Hello! I’m seeking advice from those involved with Newman Centers (and also from others too!).

I joined my university’s Newman Center two years ago. As a commuter student, my involvement was limited to weekdays, mostly as the cantor for weekday Masses. I sing with my parish's choir (propers, motets, hymns) on Sundays. Last year, I joined the liturgy office, where we started regular weekday Vespers. The Newman choir mostly played praise songs (mostly from Elevation Worship) and Stephan’s Mass of Renewal at Sunday Mass.

Last May, the center’s director asked me to lead the liturgy/worship office for the upcoming school year. He asked me to help with implementing the use of Sacred Music at their Masses. This summer, I’ve been compiling resources (from Musicam Sacram, GIRM, STL) to educate the student choir on Sacred Music. I plan to integrate the propers at Mass starting with the first Sunday Mass in September. I’m undecided between the Lumen Christi Simple Gradual (easier for the congregation) and Fr. Weber’s Propers (used in my home parish). I’ll also use the ordinaries from the Graduale Simplex.

Challenges include our affiliated parish transitioning from praise songs to hymns in Breaking Bread and the unwritten “standard” of using praise or contemporary music at Mass in the two other Newman Centers in my diocese, which could cause disconnect during retreats. Any feedback and suggestions are welcomed!