We SIng THIS Saturday at 5:30!!! (Sept. 5th)

So, our first Mass of the season, and it seems like it was both forever in coming and way too soon for our skills to develop enough to do the music justice, but here it is, time for Mass. With the prospect of being down three critical members (one due to serious illness, the other two are playing hookie in Alabama---- *Ms. C FROWNS at those two*), it may become a much simpler music offering than we originally planned. But, in the interests of getting the texts up so that people will know the translation of the Communion Anthem, here are the texts:

Offertory

Open My Eyes
by Benedetto Marcello, 1686-1839
arr. by Dale Grotenhuis
available through World Library Publications # 008761

Open my eyes,
and I shall see;
incline my heart,
and I shall desire;
order my footsteps,
and I shall walk,
walk in the ways
of Your commandments,
Your commandments.

O God, my Lord,
let there be no one,
no one beside you.
Teach me to worship you,
teach me to serve you,
in all I do,
with truth of spirit,
with heart and soul,
with truth of spirit,
with heart and soul,
with heart and soul.

When all the night of woe is past,
when all the night of woe is past,
and welcome morning dawns at length,
and wecome morning dawns,
I will praise you, loving God,
I will praise you, loving God,
my refuge and my strength,
then I will praise you,
then I will praise you,
my refuge and my strength.

Communion

O Sacrum Convivium

by R. Remondi
arr. by N.A.M.
available in the St. Gregory Hymnal, St. Gregory Guild, Philadelphia, PA

Latin text:

O Sacrum convivium! in quo Christus sumitur;
recolitur memoria passionis ejus, passionis ejus:
Mens impletur gratia, mens impletur gratia:
et futurae gloriae nobis pignus datur,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Translation:

O banquet of all delight
wherein Christ himself is food
in which the blessed memory of
His Holy Passion is renewed before us.
Souls are filled with living grace,
Souls are filled with living grace,
and a pledge is given to us of our future glory
Alleluia.

So, Mass Saturday will have music that reflects the shift in choir think we are undergoing. We offer a motet at communion, one which has stood the test of time and will be familiar to many parishioners. We will offer an anthem which reflects the texts of the readings. Someone will sing the psalm. Our psalmist, though, is quite seriously ill, so whoever volunteers will be forced to learn the psalm on Wednesday night. Prayers are requested for our personnel, and for our families. God Bless y'all, and come to MASS and pray with us as we serve God with our voices and hearts.