Our diocese recently underwent a discernment process on how we might improve our use of music in our liturgies.

That resulted in a decree and instructions signed by then-Bishop McKnight on April 7. Although he's now Archbishop McKnight and serving the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the decree and instructions are particular law for our diocese and we are working on the implementation.

Our work in pastoral planning has consistently provided feedback that people are seeking more formation in the faith. One example of this has been how many parishes’ small group faith sharing programs are flourishing.

The implementation of the liturgical music decree and instructions also includes opportunities for people to learn more about what the church teaches regarding the use of music in our liturgies.

The Diocesan Liturgical Commission is working with the local chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), a Catholic lay organization that supports the improvement of liturgical music.

Musicians are encouraged to contact Laura Forbis St. Clair, the chapter director of our local NPM chapter, at jeffersoncitymo@npm.org so that they can be added to an email list and receive ongoing information about the resources available.

The following resources will be provided by the diocese at no charge to parishes:

Mass settings

The instruction lists the following Mass settings to be known by all in our diocese:

• Chant Mass (ICEL)
• Mass of Creation (Marty Haugen)
• Mass of St. Francis Cabrini (Kevin Keil)
• Misa del Pueblos Inmigrante (Bob Hurd)

As stated in the instruction, “While this is not intended to be a limitation on the Mass settings that can be used in the parish liturgy, parish priests and all who collaborate with them should prioritize the use of these settings to develop competence and comfort in their use. “ To enable our parishes to meet this instruction:

Durable worship aids to be used by parishioners with the four Mass settings listed in the decree will be provided to parishes by the fall, at no cost to the parishes. The diocese will also ensure all musicians have access to the accompanist music they need, at no additional cost to parishes. We are working with the publishers to purchase the music for keyboard and guitar and will be providing an order form soon, with the intent of having the music available before a workshop on Aug. 16 with Anna Betancourt (see below).

Training for Spanish language musicians will be offered on June 28, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at St. Peter in Marshall by Deacon Enrique Castro. He will review the decree and instructions, and how to introduce bi-lingual music to congregants.

Training for English language musicians will be offered Aug. 16, 9 am – noon, at Our Lady of Lourdes in Columbia. Anna Betancourt will lead a workshop on how to introduce bi-lingual music to congregants. She’ll work with participants on Spanish pronunciations and musicians will be available to help with playing these pieces.

Policy on music by credibly accused composers

The decree states that “the use of music by composers found guilty or credibly accused of abuse, or whose music has been restricted by their local ordinary or competent authority because of accusations of abuse, is prohibited at diocesan events and liturgies,” and that pastors must create a policy on “the use of music by such composers within the territory of their parishes by conducting a synodal discernment process among their parishioners and parish leadership. This policy shall be submitted to the Chancellor no later than the First Sunday of Advent, 30 November 2025, with an explanation of the synodal discernment process used.”

Currently there are two English language composers who have been found credibly accused of sexual abuse, Ed Conlin and David Haas, and no Spanish language composers found credibly accused.

Ongoing formation

The diocesan process which culminated in the decree and instructions gave very clear indication that people appreciate participating in music during our sacred liturgies.

The NPM and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission will be developing a certification program for musicians, which can serve as a prerequisite for NPM’s robust national certification programs.

Also, in addition to the two workshops mentioned above, Msgr. Rick Hilgartner, a pastor who holds advanced degrees in sacramental and liturgical theology, will be providing insights to our priests at the October Priests’ Institute.

A webinar with Msgr. Hilgartner (tentatively this fall) and an all day, bi-lingual workshop with Anna Bettencourt (tentatively next spring), both for musicians, are being finalized.

Please continue to watch the Monday Morning Memo for more details.