A note regarding the structure of our liturgical ministry.........
As many of you know, we no longer employ a full time Director of Music. Sadly,
the cost of a full time position was more than our resources could bear. We have
financial challenges (as all parishes do) and I am something of a "bottom line"
type of pastor.
Instead of a full time Music Director, we have partnered with the University of
Oklahoma School of Organ and have employed a part time Music Intern, Nolan
Riley. We are charged with the task of mentoring his considerable talents. An
OU Sophomore, Nolan is from a well known OKC Catholic family and grew up at
Our Lady's Cathedral. He is a student of Oliver Doberly, the well respected
organist at Our Lady's. Those who know organ music tell me one can hear
Oliver's influence in Nolan's work. That is a very good sign.
Because Nolan is a student and because Erin Cleto, our Campus Minister, has a
background in Liturgy, Erin has agreed to take on the additional role of
supervising our liturgical worship. Erin holds a Masters in Sacred Liturgy from St.
John's in Collegeville, MN, a well known and well respected Benedictine
institution. Erin is Nolan's direct supervisor. I work with the two of them to
forge a new path for our music program. Almost immediately upon my arrival as
Pastor, I began thinking about the need to draw more fully from Erin's education
and talents. I am grateful that she has agreed to expand her duties.
Our hope is to bring more diversity to our music: Latin Chants, African American
spirituals, Spanish language music, classic Catholic hymns, contemporary praise
music. Ours is a vast Church that sings in many voices and in many styles. St.
Thomas More needs to reflect that graced array of song.
Finally, I am aware that, for some, the transition to our new music program was
painful. Change is never easy and this decision was not an easy one for me.
Know that the change was 'processed' with the Parish Council, the Finance
Committee and the Archdiocese. I am convinced it was the right decision and I
am hopeful that our music program is on the threshold of a major growth.
Encourage Nolan. Compliment the cantors when they sing beautifully (and they
do!). Volunteer to sing in the Schola or the 11 am choir. And, as always, be
positive!