Author: Arlene Oost-Zinner

I have asked Rev. Robert Pasley, CMAA Chaplain, to give a bit of an explanation of something we will be seeing at this year’s Sacred Music Colloquium, June 17-23 in Salt Lake City:  the catafalque at the Requiem Mass.

Each year at the Colloquium, we offer a Requiem Mass for the deceased members of the CMAA. Since the Motu Proprio, “Summorum Pontificum” in 2007, we have had the option of offering the Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Liturgy as well. This year we will celebrate a Solemn Requiem Mass with Absolution at the Catafalque. This practice was prescribed for All Souls Day as well as any Solemn Mass for the dead where the body was not present. This practice could be somewhat unsettling if one is not used to it, or doesn’t understand it.

Our faith, heavily permeated by the theology of the Incarnation, uses things to convey spiritual realities. The highest realities, of Divine institution, are the Sacraments. The greatest sacrament is of course the Holy Eucharist, where the elements of bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of our Lord. Sacramentals, or blessed objects, are used to dispose us to the many graces that come from God. Finally, symbols, art, music and architecture lift the mind and the heart to God. 

The catafalque is either an empty casket or a wooden form made to look like a casket that is covered by the black pall and surrounded by six unbleached (orange) candles (when they are available); it is a symbolic representation of the deceased. When it is present, the priest sings the absolution for the deceased as if the body was present. The body was the Temple of the Holy Spirit and must be shown the greatest respect, even symbolically.  

The use of the catafalque also calls to mind the stark reality of death and judgment, but in contrast, the hope of God’s mercy and redemption. We offer the absolution for the dead and we pray that we will be prepared for death. We realistically and vividly face the reality of death and just as realistically and vividly we profess our belief in the Resurrection. Our faith is strong―even stronger―by meditating upon the death we know will come to all of us.

Learn how to read square notes on Friday, and stay for more advanced sessions on Saturday.  Pre-registration required. Complete information here.

The music packet for Sacred Music Colloquium XXIII has been posted and is available for download.

Director of Music – St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana

Position Purpose: The purpose of this position is to lead worship and devotion music for the parish and various other needs of visitors and friends of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. St. John’s is the oldest Catholic Church in the city and is currently celebrating its 175th anniversary. It is a growing parish with 45% of its congregation under the age of 30. The young adult movement in the heart of the city, combined with an outstanding traditional parishioner base, makes it a wonderful place to minister and serve. Check out the active parish life at http://www.stjohnsindy.org

 
Major Responsibilities: The Director of Music for St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church will lead all liturgical and devotional music for the parish and various special events of the highly visited downtown parish. Specific responsibilities include:
+ Preparing, accompanying (organ and piano)and leading music for all Solemnity Masses including Weekend Masses, Holy Days and various special Masses hosted throughout the year.
+ Preparing, accompanying (organ and piano)and leading music for special devotional prayer including weekly Adoration, Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Sunday, Processions, and special devotional worship during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.
+ Recruiting, growing, teaching and leading volunteer Traditional Choir and Young Adult/College Choir.
+ Recruiting, growing, teaching and leading volunteer cantors for all Masses, special liturgies and devotions.
+ Preparing and leading music for all parishioner weddings and funerals.
+ Coordinate music for various special liturgies hosted by St. John’s including but not limited to: St. John Girls Academy Annual Mass, Serra Club Mass for Vocations (September), Archdiocesan Race for Vocations Mass (First Weekend of May), Red Mass (October), Ancient Order of Hibernians (Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day), Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, and any other Archdiocesan, Ecumenical or Church related liturgies hosted by St. John’s
+Verify the maintenance and upkeep of the 50-stop Goulding & Wood Pipe Organ and Baldwin Piano.
+ Program and maintain the control unit for tower bells and carillon.
+ Attending Ministry Team meetings and retreats as requested by the Pastor.
+ Serve as a liaison and resource to the Worship and Devotion Parish Commission.
+ Working collaboratively with the Pastor to prepare excellent worship and devotional music for requested events.

Qualifications: St. John the Evangelist is seeking a highly motivated and faith filled member of the Roman Catholic Church to serve as Director of Music. Additional qualifications include:
+ Knowledge and love of the Catholic Church and Committed to all Church teachings
+ Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree
+ Excellent Musical Skills
+ Excellent Leadership and Organizational Skills
+ Knowledge of Universal Church Liturgical Documents and GIRM
+ Ability to lead choirs in a variety of Traditional and Contemporary Sacred Music
+ Experience in accompanying, singing and conducting
+ Team Oriented and Visionary

Submit letter of application and resumes to:
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
c/o Father Rick Nagel
126 West Georgia Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46225

For questions or more information contact Father Nagel at fathernagel@gmail.com

Don’t miss your chance.

Remember this video from the 2008 Colloquium?  It just keeps getting better and better. Although the initial registration deadline for this year’s Colloquium was yesterday (May 15), we’re keeping registration open until June 1 or every last spot is filled. Come one, come all!  Late fee of $50 applies.  Register here.