I was daydreaming at Mass yesterday – mea culpa Father Bala – and was wondering what the best mass I had ever attended was.
I can think of a lot of worse ones: our only Irish mass in Tralee with zero assembly participation and a rush for the doors after communion by all but a couple of stunned tourists. I recall some mechanical twenty minute Cathedral masses at sixish at St Mary’s in Sydney.
I was greatly uplifted by the masses at the APMN conventions. When the assembly is entirely made up of singers it is astonishing.
My mind wandered to Kagoshima at St Francis Xavier Church in the chapel at the base of their steeple with no more than twenty people singing the mass in Japanese, call and response with a cantor and a Vietnamese priest. I had sat inadvertently in an elderly lady’s favourite chair at the end of a row of seats and with her struggling to move she needed it. You have to be tough to be a Catholic in Japan. She wouldn’t leave at the end until she had given us a small gift – this has happened once or twice in Japan over the years.
The priest interrupted his homily to give us precis in English, which was most pastoral.
I think that was about perfect. I have been to mediocre masses in Japan as well mind you. I have been at masses that may have appeared perfunctory but touched me. I have been to elaborate masses that left me feeling alone.
I invite comments.
BTW I recovered in time to play the Sanctus … just.
The prolific and celebrated American hymn writer, Ruth Duck, died on Boxing Day. Her text for “As a Fire Is Meant For Burning” is a favourite of mine and set here to the traditional shape note tune BEACH SPRING.
Listening to the backing for the psalm reminds me that I made these quickly, some time ago just to learn them and I was paying no attention whether the style was suitable. This one isn’t.
Entrance: A New Heart for a New World (O’Brien/Watts) AOV 1/158
It is the weekend of the Tamar Valley Folk Festival here in George Town, Tasmania, so this is a good day to look at this folk song from David MacGregor of Brisbane, Australia.
It is a reflective song that is about grace and baptism without mentioning water.
It’s range is out of my league, but as a solo vehicle for someone talented, it is a nice find. He has let lose all his tricks – modulations, triplets, extra 2/4 bars – all under a folk-pop style – sweet. The sheet music is at his site.
My understated backing shows how good BIAB is at this style.
When the days in the spotlight seem over When your life‘s like a page ‘bout to turn When you’re entering a space rarely travelled and your pride knows there’s much yet to learn That it’s time to step back in the shadows to realise it’s time to move on Time for looking afresh at the Saviour for brand new depending upon
Hand it over Over to Jesus Hand it over Let it all go In the dying is rising In losing is finding Hand it over Over Over To grace, to God
When a new generation starts rising When the ways of the past must give way When you’re seen as an elder but wonder What this all has to do with today Sure it’s time to start passing that baton But in passing, there’s pain letting go Time to see myself newly in Jesus The hope, the comfort I know
Love’s redeeming work is done Fought the fight, the battle won Vain the stone, the watch, the seal Christ has burst the gates of hell Hallelu, hallelujah …
Lives again our glorious King Where O death is now your sting Once he died our souls to save Where’s your victory, O grave Hallelu, hallelujah …
Love’s redeeming work is done Fought the fight the battle won Death in vain forbids Him rise Christ has opened paradise Hallelu, hallelujah …
Soar we now where Christ has led Following our exalted Head Made like Him, like Him we rise Ours the cross, the grave ,the skies Hallelu, hallelujah
I've worked my way through the As One Voice books and other collections making backings on Band in a Box to help me (& you if you're interested) learn new songs for church. This is aimed at churches and musicians that own the collections but haven't exploited them fully. If you don't have them they are certainly worth buying. This site is educational, nonprofit and designed to enhance the commercial prospects of songwriters. This site does not distribute copyrighted sheet music.
Disclaimer
Any opinions expressed here are personal views and not the responsibility of any Church.
All music backings posted are created by myself and the intention is for them to be used to learn the songs. If any copyright holder wishes me to cease publicising and promoting their wares and directing people to where sheet music can be legally purchased please let me know.
Mason’s “Mass of Glory and Praise”
To access my backings for Paul Mason's mass go to Feb 2011 in the archive.
