Choosing the right music for a liturgy is one of the most sensitive and challenging aspects of our ministry. The information below provides some resources to assist liturgical musicians in the selection of music for a Sunday or feast day celebration.

Resource Sheets

Music Planning Sheet
A 'checklist' type form to record music selections for a Sunday Eucharistic Celebration. Available for download in   Word 97 or   Acrobat (PDF)  format.

Basic Liturgical Principles
A summary sheet from a past workshop on Liturgical Principles offered by the ALM and prepared by Chris McConnell. This is an excellent summary of the "Threefold Judgement" in music selection, and also contains other useful guidelines in choosing music for the Sunday liturgy. Available for download in   Word 97 or   Acrobat (PDF)  format.

Pastoral Music Guidelines 
The Pastoral Music Guidelines prepared by the Archdiocese of Ottawa provide practical help to musicians, pastors, and liturgy committees in planning and celebrating Sunday Eucharist and other parish liturgies.

Wedding Music Guidelines
The Wedding Music Guidelines prepared by the Archdiocese of Ottawa outline each part of the wedding Mass as it relates to hymn selections. Suggested wedding hymns from the Catholic Book of Worship II and III are provided, as well as a listing of organ music and other resources.

Books

Good music selection for a Eucharistic celebration requires some basic understanding of the liturgy. Check out the Books section for recommended titles.

Periodicals

The Prairie Messenger
A weekly Catholic journal which publishes a regular Sunday liturgy music planner for the CBW II, CBW III, and Glory & Praise hymnals. This journal is well worth the subscription cost to a parish as a resource for liturgical musicians. Subcription information is available at their website. A sample music planning page from the Prairie Messenger can be downloaded here in   Acrobat (PDF)  format.

On-line Music Planners

CanticaNOVA
The Liturgical Planning section of this website contains liturgical information for each Sunday celebration, as well as suggested hymns. Hymnals covered include the CBW II and Worship, as well as many others. Liturgical information is also provided for each Sunday celebration.

Holy Rosary Cathedral (Regina) Music Home Page
The Sunday Music Lists section of this website contain suggestions for organ and choral music. The web site also contains suggested music for weddings and funerals.

National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM)
Check out the Planning Calendar Ideas section of this web site for any Sunday or feast day. Hymnals covered include: Breaking Bread, CBW II, CBWIII, Gather, Glory and Praise, and Worship, as well as many others.

Oregon Catholic Press (OCP)
Click on the "Planning Guides" icon for downloadable music suggestions for Sunday liturgies, as well as practical advice on preparing liturgy, ritual commentaries, a music planning template, suggestions for general intercessions and more. Music suggestions and liturgy preparation forms designed specifically for funeral masses are also available for download. Most major hymnals are covered in these planning sheets.

On-line Hymnals

Cyber Hymnal
This site has over 2,900 Christian hymns and Gospel songs from many denominations. The site contains an extensive collection of lyrics, scores, MIDI files, pictures, history, and more available for viewing and downloading.

The Ames Hymn Collection
A collection of over 250 traditional church hymns, complete with lyrics and audio.

Music Planning Software

LitPlan 2002™
A software package designed to assist in music planning. Includes song suggestions for Sundays, holy days and special occasions. Contains a database of over 5000 songs taken from a selection of missals and hymnals. New from the Oregon Catholic Press (OCP).