23/08/2021
Dear Catholics,
Re: A Matter of Concern
1. Many of us are very generous to priests and religious. We give envelopes to them many times. We squeeze 2k into their hands after Mass on Sundays. Thank you so much. May God continue to replenish your resources.
2. However, there is a set of persons that we should pay attention to also that we rarely do. They are young choirmasters/choirmistresess, instrumentalists and vocalists in our parishes. Truth of the matter is that many of our sister churches and the secular world seek these young talents and they invest in them so much. Yet many of them choose to stay in the Church.
3. Many of these young people are unemployed or underemployed. They are gifted people and many of them spend a great part of their time thinking of how best to make the liturgy good for us. Yet, they trek home. They sleep hungry. Some even are uneducated and homeless. It is the reality.
4. Yet these persons offer so much of their time and talents to the Church. We can do better for them. Let us do better for them.
How? You may ask. See how:
a. Give that CM, instrumentalist, vocalist some envelopes. Shake their hand after Mass and squeeze in 5k. It is wonderful that you commend them for their wonderful conducting and awesome selections, wonderful playing and sonorous voices. Monetize some of these commendations. You can never know how much your kindness can go.
b. Ask them about their employment status. Some of them don't have good jobs. Obviously some are well to do. You can always see. Choose to pay attention to the needs of these precious ones. Seek and provide jobs for the ones who have nothing doing to sustain themselves.
c. Ask them about their rents, food, family etc. They offer essential services to the Church and many return to cry themselves to sleep. This should not be. Decide today to take positive action towards the needs of these persons.
d. Another important aspect of this concern can be handled by pastors and chaplains. Where possible, it is a good thing for pastors and chaplains to give small stipendiary benefits to these young people who offer their talents and time to the Church.
5. Your CMs, instrumentalists and vocalists are involved in a very key ministry in the Church, please be intentional about meeting their needs. It is charity to do so. It is what Christ would do.
******Postscript:
[Also, approach that unmarried CM or instrumentalist or vocalist today and ask her hand in marriage. She is popular, yes; but, no, nobody has probably asked her hand in marriage. Approach her and find out. Many of them refuse to follow other guys who are not Catholic because of their love for the Church. Go and marry them. Approach that CM or instrumentalist or vocalist and ask him how you can help him plan his marriage. Many of them are not marrying yet because there is no money].
I believe that this is loud enough.
*Thank you. * *I drop my mic.*
