Music at Mass: Drawing Us Closer to Christ in Heartfelt Song

Prayerful singing lifts our souls to God and unites our worship with the choirs of angels. Here at St. Anthony, we are blessed to have musicians that lead us in song and encourage us to enter more deeply into the Mass. As we journey through Advent and Christmas, the music at Mass invites us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus.

“Advent is a season of expectation,” says Hope Glidewell. “I like to include good, traditional Advent songs to build on the expectation each week.”

Simple and familiar hymns remind us that we are asked to refocus our hearts on Jesus as Christmas draws near. Hope plays the organ and sings at the 6:30 p.m. Mass on Saturdays and leads a small choir at the 8 a.m. Mass on Sunday. Mecki Kosin leads the music at the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday and Connie Vermeire leads at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. This year, Hope and Mecki are working together to plan the music for the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass.

Hope enjoys using the organ to create the appropriate atmosphere for Advent and Christmas. During Advent, the music is simple, with a more somber tone and without any fanfare. Familiar favorite “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” appears in the entrance antiphons during the last weeks of Advent. This sets the stage for a grand transition to the joyful Christmas music. At the Christmas Mass, Hope pulls out the trumpet stops on the organ, bringing us into the joy of Christmas with the jubilant music. Familiar hymns such as “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Joy to the World” unite the entire parish in song. Thoughtfully chosen music is able to lift our hearts to heaven, calling us to celebrate not only Christmas but the coming of Jesus.

Members of the St. Anthony Choir include (from left) Mecki Kosin, Joann Witte, Margie Grawe, Sally McCarl, Pat Veile, Amanda Veile, and Josh Lunt

“Everybody knows the songs and loves singing Christmas songs,” Hope says. “They communicate the yearning for the Second Coming.”

The musicians who provide music at Mass are vital to our worship experience. While they lead us in song, we are able to participate more fully in the Mass by singing together. Pope Benedict XVI wrote that “the singing of the Church comes ultimately out of love.” The musicians at St. Anthony invite all of us to join in worship and love of God through the music.

Hope’s goal is simply that, through the music and the Mass, the parish can join in prayer together.

Hope and Mecki welcome those who are interested in joining the Christmas choir or the choirs for weekend Masses. Rehearsals for the Midnight Mass will be held on Thursday nights. If you are interested in singing in the choir at Christmas or at weekend Masses, please contact Hope Glidewell at hglidewell@stdominicquincy.org, or through the parish office at 217-222-5996, ext. 106.