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Beginning Again, Again

This Sunday, the first day of the new liturgical year, might be a good time to identify long-term goals and figure out how to get there. But why is Advent a good time to do this?

For one thing, Advent is short—only four Sundays. And here’s the thing: you can use exactly the same music you used last Advent, and no one will complain! In fact, your choirs and communities may breathe a sigh of relief at doing music they’re already comfortable with and can sing confidently.

This leaves some breathing room to look at long-term goals.

This leaves some breathing room to look at long-term goals. Are there things you’ve always wanted to do but never got around to? Would you like to put on a Christmas or Easter cantata, but somehow it never materializes? Would you like to start a children’s or youth choir? Is one Mass “dying on the vine,” in need of new life? Is there a language subcommunity that needs better integration with the larger parish? Is the electronic organ on its last legs? What in this liturgical community needs attention—and isn’t getting it?

Start now and you can make it happen next year.

Do some brainstorming with your music ministry members, liturgy committee members, youth ministry—whatever you’ve got. The old method of writing all suggestions—and problems—on big sheets of paper, and prioritizing them is low-tech and works well. Email copies to all involved in the brainstorming session, so that they can think about them on their own time. What do we really want to do? What do we need to do first? This first step is just a wish list, and the sky’s the limit.

As the reading from 1 Thessalonians says, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts. … ”

MD Ridge
[11/29/15]
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Art by Martin Erspamer, OSB
from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C).
This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org

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