From the Director of Sacred Music & Liturgy - September

Choir rehearsals start this month! All are welcome to attend our first rehearsal, which will be Wednesday, September 15th from 6:00-7:15 PM in the church. Of the many hats that I wear as a church musician, “choir director” is my favorite one! So I am very much looking forward to being back in front of a choir, helping to lead people in song for the glory of God and the edification and sanctification of the faithful.

Keep an eye out for more training dates for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. All EMHCs who wish to serve are required to attend a training session. I will be happy to host as many sessions as necessary to ensure that everyone who would like to serve can be trained.

This month we have a handful of exciting feast days, and I would love to hear how you and your families are marking these occasions! Here are a few ideas:

September 8 is the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and also the 131st anniversary of St. Thérèse’s profession as a Carmelite! Consider praying a rosary for Mary in gratitude for all of her sons and daughters who are cloistered religious.

September 14 is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, an excellent day to pray the Stations of the Cross. Servant of God Cora Evans (1904-1957), a mystic and convert to Catholicism from Mormonism, eventually started praying the stations backwards (from 14 to 1), because that’s the way the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced them as she had to walk home after the death of her Son. Powerful!

September 29 is the feast of the archangels, Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The theology of angels is one of the most fascinating corners of Church teaching! Get your feet wet by reading what the Catechism has to say about them: see paragraphs 327-336, 350-352, and 391-395