? Let me not perish, my trust is thy pray’r.
Beautiful angel my guardian so mild Tenderly guide me for I am thy Child.
Sanctus
Memorial
Doxology
Agnus Dei
Communion Antiphon:
As the deer longs for running streams
so I long, so I long, so I long for you.
After Communion The Benedictus (verse 1 )
Blest be the Lord the God of Israel, who came to us and brought us back from sin.
God raised for us a Saviour who is mighty, his Saviour-Son from David’s house and line.
God promised this through holy men and women who spoke for him down through the mists of time.
Copyrights: Psalm 62 : From The Psalms: A New Translation © 1963 The Grail (England)
published by HarperCollins. Music (c) Gerry Fitzpatrick. Intercessions and prayer
© ICEL. Response to Ps 42 (c) Bob Hurd. Benedictus verse © Stephen E Smyth.
Graphic (c) Netta Ewing.
Vigil and Mass of Investiture
September 27, 2011
Services with the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre
Friday 16th September and Saturday 17th.
The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre held their Investiture Vigil and Mass in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow, on 16th and 17th September.
Archbishop Conti presided at the Vigil service, held on the first anniversary of the Pope’s visit to Glasgow in 2010, and appropriately reminded the Knights and Dames of the special charism and responsibility they shared ‘to have a care for the Holy Places and a devotion to the Passion of Christ.’ In the substantial Liturgy of the Word the readings were divided by 3 psalms which, surprisingly, were spoken rather than sung. This was unfortunate since it meant in fact that rather than containing 3 readings and 3 psalms, the liturgy had 6 readings which, for an occasion such as this, might be deemed superfluous, unsalted as they were with the variety and beauty of song. ( Its extraordinary how we, who would never think of speaking a hymn or a ‘national anthem,’ sometimes think nothing of speaking a psalm!) To his credit, Archbishop Conti took the initiative in leading the congregation in singing the Alleluia and everyone warmly responded.
Jane McKenna was the organist for the occasion, and the congregation of Knights and Dames sang well in the opening hymn, Praise to the Holiest, and in the recessional, O Lord, my God.
The Mass on the 17th was concelebrated by Cardinal O’Brien and Archbishop Conti, and several priest members of the Order. The St Mungo Singers led the assembly in song and introduced some of the music written for the New Missal. There was a special Mass for the Investiture. The psalm (99) was one which would also have fitted the alternative celebration of the feast of St Robert Bellarmine, and the choice of acclamation seemed very appropriate: ‘Act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God.’
The Cardinal linked the deep commitment of Baptism with the further calling to support the Church in the Holy Land. Marie Cairns of St Bride’s Church, Bothwell, was invested as a Dame of the Holy Sepulchre. It was nice to note how useful the Cathedral Garden is on such occasions for mingling and for group photographs – and the weather uncharacteristically co-operated.
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Argyll & Isles Pastoral Music Weekend 2-4 September 2011
September 14, 2011
The second Diocesan Pastoral Music Weekend of this year was held in its usual venue at St. Mary’s Kinnoull. Around
60 musicians from across the diocese attended. Unfortunately Bishop Toal was unable to be there, because of illness, but the musicians were joined by Mgr. Jamie MacNeil, Fr. Roddy Johnston, recently ordained Fr. David Connor and Deacon Stanislaw Pamula (who was on his way back to Rome), as well as Fr. Michael Hutson and his usual team of helpers.
Argyll & Isles musicians hard at work
The tried and tested format for the music weekend is extremely successful – refurbishment of existing repertoire, the introduction of new music, talks on aspects of the liturgy and music’s place in it, all interspersed with time for socialising and relaxation in the beautiful surrounds of Kinnoull. The focus this session was on the music for the new translation of the Missal.
The weekend began on Friday evening with a warm-up session of some familiar pieces, and a first look at Dan Schutte’s “Mass of Christ the Saviour”. After St. Mary’s usual filling supper, the group convened again in the chapel for further work on this Mass before the session closed with Night Prayer. Then there was time for everyone to catch up on each other’s news in the Common Room.
After breakfast the next morning, there was time for preparation for morning Mass. After Mass, Mgr. Jamie gave a reflection on the new text for the Sanctus, focussing our thoughts on what is meant by the term “holy” – in brief it means to be like God. Then there were further rehearsals on music for the new translation. In addition to the Schutte Mass, the group learned the Lamb of God from the Rose-Conlon Mass of St. Mary McKillop and refreshed their memory of the Latin Pater Noster. Fr. Michael made the point that the reason for singing certain less commonly sung parts of the Mass (such as the Preface or the Our Father) was to give greater solemnity to particular celebrations. The priests of Argyll & the Isles Diocese had now attended sessions on the place of music in the Mass.
After a break for rest and relaxation, Fr. Roddy gave an reflection on the Gloria, and, in his inimitable way, had everyone looking at it with new eyes - a song of joy after the Penitential Rite which makes us ready to sing it – a Christmas song which we sing throughout the year. But, he asked, how do we glorify or bless God? His answer was that every good thing we have or are is to the glory of God and we give it all to him when we sing the Gloria.
A final rehearsal after supper still left the group with the energy for an informal ceilidh. Even Fr. Kieran, the Rector of St. Mary’s, was persuaded to do a party piece, and the music included great fiddle playing from our youngest member, Kevin, and some beautiful guitar playing by Fr. Roddy.
Kevin the fiddler gets the toes tapping at the ceilidh
The weekend closed with the group joining the parish community for Mass on Sunday morning, presided over by Fr. David. This Mass is, for many, the highlight of the weekend, as it gives the opportunity to put into practice what they have learned and experience first hand how the liturgy can be. Deacon Stanislaw gave the homily and set us the challenge of recognising that love is often to speak the truth into the eyes of another. It is not just a sentiment, it can be a rebuke to others, and we need to be prepared to love with belief and with courage. We can be irritated or angry with another but still continue to love them. It is better to get the truth into the open, rather than hide our anger until it explodes and destroys love.
After Mass, it was time to pack up and get on the way, reflecting that it really won’t be very long till the next Music Weekend in May 2012!
Music & the New Missal – Glasgow Conference
September 14, 2011
Over a hundred musicians – choir directors, cantors, organists and instrumentalists – from across the Archdiocese of Glasgow converged on St. Aloysius, Garnethill on Saturday 27th August for a workshop run by the Archdiocesan Music Committee on music for the new translation of the Missal. The numbers clearly indicated the level of interest in the topic, and the commitment of the musicians of the Archdiocese to ensuring that their congregations would be prepared for its introduction.
After an opening Morning Prayer, Fr. David Wallace (who had just returned from the World Youth Day in Madrid) spoke to participants about the opportunities provided by the new translation. This was an opportunity to look afresh at our liturgy, an opportunity for development and growth. Clearly parishes were different in their resources and needs, and would handle the introduction of the new Missal differently, and this was perfectly acceptable.
Fr. David Wallace gives opening talk
Changes would take time to get used to, and looking at this positively, it was not a bad thing if we had to slow down when we prayed! Prayer is the main purpose of Mass. We should enjoy the challenge and grasp the opportunity to learn. There are increasingly resources available on the Internet to help with this, including www.romanmissalscotland.org.uk, www.stmungomusic.org.uk, rcag.org.uk/liturgy and others.
A number of sessions then followed on musical settings of the new texts. Mgr. Gerry Fitzpatrick took the participants through the chants in the Missal, stressing the importance of sensitivity to the words when using them. Grace Buckley introduced a selection of revised settings of existing Masses including the Marty Haugen Mass of Creation, the Schubert German Mass, the Fitzpatrick Jubilee Mass, and the Bellahouston Gloria. The encouraging point, she suggested, was that much of what was currently used can continue to be used with little change required.
Completely new settings for the new text were introduced by Maria Madden and Dorothy Gunnee. These included Dr. Noel Donnelly’s Dalreoch Mass, Mgr. Fitzpatrick’s St. Andrew Mass, Tony Giovanazzi’s Hebridean Mass, the Cill Choirill Mass by Peter Rose and Ann Conlon, and the St. Margaret Mass by Harry McFarlane. Clearly there was a good selection of material already available for parishes to choose from. Mgr Gerry made the practical point that the new musical settings should be introduced gradually to ensure that congregations are given adequate opportunity to learn. As musicians, we should always remember that the purpose of music in the Liturgy is to help people to pray better.
Fr. John Gannon followed up the musical sessions with a discussion on the role of the priest. He asked the participants to remember that the priest needs support in the celebration of the liturgy. There should be a partnership between priest and people. The priest has the responsibility to lead, but the music ministry has the responsibility of supporting and helping the priest. The objective should be mutual encouragement. The final session was presented by Frank Stewart on the technological resources available now to assist church musicians in their work. Music can be put on YouTube for rehearsal purposes. There is already a St. Mungo Music YouTube channel and one called National Catholic Music is to follow. Music resources are included on the St, Mungo Music website and on RomanMissalScotland. There is an App for the IPad which will assist organists. Live broadcasting over the Internet is possible too, with the appropriate licences.
Some of the participants at the workshop
Participants were given sample materials to take away and a CD of some of the music presented at the workshop. The workshop will be followed up by further local sessions throughout the diocese. Suggestions on locations were discussed with participants, and a finalised list will be published on the St. Mungo Music website as soon as details are available. It is also hoped that a workshop specifically on the use of technology can be arranged, in view of the clear interest of those present.
The hard work of singing etc. during the day was fuelled by a lovely buffet lunch provided by the ladies of St. Aloysius who took the large numbers present in their stride and even had some left over for “doggy bags”!
40th Anniversary Celebration Mass for the St Mungo Singers
September 12, 2011
St Andrew’s Cathedral will host the 40th anniversary Mass for the St Mungo Singers on Friday Novenber 4th.
(c) Netta Ewing
Archbishop Conti will be principal concelebrant and, as you might expect, much of the Mass will be sung using settings of the new texts by Gerry and Noel.
Before summer, the choir learned the dialogue responses for the new Missal so that they could be put on romanmissalscotland.org.uk
to help interested people hear how they sound, so many of these will be in use on the day.
Last Sunday 11th September we also rehearsed the ‘Dismissal and Blessing’ responses so even the end of the Mass will be special.
Before then, of course, the choir will have visited Orvieto and Rome so there’s a lot of work to be done for that too.
The St Mungo Singers: Mass for Knights Investiture September 17th
September 12, 2011
The St Mungo Singers will lead the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre in the music of their Mass on Saturday 17th September
at 11.00 in St Andrew’s Cathedral. The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Conti.
Music will range through a variety of styles, from Harp music provided by Noel Donnelly, to the Canticle from the Book of Wisdom and the Canticle from the Letter to the Colossians arranged by Brother Stephen E Smyth (of the Marist Brothers) to the long loved tunes of ‘Sweet Sacrament Divine’ and ‘Alleluia Sing to Jesus’, to parts of the Mass settings for the New Missal by Gerry Fitzpatrick and Noel S Donnelly, to the medieval Veni Creator Spiritus and Salve Regina. The Preparation of the Gifts will be accompanied by Noel’s setting of the Canticle from the Letter to the Philippians ‘Formed in God’ and we won’t be neglecting the motet world of Palestrina and Wesley. The Communion rite will be accompanied by Behold the Lamb of God, by the Taize ‘Eat this Bread’ and after Communion we will sing Sacris Solemniis - one of the five beautiful hymns St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) composed expressing the Eucharistic Presence of Christ at the specific request of Pope Urban IV (1261-1264) when the Pope first established the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264.
Music for Masses on occasions such as this presents the challenge of combining full active participation in singing by a congregation gathered from here there and everywhere with the presence and added musical richness of a choir - so it makes sense to sing well known tunes as in the Entry and Recessional hymns (to biblical Canticles), and to include some responsorial styles music as in the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Psalm and the Alleluia, and in the Taize Communion Song. The Veni Creator and the Salve Regina will allow those who retain the memory of these remnants from the pre-conciliar liturgy to indulge in some effective nostalgic musical prayer! The choir will also add a lot of harmony throughout the Mass underpinning the Mass parts as well as singing the motets.
Spirit of Life Youth Choir: St Andrew’s Cathedral Concert
September 12, 2011
The Spirit of Life Youth Choir will be singing to raise funds for SCIAF’s Horn and East Africa Appeal
on the 15th September in Glasgow. Why not join them for a lovely night of song?
The Music for Famine Relief Concert will take place in St Andrew’s Metropolitan Cathedral on Clyde Street, Glasgow
from 7.30pm. The event is the perfect example of how expression through the arts can provide the ideal
opportunity to raise awareness and funds for vital work in developing nations.
Late Summer Music: Sunday 18th September 7.30 St Thomas’, Riddrie
September 10, 2011
Late Summer Music: Sunday 18th September 7.30 pm at St Thomas’s, Cumbernauld Rd., Riddrie.
For St Andrew’s Hospice.
Ceciliana Chamber Choir and Orchestra conducted by Gerard Docherty and Desmond McLean:
Program: Mozart Requiem in D minor; Choral Suite from Mass for Peace: Karl Jenkins plus choral and instrumental classics.
Tickets £10.00 at door or by calling: 07720 857529 or eiltom@hotmail.co.uk
Glasgow Rehearsals for music for the new Missal
September 8, 2011
The New Missal: Music rehearsals
graphic (c) Netta Ewing
Click on the arrow below to listen to the sound of music
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Thursday the 15th September: Following the Music Conference at St Aloysius’, Glasgow last week, the first of a series of rehearsals of music for the new Missal will take place in St Simon’s, Partick, next Thursday the 15th September from 7.15 finishing with tea etc at 8.50. The session will involve the rehearsal of a few Mass settings to enable parishes to choose what they think most appropriate for their situation at present, and material will be provided. Apart from a choice of music for the choir and congregation we also hope to spend a little time on the Preface Dialogue and the Preface as it might be sung on special occasions by the priests.
The Archdiocesan Music Committee was pleased at the attendance at St Aloysius on the 27th August and at the interest shown in further musical events.
Other rehearsals are planned to be based so far on St Mary’s, Calton, St Ninian’s, Kirkintilloch, and St Stephen’s Dalmuir.
St Leo’s choir meets on Monday evenings in St Leo’s house and visitors are welcome to join us at present as we devote most of our rehearsal to the music of the new Missal.
Monday 19th and 26th September: 7.00 – 8.00: St Leo’s choir will welcome guests to their rehearsal for the new Missal in St Leo’s, Dumbreck.
Thursday 29th September: St Stephen’s, Dalmuir will host rehearsals for the new Missal at 7.15
Sunday October 2nd and 9th: St Mary’s Calton will host rehearsals of music for the new Missal on the 2nd and 9th October between 2pm and 4pm.
If anyone has any questions they can email stmarysmusic@hotmail.co.uk.
Thursday 6th October: St Ninian’s, Kirkintilloch will host rehearsal for music of the new Missal at 7pm
Continuity – Music from Missal to Missal
September 7, 2011
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Continuity from one New Missal to Another
(Sound clip of Harp – Carolan))
Preparing as we are for the New Missal, many of us probably realize that it’s going to be a lot easier to introduce this one, than it was to launch its predecessor, the Missal of Paul 6th.
Of course, its useful to be reminded about the importance of ‘full, conscious and active participation,’ particularly through ‘the Mass parts’ – as we call them – (Kyrie, gloria, psalm, alleluia, sanctus, memorials, Doxology and Amen, and Agnus Dei), but its important to remember that, this time, we are not being asked to start from scratch! We already have a substantial repertoire and are not being asked to forego the fruit of so much work, by so many people, over the last 40 years!
((SOUND clip of Jubilee Sanctus part 1))
Settings of the new texts will gradually replace the current settings of the previous texts – though many composers have been able to re-write parts of their settings – but it would surely be foolish to lose repertoire, the tools of participation, before we can replace it. Undoubtedly, we have been here before! The language of the liturgy gradually changed in Rome from Greek to Latin in the 3rd and 4th century and we still have traces of the Greek as well as the Latin, which people have been happy to continue to sing ever since!
((SOUND clip of plainsong Kyrie part 1) )
Many priests and musicians, bishops, cantors and congregations take delight in the repertoire of psalms, in a variety of styles, which we are able to use now to respond to the word of God, to express our faith, our hopes, our humanity, in the range of situations which are part of our lives and the lives of others.
(Sound: clip of Ps 18)
These words of Psalm 18, seem so appropriate for the feasts of Apostles – including that of our own St Andrew, patron of Scotland, but they also can help us to voice our sense of the teaching of the apostles reaching throughout the world, bringing good news.
Listen now to words we use from Psalm 17 which can help us in our prayers to express our trust in God’s love for us. ((sound: clip of Ps 17 ))
Then, the acclamations with which we stand and sing to welcome the Gospel at mass have also already enriched us immeasurably -
‘Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death. . . . . ((sound: clip of Christ was . . .))
or
I am the light of the world, says the Lord. . . anyone who follows me will have the light of life ((Sound: clip of Alleluia: I am the light ))
For many, the Missal of Paul 6th has been a source of much spiritual nourishment, even of great beauty and it has enabled us to express our faith for some 40 years – after all, “What you pray is what you believe.” – Using these texts in prayer, surely we will become at ease with them, and will enjoy their many biblical allusions – ‘from the rising of the sun to its setting, great is the name of the Lord. ’ ((Sound: clip of ‘From the riding of the sun . . ))
