Feed My Lambs – Catechesis for Choirs

As choir directors and music directors we have an obligation to catechise. As Jesus said to Peter, “Do you love me? Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” (Jn 21:15-17) Since the director stands in a pastoral role towards the singers and musicians in their care, feeding and nurturing them through catechesis is an essential part of our role: teaching the Gospel, leading reflection on our relationship with God, connecting the Gospel with our lives. How do we feed our flocks? What do we feed our lambs?

Serving up the Gospel message

Especially with children’s choirs, talking about the Gospel message can be integrated into rehearsals. In a very simple way, the director or catechist can introduce what the upcoming Gospel is about through story, explanation, reflecting out loud, question and answer. Remember that something you have heard many times and heard explained in homilies over the years might be fresh and new for young singers. In the context of their rapidly evolving lives, the implications of the Gospel are always new. Invite their questions and their own understanding of the events in the Gospel.  

Preparation 

You don’t have to know all the answers, but good preparation certainly helps. Take time to read the Gospel and reflect on it before the rehearsal. Then pray, read and reflect again, so that you will be able to bring the fruit of your reflections to the singers, answer their questions and spark ideas. 

Digesting the message 

It might take time for new ideas to be digested, so if you can, re-connect with the ideas you discussed over the next few weeks. The Gospel message isn’t merely theoretical or theological: it’s about living our lives, and our relationship with God. Ask the questions: 

• What do you hear Jesus saying in this reading?

• What do you think Jesus was trying to tell us in the story? 

• How does this connect with your own life? What does Jesus want us to do? 

• If you were there, what do you think you would have done?

Feeding their Hunger  

Unless you can make God’s message relevant to today, tomorrow and next week, the Gospel message can easily wither and die in no time. Acknowledge their autonomy in the areas of their lives where God needs to be present right now. Let them draw their own connections to sport, relationships, school, anxieties and successes. Try to keep alive God’s constant call to their mission, especially their mission to lead their community in liturgy and music.

A balanced diet

Pope Francis has called for better liturgical education so that all can have a better understanding and more personal response to the liturgy. Choir is a great place to begin. You can discuss how the music program fits the structure of the Mass, and how the responsorial psalm they are learning connects to the Gospel. What is the role of our Thanksgiving song, and why was it chosen? Does the song chosen for the Communion procession fit its role? Give them the opportunity to choose between alternatives in the program, according to what they understand the Gospel to be saying. 

Food for all

Yours  might be a choir that has no time for regular rehearsals, or whose rehearsal time is so short that catechesis never gets more than a cursory mention. Think about alternatives:

• a reflection day two or three times a year
• seasonal workshops for Lent or Advent to learn music and also include catechetical input 
• a mini-retreat led by the parish priest or deacon
• simply gather and let the Holy Spirit lead your group through shared reflection or lectio divina
• gather just the cantors or song-leaders for a refreshing discussion on their work, and on the role of music in their vocation. Listen to their thoughts and concerns
• and don’t forget that you need feeding yourself, from time to time