Letter from the Pastor
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October 12, 2025There are certain songs that must be sung: The National Anthem, Happy Birthday, Sweet Caroline! It would make no sense to recite them. So, why do people sing? What’s the purpose in singing? Why do we sing in Church?
Singing is important to humans because it builds self-confidence, engages our emotions, it makes us feel better, helps beat stress, relaxes us, improves memory and it helps to build community.
People will often joke about only singing in their shower or car and never in Church. Not everyone likes to sing. For some, it may be because they have no training. For others, it may be that they think they are bad singers.
But interestingly, we all can sing. It’s something God designed us to do.
Throughout Scripture, we read about many significant moments in the history of God’s people. Often, singing closely follows these moments. The major event in Hebrew history is the Exodus. For 400 years, the Israelites were enslaved to the Egyptians. In the book of Exodus, we hear how God led His people out of Egypt. When the powerful Egyptian army chases them, the Lord collapses the walls of the sea, defeating the Egyptians with the Israelites safely on the other side. Then Moses and the people sang a song of praise to God.
King David wrote the 150 psalms, which were Temple worship songs he played on the harp. Even the Lord Himself sang. At the Last Supper, He and His disciples sang the Hallel Psalms as they were leaving the Upper Room. Even in the future, there will be singing. The book of Revelation shows us what we look forward to in the future: there will be singing in Heaven.
Without a doubt, historically, traditionally, and presently, singing is an important aspect of our faith. When we gather to worship God at Mass, there are certain parts of the Mass that are sung. Few people realize that our entire Mass should be sung! Singing came before the spoken word in our liturgy.
Singing at Mass is a means to glorify God. Singing is yet another way we can worship the Lord. We are singing to Him of His goodness, just like we might sing to someone we love of all the things we admire about them.
The human voice, the only instrument that God created, is considered the only instrument worthy to be used in His praises. Only the human voice can adequately convey the heart’s love for God. The voice does not just produce a musical sound, but combines the beauty of sound with words so that we can praise and glorify God with both our hearts and our minds.
It is not enough to speak to God as we speak to others. We decorate our prayers with song, offering our whole beings. After all, singing takes effort, and the person praying is using their whole mind, heart, soul, and strength to love God.
So, next time you come to Mass to worship God, use your voice and sing to the Lord. Better yet, think about joining our wonderful choir.