The mission of our Music Ministry is to support the gospel message through song and challenge the assembly to live it more fully. The goal of the Director of Music is to develop a prayerful, singing assembly through preparation, celebration and evaluation, through education and personal ministry. There is an opportunity for every parishioner to participate; whether as a chorister, an instrumentalist, a handbell ringer, a cantor, or a Friend of the Music Ministry. These opportunities are described below, and there is a registration form for your convenience. You may also sign up to receive information regarding upcoming Music Ministry events.
If you are planning a wedding or funeral Mass at St. Mary's, here are links to suggested music selections: Music for Weddings, Music for Funeral Masses.
Let Everything that Has Breath Praise the Lord! - (Psalm 150:6)
Our ensembles offer opportunities to share your musical gifts with the worshiping assembly at various Masses here at the parish. Our Parish Choir meets once a week on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7PM. The choir normally sings at the 9:30AM Mass each week, Holy Days of Obligation and other special events both at the church and in the community. Members of the Parish Choir also participate in the Voice for Life chorister training scheme on a purely volunteer basis. This program is especially good for new choristers who have little to no previous experience singing with a choir. Perhaps singing is NOT your FORTE?! Give our Handbell Choir a try. As long as your wrists work and you can count, you can learn to play handbells. The Handbell Choir meets each week on Tuesday evenings beginning at 7PM and typically plays at selected Masses throughout the year and for special events, both at the church and in the community. In 2014 the Music Ministry launched the Choir of Angels for children beginning in 2nd Grade through high school. Currently our Choir of Angels rehearse on Sunday afternoons from 1PM-2PM. This choir also participates in the Voice for Life chorister training scheme developed by the Royal School of Church Music.
We lead the assembly in song during Masses.
We pray alongside the assembly in song during the Mass or sometimes at special services. We also go out into the community to minister at nursing homes and other locations, both local and abroad.
As part of the Royal School of Church Music, this choir receives formal music training and, like the other music groups, sometimes presents music at special events. Choir of Angels is a wonderful way to introduce your children to worshiping God in song.
Our soloists are available to sing at weddings and funeral Masses.
We are a Folk Mass Ensemble praying with the assembly in song throughout the Mass every other Sunday from September through May at the 11:30 A.M. and other select Masses.
We assist the faithful in their prayers during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and play at special services for the parish and the community both local and abroad.
We pray alongside the assembly in song during the Mass or sometimes at special services. We also go out into the community to minister at nursing homes and other locations, both local and abroad.
We don't sing or play an instrument, but we love music and use our individual talents to assist the music ministry as event helpers at Masses and special events.
O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
(Psalm 95:1)