We hear that many are having trouble hearing the priests and readers!
 
We have been analyzing the sound system components and have engaged several sound and equipment specialists over the past couple of years. There has been some improvement, but more is needed. We have recently engaged a different, highly recommended firm that specializes in these kinds of systems. They have completed an initial analysis and are waiting for equipment to arrive, sometime next month.
 
Where the sound IS good right now: We don't want to discourage people from sitting toward the front of the church. But for the time being, the best place to hear is from the 10th pew and back, where the speakers are mounted on the pillars. 
 
TIP: If you wear hearing aids, test the settings that may enhance the sound; one parishioner says the “TV” setting–even in the front pews–works great for her.
 
When the whole audio system cuts out: A separate problem is when the entire audio system cuts out for a few seconds at different points during Mass – sometimes multiple times. The root cause is still unknown. This problem had improved for a time, but it has returned. We hope to learn more information next month.
 
Your continued patience and input on audio issues you are noticing is appreciated.
Together, we will get there!

The booklets in your pews contain music that is not found in our Gather hymnals and include some prayers and other devotions for our parish’s prayer life. Fr. Paul Haverstock, previous Parochial Vicar, and Carol Diethelm, Director of Sacred Music and Funeral Ministry, collaborated to produce the booklet in-house, and a local Shakopee merchant gave us a very reasonable price for printing. Even better, though, is that our SJA young adults chose to “pass the basket” in appreciation of music ministry and desiring to enrich our worship of God at Saints Joachim and Anne. As a result, there was NO cost to SJA. The cover and binding are much more durable and look nice in the pews. Thanks to this booklet, we should not need to clutter the pews with individual prayer and music cards.

Music: Some old, some new

• As you take a look through the booklet, you’ll find some of the favorites from the old supplement, such as Only a Shadow, Whatsoever You Do, Lead Me, Lord, etc. (Please note that we had limited space and couldn’t include all of the music from the old supplement.)
• You will also find new additions, including some that will enhance our Communion music repertoire.    Several of these hymns feature lyrics written by saints and other important figures of our Faith, such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis of Assisi.
• Our parish Mass setting, the Mass of St. Frances Cabrini, has been included.
• A few hymns are included in multiple languages (English, Spanish, and/or Latin), for those occasions when our whole community prays as one.

Prayers and Meditations
Several prayers are included for use at Mass (e.g., the Prayer for Vocations), and some are for personal devotion. You’ll find:

• Prayer for Vocations
• St. Michael Prayer
• Prayers for before and after Communion
• Rite of Eucharistic Exposition & Benediction
• How to pray the Rosary
• Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love
• Instructions for the reception of Holy Communion (chiefly for visitors)

May this resource help to unite us even more as one parish family.

Saint Cecilia, pray for us!
Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us!