During Mass the other day I was treated to the most beautiful singing voice and example of praising through song that I've ever witnessed. It wasn't a full choir in matching robes. It wasn't a practiced and well-trained instrumental performance. It wasn't a soulful folk band group. It was one small, sweet voice.

The parish in which I was worshipping is well known for its lovely song selections, accomplished piano players, and cantors with awesome vocal range and talent. It is also a church that sometimes lacks a joyous congregation's added voice.

On some days there are well over 700 in attendance, and they often don't muster the spirit or love for God to belt out a few heart-felt songs during the worship hour. This always makes me sad. Sure, there are a few that sing at every opportunity -- and an awesome choir at some of the Masses -- but if everyone were to participate, the church's roof would literally be lifted off.

I know churches exist that are blessed with a fully participating crowd -- I've worshipped in them on occasion. Why my own parish is sometimes stodgy and lackluster in their singing participation remains a mystery to me. I pray every Sunday for the Holy Spirit to blow through there and touch hearts and voices with mighty inspiration.

But on this one occasion, those of us who were near the lone singer were sure in for a treat! Almost waist length golden curls danced as this little angel opened her mouth to sing the entrance hymn that welcomed the priest and the Word into our presence. Her voice was somewhat muffled by all the standing bodies, but I could see her clearly.

She put every ounce of herself into those words. When her 4- or 5-year-old mind couldn't recall a line of the song, it didn't matter a bit. She belted out, "La, La, La, La Tee, Da!" right along with the beat.

By the second and third songs, parishioners were beginning to notice her persistence. At one point, the cantor raised her arms to indicate that the congregation should join in with the refrain. The movement and words of the lead singer captivated the tiny angelic singer.

The spirit overcame her and she stood up in her black patent leather shoes and lifted her arms up wide and high as I imagined she too tried to excite some participation from the wilted crowd seated around her.

She didn't even appear to notice her mother's hand on her shoulder, but kept up her song leading. Much to her credit, mom soon put her hand down and let the child sing, tiny arms still waving.

At one point, I caught the mother's eye and gave her a smile and a wink. Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment, but I shook my head trying to communicate with her without words. I indicated with my eyes and head movements the people all around me who were smiling and watching the child. Some had even opened their hymnbooks and begun to sing.

The mother, seeing that her daughter was not disrupting the service but adding to it, smiled back at me. The beautiful cherub's voice gained in strength and volume as the spirit and her own joy in praising Jesus continued.

No one sitting on her side of the church could help but notice this little singer and her smile. The unabashedly happy singing was contagious.

By the end of Mass, all eyes would turn to her at the start of each new song. The final hymn of praise for the recessional must have been one of the girl's favorites. At one point, the cantor even lowered her own voice and moved the microphone a little toward the child's location behind her.

"The heavens are telling the glory of God, and all creation is shouting for joy. Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!"* As the canticle poured forth from her sweet mouth, tears formed in my eyes.

What a precious gift we'd been blessed with in the form of pure, innocent, and unrestrained joy from the heart of this child of God. I silently prayed that we would take her gift with us, and return the next Sunday with its memory in our hearts and a song on our lips.

*"Canticle of the Sun" Marty Haugen, 1980, GIA Publications, Inc.

Do you find excuses not to praise through singing such as a bad singing voice, not wanting to stand out in the crowd, or just general laziness?

What God-given talent do you possess that could inspire others around you? Do you share it willingly and often?

Ask yourself how you can improve your participation in Mass and also in your own spiritual activities.