Our announcements go on and on. I could see announcing if there’s donuts and coffee afterwards...but other than that we ought just say “READ THE BULLETIN.”
Chanting psalms could be a wonderful thing, but then our organist wouldn’t be able to perform.
Not true. Where do you think the term "organum" came from, anyhow?
A good organist can work out a reverent, musically coherent accompaniment for chant that doesn't drown out the choir. Our man does it all the time (of course he is an absolutely stellar organist, quite possibly the best in the city).
No matter how many things you post in the Sunday Bulletin, congregants often skip over the important items. Announcements 'reinforce' the key items they should actually read in the bulletin.
Chanting psalms could be a wonderful thing, but then our organist wouldnt be able to perform.
Our Maronite liturgy is chanted from beginning to end. Our aging organist spends winters (and other extended holidays) in Florida. That leaves the congregation to chant the responses. Father tells us this is the perfect opportunity to give back to God what He gave to us ;-) We sing like the monks who chant without the benefit of an organ. Give it a try!
I did a market study for my parish in the mid 1960s and only 25% of those receiving the bulletin ever read them.