Last Thursday we celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa, a venerated icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary found in the Polish town after which it was named. We thought it would be a perfect time to replay a previous episode that honored Our Lady of Częstochowa and the devotion to our Blessed Mother.

We hope you enjoy this week’s replay episode, and find a moment this week to pray for the intercession of the Blessed Mother this week. Mary, Our Lady of Częstochowa, pray for us!

Last week we heard from Teresa Cobarrubia Yoder about the importance of music theory knowledge, even at its most foundational level. Today we talk to Michael Ruzicki about the importance of liturgical formation in our lives. Michael is the director of music ministry at St. John Berchmans Parish in Chicago and serves as the training and events manager at Liturgy Training Publications.

Michael’s reflections today are really aimed at the working pastoral musician, and I mean all pastoral musicians; cantors, choir members, ensemble members, and of course, directors of music. Those who actively engage and help to facilitate the sacred Liturgy so benefit from a consistent dedication to learning why we do, what we do, in the Mass. Michael joins us from his office at LTP in Chicago, Illinois.

It continues to be a unique time for music ministry, and that conversation continues here on Ministry Monday. As a fellow pastoral musician, I’ve noticed that the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed for a re-evaluation of many of the things we use and depend upon in music ministry. Why not take this moment of pause and re-evaluation to grow and strengthen our musical and liturgical skills?

That is our focus this September. For the next two weeks you will hear about two learning and formation opportunities led by or partnered with NPM.

This week we begin by speaking to Teresa Cobarrubia Yoder. Teresa is a recently retired Director of Music Ministries at Immaculate Conception Church in Hampton, Virginia, where there alone she served for 25 years. Teresa is also a former instructor of music theory, chorus and madrigals at Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her combination of knowledge skill in both disciplines makes her a perfect candidate to offer a 4-week class in the fundamental basics of music theory. As you will hear shortly, this 4-week class (offered this September) will be perfect for choir members and cantors who want to learn the basics of music theory, and we encourage you to send this episode over to anyone whom you’d think would benefit from it!