Music Ministry Objectives and Mission:

The objectives for the St. Augustine choir are based on the Liturgical Reform as outlined by Pope John Paul II.  Pope John Paul II said, “That hymns and sacred music should play an essential role in reinforcing everyone’s communion, in a form sensitive to the acceptance and assimilation of the word of God, through unity of prayer.”  He went on to say, “Our liturgical music should be interwoven with the theological meaning with a sense of beauty and poetic insight.”

Our choir continues to work on incorporating the above practices and ideals in the selection and singing of the hymns at the Masses at St. Augustine Church.

Choir Practice Schedule:

Choir practices can vary as to the day-of-the week that we meet depending on the Liturgical Season and the availability of our organist(s).  The goal is to maximize our practice sessions when preparing for specific Holy Days, e.g., Christmas Eve Day Masses and Holy Week (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil).  If you are unable to commit to our weekly Thursday evening practices, please consider participating in one of our Holy Day Masses.  The schedule for our choir practices is outlined below:

Choir practice for weekend Masses is on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. from the second week of September through first week of October. 

Beginning on the second week of October up to Christmas Eve Day, the day of choir practice will be changed to either Monday or Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. so we can start preparing for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Mass.  Please note, during this time the choir members present at the Sunday morning Masses will have a short practice following the Mass to go over the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation for the following weekend Masses as well as the hymn that the choir will be singing during the distribution of communion. 

Choir practice will resume its regular schedule of being held on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. on the first week of January up to the second week of February.

From the second week of February up to Holy Week, choir practice will be held either on Monday or Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.; these practices will focus on preparing for Holy Week Masses (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil Mass). Again please note that during this time the choir members present at the Sunday morning Masses will have a short practice following the Mass to go over the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation as well as the hymn that the choir will be signing during the distribution of communion.

 

On the week following Easter Sunday through the last week of June, choir practice will resume its regular schedule of being held on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. 

 

Beginning on the first week of July through the first week of September, choir practice will be discontinued on Thursday evenings.  During this time the choir members present at the Sunday morning Masses will have a short practice after Mass to mainly go over the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation.