We were running a little late one Sunday and entered the church just as Father and all those in the Processional were lining up. My husband and I looked at one another wide-eyed, then we each grabbed our children’s hands and rushed to the first free pew space that would seat five.

Now, we normally sit on the right side of the church, nearer to the choir. This day we found ourselves on the left side, which was fine. I grabbed a hymnal and found the opening song. I realized my voice sounded louder and more noticeable than usual. It wasn’t until the “Gloria” that it hit me – we were sitting in a “No Singing Bubble”.

Every church has them, though they hardly ever encompass the exact same pews twice. These bubbles are random seatings of people who do not sing…anything…ever.

During this same month, I was trying to help teach the 18 children in my First Communion class some of the songs that would be in their First Communion service.

The theory was that if we taught the children the songs, they would sing them during First Communion and thus: 1) participate more fully in the Mass, and 2) feel more a part of the service.

As most good theories go, this one met with great resistance. My co-catechist and I just could not get them to sing.

I spent time over the next few weeks pondering why so many people at church do not sing. I spent even more time thinking about the kids who would not sing. Children often want any excuse to use their voices in church. Why not do it in a legitimate way, by singing?

The answer came one evening, when I turned on the television and a commercial for “American Idol” flashed across. It was like a light bulb going off in my head!

We now live in an “American Idol” kind of world. There are many reality shows out there, and all involve performing and being judged. Appearance is important, as well as talent, and a certain flair for drawing notice. “Idol” in particular brings the art of singing to the spotlight, showcasing young, beautiful, talented people. It mocks those who do not sing well, those who do not fit music industry type, and those whom the audience does not support. All to our entertainment.

To test my hypothesis, I took it to the kids. When I asked who watched the show, all 18 children raised their hands. I asked what they thought about the singers. This elicited many excited comments, both praise and harsh criticism. We talked about how the judges view the singers, how it feels to stand and get judged, how few succeed.

Do not get me wrong. I like “American Idol”. I do not think it is evil or bad. But, it has become a part of our culture, and as such, is bound to connect with the reality that is faith and the Church.

In the “American Idol” world, people must sing for an audience, performing with passion and talent, then stand and have judgement passed on them. In the world of the Church, singing is prayer, the right and duty of all. Song is one way that we pray as a people. It is part of the very liturgy.

By birthright through baptism, we share in Christ’s mission as prophet, priest, and king. When we participate in the liturgy through standing, sitting, kneeling, responding, receiving, and in singing, we are fulfilling that priestly mission. We are a part of that Mass.

The very documents of the Church state that singing is a necessary and important part of the liturgy for the whole assembly, not just the choir or priest.

I suppose I was lucky. I grew up in a family that sang. My dad, mom, aunts, grandmother all sang with gusto. My grandmother had grown up Baptist, and taught all the songs of her childhood to her own nine children. My mom and her brothers and sisters still sing those songs with love.

With love and gusto, yes. With skill or melody, no. They would be the first to admit they do not sing well. For the most part, not one of them can actually hold a note. Yet they sing. As a teenager I used to beg my mother not to sing so loudly at church. She always looked at me with surprise and amazement, and she kept on singing. “God gave me my voice,” she would say. “He must like it, or He never would have let me have it”.

Somehow or another after I had grown up, I found I could sing decently. Now I am in choir at church. Our choir section is in the front of the church, so all the sound comes right at me. I wish you could hear what I hear. It is not a bunch of individual voices that are heard. The sound of the congregation singing blends into one voice.

It is beyond beautiful to hear an entire group of people singing praise to God. I know there must be people with voices that are considered “bad” in the middle of that group, joining in, but you can not tell when you hear the whole. It is the sound of all the different people coming together to give voice to the Body of Christ that is the Church.

So, next time you find yourself sitting in a pew, grab the songbook. Open up. Take a deep breath. Then use the voice God gave you. Go ahead, sing out!

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