Today on the podcast we explore the question so many of you have been asking: how do we minister in the liturgy with music, without singing? So many of us listening are pastoral musicians or clergy serving the church, and it seems as if each Diocese is addressing the risk of public singing a little differently. But as we settle into whatever this new “normal” is, we’re discovering that there are ways to safely incorporate musical elements back into your music ministry that don’t involve singing.

Today I’m proud to share one of the recorded sessions from the 2020 Virtual Convention. M. Roger Holland II is a Composer and Teaching Assistant Professor in Music and Religion and Director of The Spirituals Project at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver. His session today helps us learn about the theological roots of black Catholic music in the Church, both culturally and in light of the Church documents. He also provides several suggestions in ways you can introduce multicultural music in your parish’s repertoire, and shares the historical roots and cultural significance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Ruzicki, Training and Events Manager for Liturgy Training Publications. Michael has been a member of NPM for many years and this year we were honored to have him as one of our MEGA breakout presenters and one of our Plenum Address speakers.

Michael’s MEGA breakout and Plenum addressed focused on the Sacrament of Baptism and our baptismal call. Even more so, his MEGA breakout presented participants with a practical tool they can use to assess their parish's infant baptisms, first communion Masses, and the celebration of Confirmation through the lens of full, active, and conscious participation.