Dear Parishioners,

From the very beginning music has been an integral part of the Church’s liturgy, mostly chant and organ. The Church inherited a musical liturgical tradition from Jewish Temple worship. As you may realize the Psalms were written to music and King David composed most of them.

The Second Vatican Council in the late 60’s shifted the liturgy to the possibility of the vernacular but it envisioned that the Church’s rich musical tradition and even Latin would be preserved. There was also an emphasis in the liturgy that there should be a full, conscious and active participation of the faithful. Liturgical Music, therefore, is not so much a performance but should lead to active participation.

Our parishes have been blessed with a rich musical tradition. I have heard about the choirs and musicians we have had over the years. Currently, we are very blessed to have Janet Bresnahan as an accompanist, Brianna Snyder as a cantor and Emily Garner as a flutist. Brianna first joined us as director of music ministries last year but has since decided to focus on being a cantor on Sundays and stepped back from the director role. So we have found someone else to take on the Music Director position to plan for and coordinate the various liturgies throughout the year including funerals, weddings and special masses, in addition to building up the music program.

Josh Thom, a trained, experienced musician, is the new Music Director for our parishes. Josh comes with a long history of teaching and performing music and most recently was the Music Director for services in Wickenburg, Arizona before relocating to our area.

Josh will be planning the music for the various liturgies, and coordinate and support musicians. He has also started introducing music at the 4 pm Mass on Saturdays each week. We would like to incorporate more musicians into the liturgies and perhaps even, in the future, start an adult choir and a children’s choir. These things take time, leadership and support from the community. We are happy to welcome Josh into this director position.

If you or anyone you know is interested in getting involved in music ministry at our parishes, and can sing or play an instrument, please contact the office or text or call Josh directly at 623-205-2759.