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“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

God will not be outdone in generosity.

Richard J. Clark · April 9, 2020

Y DEAREST musicians, colleagues, and friends: And so it begins. The sacred Triduum begins amidst enormous uncertainty and suffering. Previously, I voiced some concerns for all of you. Many concerns are turning into painful reality.

Many grieve and mourn the loss of making music each week with people they love and cherish. I am certain we all know someone who has been laid off, on furlough, or received a pay cut. No one is immune, myself included. Ironically, this comes in the midst of the holiest—and busiest—time of year. I’ve been greatly pained in recent days by such inevitable events and timing.

Some of us are fortunate to live-stream Mass on a regular basis continuing to serve in prayer and song. This fulfills a sacred mission for each community. Every community is suffering and hungers for connection.

Some are actively serving during Holy Week despite diminished income. I know quite well, that preparing only one liturgy under such circumstances is potentially more difficult and time-consuming than several at normal times—especially for a vastly revised Holy Week!

And so also begins some extraordinary pastoral leadership, done so with love and charity, and out of a heightened sense of mission.

Here’s what I’ve seen:

Music ministers seeking out and implementing new ways to stay connected with the faithful they serve. Directors are finding ways to rehearse or keep musicians engaged, trained, and developed. I’ve witnessed every effort made by colleagues to keep their children’s choirs singing—if at home and if apart. This heightened sense of creative service even comes from those with reduced incomes.

If that were not enough, some who have been laid off or have had pay cuts have expressed kind words of charity, hope, and support. This is not expected in such circumstances.

For everyone working and striving under such trying situations, you have my deepest admiration, and gratitude!

People are hungrier than ever for the Gospel. This is a great blessing, and a turning point in our lives and ministries.

I’ve learned much from all of you. Recently I‘ve discovered I am not accustomed to trusting God as much as I should. Doing so makes me exceedingly uncomfortable. Many of you, through your generous and creative service, are teaching me how to trust God more. Thank you for this.

Likewise, a choir member reminds me:
“God will not be outdone in generosity.”

You have modeled God’s generosity in serving and persevering through this difficult trial.

Cardinal O’Malley reminds us that Easter is so important that we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection every Sunday! We are both Good Friday people and Easter Sunday people. Our current Good Friday of uncertain duration will assuredly transform into the boundless joy of Easter Sunday. God’s generosity in granting joy will not be outdone!

Know that I am praying the rosary for each of you every day and for your intentions.

Oremus pro invicem
Let us pray for each other.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: April 9, 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

    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“I am now old but I was young when I was received into the Church. I was not at all attracted by the splendour of her great ceremonies—which the Protestants could well counterfeit. Of the extraneous attractions of the Church which most drew me was the spectacle of the priest and his server at Low Mass, stumping up to the altar without a glance to discover how many or how few he had in his congregation; a craftsman and his apprentice; a man with a job which he alone was qualified to do.”

— Evelyn Waugh (7 August 1964)

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