After ringing in the new year, volunteer cantors at a local Catholic Church were told their services were no longer needed. After years of cantoring, we were told about faults with our singing without any remedies that might correct them. The leaders of the church have decided that they want professional musicians, cantors, lectors, etc. replacing those who are volunteers.
Being a volunteer cantor involves quite a commitment and no money but it’s a joy to be able to sing the beautiful hymns while inviting all to join in. I know there are those in the congregation that are quick to find fault with our less than perfect voices but most of the people who attend mass are lovely. I will miss them and my choir members.
We are told that the church is on a mission to increase their congregation. To do that, they want only the best representing them in the areas mentioned above. No one can deny that many have left the church in recent years but I have to say that this is not the solution.
I would suggest that they look at the fact that many churches (not all) have forgotten our commitment to the lives of the most vulnerable among us. As Eric Metaxas said in his ‘letter to the American church,’ “God calls us to defend the unborn, to confront the lies of cultural Marxism, and to battle the globalist tyranny that crushes human freedom. Confident that this is His fight, the Church must overcome fear and enter the fray, armed with the spiritual weapons of prayer, self-sacrifice, and love.”
I have been attending church my whole life. I have never chosen a church because of its cantors. It is the pastor or deacon who delivers a homily that touches you with a love and caring that clearly comes from God.
As one of my New Year’s resolutions, I will visit other parishes to see if they’ve found the secret to filling those pews.