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 to get involved!
10:30 Choir
Rehearses Wednesdays, 7-9 PM
Sings on Sundays at 10:30 AM 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.
8:30 Chant Schola
Rehearses every other Tuesday evening
Sings at 8:30 AM 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 sings Gregorian chant, polyphony, and Latin/English sacred motets.
Parish Children's Choir
Rehearses Tuesdays 3:30-4:45 PM
Sings 2nd Sundays 10:30 Mass
Open to children and youth (2nd-8th grade) 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.
Praise & Worship
During Eucharistic Adoration
Fourth Thursdays 6 pm, Second Sundays 4 pm
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
Praise & Worship Adoration also offered second Sundays 4 pm, led by Jen Havard.
Handbell Choir
Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 PM seasonally
No musical background or music reading skill necessary (but it is helpful)
Rings in Advent, Christmas, and Easter
Instruments
Sunday 10:30am Mass
Praise & Worship, Taizé, and other opportunities
Instruments illuminate and enhance our musical worship and praise
Cantors
Saturday 4:30pm
Sunday 8:30am, 10:30am
Training and music assistance provided.
All those who have musical training and a pleasant voice are encouraged to prayerfully consider this ministry!
“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