Is this a funeral Mass, that goes through a funeral home? Or a separate memorial Mass for which they're paying the minimal parish stipend for a daily Mass?

Truthfully it sounds to me like they might be having financial difficulties and might be trying to pay for things with gift cards that can be bought on credit. If someone asked me if I'd accept a gift card, I'd probably waive my fee.

Many states have provisions in law that wages must be paid in cash, a check, or a direct deposit.

She's not going to play this time if this isn't resolved satisfactorily. They can just use the synthesizer which they seem to be happy with most of the time. (My son only plays two of 12 Masses per month normally; the rest are led by synthesizer or guitar.)

At least make it a Visa or Amazon gift card.

A 17 year old girl does not need a gift card. She doesn't need more "stuff, doesn't want more "stuff", and shouldn't be encouraged to get more "stuff" by giving her a gift card. She should be paid for services rendered in US currency. It's simple.

No Visa gift cards. No gift cards for pay. Period.

A 17 yo is a minor.

I cannot think of any situation outside of youth ministry when it would be appropriate to have a minor on parish staff, either on-going or as a one-off contract basis. Among other things, the need to have at least two adults (at least one police vetted) with them at all times would make things tricky. And I would not expect a 17 yo to have the life-experience to deal with the sometimes difficult pastoral situations that come with funeral or memorial events. Even in youth-ministry, 17 would be very young to have as a staff member rather than a volunteer. It's quite possible there is a diocesan policy that all paid staff need to be 18+, and so it's not possible to pay cash.

The only people who should be paid-to-play at church services are qualified musicians who make their living through music.

It's lovely that the parish are offering your daughter a gift in return for her services. But if she really has a heart for serving God and God's people, then receiving anything back this side of heaven should not come into the discussion.

The only people who should be paid-to-play at church services are qualified musicians who make their living through music.

My eldest two sons (teenagers) have been sought out by a parish outside of our own to cantor for Mass. This parish is desperate. The problem is, of course, that no one thinks ahead to provide any kind of training for youth to learn to sing properly. My sons sing for free for one Mass a weekend at our parish, and receive a small stipend to sing at Masses outside of this Mass and at other churches. They also give of themselves for various special occasions at our parish.

I don't think it is reasonable to expect someone, youth or otherwise, to sing at three Masses, be prepared to sing different hymns and Mass parts and travel for free. They have to be there, and it is generally not convenient for their schedules. In my opinion, one Mass is a reasonable expectation; more is not.

Other than for weddings and funerals, where the family is paying, I have never been paid to sing at Mass. My husband and I are semi-professional musicians performing frequently in folk venues for money. In over 40+ years of contributing my voice to my parish I have never been paid to sing for a scheduled Mass. We did receive a fruit basket one year at Christmas. I know a guitarists are not considered real musicians by most who frequent this site, but I have NEVER heard of a guitarist being paid as an accompanist which may explain, in part why most guitar music is abysmal(sp?) and despised by many. Perhaps you get what you pay for?

A few years ago I did take a hiatus from acting as cantor when we had an organist whose choices were so awful and whose musical skills were nearly non-existent. My husband once whispered, "THIS IS MUSICAL MALPRACTICE!" to me during a particularly awful rendition of "Let Us Break Bread Together on Our Knees." We had to start going to the earliest Sunday Mass because it had no music.

I consider it my privilege to lead the congregation in singing hymns and responses and when I feel appreciated by my celebrant, especially for choosing hymns thoughtfully I am pleased that he recognizes our efforts. That is enough reward. Disdain or apathy are not great motivators.

We have a resolution: Our pastor agreed we should follow the policy he had established, that we work out music and fees with the family. Apparently he had forgotten; it's been a couple years since we've been asked to play for a funeral.

I definitely see your point about the powerful lungs of the organ. However, it is also possible (but uncommon) to properly amplify a guitar and have its sound heard throughout the church pleasantly. Last year on Passion Sunday, my husband played "O Sacred Head Surrounded" on guitar at Communion and it was very reverent and lovely. One year our organist had to play a Mass at 10 pm in our church and get to another town for a Midnight Mass. SO we used "Silent Night" with guitar accompaniment for the recessional hymn very successfully. Of course, that was composed for the guitar. Can you cite the Baroque Spanish composers you are thinking of? Sounds interesting.

Conversely, volunteer musicians may have a good sense of Liturgy without having a music degree or courses in liturgy. Even those who have both may actually be irreverent while carrying out their duties.

I simply can’t imagine disallowing a talented young organist from participating to keep the bench open for a professional musician. I started playing at my parish regularly at 10 as an “intern” of sorts to the music director and by middle school, was being paid, and by the end of HS was the organist for more than one church (whose individual schedules did not conflict). I then got a degree in organ, and worked my way through the ranks to eventually be diocesan director of music and cathedral organist.

If the bar is set at professional musician, when will anyone get the opportunity to learn?

and by middle school, was being paid,

Sorry, but why did a middle school kid need to be paid to play in his own parish?

I can understand it if you're playing multiple services or multiple churches - or doing substantial music programme administration. But I can't see that for a middle-schooler.

Once you're being paid, you should be well past the point of needing to do more learning.

Well, as a matter of social justice—those who work for the church should be paid.

In my specific case, I was working at 2 catholic parishes and 1 episcopal parish each weekend.

I really won’t speak to the rest of your comment beyond saying, “wow...”

Update: All turned out very well. My daughter played for the memorial Mass, paid by the family and all were very, very appreciative. Very good outcome!