"But let's cheer them up by singing about the promises that God makes in the Bible, not by singing about made-up promises."

It's flowery language. It's like lace vestments or fiddlebacks with every type of flower on them: good in moderation or for decorations, bad when waaaay overdone, and it's a trainwreck when you make your faith 100% about them. I'm assuming one would likewise refuse to have a hoary old St. Basil Hymnal song for the same reasons.

I also find it odd for one in a tradition of Marian devotions and dogmas, purgatory, relics, and scapulars to speak of how one should be restricted to the promises in the Bible. Are these things promises found in the Bible? EDIT: I meant rather should Catholicism now restrict itself to "bible alone".

Yes, and no Marian words, and no more than one note per syllable

Both of these arguments are true.
They should be linked by 'and', not 'or'.

Interesting! I hadn't thought of the sola scriptura critique, which is apt. Good catch.

On the other hand: there are promises made in Scripture that are implicit as well as explicit. In the Benedictus, Zechariah says, "This is the oath he swore to our father Abraham:..." and then he goes on to list the things God promised to Abraham. Maybe I haven't looked hard enough, but I don't recall seeing this particular list of promises in Genesis. And yet, the list rings true. It is correctly scriptural.

I don't think we can say the same about "bear you on the breath of dawn," whatever that means.

I have been told that Michael Joncas said he never intended this song for congregational use. I have also heard that he wishes he had never written it because of all the critcism directed toward him. I don't know if any of this is true. But I do know that I cringed the first time I heard it, and that's been my reaction every time since.

benedictgal, our parish music teacher, who is a talented pianist and very very nice lady, also happens to be a follower of David Haas (She sometimes has entire Mass based on the theme of "We Are Called,." It's actually amazing how she put parts of the song into the entire Mass, Entire song at the beginning and Ending and bits of the song here and there and have the children play handbells of the song with the little children sign language, and here's the big final, scrape the piano from the top to bottom and 'bang' (the kids love this). I have to admit she is quite creative, but do not know the liturgy at all, and often have them sing "Awesome God," too(I really coudn't stand that one)
She once commented that she wants to bring children to church, not turn them off. I guess what she meant was having 'upbeat songs' (fun songs). I don't go to the school Mass anymore., since I started schola and learn about the Mass, I just cannot take any more. When I recall the school Mass now, all I remember is the children's 'action', how creative they were. Not much about the 'action' of the priest. Actually I don't even remember whethere they were there. (I know it's my fault too that I was so entertained then...)

I also heard that the parents of the school asked the priest not to talk about devils and sins, because they scare the children. (One of our priest gave them a homily once on that. There will be no more.) (sigh)
My boys learn Baltimore Catechism (homeschool) and study about sins. They are braver than ever, because they also know that God is almighty.

Lowering the level of anything to reach children is such a mistake. Kids are not stupid. That doesn't happen until they reach adulthood.

Rather than starting off by telling her she is doing something "in a wrong way", how about the next time an opportunity presents itself talk about the positives about how you are doing it. Perhaps mentioning that, although you used to also play the piano at Mass, you have discovered how wonderful the chant is... how much the children like it... all the things you have learned (or in your case, perhaps, rediscovered). istm that there is no need to even go there in criticizing what she is currently doing... just puts her on the defense. Many of us have quite happily been in her shoes, singing the 'happy-clappy' music and thinking we were doing the Lord's work! A bit of exposure to what else is out there could end up making a difference. But she may not approach it with an open mind if it came with a harsh criticism.

Just my opinion... [I would love to watch how you work with the children... I am so new to this! ]

Yes, Mia! That's definitely needed. [Let's find a time to set up a Baltimore/Washington 'chapter' meeting.]

Hi Mia,

If you are doing Vespers, I would love to know. I could probably get some other friends to come and sing as well. Chapter meeting, yea!

Silver Spring sounds good to me.
Jenny, I'll let you know when Vespers starts.
Kathy, do you need my email address? it's in the profile here. We should make an email address list and send it to everyone. That sounds like a first step, and set the date and time of the first meeting, and we can list any schola events (or related ones)of each parish.
Ok Daniel, would you be able to host the meeting in your church? If so, why don't you tell us the possible time and the date?
(We should move this discussion to something else, although we might be talking about 'On Eagles wings no more' at the meeting)
It will be so nice to meet everyone in this area.
Thanks,
(Sorry, I really know I talk too much all at once, my husband says so.)

Daniel, one more thing to ask you. I tried to 'search'' the thread wash/ Baltimore chapter, I cannot find it. Do you remember when you posted?
Mia

Mia, I don't exactly need your email, but not everyone includes his/her email address in their profile. Plus, it would be helpful just to be contacted by those who are interested. Or maybe people don't want a list--but I usually find it helpful to have a list!