ABSTRACT: Music is a part of life and worship in many religions, especially Christianity, and the Roman Catholic Church has been involved throughout her history in the development of music in the Western world. The Second Vatican Council had a major impact on the Roman Catholic Church in many respects, including on her music. Interviews were conducted with members of St. John Brebeuf Church in order to assess both this impact and their perception of music generally. The author encountered different opinions: most were favorable to the “folk” style of music now prevalent, and many had useful insights for ongoing unity, purpose and perspective in the church’s use of music to enhance the worship of the faithful.

ABSTRACT: Music is a part of life and worship in many religions, especially Christianity, and the Roman Catholic Church has been involved throughout her history in the development of music in the Western world. The Second Vatican Council had a major impact on the Roman Catholic Church in many respects, including on her music. Interviews were conducted with members of St. John Brebeuf Church in order to assess both this impact and their perception of music generally. The author encountered different opinions: most were favorable to the “folk” style of music now prevalent, and many had useful insights for ongoing unity, purpose and perspective in the church’s use of music to enhance the worship of the faithful.