Sunday, December 29, 2013

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.