It's been a while since I have written to all of you. I think it’s important to communicate with you often, therefore I am making a conscious effort to do so on a regular basis. My goal is to write at least once a month.

Please pray for Fr. Tim this month as he is taking his annual vacation and is back home in Africa through the end of the month. Please pray for safe travels for him, and strength for me. Please also extend thanks to Fr. Bona, who is helping with 2 Masses on weekends.

I am pleased to announce that we have hired new music ministers! Most of you know that the music at Mass has been inconsistent and sometimes difficult - for a while, for a variety of reasons and for a lot of people. I 'd like you to know that we (myself, Pastoral Council, and staff) have heard your feedback and frustrations. The bottom line is this: even though the Mass is not about us or our preferences, the music is still an integral part. If the music is not helping us enter into prayer and we are constantly reminded how we don’t like the music or it is a distraction, then we don’t tend to get as much out of Mass. As a Pastor, because the Mass is the most important thing we do as Catholics, I need to help people pray the Mass. While I know it is impossible to please everyone, I do need to help as many as I can. It has been an adjustment over time and not an “easy fix” to say the least.

Since Advent, we have had Kim Scoggin “fill in” to help us get through Advent and Christmas. We received such overwhelming positive comments from each Mass. More importantly for me, I heard how many of you were able to pray the Mass better because of this music. As a result, we have been hoping the musicians would be willing to stay with us. Kim was the Director of Music for many years at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (which is where Bill Marcotte, our Parish Manager, attends). Several years ago, Kim chose to leave full time music ministry but has helped out at various parishes. I am pleased to say that she has agreed to stay with us more long-term, and not just as a “fill in”. Kim has been hired as our Director. She will select the music, lead rehearsals, and will be here most every weekend, but will not be at every Mass. At her request, we have hired her a full-time assistant, Iggi Rodriguez, who will do things behind the scenes to prepare for each Mass and implement the standard Kim has set. Iggi is very talented, and Kim and he have known and worked with each other for many years. As you can hear, the quality and standard of music has been greatly enhanced.

The enhancement of the music; the increase of instruments and the increase in number and quality of singers is an improvement over what we were able to offer in the past. However, it also comes at a cost. I see it as an investment. If you are praying the Mass better with the music enhancements, can I ask you to also consider your tithing? Any increase financially, giving back some of what you are receiving, will help us keep the music standard that Kim has helped us set. This will help us and others to be able to enter in well to the prayer and worship of the Mass; for our holiness and the glory of God.

Please take time to meet and welcome them to St. Gabriel!In Christ,

Fr. Chad

 

 

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