I knew it wouldn't be long before I wanted to post on a blog.  I'm starting this page mainly as a means of mass communication with the music program at SEAS, but also as a resource for learning about Catholic worship, and what role music and singing play in Sacred Liturgy.

The first thing we need to do as Catholics and musicians, is to remember that we are Catholic musicians!  This statement might seem a little corny - and unnecessary - at first, but keeping this in perspective is key to being successful in what we are setting out to do.  Musicians understand this.  Musicians aren't just musicians when they are playing music; they are musicians in everything they do.  They are musicians in how they walk, talk, and interact with everything around them.

My challenge to musicians - myself included - is to evermore foster a Catholic musician's perspective, a way of walking, talking, and interacting with the the world.

When we play music in the Sacred Liturgy, we fully come into what we are called to be.  We take our highest gifts and give them back in the highest way possible.  We approach the foot of the Cross of Christ at Mass, and lay our God-given talents at His feet.  We place our gifts on the altar right along with the gifts of bread and wine, and the Holy Spirit takes these gifts and transforms them, breathes life into them, and makes them holy.  This is why we call the music for worship sacred.  "Sacred" means set aside, set apart - something that has been made holy for holy things.  

None of the music we do should ever be an end unto itself.  All music we do should point people's minds and hearts to the action of worship - the sacrifice that takes place at Mass.  Whenever we select music, rehearse music, or play music at Mass, we are facilitating a deepening of the prayer of the people.  It is one thing to say, "I love you."  But it always means more and conveys the sentiment more clearly to sing it.  But the manner in which it is sung can more truly express it and reveal more of its beauty, or cheapen it, even ruin the message altogether.  This is why we take great care in what we do.

Please join us as we set out to be the best Catholics and musicians we can be.  Stay tuned.

Yours in Christ,

John L. Wright