Music Ministry

Do you like to sing?  Do you play an instrument?

Perhaps you’re considering joining a choir, either as a singer or instrumentalist.  With all the advantages of choir membership, it’s not surprising you might feel a calling to this ministry.  Some of these advantages include:

• Great seating at all the liturgies!
• Scripture sung is scripture remembered.  St. Augustine famously said, “Singing is twice praying!”  The holy texts can more easily become a part of one’s own thoughts and very being, offering each member gateways to greater depth of insight and connection to God for life's journey.
• Ease in staying engaged with both the flow of the liturgy and the flow of the liturgical year of the church. You’ll be more deeply aware of the celebrations of the holy feasts each year. Choir membership increases the depth of knowledge and participation in your faith and prayer life.
• The deep breathing involved in singing offers great and many-faceted benefits to the individual, promoting well-being, calming the mind and lowering stress hormones.  The mental activities and disciplines of musical practice, whether vocally or on an instrument, likewise promote focus and offer myriad benefits to body, mind and spirit.  The sense of accomplishment and achievement of competence, both individually and in the community of the ensemble, is also a great blessing.
• Singing or playing an instrument in harmony with others enlivens the spirit, increases a sense of joy, and can lead to a feeling of great contentment.
• The ability to read music, while an asset, is not necessary to join.  Each part is demonstrated and repeated amply to enable those at all levels of experience to participate.  If you like to sing (and pray), the choirs would love to have you!

• The 5:00 Saturday Community Choir offers music at the Saturday Vigil Mass two Saturdays per month.  Directed by Eric Carreiro, this group rehearses on the Saturdays when they are to sing at Mass, beginning at 3:30 PM.
• The 9:30 AM Mass Contemporary Ensemble: This choir and ensemble, directed by Eric Carreiro, offers music each Sunday and meets for rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM.
• The 11:30 AM Choir:  Alan Ringwood and Eric Carreiro co-curate the repertoire for this choir, with Alan as organist and Eric directing the vocal forces  Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM.  .
• The 5:00 PM Sunday Contemporary Ensemble offers music each Sunday, and rehearses at 3:30 PM each Sunday afternoon immediately before the Mass.
• The Children’s Choir is on hiatus at the moment as we await the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.  When actice, the Children's Choir meets for periodic Saturday morning rehearsals and offers music monthly during the school year at the Saturday Vigil Mass.  They also typically lead the singing at the first Vigil Mass each Christmas Eve.  Mrs. Heidi Langan directs this choir for children in second to sixth grade.

The music ministries at St. Catherine welcome new members year-round!  Early in the calendar year and the mid-late summer are the particularly good times to join.  During the Fall, as is true in many pursuits, our activities shift into higher gear as we prepare not only for the weekly liturgies but also for Advent and Christmas; a similar drive takes place as we approach the holy seasons of Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost.   Preparing the sacred music particular to these seasons and feasts requires heightened focus and effort.  That said, if you are considering making a commitment to one of the choirs, please don’t put it off!  The directors can welcome and orient you at any time, provide the music and direction needed, and make you welcome among the other members.  Each of our music ministries is a dedicated family of members, and we will be glad to have you join us in praising God through song!