Among the many signs and symbols used by the Church to celebrate its faith, music is of preeminent importance. As sacred song united to words it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy. Yet the function of music is ministerial; it must serve and never dominate. Music should assist the assembled believers to express and share the gift of faith that is within them and to nourish and strengthen their interior commitment of faith. It should heighten the texts so that they speak more fully and more effectively. The quality of joy and enthusiasm which music adds to community worship cannot be gained in any other way. It imparts a sense of unity to the congregation and sets the appropriate tone for a particular celebration.
In addition to expressing texts, music can also unveil a dimension of meaning and feeling, a communication of ideas and intuitions that words along cannot yield. This dimension is integral to the human personality and to growth in faith. It cannot be ignored if the signs of worship are to speak to the whole person. Ideally, every communal celebration of faith, including funerals and the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, penance, anointing, and matrimony, should include music and singing. Where it is possible to celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours in a community, it, too, should include music.
Music in Catholic Worship, #23, 24
What is the Ministry of Music?
The Ministry of Music at Santa Cruz Catholic Church is one of several liturgical ministries in our parish. As ministers of the Word, we strive diligently to bring new life and expressiveness to God’s Holy Word through melody and harmony. As members of this faith community, we bring our gifts of music and song to the Banquet of Love so that we can share of our offering with our fellow Christian brothers and sisters. We strive to use music as a vehicle by which we can inspire the worshipping community at Santa Cruz into a deeper and more meaningful worship experience. Finally, we hope that, through our music, Santa Cruz Faith community can find a means of expressing those thoughts and feelings that words alone are inadequate to describe.Who is the Ministry of Music?
Members of the Ministry of Music come from all walks of life and bring with them all levels of expertise and experience. People of all ages are represented in the Ministry. There is no musical pre-requisite for becoming a member of the Ministry. A love of music and singing and a willingness to work as a part of a team are the most important qualities that a Music Ministry member should have.
But I don’t have any musical experience at all!
As our Ministry continues to grow and advance, we will be offering instruction in singing and vocal production as well as classes on reading music. In this way, our Ministry will be able to grow in its musical ability and sensitivity. However, please bear in mind that the ultimate goal of the Ministry of Music is to bring a more meaningful worship experience and a deeper expression of our faith at Santa Cruz faith community through music. All that we do is done with this purpose and goal in mind.