GREAT BLESSING of late is having an abundance of music to compose. Recent developments include a new publication for organ, commissions for The Groton School and The Seraphim Singers, contributions to the St. Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal , a new four movement work for trumpet player Richard Kelley, and a collaboration on a Pentecost anthem with Alan Hommerding. Composing is a calling, and I often feel it has saved my life over and over. If I don’t create, I die inside. Meanwhile, with four children, I have to carefully strategize to get projects done which often means losing sleep. My wife is beyond supportive. She is my hero.
Y NOW, MANY OF YOU ARE AWARE of my other recent professional developments. In mid-September I will begin a new role as Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. As a new position in Boston, the Director of Music of the Archdiocese is not a position of power or prestige but of service. Nor is it to micromanage 280+ parishes in the Archdiocese, but to offer guidance and support—liturgical, musical, and pastoral. There will be more about this later at an appropriate time.
While I go with joy to serve in this new role, truth be told, I am in no celebratory mood at this time. My heart breaks, and words cannot describe the unspeakable harm and pain suffered by too many for too long. Fury, anger, and exasperation barely begin to describe the mood of the faithful today.
Furthermore, on a very different (and self-absorbed) note, I am grieving the loss of a beloved parish community I served for twenty-eight years. It is a pain I feel each day right now. (However, I am thrilled that Timothy Zimmerman will be the Interim Music Director at St. Cecilia Parish in Boston while a search continues for the next Music Director.)
HOWEVER, THESE CIRCUMSTANCES ONLY PUNCTUATE a call to serve. Giving of ourselves in service is why we do what we do. I am deeply grateful to all who do so all over the Archdiocese of Boston! Those who serve in parishes in particular are in the trenches every day. Your jobs are much harder than mine. After nearly three decades in parish work, I know! Furthermore, I am humbled by the extraordinary talent in this Archdiocese. (There’s an old baseball saying: “There are two types of ballplayers: Those who are humble, and those who are about to be.”) This certainly applies to music as well.
As such, I am also exceedingly joyful to have the opportunity to serve the Cathedral Parish, for parish life is truly where some of the most rewarding work lies. Likewise, I am deeply grateful to Leo Abbott, FAGO, ChM., who has been incredibly gracious and helpful in this transition. An entire generation owes him a debt of gratitude for his service and for his tireless work to restore the historic E. & G. G. Hook Organ.
Now, onto more practical and joyful matters:
• THE CATHEDRAL CHOIR WELCOMES NEW SINGERS! (11:30 a.m. Mass.) Ability to read is necessary, but it doesn’t have to be stellar at first. It will improve greatly over time. Ability to sing straight tone when called upon is a huge help. If interested click here to email me.
My first Sunday at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross is Sunday, September 16th. Most fittingly the Cathedral will celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. (The Introit Chant Nos autem gloriari is in order!) As it is the Titular Feast of the Cathedral, the celebration is moved to the nearest Sunday. (Sept. 14)
• THE ARCHDIOCESAN CHOIR WELCOMES NEW SINGERS! Singers from all over the Archdiocese are welcome to sing at special Archdiocesan events.
Coming up soon: Permanent Diaconate Ordination, Saturday, September 29th at 10 a.m. With the Cathedral still under renovation, it will take place at the beautiful Holy Name Parish in West Roxbury. If interested click here to email me.
MY GOAL IS ALWAYS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT of joy, gratitude, and prayer, while striving for excellence — musical, liturgical, and pastoral. Achieving excellence—as best as one can with the resources at hand—is a process that requires patience, perhaps taking months or years to achieve. Heck, sometimes it takes a generation to get something done. In this process I often tell my choirs, “You will have fun whether you like it or not!”
True service demands conversion and putting Christ at the center of our sacred music. As a great sinner (many of you are nodding your heads…), I have a lot of work to do on my shortcomings. Please pray for me, and I ask for your patience!
Soli Deo gloria