For some, the hymnal that is in the pew for every Mass may not seem like a big deal, but to me this is a critical component of our church. It is an essential worship aid that enables all of us as a Parish Family to engage in the Liturgy, from finding the readings easily to being able to enjoy the music by following along. It should be physically easy to carry for all ages, with large enough text to be read by anyone that joins in our celebrations.
For the past 3 years, St. John has used the Saint Augustine Hymnal, that black-covered novel that sits in front of you in the pews. It is made to last for many years, and includes all three of the Catholic Liturgical years, A, B, and C. There are several positives to this current hymnal. It lasts for many years, cutting down costs potentially (it does cost significantly more per book, but is made to stand the test of time). It cuts down on the landfill of discarded hymnals that may not be recycled properly. It contains a consolidated set of potential readings.
However, there are several downsides to this particular hymnal. Some of the music is wrong and has incorrect notes and words, thereby making those songs impossible to follow along. It is much heavier and thicker than other hymnals, which makes it harder to hold for those with weaker hands and arms. It does not contain the Daily Mass Propers, which is why we are required to use our bulletin for that information on a weekly basis. It can be confusing that the readings are not set based on the date. There are many options that provide easy-to-read hymnals, like Breaking Bread and the Heritage Missal.
At the end of this Liturgical Year, we will be required to make a decision to either renew our current Saint Augustine Hymnal or transition back to a yearly or even seasonal hymnal. I bet many of you may have a strong feeling, one way or another. I would welcome your feedback on this opportunity to provide the best possible Liturgical environment for our Parish Family. Please let me know if you love the current hymnal or if you are ready for change.