That is just...sad. It even makes me more sad than my current predicament in which I'm having trouble with an indifferent Pastor. Goodness gracious :/

Tacky.

Stimson,
If Jesus is (someone's) Idol.... what true God should (said person) give Him up for?

Am I correct that the parish music director reports to the parish pastor and serve at his pleasure? Or that, whatever the titles and positions serving as music ministers, again, it is all at the discretion of the pastor? Are not the musical choices in a parish, even if delegated by the pastor to the music director, ultimately the responsibility of the pastor?

I ask these questions because, if the answers are yes, then it seems to me perhaps there has been a breakdown of music education in the seminary training of priests, and also in many places a deficit of diocesan-level institutional support for development of music ministers versed in the traditions of Catholic music. I get the impression that music at the various parishes I visit is a very haphazard aspect of the liturgy, almost separate and apart from it, like an interruption of the liturgy for musical performance that has been selected almost randomly or, at least, at the whim of the music directors of vastly uneven quality from place to place.

I get the impression that music at the various parishes I visit is a very haphazard aspect of the liturgy, almost separate and apart from it, like an interruption of the liturgy for musical performance that has been selected almost randomly or, at least, at the whim of the music directors of vastly uneven quality from place to place.

That is probably the most accurate characterization of Catholic liturgical music in the present time that I have ever read. The only thing I would add is that the quality of instrumentalists and singers also varies widely but skews towards mediocre and below.

Charles,

Do you mean that Catholic parishes don't pay very much, although they have the means, or that the clerics and most of the laity have been taught to shun "frilly" stuff, like "churchy" music?

Double yes.

So, why have they been taught to shun "churchy" music? (Mark all that apply)

a) We're all grown up now, and don't need 'churchy' music.
b) They've finally been taught to hate what deserves to be hated.
c) It's the fault of the Irish, of course.
d) Churchy music doesn't meet people where they are.
e) Someone hijacked the Church's teaching and poisoned the seminary water supply.
f) Ask Malachi Martin
g) none of the above

LOL I do play and sing a lot of schlock and use all methods at my disposal to impose similar choices on others. It is reasonable to blame me for this.