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This Advent, Music Prepares Our Hearts for the Coming of Jesus
“To sing is to pray twice” is a saying often attributed to St. Augustine. Music Ministry coordinators Ron Renick and Ed Klimczak believe we can achieve better prayer through music than spoken voice. Both Ron and Ed have been working to prepare beautiful music to help us celebrate Advent and Christmas.
“Certain hymns make us feel nostalgic for our childhood and just generally happy,” says Ron, who coordinates the music at the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturdays at St. Joseph. “Holiday music seems to evoke treasured memories from the past.”
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“During the Christmas season, we are rejoicing in our Lord’s birth, and the hymns are joyful,” says Ed, who is the Music Director at St. Joseph and Nativity Parishes. “They have a happy, pleasing melody and, especially during the Christmas season, most people know the words to all of the hymns through the tradition of singing them with family and friends.”
Most of us are familiar with the secular Christmas favorite “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Ron believes that phrase to be true in the Christian faith, as well. It’s truly a wonderful time of year as we await Jesus’ birth. There are so many songs that evoke the joy of Christmas. He knows most of us enjoy singing the Christmas favorites — for Ron, his favorite Christmas song is the solemn, yet melodious “Silent Night.”
“Sometimes, a certain hymn or song is sung in such a way that for the first time, we think about what it must have been like to see the heavens filled with angels and what it would have been like to see Jesus in the manger,” Ron says.
Thus, hearing this music can foster a moment of profound, deep faith.
Throughout the whole year, Ron and Ed take great care to choose the songs that most closely align with the liturgical season and readings, or even the homily. Music is essential to help parishioners enter more deeply into the celebration of the Mass and worship of our Lord. They feel blessed to lead people closer to the Lord through music.
“I see firsthand how music can positively impact our lives and, humbly, this helps grow my faith,” Ron says. “When someone comes up to me after church and tells me how much they enjoyed the music and singing, it is the highest compliment. If I can influence their spirituality through music and singing, that’s even better.”
“I enjoy it when someone comes to me after Mass and tells me they heard what we were singing and it meant something to them,” Ed says. “As I always tell people, I am not a superstar when playing and singing. I do my best job and it is all for the greater glory of God.”
Ed says this year might look a bit different for the choirs at Christmas because of the COVID-19 restrictions that impact singing. But, it will still be a beautiful celebration of our Lord’s birth.
“There will be a time we can all sing loudly and proudly again, but it may be a while,” he says. “We pray for an end to the pandemic.”
Ed and Ron both look forward to the day we can all join in song, together.
“We are all one body in Christ, through our singing, our prayer, and our participation in Holy Communion,” Ed says.
