COMPILED FROM EXISTING PARISH GUIDELINES 9/26/2013
From Sing to the Lord, the current U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s document on music in the liturgy: “The Parts to Be Sung: 116. At daily Mass, the above priorities should be followed as much as possible, in this order: dialogues and acclamations (Gospel Acclamation, Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen); litanies (Kyrie, Agnus Dei); Responsorial Psalm, perhaps in a simple chanted setting; and finally, a hymn or even two on more important days.
Therefore, at each weekday Mass, we will do our best to sing all of the above. In regard to the hymns, we will always have an Opening Hymn, with an appropriate theme. We will add a Closing Hymn (known by heart) with a Marian theme as a Closing Hymn during the months of May and October. See below for added music (according to the Principle of Progressive Solemnity) for Memorials*, Feasts** and Solemnities*** that fall on weekdays. The amount and kind of weekday Mass music may also change somewhat during the Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter Seasons (details available on timely request.)
*Memorials – add Sung Preface and Communion Chant (Litany of the Saints, if possible), in place of recited antiphon, if possible
** Feasts -- all as with Memorials, with, if feasible, the addition of Gloria, Offertory Song, Lord’s Prayer (with embolism and doxology), Final Song
*** Solemnities – all as with Feast, with, if feasible, the addition of Collect, Prayer over the Gifts, Eucharistic Prayer, “Lord, Jesus Christ” prayer after Lord’s Prayer doxology, “Let us offer each other the sign of peace”, Prayer after Communion, Solemn Blessing