With a tip of the biretta to St. Louis Catholic, I share the following great news:
TO: THE PRESBYTERATE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAINT LOUIS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE ARCHDIOCESAN CURIA
FROM: ARCHBISHOP RAYMOND L. BURKE
REGARDING: CREATION OF THE INSTITUTE OF SACRED MUSIC IN THE OFFICE OF SACRED WORSHIP, AND APPOINTMENT OF FATHER SAMUEL F. WEBER, O.S.B., AS THE FIRST DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE
DATE: APRIL 4, 2008 – MEMORIAL OF SAINT ISIDORE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
It gives me great joy to announce the creation of the Institute of Sacred Music in the Office of Sacred Worship of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. I am also happy to announce the appointment of Father Samuel F.Weber, O.S.B., as the first Director of the Institute of Sacred Music, effective May 12th next.
The Institute of Sacred Music is part of the Office of Sacred Worship and is under the supervision of Father William W. McCumber, Director of the Office of Sacred Worship. It has been established to assist me inproviding a fuller cultivation of Sacred Music for the celebration of the complete Roman Rite. Among the activities of the Institute will be the following: 1) programs of education in Sacred Music, especially Gregorian Chant, for parish musicians, musicians of other Archdiocesan institutions and interested individuals; 2) assistance to parishes with the singing of the Mass in English, for example, the Entrance Antiphon, the Responsorial Psalm and the Communion Antiphon; 3) assistance withthe singing of the Liturgy of the Hours; 4) assistance to parishes which wish to develop a schola cantorum for the singing of Gregorian Chant; 5) programs for the full implementation of the English translation of the Roman Missal in the Archdiocese; and 6) particular assistance to the programs of Sacred Music at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
