(by Thena Smith shared with permission))
In awe I look at you my child and think not only of today but of all the tomorrows that God will send your way. What an awesome privilege and responsibility that God has entrusted to your Daddy and me! In gratitude we thank our God for blessing us with this glorious family acknowledging in humble reverence that this life created is for all eternity. Oh Lord help me to prepare this precious baby for this life that she’s begun. But Father, help me to fit her for the one that is yet to come!

Music is meant to stir the soul, especially Catholic music. Contemporary Catholic music as well as Liturgical Catholic music inspires Catholic listeners of all ages. Catholic music has always been a critical aspect of the Catholic church. As far back as the origins of Gregorian chants and other forms of Catholic musical praise, the Catholic Church has always stressed the power and importance of musical worship. To further stress the value of Catholic music, the Roman Catholic Church named St. Cecilia the patroness of Catholic musicians and Catholic music, and celebrates her feast day on November 22. Since Vatican Council II Catholic music has become more open to popular cultural influences. This has brought about themed Catholic music such as Catholic jazz, Catholic rock, Catholic pop and even Catholic hip-hop. Modern Catholics are blessed to have great musical talent in a variety of Catholic musical genres, covering specific liturgical seasons, holidays and for everyday enjoyment.

Becoming part of the music ministry in your parish is a wonderful way of serving the church by helping to lead the community in sung prayer and bringing the faithful closer to God through offerings from the Church's vast treasury of sacred music. Remember, music is also a great stress reliever (numerous studies show this) and you'll never have trouble finding a seat at Christmas and Easter!

The ministry of music is the glue that binds together the diverse members of a parish community and of the wider church. When we come together for the celebration of our faith in the context of the Sacred Liturgy it is the music which tells the story and calls forth the message from hearts that are often frozen or dulled by the chaos of the world. Music can melt and reshape our spirits and move us from singing to praying, from musical expression to deep relationship with God and with one another,

(Fr. David Cinquegrani, C.P. Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center,
West Hartford CT)

The Church and New Media by Brandon Vogt
Pauline Books and Media

Family Guide for Using Media
The Decline and Fall of Catholic Music
Salt and Light Media
Catholic Tech Talk
Open Source Catholic
Catholic Word
Infinite Bandwith Encountering Christ in the Media