#099: Looking Back at the Beginning (REPLAY)

Today is our 99th episode! We can barely believe it. As we prepare to bring you our 100th episode next week, we thought it would be fitting to look back at the beginning. Our first episode was on February 18, 2018, and was hosted by Matt Reichert. The title of the episode was “Charting a Course for NPM” and featured NPM President Steve Petrunak and Fr. Karl Pung.

The episode shows a lot of growth in how far we’ve come, as an association, in the last 2 years. And the article by Fr. Karl Pung is an interesting reflection of the expectations music ministers and pastors have on each other.

#098: Following our Baptismal Calling (with Mary Birmingham)

Today we hear from Mary Birmingham, a minister and speaker on catechesis. Mary brings her passion for the liturgy and the Rite of Christian Initiation and its power to transform hearts to this work of evangelization hoping it will assist catechists in their remarkable conversion centered ministries.

Today we talk about our individual baptismal call, especially in the midst of our self-isolating reality. In this particular holiest of weeks, Mary’s insights fortified me for the week ahead. We hope it helps you too.

#097: Deaf Culture & Music Ministry (Part 2 of 2) (with Karen Shepherd)

Last week we interviewed Fr. Walt Rydzon, a retired priest from the Diocese of Pittsburgh who ministered to both hearing and deaf communities for his priesthood. If you haven’t listened to it, we encourage you to. This week we take the conversation one step further and talk about deaf ministry and music ministry working on a week-by-week basis together. We speak to Karen Shepherd, Director of the Deaf Choir at Saint Mary of the Mount Parish, the official home for the deaf community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Karen has been the director of the deaf choir for almost 20 years.

Karen explores what is a deaf choir, as well as the subtleties of an “interpreted” Mass versus a “signed” Mass. Karen also spearheaded the installation of a “hearing loop” system in her church and shares what we need to know, as pastoral musicians, should we ever want to install one in our own churches.

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