Our Sung Prayer and Shared Ministry
By Lena Gokelman, BM ’85
Music, whether intentionally or unintentionally, constantly influences the rich tapestry of our human experience – especially our memories and emotions. It can be enriching or distracting, with the ability to shape our beliefs about God, the Church and society. It can soothe and offer consolation, excite and incite, catechize and evangelize, often expressing what words cannot. In the life of a faith community, caretaking of the assembly’s sung prayer is one of the foundational responsibilities a pastoral musician assumes. Texts, melodies, musical styles, instrumentation and even silence may be easily critiqued in isolation, but in creative combination, they have the power to enrich our worship and deepen our journey of faith.
“Fostering the art of musical liturgy” is what has drawn pastoral musicians together as the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) for almost five decades. For these ministers, "education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire," igniting a passion for learning that must shine forth like a lamp on a stand, illuminating all “in the house.”
On Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, the University of the Incarnate Word co-hosted one of six regional NPM “On the Road” mini conferences. The bilingual gathering, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” welcomed approximately 120 pastoral musicians, representing over 32 parishes across 13 dioceses within the United States. It also marked NPM’s first return to San Antonio in 45 years.
Established in 1976 by Fr. Virgil C. Funk, a priest of the Diocese of Richmond, VA, and with the assistance of Sr. Jane Marie Perrot, DC, NPM began its fledgling existence in a church basement with a staff of two and no members. Their sole purpose, Fr. Funk stated, was to establish an association “to motivate, encourage and support pastoral musicians and clergy, and to develop skills and understanding in the areas of music, liturgy, preparation for worship, communication and spirituality” that would, in turn, positively impact the worship life of the Catholic Church. The focus then and now continues to be on the musician, grounded in Fr. Funk’s belief that “Good musicians make good music.” Well-formed musicians – cognizant of the demands of the Sacred Liturgy (its structure, feasts and rituals) and the principles surrounding good music (reflecting the diversity of styles and cultures of the Church, as well as honoring its tradition) – play a critical role in the formation of the faithful in the theology of the Church and its sacramental life, always encouraging its “full, conscious and active participation.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 14).
NPM’s departure this year from one national convention to a series of smaller regional gatherings, represented an intentional shift to create stronger connections with current and potentially new members for whom attendance at a national gathering might be out of reach. As the only bilingual site, San Antonio offered its attendees an opportunity to experience the Church of South-central Texas through its gifts of language, art, history and music.
Two early morning “extra beats” were part of Friday’s pre-conference schedule. A Jubilee Year pilgrimage to the San Antonio missions and San Fernando Cathedral, cosponsored by University Mission and Ministry in conjunction with El Camino de San Antonio Missions, offered attendees insight into some of the legacies of the mission period, including the use of art and music as tools of evangelization to catechize and guide the Indigenous communities in the liturgical life of the Church. The second, led by Dr. Andrew Bergmann, assistant professor of Music and coordinator of Music Industry Studies, introduced attendees to UIW’s state of the art recording studio while providing a helpful overview of the basics of sound production, as many musicians now find themselves with such responsibilities during worship.
In his double keynote address, “Many Gifts, Un Solo Espíritu: The Beauty of Our Ministerio Compartido,” liturgical composer Peter Kolar emphasized that the ministry of pastoral music is not one of isolation. Whether in the best or worst of times, it is in our shared ministry that we often discover and hone our gifts in serving our communities. As a resident of El Paso, TX, Kolar emphasized the power of music in communal prayer, sharing his experiences preparing music for the annual bi-national border Mass celebrated on an elevated platform in the Rio Grande River separating Texas and Mexico, the 2016 bi-national papal Mass concluding Pope Francis’ visit to Mexico, and the liturgies surrounding the 2019 Walmart shootings. In each setting, the circumstance and gathering itself amplified the power of sung prayer.
Prayers for peace and justice in the world continued during solemn evening prayer, celebrated with Bishop Gary Janak, in the beautiful Chapel of the Incarnate Word. One attendee remarked how the monastic seating in the Chapel gave her an entirely new experience of this official prayer of the Church, as sung stanzas of the psalms echoed back and forth in the space. The UIW Cardinal Singers, under the direction of Professor William Gokelman, closed the evening with a stunning concert entitled “Being Light” which featured an eclectic selection of music in various languages and styles. Memorable was the performance of Thomas Rett’s text, “Be a Light.” It's simple, yet inspiring message – that we can change the world by being more compassionate and thoughtful – hung poignantly in the air until the audience broke the silence with an affirming emotional applause.
Saturday offered workshops in English and Spanish on liturgical planning, choral conducting, the ministry of the cantor and mastering Spanish and other language considerations. The conference concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Boulette.
As NPM approaches its fiftieth anniversary, it is fitting to reflect on the long-standing relationship our University and the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word have shared with the Association since its earliest days. During this time, NPM has contributed significantly to the musical and liturgical formation of many of our staff and Sisters. It has also enriched our University’s formative offerings, strengthening connections with parishes throughout the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the wider community. For our clergy, NPM has been a valuable resource – especially through its recording library of Roman Missal chants. At the heart of this relationship, however, NPM has assumed an important supportive role in the formation of our student music ministry interns who serve the campus community and beyond. These are the alumni that continue their service in parishes, schools and other institutions. Musical and liturgical resources equip them with the practical tools necessary for a successful ministry. Nurturing their own spiritual growth emphasizes the importance of caring for the spiritual wellbeing of those with whom they serve. And the sense of belonging – the communal bond with a vibrant and diverse community of Catholic music ministers who share a common ministry – continues to inspire, encourage and motivate their understanding of the importance of collaboration.
Special thanks to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, for hosting several events in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word
Event Resources
National Association of Pastoral Musicians
El Camino de San Antonio Missions