• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
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

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on which source text is chosen and what each translator wants to emphasize. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To speak the language of God’s beauty, we must first begin to listen. And to listen, we must have silence in our lives. I pray that God will open our eyes and ears to beauty, and help us use it in the service of the Truth.”

— Bishop James D. Conley (10/4/2013)

Recent Posts

  • Latin Liturgy Association
  • Important Quote by a Church Musician
  • Fulton J. Sheen Played The Pipe Organ!
  • “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Dr. Samuel Backman • “Rooted In Tradition: The Allegory of a Tree”

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.