Musical setting for black Catholics a labor of love

Many years ago, Jalonda M. Robertson, music director at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, composed a Mass setting for use in Catholic churches with predominantly African-American congregations.

The Xavier University music major never had that Mass setting formally published, but the experience gave her a good idea of the challenges involved in undertaking such an ambitious project.

When Robertson heard about the upcoming changes in the Roman Missal, she decided to compose a new Mass setting for use at African-American Catholic worship. She worked for six months to complete the “Mass for the Body of Christ,” which recently was selected by music ministers at black Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to be used whenever they gather for a multi-parish liturgy.

That workshop was sponsored by the Office of Worship and the Office of Black Catholic Ministries.

Thrilled by her selection

“Wow, I was ecstatic when I heard that it had been selected,” said Robertson, who has served in music ministry at St. Gabriel for the last 29 years. “I’m definitely proud and excited that I was able to get it. During the process, there were times when I told myself, ‘I’m not doing this anymore.’ But then I would say, ‘No, you have to write this.’ I just kept plugging away. I knew I had to do it.”

The Office of Worship has suggested that all parishes in the archdiocese learn the “Mass of Renewal,” a new Mass setting by William Gokelman and David Kauffman of San Antonio, Texas, that won first place in a competition sponsored by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

Whenever Archbishop Gregory Aymond comes to a parish to celebrate a Mass or confer confirmation, the congregation will use either “Mass of Renewal” or “Mass for the Body of Christ,” said Betty-Ann Hickey, associate director of the Office of Worship.

Draws on many styles

Robertson said what she likes most about her Mass setting is that it uses a variety of musical genres.

“There’s not just one genre in mind,” Robertson said. “It has classical sounds, some jazz sounds and certainly some Gospel sounds, and I like that. It utilizes different colors. We also have parts for flutes and tympani and trumpets for more festive occasions. The people who have heard it really love it”

Robertson said the setting is “assembly-friendly” and “easy to learn.”

“The styles work beautifully together to move the hearts of a diverse assembly,” she said. “It can easily be performed with an ensemble of piano, guitars, organ or full contemporary band.”

Robertson has had several compositions published by World Library Publications, and she has offered that publisher first rights to the “Mass for the Body of Christ.” Until the Mass setting is formally published, it is available online at andwithyourspirit.net or by contacting Robertson at 858-184 or [email protected].

            Peter Finney Jr. can be reached at [email protected].