Whoever directed the children's choir needs plaudits - 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring', 'Panis Angelicus' and a decent vernacular Ordinary.
Nor was it a dumbed-down 'children's liturgy' - it was a sung Novus Ordo (which means the priest singing his parts) which followed the rubrics and would put most parish Masses (ostensibly for grown-ups) to shame.
Young people singing our best music well should be the goal and, to John's point, it was an achieved goal in this instance.
I've already walked out of an unannounced teen "rock/pop" style mass and went to another as it was just jarring to those wanting a more contemplative experience. It wasn't worth sticking it out just to check a box. What you've accomplished here, as John mentioned, should be the model.
I echo John Nolan's sentiments. Children's Masses do not have to serve Pablum, which unfortunately we get at so-called adult liturgies. When I studied Eucharistic theology in college, we had a noted scholar teaching the course and one comment he made was that he thought "Children's Masses" (this was in the early 1970s) were a mistake pedagogically. Of course the Mass on this thread bares no resemblance to those banal celebrations. I am sure he would be very pleased with your approach.
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Whoever directed the children's choir needs plaudits - 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring', 'Panis Angelicus' and a decent vernacular Ordinary.
Nor was it a dumbed-down 'children's liturgy' - it was a sung Novus Ordo (which means the priest singing his parts) which followed the rubrics and would put most parish Masses (ostensibly for grown-ups) to shame.
Very well done to all concerned.
Thank you John! I just emailed our choir director with your comment. I know she will appreciate it!
Young people singing our best music well should be the goal and, to John's point, it was an achieved goal in this instance.
I've already walked out of an unannounced teen "rock/pop" style mass and went to another as it was just jarring to those wanting a more contemplative experience. It wasn't worth sticking it out just to check a box. What you've accomplished here, as John mentioned, should be the model.
Father McDonald,
I echo John Nolan's sentiments. Children's Masses do not have to serve Pablum, which unfortunately we get at so-called adult liturgies. When I studied Eucharistic theology in college, we had a noted scholar teaching the course and one comment he made was that he thought "Children's Masses" (this was in the early 1970s) were a mistake pedagogically. Of course the Mass on this thread bares no resemblance to those banal celebrations. I am sure he would be very pleased with your approach.
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