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I never thought I’d see the day that we had an electric bass guitar in the sanctuary

Careful. We ended up switching parishes over music. It started with acoustic guitars. Then they added a drumset. Then they started writing their own music, and eventually replaced every intercession in the mass. (no more singing along to familiar hymns)

We finally got the pastor to start publishing their schedule in the bulletin. Attendance at the "rock" mass plummeted, the other masses became over-crowded.

Solution? Why, remove the music schedule from the bulletin, of course! You never knew what you were going to get at any given mass. It could be the choir, or the hippie band.

After leaving mass several times with my wife and kids and registering several complaints with the parish council (3 members of which were in or related to the band) we finally switched parishes.

You and your fellow parishioners should nip this in the bud.

I can certainly understand the acute discomfort that comes with the change. I'll never forget the first time I went to church (prior to conversion) and they had trumpets and cymbals on Easter. I shook for a half hour afterwards. I came from an orthodox main line denomination that sang the orthodox hymns and were accompanied by the organ. Children's choirs were with the piano. I realize we're trying to serve up what will bring in the youth, but I loved all the old hymns (and some of the newer in the RC). I don't feel the need to “jazz” up anything at Mass.

As to good contemporary music at a parish function — I say let the horses loose. I go to Mass to heal from all the bruises and bumps I incur during the week and to thank the Good Lord for getting me through another one. I arrive early to pray before the presence of the Lord — not listen to rehearsal or tune-ups. That's the sign of amateurs. When the curtain goes up, you've prepared, you're ready. You don't have dress rehearsal when the audience is arriving. Bad form. That is just my very humble opinion.