,

As we enter this most holy time of the year, may you be filled with the peace and joy of Christ's resurrection. Then, as we celebrate the Octave of Easter, join us for our annual banquet on Thursday, March 31 at 6 p.m. at Pietro's on 28th St. We have just a little business to take care of (board elections), but the majority of the evening will be spent enjoying great music, great food, and great friends! We hope to see you there!
Mary Harwood
St. Paul the Apostle

The Grand Rapids Diocese Celebrates the Holy Year of Mercy in Song

Aside from last year's convention, this may well be is the most ambitious undertaking in chapter history. Our NPM chapter, working in partnership with the diocese, will present a Holy Year of Mercy event on Friday evenings divided between this spring and next fall, in seven locations throughout the diocese. 

Interspersed with messages from Pope Francis, this festival of song will open with the international Hymn of the Jubilee of Mercy, followed by an extended ensemble led penitential litany, and Marty Haugen's well-known hymn, "Bring forth the Kindom [of Mercy]." Part one will end with C.H.H.Perry's glorious tune, LAUDATE DOMINUM, to the text "The Kingdom of God Is Mercy and Grace."

Part two will open with the Pope's reflection on the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, celebrated in song with two ensemble-led and one organ-led hymns.

Parts three and four focus on reconciliation among nations and peoples, and personal witness -- including a song by Argentinean composer, Pablo Sosa (a life-long friend of Pope Francis), and Michael Joncas' popular "Magnificat", the ultimate song of commitment.

The final section will consist of pure praise for God's gift of mercy. If you were at the NPM convention, you'll never forget the entire convention singing "O God Beyond All Praising" accompanied by the Grand Rapids Symphony, nor will you forget the hymn which we commissioned for the convention, "Where the Joys and Hopes of Living." These will lead us to a brief closing prayer.

Celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy in Song has been prepared for musicians and non-musicians alike. Most of the hymns and songs will either be already familiar, or will be presented in a way that readily enables participation by all. In each of the locations, the parish choir will assist in leading the song.

The purpose of repeating Celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy in Song in seven scattered locations (one of which will be in Spanish with appropriate repertoire), is to enable as many persons as possible to participate. Bring your entire parish to the location nearest you!

The first in this series will be at St. Patrick Parish, 4351 Parnell Ave NE, Ada, on Friday, April 22, 7pm. Go to our website, www.npm-gr.org for the full schedule. 
Bob Batastini
npmeventsNPM Member Events

It's a party!

Our annual Easter Week Banquet is just around the corner on Thursday, March 31st, at Pietro's Italian Restaurant. The cash bar opens and music begins at 6 pm, dinner is at 7. Our outstanding music this year is by husband and wife jazz duo and Aquinas faculty members, Robin Connell and Paul Brewer

Cost is $30 per person and guests are welcome. Be sure to make your reservation by sending an email to [email protected] Put "banquet" in the subject line and list the names of everyone in your party within the message. You can pay at the door with cash, check, or credit card. If you were at last year's banquet, you know that Pietro's food is superb, the music outstanding, and the socializing delightful.

Reservations are coming in strong; we expect a full house. Invite your pastor, and your and his first drink are on our chapter director!
lentMember's Annual Meeting

Our annual Lenten soup supper, members meeting, and presentation by Dr. James Abbington, was an outstanding event!  One participant said, "I would have never guessed that it was possible to create so many incredible meatless soups!" (Several of the folks tasted all nine varieties!)

The member's meeting was brief and to the point. Reports included:
  • Membership: 18 parish memberships, 97 voting members with individual or parish memberships, and 371 subscribers who receive the newsletter
  • Treasurer: $2,614 in our general fund and $470 in our student initiative fund
  • Programs: upcoming offerings were described in some detail and are regularly reported in this newsletter.
Then we moved into the church, sat in the choir seats, and were delighted by Dr. James Abbington, who shared his diverse passions about the music for the church and kept us singing all evening. We concluded with a brief Night Prayer.

Thanks to our hosts from St. Anthony, especially Vonnie Clark and Fr. Mark Przybysz, who joined us for the Abbington presentation, and Michelle Ogren who organized the whole event. Oh yes! And to all the talented soup chefs.

Incidentally, Dr. Abbington stayed at the Batastini's while in town and was "drafted" to conduct a spiritual at the 10:30 mass at St. Francis. (Remember it was the curing of the blind man.) Go to 35:30 on this video if you want to enjoy the experience.


Sister Story features Sr. Joan Thomas

Click here to read a little bit about NPM's own Sr. Joan Thomas as told by Aquinas College student, Ellyse VanderKamp.
composersAttention Composers!

The local composers forum is active again and meets monthly at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. If you write music for liturgy and would like feedback on your composition from fellow composers and a certain retired editor, you are welcome to join. Contact Nick Palmer at [email protected] for the next meeting date and time.
newsnotes
Wanted

St. Mary Magdalen in Kentwood is seeking a full time music director. Read more...
 
Anyone headed to Houston for this year's NPM convention? There are members who are looking to possibly share transportation or lodging costs. Reply to this newsletter and we will help connect those considering going.
college
Calling All College Students!

Are you a college student? Do you know someone who is a college student majoring in liturgical music or related fields? Or do you know a seminarian who has a special interest in sacred music?  

If so, thanks to the generosity of numerous contributors, the chapter is prepared to pay their annual national membership dues in NPM (National Association of Pastoral Musicians), throughout their college career! 


prayerIn our prayers

Dan Cusack
Karen Nogera
Gabriel Van Oyen
Jeanne Ann Hudson
events
Upcoming Events

Please send your upcoming events for inclusion in this calendar no later than the 25th of the previous month to [email protected].

Tenebrae
March 25, 8 p.m.
Cathedral of Saint Andrew

Annual Chapter Banquet
March 31, 6 p.m.
Pietro's Italian Restaurant

Music at Mid-Day
Christopher Dekker, organ
April 5, 12:15 p.m.
First (Park) Congregational Church

Clive Driskill-Smith, organ
April 5, 7:30 p.m.
Jack H. Miller Ceter for Musical Arts, Hope College

Prayer of Peace
April 11, 7:30 p.m.
St. Mary's Catholic Church, Grand Rapids

Music at Mid-Day
Roger MacNaughton, piano & Steve VanRavenswaay, cello
April 12, 12:15 p.m.
First (Park) Congregational Church

Prayer of Peace
April 13, 7:30 p.m.
Dominican Chapel -- Marywood

Music at Mid-Day
Madelaine Lane, soprano & Nicholas Palmer, organ
First (Park) Congregational Church

Celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy in Song
April 22, 7 p.m.
St. Patrick Parish, Parnell

Choral Masterworks
Calvin College Choirs
April 23, 8 p.m.
Calvin College Fine Arts Center

Catholic Central Spring Concert
Dennis Rybicki, director
May 3, 7 p.m.
Cathedral of Saint Andrew

Calvin Alumni Choir Concert
Pearl Shangkuan, director
May 7, 7:30 p.m.
Cathedral of Saint Andrew
coda
Coda

"Music is God's gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven."
Walter Savage Landor
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