Where have you posted your position?

I'm not a saint, but this is something that I have done and can do.

Dear CatholicPriest, welcome to the forum.
May I ask in which region of the US you reside? Thanks.

Reverend Father,

Thank you for asking this question, and welcome to the Forum.

It is important that you define (i.e., not the liturgy committee or parish council, but you, the spiritual father of the parish) what you mean by "respect" the existing repertoire.

When I took a position many moons ago, I played my first Mass with what I thought appropriate for the Vigil of All Saints', in a vernacular parish. I had about half-a-dozen ladies (80-ish years old) climb into the choir loft, tears streaming from their eyes, as they welcomed me and proclaimed me an answer to their prayers. When the first Sunday of Advent arrived, near Thanksgiving as it usually is, I made the decision in consultation with the remnants of the folk group (i.e., those who weren't out of town for Thanksgiving) that that group should move upstairs, since the few who were still there that week didn't want to be up front without the "leaders". I had the full support of the remnants of the folk group (in part because I had asked them, not imposed). A week later a ton of metaphorical bricks fell upon my head, and I didn't last the year at this parish. It wasn't the parishioners who were unhappy.

In a different parish (later) I was brought on as part-time organist/director of music with explicit instructions to put the parish through "detox". I worked there 5 years, leaving shortly after the pastor who hired me was deployed to Kuwait. We consulted with each other twice a year, if I recall, just to make sure the details of Holy Week were straight.


In still another situation, I was told [by a headmaster] "not to go all [vernacular-parish-conservative] on the bishop when he's here". I asked what specifics I should use, and avoid, since I don't know that parish well. I lasted one year there.


Please understand that I'm not washing laundry in public, but trying to frame a proper answer to your question. It sounds as if you want someone with a commitment to long-term change in the music, so you need someone willing to be there through the long term, but you also need someone whom you will support because you and he know the steps along the way. You might try a questionnaire which candidates would submit before bringing anyone in for an interview. Be frank with the prospects, both about the direction and about the pace of change.

Someone else here has written that you need to prepare the ground first, and that's quite true. If it looks as if change is happening because you hired someone rashly, that goes badly for you and that person. If it looks as if the position is being filled, but only temporarily, those with knives to wield will either use them early and often or wait until precisely the right moment and make both your life and his miserable. If, on the other hand, the hiring of this person is the logical consequence of your pastoral care for the people, that they might know God more fully, worship Him according to the mind of the Church and grow into the music which that same Church tells us is best suited for the purpose, the bishop will get the unpleasant letters, and he will check with you, and you will assure him that you have done your homework, and life will be well.

On a related note, be kind to your volunteer musicians. Many of them will have been in the parish for many years and (hopefully) are giving their best for the parish with the best of intentions and humility. They will likely be there after you have been reassigned. Be grateful for what they do willingly and when changes must be made, be respectful of the effort and time they give without monetary reward for the good of the parish. Volunteers can be trickier to deal with than paid people.

Reverend Father,

One more thought I've had because of another comment here, and then a further reflection.

Anyone who has complaints about the music should be willing to meet with you and the director of music every time the squeaky wheel squeaks. You'll show that you're willing to listen, and that the choir master has your complete support. If the person complaining isn't willing to face the person he's accusing of (whatever unspeakable crime he has committed) you should pay no heed to this complaint at all.

Once the person has been hired, you might preach on the importance of music and the obligations of musicians as servants of the liturgy. You could preach on the text or the kind of music or similar sorts of things, once you have advanced notice from the Choirmaster of what music he has programmed for the next month or so.

I don't have much to add, but thank you for your openness to bring chant back to the liturgy. I appreciate your pragmatic approach. It sounds like my dream job!