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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Working With People With Whom One Disagrees

Richard J. Clark · May 6, 2016

ORKING WITH people with whom one disagrees is not only common, it is the natural state of the world. So don’t freak out. You’ve probably been doing it already with some success. Or not.

In the real world—and in the real job market—it is rare to find oneself entirely in agreement with every coworker and superior. (I am not addressing matters of dogma or Truths of our Faith. Those are beyond discussion.) One must deal with disagreement to survive, and ultimately thrive. Different roles by necessity require dissimilar perspectives. As a result, this produces conflicting and sometimes competing priorities. E.g., A musician will likely consider keeping the organ in tune a greater budgetary priority than the Building Manager will. Or the pastor has to worry about fundraising and building maintenance, as well as the salvation of souls. With the weight of a parish on his shoulders, he might not be thinking at this moment about the most amazing organ postlude ever.

This is not to make light of anyone’s jobs. We are all called to serve, and there’s good reason we are laser-focused on our areas of expertise. “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12

NTERESTINGLY, ONE’S ABILITY to work effectively with someone else does not rely very much at all on how much one agrees with that other person. In thirty years of experience in the Church, I have found that I can work quite well with people with whom I disagree, and I cannot work with some people with whom I have a great deal in common, such as our philosophy or taste in music, etc. Why is this?

There are a few factors, but I have found that it comes down to three things:

1 • Mutual respect especially for each other’s professional (or volunteer) roles. While ultimately respect is earned, to give respect should be the default and automatic approach in a new working relationship. In fact, this is a beautiful way to live life.

2 • There is a willingness to serve the greater good, a shared motivation.

3 • Each person does not take personal offense of a disagreement. This is challenging, but key. To do so is a common mistake and sometimes leads to rather juvenile behavior. It’s hard to do when we are passionate. Just don’t do it. You’ll thank yourself later! Be open that you might learn something—even if from an underling—and as a result get better at your job.

There are also helpful benefits when working out disagreements. Many who have worked with me or under my direction do not prefer or agree with all my decisions. Their willingness has produced this very interesting side effect: my respect for them increases exponentially because I know they are not thrilled with what I’ve asked. Perhaps they offered a rebuttal, but worked with me cheerfully. Then another thing happens. They have greater influence, and our work becomes increasingly collaborative. Then, maybe I can learn something from them if I’m smart enough to listen.

Likewise, those who overstep professional boundaries do themselves no favors. Not because of recrimination, but simply because of its lack of mutuality. This produces ill-will among negative side-effects. Don’t do this either. Your colleagues will thank you for deferring to their area of expertise.

HEN THERE IS ANOTHER another fascinating development. There are people with whom one may agree with on a number of matters, but one cannot work with easily. Why? With some, the slightest disagreement causes strife. Concur on 97% of all matters, but there’s still a problem? This is because one or both parties fixate on the disputed 3%. This is sadly wasteful.

To survive in serving the Church and to survive a tough job market, one must consider carefully these elements, but especially this: Remember, that being “in-synch” with someone actually is a result of mutual work and effort. It doesn’t happen automatically, and no one is entitled to it. If people work well together, it’s because they worked very hard to that end.

Also one must have the humility to understand that disagreements often yield a greater good, sometimes unseen by the individuals in conflict. Wisely step back and observe this if you can. When colleagues work hard towards the greater good and establish trust, don’t take such working relationships for granted. It’s pretty amazing.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
    Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Dom Pothier does not belong to the dim past, as the silence which surrounds his name would lead one to believe. Only a few years separate us from the time when—growing old and heavily burdened by trials—Dom Pothier was concentrating his ever keen attention on the study of manuscripts in the Belgian place of retreat where his community had found refuge. For he was the abbot; and there can be no doubt that the cross he wore during those days was a cross of sorrow, though he bore it with a smile.”

— Dom Ermin Vitry, OSB (31-OCT-1936)

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