Cantate Domino

     As I promised last evening, I would like to share a little of the excellent choral concert I attended yesterday at the Church of Saint Paul in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.  A former pastorate of mine from 1992 until 2000, it is a great praish led by Father Tom Federline.  The  concert, whose title is the title of this post, was "A Choral Journey Through the Liturgical Year".  There are about 25 in the choir which was led by Marie Konopka, the Director of Liturgy for the parish.  Mr. Gene Forish accompanied, and they were joined by parishioner Maureen Miller who is a mezzo-soprano.

     I'll list some of the music, which was interspersed with spoken reflections by good friends of mine Bill and Mary Ann Newhouse taken from Oscar Romero, St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein), Thomas Merton, St. Augustine and Pope Benedict XVI.  An organ prelude of "Now Thank We All Our God" by Bach began things and two hymns - "We Are Ready, God, To Sing" by Alan Gaunt & Robert W. Schafer and "Cantate Domino" by Father James Chepponis of Pittsburgh, got things underway.  Advent saw "Allelulia! The Angels Will Sing" by Mengel & a soloby Maureen of "Patiently Have I Waited for the Lord" by Camille Saint-Saens.  For Christmas a "Magnificat" by Wm Crotch and "Silent Night ~ Night of Silence" by Gruber & Kantor.  Ordinary Time saw "Heart of a Shepherd" by Cooney, which was dedicated to Father Tom and which brought a tear to the eye.  Lent saw "Lord Jesus Christ Humbled Himself" by Messaus, with the Triduum presenting Kreutz's "O Lord, We Believe", an outstanding duet by Maureen & Marie of Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Pie Jesu", and "Out of Darkness" by Kendzia. Easter saw "Risen Lord, We Gather Round You" by Stuemple/Moore, with Louis Valenzi's "Spirit of God" for Pentecost.  Finally Ordinary Time saw "Put Peace Into Each Other's Hands" by Fred Kaan, followed by "Rejoice, the Lord is King" arranged by Owens.  I know that is a lot of titles and composers, but I wanted you to see the variety of music sung.  It also is probably meaningless to you, but to have heard the music was to have your hearts lifted to the Lord.

     Rounding off the afternnon was a free will offering for the poor, and a wine and cheese social in the hall.  A truly pleasant way to spend Christ the King Sunday.