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Views from the Choir Loft

A Dad’s Dilemma • I pray and God determines.

Richard J. Clark · November 18, 2016

HEN WORKING hard and being stretched too thin and in too many directions, one might very well question one’s life choices. Every day I struggle with being a dad and working for the Church in many capacities, dealing with professional politics as a matter of routine, and ultimately caring for both parishioners and family.

Yet working for the Church is wholly at odds with having a family and being present for them. Gone over twenty hours on a weekend. Home three to four nights after my children have gone to bed. This doesn’t work. My wife carries the burden. My kids do. On Monday mornings, my two-year-old has recently taken to saying “We got Daddy back!” I don’t know the answer and have written on this subject before.

Overwork for the sake of politics and professional survival is ubiquitous. Add to it dedication to one’s art and calling, and the result is quite a schedule! There’s never enough time.

But we work for the Church because we must. Frankly, I don’t know what else to do with my life. I pray, and God determines my path.

UT THIS WEEK is a week with many blessings. I can’t complain. A new work was premiered. I was asked by a publisher to contribute a new work. I have the opportunity to conduct the orchestral version of John Rutter’s Requiem and also perform with the amazing Richard Kelley. One week. Absolutely no complaints.

But such is also the culmination of many seven-day workweeks, and composing after the kids are in bed. I want to be present for those in the parish. But I want and must be present for my family. It’s non-negotiable.

I want to do it all. I can’t. I pray and God determines.

At the moment I’m at a loss for the proper balance and direction. But I do know that we must sing sacred music because we love. We yearn for our families because we love them greater than anything imaginable. We trust in God because He loves.

I pray and God determines.

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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    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
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    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
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    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
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“In particular, today we must remember that our liturgy—celebrated according to the books promulgated by Saints Paul VI and John Paul II—must be preserved from any element from the ancient forms.”

— Bishops of Costa Rica —Hat tip to ‘Catholic Arena’

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