Musicians’ Day, which typically draws close to 500 people, will take place on July 30 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
This has been a tradition for over 10 years, not solely a “workshop” day, and not just a “music sing-along” day, either, but a hybrid of both, tied together in the spirit and joy emanating from the parish musicians who attend. Over the years, the Office of Worship has featured high-quality teachers and presenters, such as Peter Kolar, John Flaherty, Bob Hurd, Jaime Cortez and Ken Canedo, inspirational songleaders like Sarah Hart and ValLimar Jansen, and local presenters as well.
This year’s Musician’s Day will feature two talented OCP Catholic Music Artist/Composers, Lourdes Montgomery (presenting in Spanish), and Gerard Chiusano (presenting in English). This year’s theme is “The Mercy of My Lifesong ~ Misericordia en la Canción de Mi Vida,” with great discussions and music regarding mercy in the life of a holistic Catholic person, not just present in the lyrics of our hymnals.
The Office of Worship affirms that quality music, both within and outside of our liturgies, is instrumental (pun intended) in the parish community life of our Diocese, and the Office emphasizes the necessary formation of our parish music ministers; Musicians’ Day is a big part of that mission.
Starting three years ago, the Office of Worship added the St. Cecilia Music Fund to the day, which is a fundraising raffle held during Musicians’ Day to support a parish community that is in need of music equipment or resources, but doesn’t have the financial resources to obtain them. This year, the prize will be a Silvertone© Pro Series acoustic guitar, with a guitar starter kit. The parish chosen to receive support from the fund this year will be the community of Blessed Oscar Romero in Eastvale, established in September 2015 by Bishop Gerald Barnes.
“We don’t have anything, so this would be very helpful,” says Father Pat Kirsch, Pastor of Blessed Oscar Romero Parish. “We have great volunteers for music ministry, but we really don’t have the equipment.”
Parish music directors, choir members, instrumentalists, cantors, and liturgical ministers can sign up online at www.sites.google.com/site/sbdworship, or send in the registration form sent out to all the parishes. Register before July 15, before the price goes up! And keep singing!
Chris Estrella is Music and Liturgy Coordinator in the Diocese of San Bernardino.