On November 22, feast day of St. Cecilia, Fr. Virginus Osuagwu blesses her icon and presents it to Annick Kanter-St. Hubert, Music Director, to be placed in the new music ministry room located in the upper level of the Keffer Parish Life Center.
On the occasion of the Saint’s Feast, Pope Leo sang the praises of choirs:
“Being part of a choir means advancing together,” he said, “taking our brothers and sisters by the hand and helping them to walk with us.”
“It means singing the praises of God together, consoling our brothers and sisters in their suffering, exhorting them when they seem to give in to fatigue and encouraging them when difficulties seem to prevail,” the pope said.
A parish choir is a bit like the Church itself, he said. It strives to walk through history singing God’s praise.
“Even if at times this journey is full of difficulties and trials, and moments of joy alternate with more tiring ones,” the pope said, “singing lightens the journey and brings relief and consolation.”
Pope Leo, who intones prayers and sings hymns with gusto, said music helps people “express what we carry deep in our hearts and what words cannot always convey.”
“Music can give expression to the whole range of feelings and emotions that arise within us,” he said. “Singing, in particular, constitutes a natural and refined expression of the human being: mind, feelings, body and soul come together to communicate the great events of life.”
The liturgical service of a choir at Mass “is a true ministry that requires preparation, commitment, mutual understanding and, above all, a deep spiritual life, so that when you sing, you both pray and help everyone else to pray,” the pope said.