Today I speak to Marilyn Santos, Associate Director of the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). We discuss the National Eucharistic Revival Musical Competition and the opportunity to compose the music that will be used at the 2024 Eucharistic Congress and across the country, sharing the love of the Eucharist.

Our first episode of 2023 starts with a question that I believe is truly pastoral. Our work in ministry is so unique because we seek to bring the highest music as praise to God, while making sure that all who is called to share these gifts uses them well, with all levels of ability. Maybe it’s a choir member who can’t read music or someone who struggles with the aging voice, or it’s a young guitarist who is still learning but is so eager to participate, our role is to guide those who are offered to us by Christ for praise, using the gifts that were given to them.

Today I speak to flutist, composer, writer, and mother Kathleen M. Basi, or Kate for short. Kate shares the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic brought an opportunity for her family to minister together in her parish, and how important it is for all people of God to be recognized, valued, and included in our ministerial efforts.

This episode of Ministry Monday is sponsored by NPM and Liturgy Training Publications. Together, we offer the Essentials of Catholic Liturgy—a series of three foundational courses perfect for music directors and music ministers.

Track 2 of The Essentials of Catholic Liturgy begins on November 7, 2022. This six-week virtual course focuses on the sacramental rites, Holy Week and Triduum, and other parish liturgies. Participants will gain a greater understanding of these important liturgies that will help them carry out their role as a pastoral musician. All levels of liturgical experience benefit from participating! The Essentials courses are also ideal and foundational for anyone pursuing a certification through NPM.

For more information and how to register, visit teocl.org.

Before we start today’s episode, I need to share that Ministry Monday will be taking a break from providing episodes on a regular basis. I don’t typically speak of personal things on the podcast, but I’m happy to share that I’ve recently given birth to my first baby! I will be enjoying the first weeks of parenthood though the remainder of the Ordinary Time and Advent season. If you are a member of NPM, you will receive regular recommendations of our favorite episodes via the weekly Sunday Word emails sent to members. These are some of our favorite Ministry Monday episodes, and we encourage you to listen or watch them this fall! Not a member of NPM? Weekly reflection emails are just one of many benefits you receive by being a member, and we invite you to join us as a member. It’s another way to stay tuned to Ministry Monday, even with our small break in new episodes. You can learn more about joining NPM by visiting npm.org/join.

Today we replay an episode from last summer, featuring Katie Deaver from ONE LICENSE. Katie breaks down the many ways that we can use copyright licensing to our advantage, and helps us realize that reporting our usage supports the composers who wrote the beautiful music we use every week. In more ways than one, copyright licensing is more important than ever.