Crying out with joy to the Lord through Liturgy, music

At left, Dan Girardot, D.Min., associate director for Liturgical Music, directs the Archdiocesan Choir during a recent Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston. The Archdiocesan Choir, led by Girardot, sings at the major Archdiocesan events at the downtown Co-Cathedral. (Photo by James Ramos/Herald)

HOUSTON — Every time the Church gathers, whether for Sunday Mass in a parish or a major Liturgical celebration with the archbishop, the faithful lift their voices and cry out with joy to the Lord. In those moments, worship, prayer and music are more than ritual; they are an encounter with Christ and a bond of unity with one another. 

Guided by the Office of Worship, liturgical celebrations in the Archdiocese are prepared with reverence and care so the faithful may enter more deeply into the mystery of God’s presence. The ministry is one of more than 60 ministries supported by the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF). 

Dan Girardot, D.Min., associate director for Liturgical Music, directs the Archdiocesan Choir and leads music ministry formation to assist parishes. He said the DSF theme for the 2025 annual appeal, “Cry out with joy to the Lord,” reflects how liturgical music gives voice to the prayer of the Church, and brings alive sung prayer in parishes, Archdiocesan gatherings and other settings where the faithful gather in worship. 

“The joy of active singing, listening and praying through beautiful music in the Liturgy, the source and summit of our Christian life, is the greatest cry of joy we can offer to the Lord,” Girardot said. 

He said the Liturgy offers a path and a guide for Christian life, expressed most beautifully in song as the Church joins the angels and the saints in giving glory to God. 

“Just before the Holy, Holy, Holy in Mass, we hear the priest inviting us to join the choir of Saints and angels, singing forever to God’s glory,” said Girardot. “Every time we come to the Liturgy, we are singing with these clouds of witnesses.” 

The Office of Worship staff and volunteers assist with the preparation of other Archdiocesan Liturgical celebrations, including the Chrism Mass, Transitional Diaconate Ordination, Permanent Diaconate Ordination, Episcopal Installation and Ordination and Consecration of Virgins. Other Masses include the Red Mass for the legal profession, the Blue Mass for first responders, and the White Mass for healthcare workers.  

The Archdiocese also remembers the souls of the priests, deacons and religious who have died with the In Memoria concert on Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. This year’s event will feature the Archdiocesan Choir and orchestra with participation from the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Chorus and a special remembrance of Pope Francis. 

Through these celebrations and ongoing formation efforts, the ministry also strengthens parish life by hosting workshops and training sessions in English and Spanish for musicians, cantors and other liturgical ministers. 

According to Adam Brill, director of the Office of Worship, this level of support for major Archdiocesan celebrations and support for parishes is possible through the generosity of the faithful who give to the annual DSF appeal. 

“The funds from DSF are integral to the Office of Worship’s success,” Brill said. “They provide not only the day-to-day support for staffing and resources needed to serve parishes, but also the funding required for large Archdiocesan Liturgies, covering music, decorations and other essential elements.” 

Brill said the Office of Worship also uses DSF to support parishes with limited resources, particularly those without a liturgist on staff, ensuring they can celebrate the Liturgy with the same reverence and care as larger parishes. 

During Girardot’s time with the Office of Worship, he witnessed people of all ages discovering the joy of celebrating Liturgies with the archbishop. He said teachers are now eager to bring their students to these celebrations, having seen how much they inspire the children. 

“I’ve seen new cantors, new organists and even children step forward with excitement, and it’s wonderful to witness,” Girardot said. “I am very grateful to the archbishop, staff in the Office of Worship and Chancery, music directors and people in the pews. I also thank those who give to DSF, because it makes all the difference for our ministry.” 

Discover more about the Office of Worship by visiting archgh.org/worship. To support DSF, which funds the Office of Worship along with more than 60 ministries across the Archdiocese, visit www.archgh.org/dsf. DSF supports ministries of direct service and education that rely on this critical funding, and 100% of every gift goes directly to these ministries.