Music workshop for all pastoral musicians in the diocese will focus on communion hymns

Friday, Oct. 13, 2023

[UPDATE (Oct. 180: This workshop has been canceled.]

 

SALT LAKE CITY — An upcoming workshop hosted by the Diocese of Salt Lake City for pastoral musicians will include an online presentation on communion hymns by Dr. Dolores Martinez, director of music ministries at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in San Antonio, Texas.

The workshop is open to all pastoral musicians: cantors, choir directors and parish choir members. It is a chance to “gather in person to learn from each other, to reflect and celebrate,” said Ruth Dillon, director of the diocesan Office of Worship.

The diocese has offered this workshop in the fall for more than 20 years. This year, the focus on communion hymns is in keeping with the Eucharistic Revival called for by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Hosting a workshop with this theme is part of the Office of Worship’s efforts to continue to provide support and resources to the parishes during the Eucharistic Revival, Dillon said.

“Communion Hymnody – Singing and Praying Communion Songs” was originally presented by Martinez as part of the Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week 2023. A past member of the liturgical conference’s board of directors, Martinez was happy to share this recording with the Office of Worship, which is a member diocese of the SWLC Conference, Dillon said. 

 Prior to her current position at her parish, Martinez served the Archdiocese of San Antonio as the director of the Office of Worship from September 1993 to June 2006.  She previously held the position of director of the Office of Worship of the Diocese of Lubbock, and director of liturgy and/or liturgical music at several parishes throughout Texas. Martinez holds a bachelor’s degree in music education, a master’s in piano performance and a Ph.D. in fine arts. She is a liturgist/musician team member with the North American Forum on the Catechumenate and a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

“Liturgical formation is always important for ministry in that it provides not only information but fellowship,” Dillon said. “Hearing something that is new or in a different way is very beneficial as well as the opportunity to build skills, and to meet and work with musicians from different parishes. Our hope is that everyone will leave a bit more informed and with a better understanding of the role pastoral musicians have in the liturgy.”

Along with viewing the presentation, workshop participants will have time for discussion and singing together as well as an opportunity to share resources.