A Belated “Welcome Back” to our Choir

From the Pastor:    A Belated “Welcome Back” to our Choir

       Several weeks ago I had every intention of writing an article about our choir, which goes by the name “St. Dunstan Schola.” I got waylaid by several things that popped up that needed my immediate attention, so I put it off. I believe that the first issue that came up was the letter the Bishop received from Rome giving us two years to continue celebrating the TLM at Epiphany and at the other two parishes in the diocese which have that form of the Mass. I had to break up Bishop Parkes’ letter to us into two separate weekly bulletins in order to get it all in. The following week I was whining about being sick so we ran an old bulletin article about hurricanes in this spot. Of course, Hurricane Idalia zoomed in past us right after that so I had to write about her and also give a health update. But this weekend—finally—I have the opportunity to write a bit about our incredible schola.
       Every week they spend more time than most people could possibly imagine learning new chant pieces, practicing both old and new Mass settings, and preparing for Sunday and special feast day Masses. All of the time spent is, I hope it goes without saying, time spent in prayer, for all that they do is for the glory of God and the sanctification of souls. Whether they are studying the chant notation, practicing in the choir room with everyone else, singing in the car as they drive to work, or even spending their lunch hour or children’s nap time going over particularly difficult pieces, it is all part of their prayer life. It is truly a ministry and one which our schola takes very seriously, as you can hear from the results. If we had a church building with even mediocre acoustics, they would sound even better than what you hear already, and that is saying something since they sound pretty darn good even in our “acoustically challenged” building. They are truly a blessing for all of us who attend (or celebrate) the 10:30 Mass on Sundays.
       Every year they take about a month off so that members can either go on vacation, sit with their families at Mass (a true luxury for them!), or simply get a break from the constant preparation they do the rest of the year. While they are not singing we have been blessed to have at least a few choir members do some “simple” chants for the Masses so that we can keep our main Mass as a High Mass instead of a Low Mass (where nothing at all is chanted, neither by the choir nor the priest). But as great as it is that we have those few stalwart members chanting for us, it is still a huge grace to once again hear the whole choir when they return. This year I was caught by surprise when the time came for them to return from their respite. I was lining up with the altar boys before our entrance procession and asked where the “chant men” were, for they had been processing in with us. The boys, of course, all knew that the choir was already back in their stalls and ready to start singing. The pastor really is the last to know anything at the parish! I was so impressed with their singing at that Mass that I was tempted to follow my old seminary training and have everyone clap for them! You all know that that defeats their whole purpose of being in the choir, though, as it turns them from being an important part of the “prayer ministry” of the church into being the “entertainment squad” of the parish. Even at other parishes, I think that more choir members understand that reality than their priests do and they get quite embarrassed when the clapping begins. Even so, I had the urge...
       But now that I finally get a chance to write about them, I don’t have the ability to enjoy them. As you know, the first part of my recent illness was an almost complete loss of my voice. In case you missed it, I couldn’t preach even a simple sermon that week, since nobody could hear me even if I shouted into the microphone. I had to chant the High Mass, but the choir knew ahead of time that they were going to have to just guess as to when I was finished with my “lines” as they would not be able to make out most of what I was trying so desperately to chant. Heck, even the altar boys couldn’t hear me and they were just a few feet from me all the way through Mass. But after getting my voice back, my hearing went out. As I write this my ears still have not yet cleared and everything I hear is muffled. Some tones are missing as well so I can’t even recognize people’s voices when they speak to me. Everyone sounds a bit squeaky, like cartoon characters. Even my own voice, which sounds very loud in my head, sounds completely different than normal. So when I hear the choir sing, I hear the strangest voices ringing through the church. It’s not quite as bad as listening to Alvin and the Chipmunks sing, but it’s somewhat toward that spectrum. Maybe by this weekend I’ll be able to hear them properly once again.
       Anyway, I am still grateful for Mr. Bergmann and the schola he leads. We are very blessed to have them here. If you agree with me, please say a prayer of thanksgiving for them and ask God to bless them as much as they bless us.

With prayers for your holiness,
Rev. Fr. Edwin Palka

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