The Children s Choir at St. Anne

Transcription

1 St. Anne Catholic Church April 2015 They Sing so Beautifully The Children s Choir at St. Anne There is a beloved saying, attributed to St. Augustine, which states: He who sings prays twice. Something about the act of lifting one s voice to God in prayer elevates the soul to new heights of devotion and unity with the Creator. Perhaps this is rooted in the fact that singing, by its very nature, is a soulful act requiring the entire person to become alive. And not only does singing elevate individuals, but it also has the power to move the multitudes. This is particularly true when the voices of the innocent are lifted up in worship. They sing so beautifully and so fervently, says parishioner Mary Guernseys, in reference to the young members of St. Anne s newly revived Children s Choir. You just have to look at their little faces. They just put everything they have into it. They are so sincere and happy to be part of [the liturgy]. Jon Grigson, our Director of Music who returned to the parish in October after serving at Church of the Madalene in Tulsa, notes that there was much interest in having a children s choir in the parish. We had a Children s Choir before, Jon says. And it was very successful. When I changed parishes, it seemed to be the logical thing to do. Mary, the mother of nine children between the ages of 14 and 31, and grandmother of a 4-year old, was a big advocate for bringing back the choir. Her older children continued on back cover

2 St. Anne Catholic Church want to be just like Mom! I I want to be just like Dad! Perhaps nothing lifts a parent s heart like hearing these words. While certainly affirming, such words also remind us of the great responsibility that comes with parenthood. Children often examine the lives of their parents when making decisions that will affect their own lives. For example, a young boy may dream of becoming a physician one day, just like his father. Or a young girl may hope to become a veterinarian, just like her mother. Could the same be said about their parents faith lives? Just as children learn traits and values from their parents, they should also learn the importance and great joy of developing a personal relationship with Christ. And the foundation of such a relationship is prayer conversation with God. How should we go about teaching our children to pray? There are several methods, but none works as well as teaching by example. Begin teaching the importance of prayer by praying openly with your spouse. This teaches children that prayer is meaningful and important, and not just a ritual. Also, pray with your children in the morning and in the evening. Show your sons and daughters the importance of beginning and ending each day in prayer. While a fortunate dilemma, it s a dilemma nonetheless Catholics face the challenge of discerning which prayers to use, considering the thousands available. A good rule of thumb is to start simple maybe an Our Father or Hail Mary, and then move into something more complex Hail, Holy Queen or Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, among Teaching By Example The Importance of Prayer in a Child s Life others. Begin with prayers your children can pick up fairly quickly. Not only will this show them that praying can be fun and easy, but shorter prayers are also usually easier to understand. Teach your children the importance of spontaneous prayer, rather than just prescribed prayers. Spontaneous prayer is any prayer that is created at the same time it is offered. Another way to think of spontaneous prayer is praying in your own words. Structure spontaneous prayers according to the ACTS acronym Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. In layman s terms, this means beginning each prayer with words of adoration, such as You are the Lord God Almighty. I love you. Move into a period of contrition, asking God s forgiveness for the sins you have committed. Then give words of thanksgiving, thanking God for the gifts He has given. Finally, spend time sharing with God your heart s desires. These intentions can be personal or on another s behalf. Following this format ensures that spontaneous prayer covers all the bases, and doesn t become just a mental wish list. While God wants to hear and grant our wishes, He also expects words of adoration, contrition and thankfulness. The best time to begin praying with your children is right now. The sooner they learn about prayer, the sooner they can begin cultivating their own relationship with Jesus. Many parents even pray with their children before birth, hoping their unborn son or daughter can hear their words in utero. Remember, there is no better way to teach one s children about the value of prayer than by example. Just as children learn traits and values from their parents, they should also learn the importance and great joy of developing a personal relationship with Christ. And the foundation of such a relationship is prayer conversation with God.

3 Celebrating the Joy of Christ s Resurrection Dear Parishioners, There are many aspects of the Easter celebration that bring joy to the Christian. Not only do we rejoice in Christ s resurrection, as He conquered death, but we also rejoice because of the eternal reward we gain through it. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (654) puts it, The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life. This new life that we speak of is a life of abundance and freedom found not only in our current existence, but also in our eternal life in heaven with God. In a beautiful mystery, Christ s resurrection is the source of our own future resurrection. In his Letter to the Romans, St. Paul wrote: For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection (Rom 6:5). When Christ overcame the grave, He opened the gates of heaven that had never been opened before. Through His resurrection, we have the opportunity to be united with God in eternal bliss and happiness. What greater grounds for thanksgiving can there be than this Easter hope? We should sing with joy about this promise from God! But how can we best express that joy? How can we thank God for the greatest gift that we could ever be given? We can join in worship, praising God in our words and deeds, and share the Good News of His victory with our family, friends and neighbors. Most importantly, we respond to His graciousness with a gift of our own a gift of our very self. When we give our time, talent and treasure to God and to others in service, we make a concrete gesture of thanksgiving in return to the One who is most deserving of our love. This Easter season, let us live out Jesus reassurance that In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world (Jn 16:33). Despite the challenges of our daily lives and the struggles we may be going through, Christ has won for us eternal victory, giving us a hope for a better tomorrow and peace that will never end. That, my brothers and sisters, is reason to rejoice. Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev. Gary Kastl Pastor

4 St. Anne Catholic Church The Journey The St. Anne s RCIA class. (Front row, from left) Everett Enkey, Sherry Enkey, Ernie Cothern, Diane Cothern, Debbie Adamson, Kathy Erickson, Fr. Kastl. (Middle row, from left) Alisha Gries, Omar Moralis, Chris Caporale, Dana Funk, Joe Brister. (Back row, from left) Susan Leech-Lopez, Ana Martinez, Jessica Holland, Jodi Erickson (not pictured, Richard Jones and Maha De Silva). As a parish community, we often witness important sacramental milestones First Communion, Matrimony, Confirmation and Baptism but perhaps one of the most beautiful celebrations is witnessing an individual s journey through RCIA, or the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. RCIA is a journey of renewal which involves Gospel study, prayer, spiritual guidance and catechesis, and it s one which involves the entire parish since those enrolled learn about the Catholic Faith while within the midst of the church community. This year we have a small group eight participants but in many ways this makes it more intimate as we get to know each other during this journey, explains Kathy Erickson, RCIA Coordinator. There are three candidates which means they have already been baptized and so will be confirmed and receive the Eucharist during the Easter Vigil Mass. And there are five catechumens, who will receive all three Sacraments of Initiation Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The program begins in September and continues through Pentecost, thus giving those enrolled the time they need to receive a thorough foundation in the teachings of the Catholic Faith in other words, becoming a Catholic is not meant to happen overnight. RCIA is a process, and even the fears, doubts and questions that anyone experiences along the way are all part of the journey. The entire RCIA process may seem like a long time, but seven months gives you the time to develop and explore the Catholic Faith, Kathy says. There is so much to learn. Of course, there is no commitment for signing up for the program, but we invite anyone who is wondering to come and see what it s about. Many times, people don t know if they are being called to the Catholic Faith, so we give them the time and the information to figure it out.

5 April 2015 Through RCIA This was the case with Dana Funk, who initially enrolled in RCIA to learn more about the Catholic Faith. Although she was raised in the Methodist church, her father s Irish Catholic family always piqued her interest in Catholicism an interest that would take seed and blossom when a friend one day invited Dana and her husband, Kyle, to Mass. When Jodi Erickson [Kathy s daughter] invited us to come to Mass with her, I immediately felt drawn to St. Anne s, and took it as a sign that RCIA was just starting up, Dana says. I initially enrolled because I wanted information. I like to ask questions and process things, and RCIA was the perfect opportunity to learn more. The classes started in September, and by December when we started discussing the sacraments and the Eucharist, I knew that this was for me. That s when I made the shift from RCIA being a class scheduled on my calendar to being something I really look forward to. In fact, sometimes that hour and a half meeting doesn t feel long enough. This year, the program is using the Symbolon series which, through a series of videos, table discussions and leading questions, explains the entirety of the Catholic Faith in a way that engages culturally relevant issues. Of course, the Catholic Faith is so deep and rich, so full of history and tradition that no one not even cradle Catholics! can know it all, but there are some fundamental starting points in understanding the Catholic Faith, and this series is a good way to begin. Sometimes, I feel as if I m playing catch-up, Dana says. But I have learned so much already, and the fact that there is still so much more to know just makes me more committed. What is especially meaningful during the entire process is that the parish plays a significant role in supporting and encouraging the participants as they embark on their journey of spiritual awareness and renewal. Kathy explains that not only is the church community the central support to the RCIA process, but it is also a source of most of the sponsors and bears witness to all the liturgical rites. As a parish community, we really try to show our support, Kathy says. Beginning with the Rite of Welcoming when the candidates were first introduced to the parish, we have continued to share in their journey through prayer petitions, by sitting with them during Mass, and by offering them our Dana and Kyle Funk. Dana is presently enrolled in the RCIA program. support. We try to include them in parish activities for example, we invite them to Father s Theology Uncorked sessions on the first Thursday of the month. This gives them an opportunity to sit with other parishioners, make friends, and learn and ask questions. Finally, during the Easter Vigil Mass this month, these eight individuals will be welcomed as full members of the Catholic Church. And while their journey though RCIA may be officially over, the journey nonetheless continues as they, along with all of us, will continue that journey of conversion to live our faith daily and to grow in God s grace and love. The entire RCIA process may seem like a long time, but seven months gives you the time to develop and explore the Catholic Faith. There is so much to learn. Of course, there is no commitment for signing up for the program, but we invite anyone who is wondering to come and see what it s about. Many times, people don t know if they are being called to the Catholic Faith, so we give them the time and the information to figure it out. Kathy Erickson, RCIA Coordinator

6 St. Anne Catholic Church THE GIFT OF JOY Serving the Poor in Haiti bar of soap, a washcloth, and a pencil and sharpener may A not seem like anything extraordinary. Of course, these are quite ordinary items we use in our day-to-day lives. So what makes them special? These simple, inexpensive items make up something called a Blessing Bag, and the lives of those living in Kobonal, Haiti were changed when they received one. Jeff Gallant grew up in a Catholic family and has been involved with various ministries and events as a member of St. Anne s Parish for about 10 years. Having a love for travel and experience with mission trips, Jeff found himself along with his wife, Angelina Vega Gallant, and 13-year-old daughter, Genevieve responding to an invitation from Fr. Gary Kastl to visit the poorest of the poor in Haiti. Virtually no one spoke English, except for some of the workers, Jeff says. The mission was mostly about our presence and bringing joy to these people. When we find ourselves in a place of having little material goods, life becomes more about gratitude for what we do have, and finding happiness in the small things. The excitement and joy that the children in Haiti had when they saw us each day is what will stick with me, Jeff says. Since 2004, Kobonal Haiti Mission and Cross Catholic Outreach have worked together to bring physical relief and spiritual healing to the poor in Kobonal, Haiti. For the Gallant family and Fr. Kastl, this mission of serving the poor in Haiti has continued since returning from their trip this past November. While in Haiti, they were able to see certain needs that could be met, even all the way from Broken Arrow. My wife assisted some of the women in preparing meals for 1,300 students a day, Jeff says. They didn t have aprons or pot holders. With the support and help of Fr. Kastl, Jeff and his family were able to rally their fellow parishioners to be part of the mission by collecting these essential kitchen items and having them shipped to Haiti. There also was a need for 700 rosaries to be donated to a hospital where they would be handed out to patients. The Rosary Guild, as well as other members of St. Anne s, contributed to exceeding that goal. Over 700 rosaries were brought down to the hospital this January. continued on next page

7 April 2015 Haiti continued from page 6 Although only five people made the actual trip to Kobonal, this mission has truly turned into a parish-wide effort to help care for the needs of the poor in this Haitian village. There is no gift too small everyone has something to give, Jeff says. We are all called to evangelize and be missionaries, and it can be done in different ways. Just be open to how the Holy Spirit is leading you. Information on the Kobonal Haiti Mission and Cross Catholic Outreach, can be found at solthaitimission.org and For ways that YOU can be a part of this mission, please contact Fr. Gary Kastl at or Jeff Gallant at Holy Week Schedule Holy Thursday, April 2 7 p.m. Mass of the Lord s Supper Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Following the Mass of the Lord s Supper on Holy Thursday, we will have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel until midnight. Volunteers are needed to come and pray before the Lord. Sign-up sheets can be found in the vestibule of church. Good Friday, April 3 a day of fast and abstinence Stations of the Cross, 3 p.m. (Via Dolorosa, weather permitting) Liturgy of the Lord s Passion and Death, 7 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass Saturday, April 4 8 p.m. Easter Sunday Masses Sunday, April 5 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

8 St. Anne Catholic Church 301 South 9th Street Broken Arrow, OK Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Broken Arrow, OK Permit #104 Return Service Requested Children s Choir continued from front cover were members of the program many years ago. It is something that my kids have held onto for their whole life, Mary says, noting that she was thrilled to learn that her younger children and granddaughter would be able to have a similar experience. I think it is important for the children to get involved early on so that they have what is necessary to move to the Adult Choir. The Children s Choir is already thriving with between 20 and 25 regular members. The challenge has become meeting the needs of the wide age variety, which ranges between the early reading years to teenagers. We need some older kids to help out and act as mentors for the younger children, Jon says. One of the most beautiful aspects of the choir s presence within the parish is that it allows parishioners to see the young church alive. If you look at the music we have now, we have a very traditional service so this brings a more youth focused liturgy, Jon says. This is helping the young church grow. By encouraging our young people to become active participants in the liturgy, we help foster a love within them for the Church s rich traditions and the importance of stewardship this is essential to the future of our faith. The youthful presence also helps spread the joy of Christ. You can t not smile when a child smiles, Mary says. Hopefully, you can t not sing either! The choir meets for practice Sunday evenings at 6:15 p.m. in order to prepare for their monthly participation at the 11:30 a.m. Mass on the last Sunday of each month. No audition is required to join. If you would like more information, please contact Jon Grigson at choir@stanneba.org or simply show up at choir practice. All members need to fill out a choir registration form and will receive a Children s Choir polo shirt.