The Joy of Mater Ecclesiae

Although I am now at a parish with beautiful and amazing liturgy, I have found that there are still things I have experienced in the Latin Mass that I miss very much and have not experienced elsewhere. That is why I still miss Mater Ecclesiae at times. I miss the bold congregational singing of the chant mass settings, especially the creed. Even when we would sing a polyphonic mass setting, the creed was always for the people to chant. And they would raise the roof! Especially at "et unam, sanctam, catholicam, et apostolicam ecclesiam". that always was a powerful and beautiful moment. I miss Karl's bold organ music after the gospel. I miss the clear chanting of the texts by Fr. Pasley. Never have I heard better priest chanting anywhere. Not because there are not priests out there with better quality of voice (but even those are few), but because Father combines beauty with clarity and appropriate speed. You can truly understand his Latin and he often sounds like he could be as fluent speaking in Latin as he is in English because the sentence flow is so often spot on! Kudos to Fr. Pasley. I also think it is important if at all possible for the congregation to have books of music. Even if they can't read notation (supposedly), you would be surprised how many start to understand chant notation because it is simple enough to start picking up on it. It helps them to really learn the mass settings. Those music books should also have hymns I think. Although hymns are not to be the primary music, there is nothing more joyful to me than hearing a congregation raise the roof with a devotional hymn at the end of Mass. I would feel a deep sense of loss if we did not have such hymns as "The Strife is O'er", "This Joyful Eastertide", "On Jordan's bank", "Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence", and so many more. They give a cultural voice to our faith when appropriate. I have never been a member of a more joyful, faith-filled congregation than that of Mater Ecclesiae Catholic Church. There is such an earnestness about the faith there, and a love of participation in the mass, both internally and externally. I miss hearing a congregation really sing, and I mean REALLY SING. It has provided some of the most beautiful and moving moments in my worship of God in the Mass.
God Bless Mater Ecclesiae and their parish priest. May he grant them continued spiritual growth and many years more to worship God together. May their love for the faith reach much farther in the lives of others than they may ever know.

In Chicago!

My access to internet is somewhat limited and things were crazy this weekend, but I can say I am now living in Chicago! I arrived last Friday and I am now settled in. I have still been applying for jobs and had an interview yesterday that went well, but I am still looking for other possibilities. It can be kind of a downer to not be working because there is not much to do and you don't feel very useful. My roommate will be leaving for Medjugorie tomorrow as well, so I will be alone in our apartment for 10 days, and I just moved here! I have a choir audition today at St. John Cantius and getting involved there soon will help. Say a prayer that I find a job, and also, for my vocation. That is a priority this year. I really sense that I am supposed to know with certainty by the end of the year. In a sense I BEG God to know. but, i will also accept whatever his will is. Holy Mary, guide me in all things...

The BIG MOVE

Well, it is confirmed. I'm actually doing it! I am moving to Chicago a week from today! I will leave July 24th. I have an apartment with another Catholic woman ready for us, and my mom and my sister are actually going to drive down with me to help bring all my stuff! what a weekend that will be! I could use prayers for a job though, since I am still working on that. God will provide though, even when I struggle with trusting him at times. I almost wasn't sure moving to Chicago was going to work out. Things were starting to become last minute! I only found out today that we have an apartment now. So i have one week to pack! (and Fr Ben thought he had it bad.) I will be living on the edge of the city in the Northwest area known as Edison Park. This is such a big thing for me, it is kind of bewildering. I am moving halfway across the country! Who would have thought. God does crazy things in our lives when we let him... I know getting a job is important, but it is just as important to me when I get down there to find a spiritual director! I desperately am in need of some guidance right now in discerning my vocation. I try not to be anxious by placing myself in the hands of Our Lady. I can't wait to try to get involved in the music at St. John Cantius! I will be so excited to sing polyphony and chant again. I don't know if I will be able to take voice lessons or organ lessons again soon. I doubt it. I want to eventually, but I will have to wait on that.
Well, lots to get ready in a week...

Moving to Chicago!

Well, despite details still being worked out, I should be moving to Chicago soon! It is exciting, and I truly trust the Lord will provide the way for me to get there. I have been more sure of this being God's will than most things in my life, so I just keep trying to leave it all in His hands and not doubt. My housing situation is a little unsettled at the moment, but I will be talking to a woman tonight about it, and it's a very good possibility. Through our Lady , God will provide for what I need. I could still use some prayers for patience in the area of vocation discernment. That is part of the reason for going to Chicago - vocation discernment - so it is hard not to get anxious when I sense I will soon know for sure what my vocation is. I hope in Chicago to be involved in music at St. John Cantius as well. We'll see though, God may have a different plan for my gift of music.

Say a prayer for me

I could really use prayers for discernment of God's will right now, and that whatever he wills, he will make possible. Please especially offer the prayers through the hands of Our Lady. Thanks.

God's Providence?

I'm stuck in Chicago till Tuesday. Which I actually found kind of humorous and not at all stressful because I really don't have anything that pressing to go home to. I can't help but feel that this is God's providence, so that maybe I can talk to the Sullivan's tomorrow night in person about the apartment situation and I will look online tomorrow for jobs in Chicago. I literally am taking it one day at a time at this point, so that is good. Whoever knows me that reads this, say a prayer for me concerning vocation discernment and this idea of moving to Chicago. I could use it!

Sacred Music Colloquium 2008

W ell, I am currently still in the suburbs of Chicago near Loyola University, with just 1 1/2 days left of the colloquium! It will be hard to leave on Sunday. It is musical heaven for a Catholic Church musician and the facilities were so much better this year. I wish I never miss a colloquium for many years. However, I have no idea what is in store for me even as I head back home. While I have been here, I have had some very unexpected things happen concerning vocation discernment, that have thrown me for a loop. God seems to enjoy doing that to me. I'm starting to not mind it too much. I'm learning to trust more and not stress about not knowing the answers to things at the moment, and trying to live day by day. And during everything that has happened this week, it doesn't really cause any stress or terrible confusion. If God wills something in the future, it will happen.
Also, over this past week, I seem to have a growing sense that I won't stay in Vermont. For both vocational and practical reasons as a musician. I am not 100% positive though. It depends if God miraculously helps me to get a good job within the next two weeks or not. I just don't want to sit around in VT waiting. As much as a I love my family here, and would like to help the Catholic church in Vermont through my gift of music, it just may not be possible.
Well, it is late, and I have much singing to do tomorrow. They really pack our days full. I will enjoy the last full day of the colloquium, I'm sure, even though someone I've come to care about won't be there.