CHAPTERS
around the country, this report seemed to reopen old wounds, and it was a hard time for many.
After some discussion about whether this was the right time for a light-hearted event, we decided to press forward with the show as scheduled. Unexpectedly, perhaps, this fun and heartwarming event became an act of healing as well. Amid a crisis of trust in the Church, this evening was an opportunity to embrace the very human side of ministry. It was a celebration of the many outstanding men who have answered the call to priesthood with lives of goodness, service, commitment, and sacrifice.
For chapters wanting to plan a similar event: talk to a variety of people about possible acts, especially diocesan leaders who are likely to know many priests and their various talents. A personal invitation to potential performers is essential. Publicize especially in the parishes where the featured priests are serving. Parishioners loved this opportunity to see their clergy on a different kind of “stage.” Add food and drink, and this event will be an easy sell-out!
–Karen Shadle, liaison to the Office of Worship
How to Host an Epiphany Choir Festival St. Louis, Missouri
In the months leading up to Christmas, choirs diligently work on music for Nativity masses. An Epiphany Choir Festival is a wonderful way to extend the sharing of that hard-practiced seasonal music.
For the past five years, the Duchesne branch of the St. Louis NPM chapter has held such an Epiphany Choir Festival on or near that solemnity in early January. Tis event is relatively simple to put together and meets a number of goals for our area parishes and the broader local community.
Te core of the event is a free public concert which allows parish choirs an additional opportunity to share the beautiful seasonal music they prepared for parish liturgies. It also gives choir directors a chance to hear new and different repertoire from other ensembles, and perhaps get a head start on planning for next Christmas!
“The occasion fosters a sense of musical community across parish boundaries.”
Music and mission Altogether, the occasion fosters a sense of musical community across parish boundaries and continues the celebration of Christmastide beyond the day itself. Taking a free-will collection for a local charity also bonds singers and attendees in community outreach—and helps fulfill the social justice mission that is part of the charge for NPM chapters. I cannot overstate how important the element of outreach is, lest the festival become merely navel-gazing on the part of the participants.
Te concert therefore must be well publicized, open to the public, and free admission. Te collection taken up should be for a specific charity important to the region: organizations that work with those in any crisis or work to prevent hunger and homelessness are a few examples.
Te work required to organize an event like this can be shared among a small team but is ideally coordinated by one industrious and organized planner. Here are most of the tasks required, along with a rough timeline as well:
Late Spring or Early Fall:
• Identify a location for the event and a date. An ideal location would be a church participating in the festival and which has, in addition to the sacred space for the concert itself, a fellowship hall or gathering space nearby for a reception. In terms of date, we have held the concert either on the Sunday night of Epiphany, or on a Wednesday or Tursday night near that date, as those are typical rehearsal nights for our area choirs.
46
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
