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Author Archives: Craig Colson

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Never Too Early To Start

By | April 4, 2011

So with less than nine months to go before we will implement the New Roman Missal in our parishes, how are you doing? Have you begun to find out what the changes are? Have you started to do any education in your parish in regards to the new translation that will go into effect on [...]

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New Roman Missal Websites For Youth Leaders

By | March 4, 2011

As I’m sure you have heard already, come this Advent there will be some major changes to the liturgy coming on November 27th 2011. This time of preparation can be a fruitful time for our parishes and our young people.  We at Life Teen want to do our best to equip you with the resources [...]

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The New Roman Missal: An Opportunity for Education

By | February 9, 2011

Although I wasn’t alive when The Second Vatican Council finished in 1965, I have heard from many people who were active Catholics in that time of change within the Catholic Mass. Many whom I have talked to were very confused when the changes in the liturgy began taking place. Some were barely told anything about what was changing or why it was changing and just all of a sudden experienced a different liturgy and really didn’t understand why. Some were happy about the changes and others were not so happy.

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A New Missal, But the Same Mass

By | February 3, 2011

On November 27, 2011, we will begin using a new translation of the Roman Missal, which will change the words we use to pray the Mass. That date will be the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new Church year, so it was chosen as a good day to make these text changes. Let me stress a key point right up front: the words we use in the Mass are changing, the structure of the Mass is not.

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What Instruments Can I Use at Mass?

By | January 14, 2011

In recent months I have received many questions from Liturgical Musicians as to what Instruments are appropriate for Liturgy and which are not? Some people feel that only the Organ is appropriate for the Liturgy while others feel it acceptable to use any instrument that can produce a sound. Whenever a question like this comes [...]

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Engaging Busy Teenagers in the Ensemble Without Sacrificing Quality

By | January 3, 2011

Today I would like feature our guest music ministry blogger Angus McDonnell. I asked Angus to talk about how to get teens involved with music at Mass while keeping things sounding good.

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How to Shorten Music Practice

By | December 20, 2010

Well I hope this title caught your attention and no, I’m not just going to tell you to make your practice shorter by practicing fewer songs. Today, most people have access to the Internet and, as we know, are spending a lot of time surfing the web, watching videos and listening to music. Well, why [...]

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Organized Musicians???

By | December 16, 2010

I bet I already know what you’re thinking: Musicians are the most disorganized, tardy and flaky people on earth! Well, if you are a musician I mean no disrespect. After all…I am a musician myself. But, I do have to say that if we are all being honest, there is a reason why we have this stigma attached to us. I think we sometimes chalk it up to it being the creative “Artist” and therefore a little bit flaky. So does it matter? Well, yes – it does.

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All Rights Reserved… Used with Permission

By | November 27, 2010

Recently, I was asked to speak to a group of Music Ministers at a Musicians’ workshop. As I began to speak about the need to have a copyright license to reprint the lyrics to songs on a worship aide, suddenly the room became awkwardly silent. To my surprise, many musicians did not know about the [...]

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Happy [Liturgical] New Year! Ideas for Advent Theme Songs

By | November 10, 2010

I’m not saying it’s time to break into “Old Lang Syne” yet, or anything like that, but we are less than a month away from a new Liturgical Year in the Church (November 28th is the First Sunday In Advent). Advent is a great time of preparation for the second coming of Christ and celebration of Lord’s birth in Bethlehem.