This is a continuation of the previous Running Updates post. Now that the Church is reopening and public Masses have resumed (albeit, in a different form), it felt appropriate to spin off related updates into this new post. Be well, and Keep the Faith!
UPDATE: 05/16: As some of you already know, the Bishop has proposed a four-phase reopening of churches. Much is still in flux at both the Diocesan and local church level, but Good Shepherd will be reopening for private prayer only on Monday, 05/18 (see Parish email for details). Hopefully more information in the coming weeks on the next phase of reopening. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: 05/21: A timetable and guidelines for reopening churches has been released by the Bishop. Check it out HERE. The logistics of reopening was the focus of our recent staff/PC meeting. I would take the dates with a grain of salt for now, but the article is still worth reading through for awareness. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: 05/29: With our Parish reopening for public Masses on June 14th, cantors & pianists are needed. If interested, check out the sign-up HERE for details & let me know if any questions!
UPDATE: 05/31: Happy Pentecost! Here's a small collection of our best recordings for this final Sunday of Easter. Enjoy!
UPDATE: 06/04: Our reopening plan for Confessions, Communion and public Masses was shared via Parish email. If you're interested in signing up to attend public Masses, see info on the Church website.
Also, if interested in cantoring/playing for public Masses, please sign up as well. Beyond the first two Sundays, we have quite a few openings. Next week this will be opened to repeat signups for cantors, so just want to make sure everyone has an opportunity.
UPDATE: 06/07: If you didn't already see this, the Bishop's directives for choirs & cantors were released yesterday. I don't know yet how this will effect logistics for public Masses, but it's worth reading through for awareness. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: 06/13: Folks, for your listening pleasure, here's a collection of some of our best Body & Blood/Corpus Christi pieces.
UPDATE: 06/14: Huge thanks to Bev and Barb P. (9 AM Choir) for covering our first public Mass in three months! It was great to have live music again! Still lots of slots available if you're interested :-).
 |
UPDATE: 06/21: Thanks to Bev for joining me for our second public Mass! There were some tweaks from last week, most notably cantoring all songs from the podium (not just the Psalm & Alleluia). This allowed the Zoom mic at the Altar to pick things up much better.
UPDATE: 06/25: If you'd like to check it out, here's the audio from last Sunday. The first set of recordings is from one of my audio recorders (too far away, but better quality), while the second set comes from the Zoom video feed (much closer, but lesser quality).
UPDATE: 07/04: Happy Fourth, all! I hope everyone had a chance to celebrate in some fashion with friends and family. Here's a nice rendition of 'God Bless America'.
UPDATE: 07/10: A bit late, but if you'd like to check this out, here's the audio from last Sunday's (07/05) Zoom/in-Person Mass. Like last time, one set is from my audio recorder (in a much better position this time), and the other from the Zoom video feed.
UPDATE: 07/11: Happy Birthday Brad! Have a good one!
UPDATE: 07/19: In luau of a Parish Picnic/Birthday Party this year, we'll be celebrating a special outdoor Mass on August 9th at 10 AM. Please see separate email for details and let me know by Wed, 07/22, if you'd be interested in singing/playing. Thanks!
UPDATE: 07/22: For the outdoor Mass, Piano is covered and we currently have about three singers lined up. One more singer and some other instrumentalists would be great to cover the basics. If you're interested, let me know ASAP. Again, absolutely no pressure; just seeing what we can do to make this occasion special while staying safe and within the rules. I'm hoping to put out a plan with (somewhat) more detail by the weekend.
UPDATE: 07/26: If anyone would like to check this out, here's the audio from this weekend. Confirmation on Saturday (07/25) was our first Mass in the Sanctuary since March and included both piano (Joanne) and organ (Bev); Sunday Zoom Mass (07/26) was done as usual in Agape.
UPDATE: 08/01: For those participating, a detailed email just went out with info on next weekend's Outdoor Mass (08/09 @ 10 AM). After quite a bit of debate choir-wide, we'll all be wearing masks while singing/playing (a shift from what was originally proposed). Let me know if any questions!
UPDATE: 08/05: For those participating, our Outdoor Mass Tech Rehearsal will be Friday, 08/07, at 5:30 PM (look for the big tent in the parking lot :-). We'll test/balance the sound system, sort out logistics and rehearse as needed. If you can't be there quite that early, that's fine; just come when you're able. We'll probably be a good hour or so. Thanks!
UPDATE: 08/07: Sheet music and sample recordings for Sunday's Outdoor Mass can be found here.
UPDATE: 08/10: Huge thanks to those who were able to sing/play for Sunday's Outdoor Mass! Everything sounded great and it was wonderful to come together again in song. If you'd like to check it out, audio can be found here.
UPDATE: 08/11: As some of you may be aware, accusations have been brought against Catholic composer David Haas, who's written favorites such as 'Blest Are They', 'You Are Mine' and 'We Are Called'. The Office would like to bring up the issue of using his music with Father, but requested opinions from the choirs first. Please see separate email and let me know your thoughts.
UPDATE: 08/12: We're beginning the process of moving back into the Sanctuary for Sundays Masses effective 09/06. As part of the preparations, all hymnals are being removed from the Sanctuary, as these would pose safety and liability concerns. Our choir books will be stored in the cabinet in order to keep them separate from the assembly editions. Music will still be limited to an accompanist and cantor for now, with music included in the programs (cantors/instrumentalists are of course welcome to use whatever materials they need). This will help us meet Diocesan guidelines on Music Ministry activities during COVID.
UPDATE: 08/16: For those who had a chance to work with our Seminarian Jacob, today will be his last Sunday Mass with us before returning to his studies in Baltimore. Please do wish him well if you have a chance -- he's been a huge help to us these past several months!
UPDATE: 08/17: Let's welcome Tom a very Happy Birthday!
UPDATE: 08/23: If anyone would like to check it out, here's the audio from this morning's Zoom/In-Person Mass.
Be well, and hopefully see you soon!
Since we're entering a new phase of reopening, check out this new post for the latest updates.
<>< ><> ><>