This episode of Ministry Monday is brought to you by CLEF – Catholic Liturgical Ensemble Formation.
CLEF offers in-person and online resources for ensemble musicians, including 2025 CLEF Ensemble Workshops in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in August and St. Louis, Missouri, in September. All vocalists and instrumentalists are welcome at these two-day workshops. Visit clef.life for details about the workshops and other resources.
Today on Ministry Monday we speak with Kathleen Pluth, hymn text author and translator whose work frequently appears in the prayer guide Magnificat, GIA Publications, and CanticaNova. Her hymn text, "Let the Earth Acclaim Christ Jesus," was chosen as the official hymn for the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress. She also wrote a hymn titled, "Hymn for the Soul of a Pope", which she offered for free during the month of May as many parishes honored the life of Pope Francis. Today Kathleen and I talk about all things hymnody: What is "hymnody"? Are there guiding documents that help us to discern the considerations of hymnody? And more.