#033: How to Think About Engaging Young People (with Dr. Bob McCarty, featuring Sr. Anne Bryan Smolin, CSJ) - REPLAY

Each major convention of Catholic organizations includes at least one session that address a variation of the question, "Where have the youth gone?" In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Bob McCarty about new research into the disaffiliation of young Catholics, why we are asking wrong questions, and what the take-aways are for those of us in liturgical and pastoral ministry. We also hear from Sr. Anne Bryan Smollin, CSJ (1943-2014) on the dynamic importance of "the little things" in building and enriching interpersonal relationships. 

SHOW NOTES

To attend the One Call Institute, developing the music and leadership skills of young pastoral musicians, visit our website at www.onecallinstitute.org.

To learn more about the project, "Going, Going, Gone: The Dynamics of Disaffiliation in Young Catholics," from St. Mary's Press, visit their Catholic research website. There you will find an executive summary of the research project, featured stories, audio and video features, and more. You can also purchase a copy of the study here.  

You can purchase Sr. Anne Bryan Smollin's books by visiting the Ave Maria Press website.

You can view a video recording of Sr. Anne Bryan's full presentation entitled "Little Things Mean a Lot," on YouTube. To learn more about the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, visit their website at www.recongress.org.

"From Ashes to the Living Font" is published by World Library Publications.

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode. 

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.

#032: Reimagining Membership - A Call to Action (with Stephen Petrunak)

Steve Petrunak

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When we began this podcast, our first episode was published on the first Monday of Lent. Our guest for that show was Steve Petrunak, the president of NPM. In that episode we spoke about Steve’s vision for NPM, some of the projects that were in the works, and more. Now, thirty-one episodes later, we’re welcoming Steve back to the show. 

 But, this time, Steve isn’t here to provide an update. In his time as president, NPM has faced a variety of changes both within the organization and without. These changes have sparked new strategies and initiatives, sure, but have also caused questioning and introspection. 

So, today, we’ll speak with Steve about one of the basic building blocks of any organization: membership. How should we, the members of NPM, think about the organization? How to we relate to it? How should it serve our needs? 

SHOW NOTES

Take the Ministry Monday listener survey!

To contact Steve Petrunak, visit the “Ask the President” page on the NPM website.

You can read the full text of Gaudete et Exultate on the Vatican’s website.

You can purchase the music you heard in today’s episode: “The Servant Song” (Gillard, arr. O’Brien) and “Give us Peace” (Roberts).

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode. 

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.

#031: Planning and Leading Bi-Cultural Celebrations (with Jaime Cortez)

Jaime Cortez

I know we are only at the midpoint of September, but for those of us in liturgical ministry, we are already thinking about Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. Now, today’s episode isn’t about picking Advent repertoire and you won’t hear any Christmas music in our soundtrack. Soon, you’ll get your fill of premature holiday cheer at your local Target or Starbucks. 

Instead, we’re focusing on a different issue. At the end of each podcast episode, I always ask you, our listeners, to contact us and recommend topics for future episodes. So far, many of our guests and topics have been suggested by you. Today, we’re discussing a topic we’ve received a lot of questions about – how do we better plan and lead bi-cultural liturgies? Many parishes have separate liturgies offered in more than one language, often English and Spanish. What do we do, then, for those celebrations when our entire parish community is gathered, like at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Holy Thursday, and so forth?

Today, we’ll hear a special workshop presentation from composer and teacher Jaime Cortez. Offered at this year’s NPM convention in Baltimore, Jaime’s workshop was titled “Bi-Cultural Communities Celebrate Feasts, Solemnities, and Seasons.” In his session, Jaime sought to answer an important question: “How do we merge the traditions of different cultures and create a new tradition that all will find meaningful?”

SHOW NOTES

For more information about Jaime Cortez, visit his bio page at OCP.

You can purchase the music you heard in today’s episode: “Malo, Malo, Thanks be to God!” (Manibusan) and “Give us Peace” (Roberts).

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode. 

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.