MUNSTER – _____
Calling the Holy Mass “the greatest prayer of the (Catholic) Church,” Father Bim-Merle posed the question, “How is music involved in ministry and how can we use it?”
After encouraging the senior citizens group to join him in singing what he described as “the second most favorite hymn among all Christians” – “How Great Thou Art” – they quickly agreed with his rhetorical question, “Isn’t it beautiful to sing all together?”
Audience members noted that “Music makes us happy” and “Music lifts our spirits” when the vocalist and master of the piano, organ, guitar and several other instruments asked, “What is the purpose of music?”
Adding that, “By its nature, (making music) is a communal activity. Even when alone, you do it aloud, and someone may hear you.” Father Bim-Merle noted that the famous line, “Singing is praying twice,” though attributed to St. Augustine, is of unknown origin.
“The words we are singing are a prayer,” he said of sacred music, “and music is a beautiful offering to God.”
Raised in a musical family in Michigan City, Gregory Bim-Merle started taking piano lessons at age five, taught himself guitar and picked up the organ so quickly that he was hired as organist at St. Mary parish in Michigan City at age 13, and soon had a second job at St. Ann of the Dunes. “I was doing what I loved and I got paid for it,” he said, adding that “before I could read words, I could read music.”
Music, he added “can be a vehicle, can express emotion, become storytelling – as with a ballad – and is a way of elevating speech. The key word is communication.”
Patriotic songs give praise for the nation, romantic songs offer praise for the beauty of someone, Father Bim-Merle said, but the primary purpose of music in liturgy is to communicate to God “that we are praising him, giving gratitude, love and thanks.
“Petitioning God is a big part of prayer, too, so our music should be asking him for something – forgiveness, asking for mercy or expressing repentance,” said the liturgist. “If a song is not doing one of these things, we probably shouldn’t be singing it in church.”
Father Bim-Merle said he has had to turn down requests that contemporary rock and roll songs be played at wedding liturgies.
“If we can read the lyrics to a song without the music and it’s still a prayer, that’s a good hymn,” he suggested.
Asked their favorite hymns, the seniors named both classic and contemporary songs – from “Ave Maria” to “On Eagle’s Wings” and “Let There Be Peace.” Many of their choices are popular funeral hymns, Father Bim-Merle noted, possibly because they evoke strong emotions.
Ordained six years ago, Father Bim-Merle has found many ways to share his musical talent – singing the Mass, performing organ recitals, joining the annual Michigan City “Messiah” choir and playing in two bands.
He asked his audience to name “the most important part of music – lyrics, melody, rhythm, emotion or a combination that produces a pleasing togetherness?” and then suggested that their answer may depend on what they are trying to communicate.
“If you want to dance, then the rhythm may be most important, but if you are talking about a ballad, it may be the lyrics,” he said. “If you are looking for emotion (happy or sad), the melody may be the key. My philosophy is that depending on what you are doing, that dictates the most important part.”
While the organ is “the key musical instrument” for church services, added Father Bim-Merle, “any instrument can be played in church if it is used correctly.”
Marilyn Pajor, a Seniors of STM member, said she learned about different aspects of music and how worshippers use it to praise God. “It makes a big difference and enhances the liturgy. Father Bim-Merle (who closed his presentation by playing a classical piece of instrumental music on guitar) is a great musician and was a very good speaker.”
Seniors of STM member Greg Kelly said Father Bim-Merle’s performance of “Ave Maria” was excellent, while the program reminded Kelly that sacred music “breaks up the speaking parts of the Mass and grabs your attention while praying.”
While Seniors of STM is primarily a social club, hosting potlucks, exercise sessions, cultural outings and games, the Day of Reflection “adds a spiritual aspect” to the offerings, said president Judy Hamer. “We have a list of 115 members, but average 45-50 at any one event. It’s a good group of people and we really have a lot of fun.”
In case you are wondering what is the No. 1 hymn among Christians, it’s a no brainer – “Amazing Grace.”
Caption: Father Greg Bim-Merle, guest speaker at the Annual Day of Reflection held by the Seniors of STM on Oct. 18 at St. Thomas More in Munster, plays a piece of classical music to close out his talk on Music in the Ministry. An accomplished musician and singer, Father Bim Merle was ordained to the priesthood six years ago and is administrator at St. James the Less in Highland. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)