A HOLY DAY, A FIRST FRIDAY, AND A SUNDAY

That is, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (January 1/New Year's Day, a Holy Day of Obligation), the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (First Friday, January 3), and the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Sunday, January 5).

"The Plumbers"

The Brass Trio (affectionately referred to as "The Plumbers") will be on hand at all of the Epiphany Masses except for the 7:30 AM.  OK - some have asked me about the nickname "The Plumbers".  It started when I watched an interview on YouTube with trumpeter extraordinaire Herb Alpert, from the show CBS Sunday Morning.  His trumpet teacher told him, "Hey, man, you're playing a piece of plumbing!"  That stuck with me.  Consider the wind and valves and tubing in a trumpet, and the monstrous maze of tubing in a French horn (which our brass leader plays), and there you go - PLUMBING!  Definitely nothing negative in the nickname.  Just some fun inspired by one of the best in the business! ;)

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (January 1)
MASSES: 5 PM (New Year's Eve, December 31), 9 and 11:15 AM (New Year's Day, January 1)
Numbers given are in the Maroon hymnal.

Ordinary of the Mass: Mass of the Shepherds, music by Pietro A. Yon
Alleluia: same setting as Christmas

Entrance hymn: While shepherds watched their flocks by night, #13
Responsorial Psalm: May God bless us in his mercy, music by Owen Alstott
- Music as written in the missalette for January 1.  Side note: Let me know after Mass if anyone notices any resemblance between the response and the beloved carol God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.
Offertory hymn: The first Nowell, #30
Communion anthem: Ave Maria, music by Franz Schubert (solo: Elaine)
Meditation hymn: In the bleak midwinter, #44 (Listen)
Recessional hymn: Angels we have heard on high, #42

MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS (First Friday, January 3)
Sacred Heart Community Mass, 6 PM
Numbers given are in the Red Worship hymnal.

Ordinary of the Mass: simple chant settings (Gloria omitted)
Alleluia: same setting as Christmas

Entrance hymn: At the name of Jesus, #499
Responsorial Psalm: How great is your Name, O Lord, our God, through all the earth, music by Joseph Gelineau, SJ, #27 (Antiphon I)
Offertory hymn: Adeste Fideles, #392 (in Latin)
Communion anthem: Puer Natus in Bethlehem
- Translation of first verse and refrain: A boy is born in Bethlehem, alleluia; rejoice, therefore, Jerusalem, alleluia, alleluia. We shout with joyful hearts: "Christ is born, let us adore him" in newfound songs of praise.
Recessional hymn: Hark! the herald angels sing, #387

THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (January 5)
MASSES: 5 PM (Saturday, January 4); 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM (Sunday, January 5)
Brass Trio at all Masses except 7:30 AM
Numbers given are in the Maroon hymnal.

Ordinary of the Mass: simple chants (7:30), Mass of the Shepherds (all other Masses)
Alleluia: same setting as Christmas

Entrance hymn: O come, all ye faithful, #12 (in English, verses 1, 2, 5, 6)
Responsorial Psalm: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you, setting by yours truly (Listen)

Offertory hymn: We three kings of Orient are, #51
Communion anthem: Laudamus Te, from Gloria in D by Antonio Vivaldi (duet: Elaine and Kate)
Meditation hymn: As with gladness men of old, #52 (Listen)
- This hymn tune, by the way, is also used often with For the beauty of the earth.
Recessional hymn: What star is this with beams so bright, #47 (Listen)
- This hymn tune is also used with an Easter hymn that we sing, That Easter Day with joy was bright.

Happy and blessed New Year, as well as the remainder of Christmas!
Peace,
BMP

PS: Christmas began, not ended, on December 25.  It ends this year on January 12, the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

The Sunday in the Octave of Christmas, 29 December 2013

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Much of this weekend will be a repeat of what we did at this time last year.  Numbers given will be in the red Worship hymnal.

Sung Ordinary of the Mass:

(7:30 AM): simple chants in Latin (Gloria VIII, Sanctus XVIII, Agnus Dei XVIII)

(all other Masses): Mass of the Shepherds, music by Pietro A. Yon (the setting we used for the Masses of Christmas)

(Common to all Masses): Memorial acclamation Mortem Tuam, and Dresden Amen

Entrance hymn: While shepherds watched their flocks by night, #382 (Listen)

Responsorial Psalm: O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways, music by Joseph Gelineau, SJ

Alleluia: same as Christmas

Offertory hymn: The First Nowell, #408

Communion anthem: Of the Father's love begotten, Chant, Mode V

- The hymn on which the Alleluia (before the Gospel) for the season is based.

Meditation hymn: See, amid the winter's snow, #375 (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Angels we have heard on high, #376

Peace,
BMP

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Before I post the music for the Masses of Christmas, I would like to wish our singers, brass trio, pastor, parishioners, and my own family a very merry and blessed Christmas, as well as thank them for their help and/or support to our music department.

Masses are at 5 and 10 PM on Christmas Eve, 9 and 11:15 AM on Christmas Day.

Each Mass will be preceded by some organ/brass and choral music, beginning roughly 20 minutes before Mass.  The prelude will consist of five pieces:

1. Laudamus Te, from Gloria, by Antonio Vivaldi (Elaine and Kate, with organ)

2. Coventry Carol, English carol, arranged by Martin Shaw (SATB)

3. Gaudete Christus Est Natus, from Piae Cantones, 16th century (SATB)

4. Bel Bambino, Italian carol, arranged by C. Alexander Peloquin (SATB)

5. Nöel Suisse, by Louis-Claude Daquin (organ and brass)

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sung Ordinary of the Mass: Mass of the Shepherds, by Pietro A. Yon.

- Italian-born Pietro Yon was organist at New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral from 1926 until shortly before his death in 1943.  The great Kilgen organ at the Cathedral, Kilgen's magnum opus to this day, was installed while Yon was organist there.  Yon is most famous for the beloved Gesu Bambino (When blossoms flowered 'mid the snows...).

The Memorial Acclamation Mortem Tuam Annuntiamus, Domine (which we used throughout Advent) and the short but festive Dresden Amen (arranged by Theodore Marier) will also be used.

The readings for all four Masses will be those of Midnight Mass.  All numbers given are found in the red Worship hymnal.

Entrance hymn: O come, all ye faithful, #392, arranged by Sir David Willcocks

Responsorial Psalm: Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord, music by Richard Proulx (antiphon) and Pére Joseph Gelineau, SJ (verses), #779

Alleluia: adapted by yours truly from the Mode V chant Divinum Mysterium (Of the Father's love begotten) (the hymn itself is in Worship, #398)

Offertory hymn: Hark! the herald angels sing, #387, arranged by Sir David Willcocks

Communion anthem: Hallelujah!, from Messiah, by George Frederick Handel

Meditation hymn: Silent night, #379

Recessional hymn: Joy to the world, #399

Postludes will consist of:
1. Angels We Have Heard on High (organ and brass)
2. Variations on "Coventry Carol", by yours truly (organ)

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO, ET IN TERRA PAX HOMINIBUS BONAE VOLUNTATIS!
Your humble organist,
BMP

SUNDAY IV OF ADVENT

The music for this coming weekend is a repeat of Immaculate Conception, with three exceptions.  All numbers given are in Worship.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Mass Ordinary and Alleluia: same as last weekend

Entrance hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel, #357

Responsorial Psalm: Let the Lord enter; he is King of glory, music by Richard Proulx (antiphon) and Joseph Gelineau (verses), #775

Offertory hymn: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came, #695

Communion anthem: Alma Redemptoris Mater, music by Samuel Webbe

- The text is the actual Marian antiphon used from Advent until the Presentation of the Lord (February 2).  The music is an altered form of the tune used for the hymn Come, Ye Disconsolate.

Meditation hymn: Lo! how a Rose e'er blooming, #374

Recessional hymn: O come, divine Messiah, #367

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY III OF ADVENT (Gaudete Sunday)

REJOICE!  That is the name of this coming Sunday.  The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday.  Gaudete (pronounced Gow-DEH-teh) is a Latin word meaning Rejoice (the other Latin word for the same is Laetare, which is used on the Fourth Sunday of Lent).  Gaudete is also the first word of the Introit for this Sunday from the Graduale Romanum:

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum.

It translates thus:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice!  Let your forebearance be known to all men: the Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in all manner of prayer, make your petitions known to God.

A shorter form, which appears as the recited Entrance Antiphon in the Roman Missal:
Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: Dominus prope est.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.

In addition, the Gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Advent (as well as the Second Sunday) tells of John the Baptist, that herald's voice in the desert that cries out, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!" and "One mightier than I is to come.  I am not fit to loosen his sandal straps."  Let's look at today's music, shall we?

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Mass Ordinary and Alleluia: same as last weekend

Numbers given for this Sunday appear in the Maroon Hymnal (The Hymnal).

Entrance Hymn: Come, thou long-expected Jesus (#1) (Listen)
- Side note: organist on the listen link here is Ryan Lynch, a good friend of mine from Boston.

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, come and save us, music by yours truly, based partially on Psaln Tone 8G

Offertory Hymn: Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding (#9) (Listen)

Communion Anthem: Magnificat, using alternating tones, the first being Psalm Tone 8G, and the other being a polyphonic tone by Ciro Grassi (+ circa 1953)

Meditation Hymn: The King shall come when morning dawns (#11) (Listen)

Recessional Hymn: On Jordan's bank the baptist's cry (#10) (Listen)

Peace,
BMP

FIRST FRIDAY and IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (external solemnity)

COMMON TO BOTH FEASTS:

Sung Ordinary of the Mass: same as last weekend (Gloria for the Immaculate Conception will be the chant setting, Worship hymnal, #341)

Alleluia: same as last weekend

FIRST FRIDAY - XII-6-13 at 6 PM
Optional Memorial: ST. NICHOLAS, BISHOP

No, that does not mean we're playing Christmas music before Christmas (bad enough some radio stations have been forcing those commercial jingles that PASS for Christmas music down listeners' throats 24/7 since Halloween).  The Psalm will be that appointed for St. Nicholas (Psalm 40).  Music will be a combination of hymns to the Sacred Heart and music for Advent.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine (sheets provided)

Responsorial Psalm: Here am I, Lord, I come to do your will, music by Richard Proulx (antiphon) and Joseph Gelineau (verses).  You may join in the Worship hymnal, #868 (it's under the Second Sunday of Ordered Time, but the Psalm is also appointed for this feast).

Offertory anthem: He shall feed his flock (from Messiah), George Frederick Handel

Communion anthem: Veni, veni, Emmanuel, the Latin, from which the hymn O come. O come, Emmanuel is translated.  The refrain is: Gaude, gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.  (Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.)

Recessional hymn: To Jesus' Heart, all-burning (sheets provided)

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
External Solemnity for the Weekend

How many remember the term "External Solemnity"?  That's when a Mass for a given feast during the week is not transferred to the Sunday, but celebrated on that day anyway.  Oftentimes, in the extraordinary form of the Mass (the Roman Missals of 1962 and years prior), Corpus Christi (for example) was on a Thursday.  The priest could opt to celebrate that feast on the following Sunday as an "External Solemnity". Such is the case for this weekend.  Normally, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of our great nation is a holy day of obligation, celebrated on December 8.  Since December 8 falls on a Sunday this year, the Solemnity is moved to the calender to the Monday (December 9) and the obligation removed.  So, in order to get the full effect of this important solemnity, we are celebrating it this weekend as an "External Solemnity".  Prayers, Readings, and Psalms (as well as most of the day's hymns) will reflect that.

All numbers given are in the Red Worship hymnal.

Entrance hymn: Immaculate Mary, #708

Responsorial Psalm: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds, music by J. Robert Carroll (antiphon) and Joseph Gelineau (verses), #1060

Offertory hymn: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came, #695 (Listen)

Communion anthem: Ave Maria
- The setting for 7:30 AM Mass will be that of Charles Gounod (his melody, written over the Prelude in C by Johann Sebastian Bach).  The setting for all other Masses will be that of Lorenzo Perosi, sung as a duet for soprano and alto.

Meditation hymn: Lo! how a Rose e'er blooming, #374 (Listen)
- The text in the listen link is in the original German.  However, rest assured, we will sing this in English, as it appears in the hymnal.

Recessional hymn: O come, divine Messiah, #367 (Listen)
- The original French put the refain in the first lines.  The version in English, which we have puts the refrain at the end of the verse.  The French refrain, which was a big hit at the large French church in Woonsocket that I served from 1989-1997, goes thus:
- - Venez, divin Messie, Sauvez nos jours infortunés;
- - Vous êtes notre vie; Venez, venez, venez!

Peace,
BMP