Adjustment, Adaptation, and Adoration

Sean from Massive Worship here again, the band just got back from a weekend full of events at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metcalfe, ON. We led music at the three Masses, which many people seemed to enjoy. We had planned to project the lyrics for all to see and sing along with, but the church was simply too bright to see anything on the screen. Not wanting to sing at the congregation, but with them, we decided to play the most commonly known songs in our repertoire. Most people haven't heard them quite in our style, but the familiar words and melodies were all there.

All day on Saturday, Massive Worship led an Encounter day for all ages; and all ages showed up. There were youth from grades six to twelve and adults from age 27 to "never ask a lady her age"! We provided music throughout the day, of course, but also ministered through teaching, personal testimony, group discussion, and prayer. I sat in with the group of young people for the small group sharing, and I was shocked at the love for prayer among some of the teenagers.

Another shocking development was that we were sanely handling the encounter while missing a band-mate due to illness. The four of us present had more responsibilities than usual, but were not completely overwhelmed. For the evening events on Friday and Saturday, we welcomed singer/guitarist Nick Zambon into the band in Jesse's absence. We had a nice long rehearsal with him on Wednesday to prepare music for Friday's Eucharistic Adoration and Saturday's Massive Worship concert.

I didn't realize until afterward how great an idea it is to start off a weekend of ministry with an hour gazing at the Body of Christ, the true presence of God. I believe we received all the graces we could have possibly needed for the events in the next two days. The concert on Saturday night was the most impacting part of the weekend for me, but I am very glad to have started it all off with the reverence and prayer of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and to finish it in worship with Sunday Mass.

As a side note, if you are in Northern Ontario, look for us in Sault Sainte-Marie, Thunder Bay, and Ft. Frances this week!

God Bless,

Sean Flynn
massive Worship Band

From the Pan to the Fire

Massive Worship is a ministry focused toward those already involved in the Church, but to fulfill our Christian call to make disciples of all nations the band has committed to doing one outreach event a week. Our first step into the "real world" was an open mic night at a radio-sponsored club, dubbed "The Electric Frying Pan." This is an event where full bands and soloists could gather to show off their talent.

After we arrived and signed up, we didn't really know what to do with ourselves as we waited to go onstage. But then by the grace of God, a guy named Clinton came over to our table and started talking to us. He was in the band that would play after us, but we talked about much more than music. He professed to be a Christian by faith, but not to be a part of any religious tradition or community. He was the everyman or our generation: Crude, yet harmless; opinionated, but pleasant; believing in God, but not living in God. We talked with him and his band mate Chris for the whole time we were in the club. The five of us in the band ended up rotating between evangelizing to Clinton and Chris, and talking with our Catholic friends who came out to see us play.

When the time did come to play our set, it was awesome. We played the two heaviest, most rockin' songs we'd ever practiced, and a medium one in between. after our set we told the crowd we were a Catholic ministry band. The manager asked us to play a fourth song at the end of our set, which felt good.

As I think about that night and I realize that there was more going on than just our performance. My view of fellowship deepened that night. I know community is part of God's plan for his people, but that fact stood out me in a new light. Clinton was astounded at the sacrifices we said we've made for the sake of Christ. It was not our desire to give up worldly values, but our ability to succeed, that shocked him. I know every struggle that I've overcome has been because of God's grace, but I always had people telling me to run to God's grace at the difficult times . At the Electric Frying Pan, I saw what happens when a Christian tries by himself: He gives up by himself. I know the Holy Spirit was there with us, moving, shaking, softening hearts. And I hope that all those we spoke to, through words, song, and action, accept the new heart God is trying to give them.

God Bless,

Sean Flynn
Massive Worship Band