Who would think there is so much of interest and surprise in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. We had a whole day’s entertainment and illumination out of it at St. Francis, Middlesbrough. Thanks to our guest Philip Jakob, full-time music adviser in the diocese of Hallam. Using the Laudate hymnbook, he animated, in every sense of the word, an enthusiastic group of singers from St Francis and surrounding parishes.

First lesson: Everyone can sing. If someone told you in primary school to pipe down, they may have ruined your confidence for life. Silence that inner voice. God wants to hear your praise. Sing Alleluia! And when you sing, smile, because joy enhances your singing.

The GIRM tells us what are the most important parts of the mass that should be sung. Top of the list are those points when we celebrate the presence of Christ – Christ in the Word at the greeting of the Gospel ( before and after) and Christ in the Eucharist at the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation and the Great Amen – be honest, is your ‘Amen’ really Great? Psalms were written to be sung and Philip taught us simple chants which every congregation can quickly pick up. Chants, such as those of Taize, are also a way for the people to sing as they process to Communion. Easily memorised , so no need to clutch your hymnbook. And if you are gifted with the ability to harmonise, don’t think it is the prerogative of the choir. The GIRM advises us to keep a period of silence after Communion and then we can break into a song of thanksgiving.

The choir are ‘ministers of music’ serving the people. They are not there to perform or do the singing for you, but to lead. Liturgy is the action of all the people. Another role for the choir is to innovate – introduce a new hymn, a Gloria, or a rousing Sanctus, then repeat it for a few Sundays so that everyone becomes familiar with it. No organist? The rhythmic beat of a drum can be a very effective accompaniment. Maybe your granny has a bodhran in the attic,

If you would like something inspirational and home-grown for your parish to sing, we have in our diocese, in Holy Name parish, Middlesbrough, a talented composer of beautiful liturgical music: Val Goldsack. Visit her website: www.valgoldsack.co.uk