Sounds of Joy

We are entering the darkest time of the year, and I admit that I struggle a lot with the grayer and shorter days. For me, finding signs of joy becomes a little more challenging even as the busy-ness of life picks up with holiday events and activities. I remember very clearly, back when I worked in the retail industry, how much I grumbled about all of it – the chaos of consumerism, the long hours of work, the over-commercialization of Christmas. Then, one day, my sister invited me to join the adult Christmas Eve Choir, and I encountered a new spirituality in preparing for Christmas.

I had grown up watching my older sisters and mother sing and play instruments with the church choir. In some ways, I knew I might eventually end up participating too. Spending the extra time actively preparing the music for Christmas Eve Mass helped me really consider the beauty of Christ’s birth. As I practiced the same songs and lyrics over and over, tunes would get stuck in my head and act as a playlist for my work. Sometimes, I would catch myself smiling about a particular song we practiced in choir. The music helped me invite friends to attend Mass. Music is so often a universal way of communicating and bringing others together.

Choir and music ministry has played a role in my own journey of faith. This week, I’d like to share some of our younger parishioners’ experiences singing in choir. I hope that by reading this reflection, you’ll feel encouraged to consider joining one of the Christmas choirs this year, or even regular music ministry!

Youth play instruments for the children’s Christmas Eve Choir

We love participating in the choir because we get to meet new people. We enjoy singing the hymns welcoming Jesus. The instructor was very friendly and patient. We enjoy performing for the parish and our family. – Alison, Louisa, & Marianne McKeon

Singing in the Christmas choir feels like you are slowly growing closer to God. At Mass I usually don't pay that much attention, but when I sing in the Christmas choir, I pay more attention because you are closer to the altar and the priest. I have learned many things about music and about God. My heart has been changed by the words of the songs. -Francis Rodriguez

Singing in the Children's Christmas Choir in my opinion is a lot like altar serving. First off, I think it is like altar serving, because you are close to the priest and sometimes people are more interactive when you are serving or in the choir. Like I said in the first one, you are going to be more interactive in general, and like St. Augustine once said, "Singing is like praying twice." From singing in the choir I have learned that the more you interact the more you realize the importance of Mass. I have grown in my faith by working in the choir and actually paying attention to the Mass and what is happening.  -Gus Rodriguez

To join either the adult Christmas Eve Choir or the Children’s Christmas Eve Choir, please contact Sebastian Modarelli, our Director of Liturgy and Music.