Saint Ambrose Gospel Choir

The Second Vatican Council stated emphatically that “choirs must be diligently promoted while ensuring that the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightly theirs.” The choir must not minimize the musical participation of the faithful. The congregation commonly sings unison melodies, which are more suitable for generally unrehearsed community singing. This is the primary song of the Liturgy.

Choirs and ensembles, on the other hand, comprise persons drawn from the community who possess the requisite musical skills and a commitment to the established schedule of rehearsals and Liturgies. Thus, they are able to enrich the celebration by adding musical elements beyond the capabilities of the congregation alone.
 
 The choir may draw on the treasury of sacred music, singing compositions by composers of various periods and in various musical styles, as well as music that expresses the faith of the various cultures that enrich the Church. The music of the choir must always be appropriate to the Liturgy, either by being a proper liturgical text or by expressing themes appropriate to the Liturgy.
Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, §28-30, Issued by USCCB, November 14, 2007
 
Here at Saint Ambrose Parish we take this Mission seriously.  Mr. Jay DeVaughn our Director of Music Ministry takes this Mission seriously.  The choir works hard at their weekly rehearsals to provide our community with the best liturgy possible.   They fulfill their ministry in a joyful manner and lift us up in prayerful praise each time we gather for worship.

The Gospel Choir practice each Saturday at 11AM in the church sacrsty.
For more information on the choir, please contact the Director of Music Ministry, Jay DeVaughn at jdevaughn@saintambrose.com.

• fostering spiritual growth through the celebration of life-giving liturgies
• celebrating the diversity and unity of the parish community.

• develop, assess, and evaluate the vision of liturgy and the sacramental life of the parish
• plan the liturgical and sacramental life of the parish; implement liturgical planning by the committee and its ad hoc subcommittees
• assess and evaluate all programs sponsored by the Liturgy Committee
• work collaboratively with other parish committees with regard to the liturgical life of the parish; contribute to the assessment and evaluation of all programs in which the Liturgy Committee collaborates (i.e., parish-wide events); provide liturgical oversight and assist in the coordination of the liturgical aspects of special parish events such as Feast Day celebrations and the Mass-on-the-Grass. 
• ensure the recruitment, training, formation, coordination, communication with, and scheduling of lay liturgical ministers
• encourage the participation of parish youth and young adults in liturgical celebrations and ministries
• consider the various multicultural populations within the community and seek to enrich the parish’s liturgies through their contributions
• work in collaboration with the Diversity Committee and Spanish-speaking community to provide leadership in designing liturgical celebrations
• develop and implement parish-level liturgical policy and implement diocesan and national liturgical policies.

• celebration of Sunday, weekday, and holy day liturgies
• Childrens’ Liturgies
• blessings (World Marriage Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving blessing of food, blessing and commissioning of pastoral council members and religious education catechists, etc.)
• celebration of sacraments

The Committee has a special responsibility to coordinate themes for each season of the church year, keeping in mind that there are pre-existing liturgical themes in each season and in each liturgy.
 
  
Environment

The committee seeks to create a liturgical environment that is welcoming and yet invites contemplation, challenge, and creates a sense of the holy. The liturgical environment reveals the themes or symbols of worship and season, appealing to the senses and emphasizing the wholeness or oneness of the community by including the whole worship space, not just the sanctuary as the area to be considered. The Committee strives to express the cultural diversity of the People of God through the use of decoration.
 
Music

The Liturgy Committee, in its planning of liturgical events/seasons, works with the Director of Music and other representatives from the music department to create coordinated liturgies in which the music enhances and amplifies the readings and special themes of the liturgical year.
 
Parish Catechesis

Our teaching efforts extend to the entire parish, and are not limited to the Committee and liturgical ministers. The Committee seeks new and creative ways to teach the parish about current liturgical issues, and to inform parishioners about significant liturgical changes.
 
Devotional Life

The Committee also encourages the devotional life of the parish, e.g., Eucharistic adoration, the celebration of the Marian solemnities (Mother of God, Assumption, Immaculate Conception), recitation of the rosary, Lenten Stations of the Cross, Tenebrae. etc

If you are interested in ministry as an altar server, eucharistic minister or lector, please contact any member of the parish liturgy committee.