TERRA ARTS CHORALE CONCERT

The Terra Arts Chorale will perform a concert at St. Mary's Church on Monday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. The concert titled "A Choral Landscape" will be directed by Michael Shirtz.

Among the works to be performed are "Alleluia" by Randall Thompson; "Regina Coeli" by Mozart; "Alleluia" by Ralph Manuel as well as works by J. S. Bach, David Brubeck, Moses Hogan, Larry Fleming, and Lloyd Pfautsch.

The concert is free and open to the public. You won't want to miss the superb choral group!

COMING SOON: ST. MARY'S ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT

The 28th annual St. Mary's Spring Concert will be held on Sunday, May 16 at 7:30 P.M.

This year's concert will feature guest conductor Jeff Lindquist, and Terra Community College student conductors Cory Jolly and Travis Jones. The concert will also feature Jeff Lindquist and Rick Ellis on trumpet, Mary Conley Riedy and Heather Dion on flute, and soloists Stefanie Rowland and Ron Blake.

Since this year marks the 325th anniversary of the birth of J. S. Bach, several works by Bach will be performed. There will also be several works performed based on hymns.

The concert is free and open to the public. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend! !

ST. MARY'S & TERRA MUSIC PROGRAMS WORKING TOGETHER

Over the past few years, St. Mary's Church and Terra Community College Music Dept. have worked together on numerous occassions. St. Mary's has hosted Terra in a number of their concerts including the Terra Choral Society, Terra Chamber Arts Orchestra, Terra Arts Chorale, and most recently the Terra Brass Choir.

Michael Shirtz is the Music Department Coordinator / Lead Faculty and Director of Choral Activities at Terra Community College.

This past winter, St. Mary's has taken 2 student conductors from Terra to have them rehearse and conduct the St. Mary's Parish Choir at the 9:30 Mass on Sunday morning. Students Cory Jolly and Travis Jones have been participating in this program since February under the supervision of Michael Shirtz.



CORY JOLLY


Cory is a dual major at Terra, majoring in Music Education and Music Performance (in voice). He is a graduate of Clyde High School. Cory is involved with the both the Choral Society and Arts Chorale at Terra. What he likes best about Terra is the personal connection with his teachers. He will graduate from Terra this Spring then plans to attend either Adrian College or Bluffton University. He hopes to eventually be a high school choir director or a college music professor.




TRAVIS JONES


Travis Jones graduated from Fremont Ross High School. He is a Music Education major at Terra with voice being his major instrument. Travis is currently involved with the String Ensemble, Arts Chorale, SOTA, and Choral Society at Terra. Travis likes the treat one-on-one teaching setting at Terra as well as the great and active staff. He will graduate in May 2011 after which he plans to get a BA at Akron University or Muskingum College. His career goal is to become a great choral conductor either at the high school or college level.

FUNERAL FOR INEZ M. JOERGER

Funeral Mass for Inez M. Joerger will be on Friday, April 23 at 10:30 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 10:00. Ron Blake will be the cantor; Fr. Dave Nuss will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

ORGAN & BRASS CONCERT

About 250 people attended the concert last night with Organist Tim Claubaugh and the Terra Brass Choir under the direction of Jeff Blanchard. The program consisted of:


Organ & Brass: "MARCH TRIUMPHAL" - Sigfird Karg-Elert

Organ Solo: "CRUCIFIXION" (from "The Passion of the Christ") - John Debney

Piano & Brass: "MUSIC OF THE NIGHT" (from "Phantom of the Opera") - A. L. Weber / Arr, by Jeff Blanchard

Organ Solo: "LA REJOUISSANCE" (from "Royal Fireworks Music") - G. F. Handel

Brass Only: "POLOVTSIAN DANCES" (from "Prince Igor") - Alexander Borodin

Organ Solo: "ADAGIETTO" (from "Symphony No. 5") - Gustav Mahler

Organ & Brass: "FANFARE" - Jeremiah Clarke

Brass Only: "AVE VERUM CORPUS" - W. A. Mozart

Organ Solo: "WACHET AUF, RUFT UNS DIE STIMME" (BWV 645) - J. S. Bach

Organ Solo: "IN DIR IST FREUDE" (BWV 615) - J. S. Bach

Organ & Brass: "AN EASTER CELEBRATION" - Joel Raney


Performance of "Music of the Night"

Performance of the two Bach organ works. Note the "J. S. Bach Action Figure" on the organ console.

TERRA BRASS CHOIR

Director: Jeff Blanchard

Trumpet I: Jackie Macko, Megan Miller

Trumpet II: Lizzie Ellenberger, Tim Ellenberger, Tom Hetzel

French Horn: Travis Magoto, Tim Laderach, Megan Wistinghausen

Trombone: Duane Waite, Chris Wansitler

Tuba: Bary Cover, Sam Laderach, Steve Shimmer

Percussion: Lonnie Shuey

EASTER AT ST. MARY'S

THE FOLLOWING PICTURES ARE FROM THE EASTER VIGIL MASS(APRIL 3):

RCIA candidates being received into the church

RCIA candidates being received into the Church.

THE FOLLOWING PICTURES WERE TAKEN AT 9:30 MASS EASTER SUNDAY MORNING, (APRIL 4):

OTHER EASTER PICTURES:

FUNERAL FOR BEATRICE M. "BEA" POWELL

Funeral Mass for Beatrice M. "Bea" Powell will be on Monday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Rosemary Manner will be the cantor; Fr. Jason Kahle will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

CHOIRS HAVE WEEK OFF; BUT NOT SUNDAY

The Parish Choir and the Contemporary Choir do not have rehearsals this week (Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8). HOWEVER, both choirs WILL sing at their respective Masses on Sunday Morning (April 11). Be ready to warm up at your usual times Sunday morning.

FUNERAL FOR LINDA L. HOFFMAN

Funeral Mass for Linda L. Hoffman will be on Saturday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Carol Icsman will be the cantor; Fr. Dave Nuss will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

FUNERAL FOR JEFFREY J. SANDERS

Funeral Mass for Jeffrey J. Sanders will be on Friday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Gary Guendelsberger will be the cantor; Fr. Dave Nuss (?) will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

ORGAN & BRASS CONCERT COMING SOON! !

St. Mary’s Church, and Terra State College will present an organ and brass concert on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 7:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church. The concert will feature the Terra Brass Choir under the direction of Jeff Blanchard and Tim Claubaugh on the organ. The concert will include works by John Debney, Pietro Mascagni, Gustav Mahler, J. S. Bach, Sigfrid Karg-Elert, Andrew Lloyd Weber, and others. The concert is free and open to the public.

FUNERAL FOR PATRICIA MARY AHNER

Funeral Mass for Patricia Mary Ahner will be on Wednesday, March 31 at 10:00 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Ron Blake will be the cantor; Fr. Dave Nuss (?) will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

FUNERAL FOR GREG GERHART

Funeral Mass for Greg Gerhart will be on Thursday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Rosemary Manner will be the cantor; Fr. Dave Nuss will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH'S 325 BIRTHDAY! ! !

By Tim Claubaugh

This Sunday, March 21, will mark the 325th birthday of one of the greatest composers (if not the single greatest composer) to have ever lived, Johann Sebastian Bach.

Bach was born in the little German village of Eisenach, Germany, in 1685, and spent many years (over 25 years) serving as Organist and Cantor (Music Director) of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany, where he died on July 28, 1750.

While he is known for his hundreds secular works of Keyboard, Orchestral Suites, and Concerti, Bach is also known for his hundreds of sacred works that he wrote (much while serving at St. Thomas) for organ, cantatas, and Masses. He wrote over 200 cantatas alone; one for each Sunday of the Liturgical year as well as 4 very large choral works: "St. John Passion;" St. Matthew Passion;" "Christmas Oratorio;" and the "Mass in B Minor." Each of these large choral works use orchestra, choir ("St. Matthew Passion" uses a double chorus); organ and soloists.

This Sunday, March 21, the Parish Choir will be performing 2 of Bach's choral pieces at the 9:30 Mass. The first is the famous "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" and the second piece is "Jesus Who Didst Ever Guide Me."

In the afternoon, the Sandusky Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will be having a "Church Walk Concert" of Bach's music at 3 downtown churches. This concert begins at 3:00. For more information, go to the American Guild of Organist Sandusky Chapter Website here.

FUNERAL FOR MARY ANN SLOAN

Funeral Mass for Mary Ann Sloan will be on Thursday, March 18 at 10:00 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Julie Castello will be the cantor; Fr. Jason Kahle will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

FUNERAL FOR BERNICE R. "BUNNY" HUG

Funeral Mass for Bernice R. "Bunny" Hug will be on Monday, March 15 at 10:00 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Carol Icsman will be the cantor; Fr. Jason Kahle will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

FUNERAL FOR JANET M. HAAS

Funeral Mass for Janet M. Haas will be on Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Carol Icsman will be the cantor; Fr. Dave Nuss will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

VR TOUR OF ST. JOHN LATERAN IN ROME

This is simply beautiful...awesome. For those who have been fortunate enough to have visited the Vatican it is a chance to relive memories......for those whose journey is yet to be, enjoy. Much God given talent was given to build such edifices and create the wonderful art.

Use your Cursor for panoramic views. Not too fast or you'll get dizzy. Use Back button to get to each location. Also the screen has a + and -- for Telephoto or Wide Screen. That's in lower left of picture.

Enjoy!

Click here: St. John Lateran - VR Tours

Thanks to Dan Shepherd for this contribution.

LORD, WHO THROUGHOUT THESE FORTY DAYS

TEXT: Claudia Frances Hernaman, 1838-1898, alt.
MUSIC: John’s Day Psalter, 1562
TUNE: ST FLAVIAN
METER: CM (Common Meter: 86 86)

In his book, “Hymn Notes for Church Bulletins,” Austin Lovelace writes:
“As a result of her life-long interest in religious education, the author wrote 150 hymns for children. This one attempts to explain the deeper meanings of the forty days of Lent – fasting, praying, temptations, penitence which point to the joys of Easter which follows the penitential season.”


1. Lord who throughout these forty days,
For us did fast and pray,
Teach us to overcome our sins,
And close by you to stay.

2. As you with Satan did contend,
And us the vict’ry win,
O give us strength in you to fight,
In you to conquer sin.

3. As you did hunger and did thirst,
So teach us, gracious Lord
To die to self, and so to live
By your most holy word.

4. And through these days of penitence,
And through you Passiontide,
Fir evermore, in life and death,
O Lord! with us abide.

5. Abide with us, that through this life
Of doubts and hope and pain,
An Easter of unending joy
We may at last attain!

LITURGICAL / MUSICAL QUESTION

Mike W. asked a question about a particular "Alleluia" that he had heard sung at another parish. You can view his question and the answer to his question in the "Liturgical or Musical Questions" article here.

FUNERAL FOR CAROLINE ONEY

Funeral Mass for Caroline Oney will be on Saturday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Ron Blake will be the cantor; Fr. Jason Kahle will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

FUNERAL FOR HOWARD PRINTY

Funeral Mass for Howard Printy will be on Friday, March 5 at 10:00 p.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Rosemary Manner will be the cantor; Fr. Dave Nuss will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

FUNERAL FOR PAUL W. OHLEMACHER

Funeral Mass for Paul W. Ohlemacher will be on Thursday, March 4 at 10:00 p.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Carol Icsman will be the cantor; Fr. Jason Kahle will preside.

Since Paul was a retired member of the Parish Choir, members of the St. Mary's Parish Choir will also be joining the St. Mary's Funeral Choir.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

FUNERAL FOR KATHLEEN ANN SCALF

Funeral Mass for Kathleen Scalf will be on Wednesday, March 3 at 10:00 p.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Ron Blake will be the cantor; Fr. Dave Nuss will preside.

For the Sandusky Register Obituary link, click here.

CHILDREN'S CHOIR TO SING SUNDAY

The St. Mary's Children's Choir, under the direction of Mr. Mike Schmenk, will be singing at the 11:30 Mass this Sunday in place of the Contemporary Choir. The Children's Choir will sing selections at the Offertory and Communion Meditation.

THE GLORY OF THESE FORTY DAYS

TEXT: Clarum decs jejunit; Gregory the Great, C. 540-604; Tr. By Maurice F. Bell, 1862-1947.
MUSIC: Louis Bourgeois, c. 1510-1561
TUNE: OLD HUNDREDTH
METER: LM (Long Meter: 88 88)


In researching this hymn, there was not a lot of material to use to write this article. Only one source was found. On the website, Lectionary.org, Richard Niell Donovan writes of this hymn:

“We don't know who wrote this hymn, but we know that it is very old -- at least as early as the tenth century, and probably much older. When this hymn was first sung, few people could read. They learned these words and sang them from memory -- or heard a choir sing them. As long ago as the Dark Ages, this hymn was bringing light into the lives of Christians.

The hymn speaks of ‘forty days.’ The forty days of which it speaks were the forty days of Christ's temptation. Those were days of hunger and thirst, because Jesus fasted for those forty days. They were days spent in the loneliness of the desert. We wouldn't want to experience what Jesus experienced during those forty days, because they were hard days, but this hymn speaks of ‘the glory of these forty days,’ and it says, ‘we celebrate with songs of praise.’

Those words might seem odd, given Jesus' suffering during those forty days -- but it isn't his suffering that we celebrate -- it is his triumph over evil -- and his promise to help us triumph over evil as well. As we remember Jesus' temptation, let us not forget that we are tempted too -- often -- every day. Let us remember to pray for Christ's help each day -- that Christ will keep us on the right path -- that God will help us to accomplish something worthy -- and that Christ will protect us from the evil one.”


It is disappointing that our current hymnal, Gather Comprehensive, uses the OLD HUNDREDTH tune as the tune for this Lent hymn instead of the popular Lent tune ERHALT UNS HERR.



1. The glory of these forty days
We celebrate with songs of praise;
For Christ, by whom all things were made,
Himself has fasted and has prayed.

2. Alone and fasting Moses saw
The loving God who gave the law;
And to Elijah, fasting, came
The steeds and chariots of flame.

3. So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
Delivered from the lion’s might;
And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became
The herald of Messiah’s name.

4. Then grant that we like them be true,
Consumed in fast and prayer with you;
Our spirits strengthen with your grace.
And give us joy to see your face.

FRIDAYS OF LENT

On Fridays of Lent (Feb., 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26,), 5:30 pm. and Good Friday Afternoon, April 2, 2:15 p.m., the traditional STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be done with Organ Meditations.

Included in the organ meditations are works from the movie "The Passions of the Christ" by John Debney and works by J. S. Bach, Cesar Franck, and others. Presiders for the service will vary from week to week. The organist will be Tim Claubaugh. This service is open to all; you need not be Catholic to attend this very moving hour long service.

LENT

By Tim Claubaugh

During Lent we will be doing a few things differently than we usually do during Mass.

First you will notice that as you come into church, the Priest (and assisting deacon) will be kneeling in front of the altar, praying silently. We encourage everyone to pray silently before Mass. Also, there will be no Prelude music before Mass and no opening song during Lent.

When it is time for Mass to begin, the cantor will ask everyone to please stand, and we will begin by going right into the Gathering Rite. For the Penitential Rite, everyone will recite the "I confess to almighty God..." followed by the priests' absolution and the sung "Kyrie eleison" led by either the cantor or the deacon. During Lent, we will also be singing an Offertory song, except where there is a choir in which case the choir will sing a selection at the Offertory.

FUNERAL FOR MARY T. BRADFORD

Funeral Mass for Mary T. Bradford will be on Saturday, February 13 at 10:00 p.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Ron Abbott will be the organist; Rosemary Manner will be the cantor; Fr. Dave Nuss will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.

FUNERAL FOR JAMES LAURENCE ROE

Funeral Mass for James Laurence Roe will be on Friday, February 12 at 10:00 p.m. Choir members are asked to be in church by 9:30. Carol Icsman will be the cantor; Fr. Jason Kahle will preside.

For the Sandusky Register obituary link, click here.