Sound Ministry

“The liturgy is the work of the whole Christ, head and body. Our high priest celebrates it unceasingly in the heavenly liturgy, with the holy Mother of God, the apostles, all the saints, and the multitude of those who have already entered the kingdom.”  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1187)

One of the important, but often overlooked ministries directly impacting the quality of parish liturgy is sound or acoustics in the gathering and worship spaces.  For the proclamation of the Word of God, the homily and Prayer of the Faithful, or the Eucharistic Prayer to be effectively heard and move the listener’s heart and mind, it has to be delivered clearly and directly to the listener’s ear.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states:  “The celebration of the liturgy … should correspond to the genius and culture of the different peoples.  In order that the mystery of Christ be ‘made known to all nations … to bring about the obedience of faith,’ (Romans 6:26) it must be proclaimed, declared, and lived in all cultures in such a way that they themselves are not abolished by it, but redeemed and fulfilled.”  (CCC #1204)  At the same time, “… it is clear that diversity must not damage unity.  It [the liturgy] must express only fidelity to the common faith, to the sacramental signs that the Church has received from Christ, and to hierarchical communion.”  (CCC #1206)

The revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) notes that since liturgy is the “primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit … the entire celebration is planned in such a way that it leads to a conscious, active and full participation of the faithful body in body and mind (#17)”.  Since the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist is the “source and summit” (Sacrosanctum Concilium #10) of Christian life, the Sound Ministry is actively and directly connected and concerned with the aspects of the liturgical and sacramental life of the Ave Maria Parish. 

Mission Statement

The Sound Ministry is responsible for providing competent installation, care, repair or replacement, operation, and supervision of all of the parish’s sound amplification and audiovideo presentation equipment (located in the parish’s Gathering and Worship Spaces and in its associated social hall).  The ministry is committed to assist the pastor, parochial vicar, and deacon in providing adequate audio/visual capabilities, which promote and strengthen a vibrant liturgical life of the parish family.  

Purpose

The overall purpose of the Ave Maria Parish Sound Ministry is to provide a suitable audio/visual support capability, which promotes a worthy, fruitful, and prayerful celebration of the Church’s liturgy.  The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium #10, et al), issued by the Second Vatican Council, reminds us that our “liturgy is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed … [and] the liturgy is the outstanding means by which the faithful can express in their lives and manifest in others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the Church.”   The Sound Ministry’s efforts to ensure the gathered assembly can effectively hear and understand, directly impacts the assembly’s ability to actively and fully participate in quality parish-level liturgical celebrations.    

Responsibilities

1. Carefully discern the parish’s future audiovisual and sound amplification needs.  This includes (as a minimum) all of the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of all of the church’s audiovisual, sound amplification, and associated equipment.

2. Ensure sound ministry compliance with established liturgical directives, guidelines, norms, and policies of the parish, diocese, and the universal Church.

3. Will have a minimum of one competently, trained ministry member to supervise the worship space sound board and equipment during all liturgical celebrations (excluding daily morning Masses).

4. Identify, recommend, and provide a cost-estimate for replacement or repair(s) of installed sound or audiovisual equipment to the pastor in a timely manner.

5. Will provide (if possible) a minimum of one competently, trained ministry member to supervise the sound board and equipment during all liturgical celebrations when the parish social hall is used as an overflow space (e.g., during Christmas and Easter).

6. The Sound Ministry coordinator will identify, train, and schedule individual members of the parish faithful, who are interested in participating in the ministry.

7. Assist, if/as needed, the parish Liturgist with preparing an annual proposed budget for the present and future sound ministry needs of the parish.

8. Coordinate unique ministry needs during the liturgical celebrations for seasonal (Lent, Easter, Advent, Christmas, etc) and special feasts, Holy Days, etc.

9. The ministry will have a single appointed Coordinator for liaison with the pastor, parochial vicar, and parish office staff.

10. Other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Pastor.

Changes to and/or additions to the Sound Ministry responsibilities and duties will be at the discretion of the parish Liturgist, Pastor (whether verbally or in writing) and/or Parochial Vicar in consultation with the Sound Ministry coordinator.  Resolutions to issues regarding the Sound Ministry’s mission statement, purpose, and responsibilities will be resolved by the parish Liturgist and/or Pastor, respectively.