The Grace of Liturgical Ministry
Liturgy is at the heart of our life at Newman Hall. The privilege of serving in this ministry is open to all who feel called–woman or man, young or old, poor or rich, gay or straight, single or married, student or teacher. And serving in liturgy involves many roles: Minister of Music or Word or Eucharist, Sacristan, Chapel Cleaner, Linen Carer, Decorator–the list goes on.
If you feel you might want to share your talents in Music and Liturgy with the Newman community, the most important thing to consider is that it is ministry.
Look to see if you feel a special call–a grace, really—to put the community’s needs first and let your own individual preferences take a back seat. No easy task, believe me. I can tell you from personal experience!
At Newman, the Assembly is the primary Choir and the principal Liturgist. We minister in music and liturgy by opening our own hearts through song and ritual so that others might feel inspired to open theirs. Our focus is on the needs of the Assembly.
Putting ministry to the Assembly first has practical consequences: We sing hymns that might not be our personal favorites, we proclaim readings that are not always of our own choosing, and we make ourselves available to feedback from our lively Assembly—sometimes a joy, and sometimes a challenge. Being accomplished as a musician or lector or liturgical minister is only half the story, and it is the smaller half. The gift above all is the willingness to serve the community by honoring and letting go of our personal preferences so that the Assembly comes fully alive in song and ritual in worship of our God.
Colleen Lenord, Director of Music & Liturgy