Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak with our bishop, Luis Rafael Zarama, on the subject of music. I shared the first and second parts of our conversation in the bulletin the last two weeks, here is the third and final part. - JR

S&S: What has been your experience how congregations in the Diocese of Raleigh interact with the music at Mass?

Bishop Zarama: I was impressed when I came here for the dedication of the Cathedral and installed as the bishop. It was not just the choir that was singing, but most of the people in the congregation. It is beautiful to see when the people sing, as opposed to other places where they sit and are quiet. But, here the communities are alive and take part in the music. This is especially important for the psalm. Sometimes the person leading the congregation in the responsorial psalm does so in a way that makes it impossible for the congregation to respond. It is important for the choir to know that the psalm is for the congregation to respond, and should be easy for the congregation to sing together.

S&S: How important is the quality of the music making and musical leadership to helping the congregation participate better by singing?

Bishop Zarama: The key for me is not only how professional the musicians are, but how they are living their faith, because that makes a big difference. To sing only to be professional-sounding is nothing. But if your singing is rooted in your faith, and part of your faith, then there is a different taste to the music. Being professional for me is sometimes singing without heart. Singing with faith is putting the heart in the song, and that gives the music a different taste. It could be a small choir in a small parish, but when the people love what they do and they sing because they have faith, and it's an expression of faith, it's beautiful.

S&S: How can leaders best support our volunteer music ministers, especially new ministers?

Bishop Zarama: First of all, how we prepare the choir to accept new members. It can be difficult for new members to feel they are welcome. When the new people arrive, we need to be prepared to welcome them and make them feel comfortable and from the beginning, helping them to feel that they are home. Maybe having a lunch or dinner before, where everyone can relax. Another thing is how the director of the choir or the choir itself prepares spiritually before singing, before rehearsal and Mass. How you meditate on the responsorial psalms and how the songs chosen relate to the readings. How does the choir make that part of meditation and prayer. And how is the choir part of the whole celebration. But I think the spiritual part is the key because many people are giving their time as volunteers, and making that rehearsal time as prayer time as well as rehearsal time.

S&S: How can pastors or music directors encourage the assembly to sing and explain why it is important for them to take part in the music?

Bishop Zarama: Very often at the end of the Mass I thank the people for being there and thanking them because we celebrate together the Eucharist. I preside, but all of us celebrate. And that is the same thing we need to educate our people about. We are not simply spectators seated there in the church feeling an obligation. We can help them understand we need to be involved in the celebration with prayers, with songs, with everything. Another thing is if the choir sings with soul, with faith, in prayer, it will be easier for the people to follow them there. And that is the tough and great mission of the choir and director, to choose songs that the people will be able to follow, to sing. It's an education process for the choir to be able to live their faith as they sing, and the invite the people to sing with them.

S&S: We have people from many different nationalities and cultural background in our parishes. Do you think it's important to be able to find music that people from different backgrounds recognize as part of their own tradition?

Bishop Zarama: I think it is a way to make the people feel like they are home, when they recognize music from their home. I say there are two things things you always do in your maternal language. One is that you always pray with your maternal language. And the other is math! You can learn another language, but once you start doing math, you go back to your maternal language! But, yes, having music that one recognizes, maybe even incorporating your maternal language, can make you feel at home.

Next week I will share some of my own reflections on speaking with Bishop Zarama. - JR