by Fred Moleck
Music Ministry Alive!
It was, maybe, twelve years ago when David Haas and I had a conversation about the lack of responsible leadership in the training of young liturgical musicians.There was no specific program or place that offered expert instructions in music skills development and liturgical expertise.
What was desperately needed was program that provided musical training, hands-on formation by preparation of the liturgy with strong mentoring by people who knew what they were doing, and the experience of a community who play and pray together.
In some places where a youth liturgy program was established, it frequently bordered on becoming a cult with questionable leadership. That’s not good.
Enjoying my role as an aging mentor, to say nothing of being an old friend, I asked David what he was going to do about it.
He did something about it, and it’s been in place for nine years now—Music Ministry Alive!
Two weeks ago I witnessed the fruit of his labors and the labors of many other workers in the vineyard of Music Ministry Alive!
There are two tracks. The youth track is for musically gifted students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade or their first two years of college.
The adult track is designed for adult music directors and teachers, religious educators, youth ministers, priests, and all who mentor, guide, and form youth into ministry leadership roles.
It is surprisingly inexpensive. The youth track costs $400, which includes registration, meals, and room and board. The adult track costs $375 and includes registration and meals; housing is available for an additional $200.
The team members are predominantly GIA folk—Tony Alonso, Bobby Fisher, Stephen Petrunak, Lori True, Marty Haugen, Tom Franzak, Paul Tate, Fr. Michael Joncas, and Rob Glover—plus good-old friends of GIA—Monsignor Ray East, Bob Hurd, David Dreher, Kate Cuddy, Rob Strusinksi, Eileen Bird, Tim Westerhaus, Leisa Anslinger, Bonnie Faber, George Miller, Michael Griffin, Joe Camacho, and God knows how many more.
You need to know that Tony Alonso and Tim Westerhaus are “alumni” of the program. Both are nationally recognized liturgical musicians who are wielding an enormous impact on the state of liturgical music in the United States.
The atmosphere is charged with youthful exuberance and wit. If they aren’t receiving private music instructions, they are involved in planning sessions for the liturgy.
The young people in attendance lead the prayer experiences. The adult leadership prepares the youth, but also mentors them into what the expectations are for a well-celebrated liturgy.
The adults do not “do it” for the young ministers. The leadership comes out of the community. That in itself makes this program unique.
What is conducive to such a productive and prayer-filled six days is the bucolic campus of the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. The president and staff of this charming school are overly generous in hospitality and support.
Two elements need to be mentioned that contribute to the success of the program.
1.
Capable and charismatic management. When I arrived on campus, I found my way to the third floor of “headquarters” where morning prayer was about to be celebrated.
I was embraced and honored with a Hawaiian lei placed gently around my neck by George DeCosta. Matt Reichert, the manager of the week, greeted me and moved me to Helen, David’s wife.
Both he and she were my primary caregivers, a.k.a handlers. They had alternative plans already in place to accommodate my inability to take directions and find places and things. They are sainted.
Matt is also an alum of the program and at 25 demonstrates more moxie and wisdom than people twice his age. I am praying that he becomes the first American–layman pope. I see myself as his most recent disciple, since I followed him around campus as he ushered me to the right place always on time.
2.
The presence of the Hawaiians. George and his contingency supplied the most grace filled and graceful presence by their unfettered hospitable manner and care . . . and they dance well, too.
The only negative experience was my grumbling about the absence of this sort of program when I was in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades—when I was playing Masses and directing a three-person choir.The effect on the worship life of the parishes from where these young people originated will be felt—maybe not immediately, but it will happen.
Remember, some day these young people will become parish council members, teachers, liturgical leaders informed and formed in the tradition of good liturgy.
And to think that David Haas received a mandate to “do something about youth liturgical leadership” not from the archangel Gabriel or even the angel Moroni, but from a deep love of the church and a not-so-gentle shove from an old friend.
You can reach Fred Moleck via email at fmoleck@earthlink.net