Cantors Share Talents in Bringing Prayerful Music to Mass

Music is an incredibly powerful kind of prayer, showing God’s love for us and our love for Him. In Sing to the Lord a New Song: Music in Divine Worship, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops put forth what music should be like during the Mass: “God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises.”

Here at Immaculate Conception, we are blessed with 12 cantors who aid in worship at the Saturday 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. Masses. They also serve as the psalmists during the 11 a.m. Mass when the choir sings.

“Cantoring is a time to pray with the parish and lead them through the music of the Mass,” says Mike Kelley, Music Director.

Mike would love to see more people step forward to serve as cantors. Some of our cantors started more than 20 years ago, and others have started just in the past year. Cantors need to be able to hold a tune and mix prayer and music. They also need to have the conviction to lead the congregation in singing.

If you love to sing but aren’t quite ready to cantor, please consider joining the choir, which sings each week at the Sunday 11 a.m. Mass.

Mike especially loves the music at certain liturgies and services — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil are his three favorites.

“People are moved to tears,” he says. “We are stirring emotions and leading people closer to God.”

In the end, the goal of the music at Immaculate Conception is to lead people to God. It’s not a performance — it’s to aid the celebration of the liturgy.

“As a cantor, you have to be there spiritually and emotionally,” Mike says. “You are not there to distract. You are there to lead people to Christ.”

Mike invites folks with some singing talent to learn more. Joining the choir is a great first step to becoming a cantor.

“You’d be surprised how far you will come by joining the choir,” Mike says. “Maybe you will want to move to leading the congregation as a cantor.”

As Mike points out, the music never needs to be perfect. It’s always a way to lead people toward a richer liturgy.

If you would like to learn more about serving as a cantor, or to join the choir, please contact Mike Kelley at 216-374-8961 or icmusicministry44094@gmail.com.

Cantor Jan Savaroli

Cantor Diana Makr

Cantor Pat Livingston

Cantor Jack Petersen