AtonementOnline: Pueri Cantores

30 May 2009

Pueri Cantores

Twenty-one of our children are in Houston today with our music directors, Mr. and Mrs. Murray, where they are participating in the Pueri Cantores Choir Festival at St. Cecilia's Church. All of these children are selected members of two of our parish choirs, the St. Cecilia Youth Choir and the St. Nicholas Children’s Choir. It's a wonderful opportunity for them to join with other young people in singing some of the great and serious music of the Church.

Have a look at the Pueri Cantores website here, and take comfort in knowing that the great musical heritage of the Catholic Church is alive and well, and we're part of it!

1 comments:

Rushad said...: Ah, Father Phillips, must you taunt us with your excellent church music. While you guys at Our Lady of the Atonement enjoy the glorious liturgical music of our tradition the rest of us have tolerate this "Sing a New Church" and "Sing to the Mountains" dribble. Why can't all our churches have music as great as Atonement parish? I'm not complaining, Father! Lol!; Saturday, May 30, 2009

"With all my heart, I bless you and your people..."

In 1983 I was a newly-ordained priest. In November of that year, it was my privilege to be in Rome to take part in developing The Book of Divine Worship. During that time an invitation was extended to celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his private chapel. After we had said Mass, and in those few moments I had with the Holy Father, he told me that he remembered considering the request for my ordination, and he described how he came to an affirmative decision. For me, our brief conversation was an experience which will be treasured forever. At the conclusion of our time together, I asked him if I could take his blessing back to the people of my parish. His very simple words remain precious to me: "With all my heart, I bless you and your people." He then embraced me, and I knew that I was forever "home in my Father's house."