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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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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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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Been to Catholic church and heard Mass. Execrable music! Organ played by a young girl who made impossible harmonies. Sermon very long. The preacher screamed loud enough to tire his lungs. The congregation was affected.”

— Louis Moreau Gottschalk (8 May 1864)

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