Lakewood music events seek to unite voices, faithful across linked parishes
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By David Karas | Correspondent
Parish music leaders in St. Mary of the Lake and St. Anthony Claret, both Lakewood, are organizing a pair of programs designed not only to join voices, but also to help bring together members of their parish communities.
An annual celebration of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Holy Family Church gym, 1143 East County Line Road, Lakewood. The free event will feature live music, food and games for all ages.
“It is a family type event where we have continuous music from different choirs from our parishes,” said Ismael Rivera, music director for St. Anthony Claret Parish. The tradition, he said, has been in the works for at least five years, historically being hosted and organized by his parish and, for the past three years, being organized in conjunction with other parishes.
St. Anthony and St. Mary of the Lake are presently in a linkage model and are moving toward a merger model by July 1, 2020, through the diocesan Faith in Our Future initiative. They will also join forces for this annual celebration with Visitation Parish, Brick, which is in their Cohort.
With two stages, the music will continue uninterrupted as guests can enjoy a range of musical styles delivered by various parish choirs. A range of ministries will be present to share information for faithful interested in learning more about their work as well.
“We have had great success” with prior installments of the bilingual event, Rivera said. He looks forward to “the opportunity for our parishioners to get to share with the parishioners of other parishes [and] compare notes” and music styles.
The theme this year will surround the song “Envia tu espiritu,” translated as “Send Out Your Spirit.”
Another event will again feature the two linked parishes collaborating around music. The pair will host composer and arranger Jaime Cortez from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, also in the Holy Family gym.
On Nov. 29, Cortez will host an evening exclusively for musicians beginning at 7 p.m. He will spend time working with musicians, bilingually and with instruments, and will be available for questions and discussion. All musicians are welcome.
On Nov. 30 at 7 p.m., Cortez will speak on the topic “all may be one” in Spanish; he will repeat his presentation in English on Dec. 1 at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Cori Scotti, music director for St. Mary of the Lake Parish, said that Cortez will use music to speak about the upcoming parish merger, and about people coming together.
“Especially with this linkage, communication is so important,” she said. “There is a lot that we are trying to implement.”
She said that Cortez is “very approachable” and “very adaptable,” and will help introduce parishioners from both parishes to bilingual song.
Both Scotti and Rivera spoke about how well they have been working together, and how enthusiastic they are to facilitate more opportunities for their respective parish communities to share in song and faith together.
“Thank God we have the backing of our colleagues and our pastors,” Scotti said.
For more information, call Cori Scotti at 732-363-0139, ext. 41, or email [email protected].
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By David Karas | Correspondent
Parish music leaders in St. Mary of the Lake and St. Anthony Claret, both Lakewood, are organizing a pair of programs designed not only to join voices, but also to help bring together members of their parish communities.
An annual celebration of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Holy Family Church gym, 1143 East County Line Road, Lakewood. The free event will feature live music, food and games for all ages.
“It is a family type event where we have continuous music from different choirs from our parishes,” said Ismael Rivera, music director for St. Anthony Claret Parish. The tradition, he said, has been in the works for at least five years, historically being hosted and organized by his parish and, for the past three years, being organized in conjunction with other parishes.
St. Anthony and St. Mary of the Lake are presently in a linkage model and are moving toward a merger model by July 1, 2020, through the diocesan Faith in Our Future initiative. They will also join forces for this annual celebration with Visitation Parish, Brick, which is in their Cohort.
With two stages, the music will continue uninterrupted as guests can enjoy a range of musical styles delivered by various parish choirs. A range of ministries will be present to share information for faithful interested in learning more about their work as well.
“We have had great success” with prior installments of the bilingual event, Rivera said. He looks forward to “the opportunity for our parishioners to get to share with the parishioners of other parishes [and] compare notes” and music styles.
The theme this year will surround the song “Envia tu espiritu,” translated as “Send Out Your Spirit.”
Another event will again feature the two linked parishes collaborating around music. The pair will host composer and arranger Jaime Cortez from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, also in the Holy Family gym.
On Nov. 29, Cortez will host an evening exclusively for musicians beginning at 7 p.m. He will spend time working with musicians, bilingually and with instruments, and will be available for questions and discussion. All musicians are welcome.
On Nov. 30 at 7 p.m., Cortez will speak on the topic “all may be one” in Spanish; he will repeat his presentation in English on Dec. 1 at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Cori Scotti, music director for St. Mary of the Lake Parish, said that Cortez will use music to speak about the upcoming parish merger, and about people coming together.
“Especially with this linkage, communication is so important,” she said. “There is a lot that we are trying to implement.”
She said that Cortez is “very approachable” and “very adaptable,” and will help introduce parishioners from both parishes to bilingual song.
Both Scotti and Rivera spoke about how well they have been working together, and how enthusiastic they are to facilitate more opportunities for their respective parish communities to share in song and faith together.
“Thank God we have the backing of our colleagues and our pastors,” Scotti said.
For more information, call Cori Scotti at 732-363-0139, ext. 41, or email [email protected].
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