I love surveys and data and percentages and all things that researchers tell me. In particular, I like to examine those things in light of what my gut tells me. A recent survey showed that most Catholic music ministers think their congregations sing well, but people actually in the pews don't think the congregations sing well.

OK, now to my gut. Because of my work in music publishing, I pay great attention to congregational singing. I know I should be concerned with my own worship, but I can't help but look around to see how others are responding to the music. Taking my experience as whole, with my own parish included, I would say we have a long way to go toward the full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy that is vision of the Church.

I wish I had an easy solution that would make all people sing from their hearts, but I don't. I can only offer this: Be the change! How do we spread the gospel? We live the gospel! How can we can everyone to sing? We sing! Listen to Chris Mugia's I Am Blest as he describes the incredible reality that we are joined with all the angels when we are at Mass. Let the joy of the moment rise up in us and let's sing!