LITURGY

See need to harmonize music with upcoming parish changes

BY KATE BLAIN
ASSISTANT EDITOR

The "Called to be Church" process will likely result in fewer parishes in the Albany Diocese, and fewer Masses at the ones that are left.

That's led to some intense speculation among music ministers about what the future holds for them.

On April 6, 3-5 p.m., they will gather at the Carondelet Center in Latham to discuss the implications of pastoral planning in regard to musicians.

Concerns

"I've been getting a lot of calls," noted LouAnn Cleary, music director at Christ the King parish in Westmere. She is president of the Albany chapter of National Pastoral Musicians.

Parish musicians, she said, have been posing scenarios about:

* what will happen if several parishes merge, but each has had its own music director;

* how will salaries be affected if one music director is expected to cover several parishes;

* what is the effect of Called to be Church changes on musicians' pensions;

* how can music groups from different parishes be merged;

* whose "music repertoire" should be used if one parish is merged with another; and

* how can musicians job-share?

Harmony

Those are only a few of the many concerns, noted Richard Putorti, music minister for Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Rotterdam.

"There's so many dynamics," he remarked. "There is no manual out there that says, 'Do this.'"

The two musicians said that many of their peers are worried about being overlooked as parishes and diocesan officials make plans for the future.

Consequences

If a parish ends up with fewer liturgies, Mr. Putorti explained, "does that have a huge impact on Eucharistic ministers? I don't think so."

But musicians have to spend the same amount of time preparing music for two Masses as they would for three. Their workload has not decreased, but their paychecks might.

However, Ms. Cleary said, "my biggest concern is that we've lost the vision of what it means to be pastoral musicians. Helping people to pray should be our only vision."

Considerations

Even in that, she said, there are needs that must be addressed. For example, the Called to be Church process may link parishes that have strong histories of "doing things their own way;" music ministers will have to accept changes in parish leadership, job descriptions and more.

"I'd really like to see us be able to put away our pride to work for the greater good of the Church," Ms. Cleary stated.

When music ministers argue with one another or with parishes, "we tear down the body of Christ."

Collaboration

About 30 musicians have already affirmed that they will attend the April 6 gathering, titled "Music Ministry in a Changing Church: A Call to Collaboration."

At the event, small groups will discuss focus questions, including scenarios that could result from Called to be Church.

Although music ministers probably won't be the decision-makers about their own jobs, said Mr. Putorti, "we're trying to give people the opportunity to talk through these things. We're not making policy, just having conversation to make musicians think about what's important."

Notable position

To him, it's most crucial to ask how music can support the mission of the Church, "to be a healing process in this difficult situation. It's not about us as individual pastoral musicians, but about 'how do we give the most vibrant, alive liturgies?'"

Ms. Cleary, who calls music "my life and my passion," hopes that parish musicians can contribute toward "keeping the people in the pews."

Mr. Putorti is trying to see Called to be Church as an opportunity. Linking or merging parishes and reducing the number of liturgies, he said, may mean "you take a parish where participation wasn't so great, and you get a church that's full now instead of half-full or a quarter full."

(According to Ms. Cleary, one plus to Called to be Church may be the chance for parishes to better share music resources. Mr. Putorti noted that liturgical songs like "All are Welcome" or "Sing a New Church" can remind parishioners to consider "our neighboring parishes, who we will be linked with." The upcoming gathering will probably be the first of several as musicians look at which techniques work for them in the future and which do not. To attend, call Ms. Cleary, 356-0394, or Mr. Putorti, 356-9129.)

(03/27/08)