SACRED MUSIC AT ST. MONICA
“The musical tradition of the universal Church
is a treasure of inestimable value,
greater even than that of any other art.
The main reason for this pre-eminence is that,
as sacred song united to the words,
it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.”
“The purpose of sacred music [...]
is the glory of God
and the sanctification of the faithful.”
Sacrosanctum Concilium, § 112 (The Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, Vatican II)
Choirs & Ensembles
Contact Director of Sacred Music, Jessica Roberts at jroberts@stmonicamish.org for more information or to join.
Adult Choir 10:30
Rehearsals Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30pm
Sings on Sundays at 10:30am Mass
Volunteer choir of music-enthusiasts and professionals. The choir sings a wide variety of choral pieces regularly at the 10:30 am Sunday Mass and for special events and concerts throughout the year. Repertoire is selected from a variety of sacred music genres and composers from the early church of the present day.
Schola 8:30
Rehearses every other Tuesday evening
Sings at 8:30am Sunday Mass monthly
Volunteer choir of experienced singers who rehearse on a less-frequent basis (1-2x per month) and sings 8:30 Mass about once a month. This group focuses more on Gregorian chant, polyphony, and Latin/English sacred motets.
Children's Choir
Rehearsals Wednesdays 4:15-5:15pm
Sings 4-5 times per semester (usually Saturday 4:30pm Mass)
Full schedule upon request
Praise & Worship
During Eucharistic Adoration
Fourth Thursday of each month, 6-7pm
Handbell Choir
Rehearsals Wednesday 6-6:45pm
(starting Sept 13th)
No musical background necessary
Open to children and youth of the parish to engage with their Catholic faith and serve at Catholic liturgy. Choristers explore the vast treasury of sacred music, while developing their singing and musicianship skills in a fun and supportive environment. Repertoire ranges from hymns and Mass settings to 2-part polyphony by composers from the past and present.
Offers contemplative, contemporary praise & worship music during 6pm Eucharistic Adoration on the fourth Thursday of each month (August-May).
Contact Sean Scott (leader) for details about how to join: spscott82@gmail.com
Instruments
Sunday 10:30am Mass
Praise & Worship, Taizé, and other opportunities to play
Cantors
Saturday 4:30pm
Sunday 8:30am, 10:30am
Training and ongoing formation provided
“In the earthly liturgy we share in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the Holy City of Jerusalem
toward which we travel as pilgrims…”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1090
The liturgy is the summit toward which
the activity of the Church is directed;
at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows.
Sacrosanctum Concilium, §10
“How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs,
and the voices that echoed through your Church!
Those sounds flowed into my ears,
distilling the truth in my heart.
A feeling of devotion surged within me,
and tears streamed down my face -
tears that did me good.”
Saint Augustine, Confessions
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; cry out to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with a song of praise, joyfully sing out our songs." - Psalm 95:1-2
"Sacred music is at the service of the Word, which is the Person of Christ." |
Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi: As we pray, so we believe, and so we live. | "Music is meant to harmonize us." - Bishop Robert Barron |
“Sacred music should consequently possess […] sanctity and goodness of form, which will spontaneously produce the final quality of universality.”
- Pope St. Pius X, Tra le sollectitudine, §2