This is our 200th episode of the podcast! Today’s episode includes colleagues and clergy, leaders and laypersons, fellow pastoral ministers who are actively supporting the Church today. As this podcast is produced by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, I’ll admit that some of our topics are more NPM-centric today, but are no less centered on discussing the needs of pastoral music. In fact, I think this episode reveals some themes that we encounter today. Themes of the needs that exist; themes of the joys we find in our ministry; and themes of the need for associations like NPM to exist.
Today we begin by speaking to Jennifer Kluge, NPM’s Executive Director. Jennifer begins our conversation by addressing the “now”: how can we continue to address the challenges of the Church today? What can we do to continue our formation? What gives her hope for the next steps of NPM?
I’d like to thank the many people involved in creating this episode, including Jennifer Kluge, Gordon Truitt, Msgr. Rick Hilgartner, Fr. Michael Joncas, Andrea Ramos, Fr. Roc O’Connor, Maria Nieva, and Jose Gallardo. Creating this episode filled me with hope. When we recorded the 100th episode 2 years ago, my interviews were very enjoyable but focused on the uncertainty all of us were experiencing, as we were enduring the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic at that time. But this episode, only due to the grace of the Holy Spirit, focused on the perseverance we find in ministry. We continue to adapt to the needs of our parish communities, and adapt to the changes in our world today. We consistently ask ourselves, “how can we do this better?” “how can we serve the needs of our Church better?” It is inspiring, encouraging and humbling to hear these testimonies today.
While it may feel as if our work is insignificant, playing the same hymns to the same congregations, four times over the course of one weekend, we are all united in our work. We create a depth of spirit in our liturgies that connects the presence of God more deeply within our congregants. And so while our work may feel routine, it is anything but.
Here’s to the next 200 episodes of music, ministry and liturgy here on Ministry Monday. May we continue to offer topics that serve you, pastoral musicians, and further the work of the kingdom.
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