Here, there obviously is no job to start with; and one could even argue that the pre-recorded music is in violation of that regulation (as it's taking the position away from someone who might otherwise be paid), to say nothing of the clear position against recorded music stated above.

Yes, this is precisely as it seemed to me. My daughter is set to take over for her brother since he is leaving for college mid-August but I am going to make sure this situation (and others) is resolved satisfactorily before she begins (or she won't begin).

Don't go where you are not wanted.

Noel,


"not wanted" and "not needed" aren't the same thing.

I know in Canada that regulations similar to what I described are in place for many industries. It would not have been a stretch to assume the same was in place in your diocese.

Is there even a precedent of people suing the parish for that?

One possible solution, with stupid numbers for easy math:

If the organist is paid $100 to play one mass out of four of the weekend, and can’t play the other three as a volunteer, the organist could be paid $25 per mass, for a total of the same, without really volunteering at any.

Whether her career as a liturgical musician is lifelong or brief, what you must not do is play the organ at a reduced rate from what is appropriate. You don't want to set a precedent that your successor will have to fight against or live with. So under no circumstances should you play 4 masses at $25 per mass. I have seen this stuff before, and it reinforces the idea that professionals need not apply for musical positions in the catholic church.

I am meeting with our new pastor and the DM next Monday. My dd will be away at choir camp but I can represent her well.

Hang on - this is a discussion about a PAID job, and MOMMY is having it? I dunno about laws in America, but in most countries it would be a privacy law issue for an employer to be speaking to a family member about a potential employment or terms and conditions.

canned music.

Canned music is wrong because it eliminates the need to search, find and train an organist, saving the parish $ AND failing to celebrate Holy Mass as it should be.

Silence is preferable, like waiting through Lent in silence, you are waiting for music.

I was told no recorded music, ever, for any reason.

So you don't work in an elevator, or at Target, eh?

IIRC, that flat prohibition was promulgated in the 1956 (-7?) Instruction. Naturally, the US Bishops wiggle-worded it. But they've been wrong before, and will be again....

as a general norm.

QED

Amen, and amen!

When the bishops really actually do care about something they leave no (as in zero) loopholes or options!
Ditto 'Rome' or 'the Vatican'.

(For instance, when a priest or bishop wishes to forbid chant in his church or diocese he does not say 'as a general norm chant should not be sung here.)

Aw, come on, Frogman! You know it carries some weight, at least "in the trenches," even if it has no juridical authority.

In any event, feel free to change that sentence slightly to refer to a more authoritative document, or even to posit a newly-composed authoritative document with the same thrust, and I think the point holds up, IMNSHO.

(Very glad to hear that the brownies were good!)

I am squiriming in my seat waiting for Reverend Robot to go on sale.

Let's ad arguendam agree it never went to Rome. So what?

Well, first off, Rome did not DIS-approve. See? And of course, does the parish priest get paid through license of the Bishop, or CDW in Rome? Hmmmmm?

Saving a lot of time and expense, BCL simply promulgates its own rules. Americanism!! Wave the flag and play the My Little Pony Mass!!!

Sorry, but the entire situation sounds overly convoluted. It really sounds like time for you to back away and let your daughter step forward and decide on her own what she wants to do.

Yes, this is basically what our priest told me today--and he did use the word "convoluted" :-) OK, I'm done.

Mind you, it's not like the Vatican is particularly interested in receiving such submissions. There's a section of Liturgiam Authenticam was notable for being stillborn - I am not aware of any episcopal conference or order that ever really made a submission it called for (the USCCB did come up with some general principles a bit late in the day, shall we say, but no word about Vatican reaction thereto as best I can recall):

"108. Sung texts and liturgical hymns have a particular importance and efficacy. Especially on Sunday, the “Day of the Lord”, the singing of the faithful gathered for the celebration of Holy Mass, no less than the prayers, the readings and the homily, express in an authentic way the message of the Liturgy while fostering a sense of common faith and communion in charity.[78] If they are used widely by the faithful, they should remain relatively fixed so that confusion among the people may be avoided. Within five years from the publication of this Instruction, the Conferences of Bishops, necessarily in collaboration with the national and diocesan Commissions and with other experts, shall provide for the publication of a directory or repertory of texts intended for liturgical singing. This document shall be transmitted for the necessary recognitio to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments."

As MJ Osborn said: "It seems that this priest's notion of music at mass is the silly idea that it has to be played by someone paid to play it, that he and the people cannot otherwise sing it." I agree. A few weeks ago, our wonderful organist was traveling. So at Sunday mass, our wonderful priest (who loves a sung liturgy) said: " Our organist is traveling but we're going to sing the liturgy - A capella! I know we can do it!" (fortunately he is a good singer and the cantor is well -trained - no arm waving and she steps back from the microphone as a general matter when the people are singing ). One benefit (although I love our organist) - the congregation can more clearly hear itself sing. And we sang! It sounded great. So if you can't "afford an organist" , get a decent non-amplified (except as judiciously used at points) cantor and a priest who is willing to sing (he doesn't have to sing "well" although it would help) and you have music at the mass. If you do that over and over, I predict you will hear consistently edifying (and perhaps even touching glorious) music. I believe this is the Eastern Orthodox way (more often than not anyway).