In this episode of Ministry Monday we speak to Jennifer Kluge, Executive Director of NPM. Jennifer shares takeaways from all 5 locations of NPM On the Road this summer, the financial impact from the events, and what to expect at the 2026 National Convention next summer in Washington, DC.

This episode of Ministry Monday is brought to you by Reverend J. Ronald Knott from Louisville, KY.

Fr. Knott has written 40 books including his homily series called An Encouraging Word, books for clergy and books on spirituality. He has taught at seminaries and lectured all over the world on topics such as how to develop a united parish staff and how to grow successful parishes.   

Consider beginning your Fall Ordinary Time with your parish team by reading "THE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP OF A PRIEST", available on amazon in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Visit www.ronknottbooks.com for more information.

Today’s episode features Peter Kolar, Editor for Spanish and Bilingual Resources at GIA Publications. Peter shares both liturgical and personal viewpoints for the Quinceañera celebration: how is it implemented in both a sacred and secular context? What music best supports a quinceañera? and more.

This episode of Ministry Monday is brought to you by CLEF – Catholic Liturgical Ensemble Formation.

 CLEF offers in-person and online resources for ensemble musicians, including 2025 CLEF Ensemble Workshops in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in August and St. Louis, Missouri, in September. All vocalists and instrumentalists are welcome at these two-day workshops. Visit clef.life for details about the workshops and other resources.

The musical world (both in music education, technology, and music ministry) has been adjusting to the reality of a world without Finale. It’s been a guiding post in music notation software for many musicians. It’s the software I learned on in music school. But sadly, after announcing last year that MakeMusic (Finale’s parent company) would no longer support new software updates, it was time to begin shopping for another option.

Today’s episode of Ministry Monday features the prelude to a 4-part series on music notation software that NPM offered in the spring of 2024. While we invite you to watch all sessions if you’re an NPM member (as it is a membership benefit), we offer a segment of the first episode which featured a discussion on copyright licensing within the paradigm of music notation software. To put it bluntly, we ask: are we allowed to re-engrave on music notation software, for the sake of a unified worship aid? If so, how do we report? And many more questions.

For more information on Dorico, a music notation software which has become the frontrunner for Finale’s replacement, check out the article written by Tony Ward in the July edition of Pastoral Music magazine. It’s a resource that’s yet another benefit of an NPM membership. (Have I sold you on renewing your membership yet?)