Music Ministry Page

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INTRODUCTION

Music at St. Rita Church is a vital and essential part of all our liturgies.

We strive to provide excellent music in choice and quality while keeping

the assembly in mind. All our music programs offer a blend of musical

styles which provides the best balance for all parishioners who worship

with us.

You are welcome to join us. The only criteria is that you possess a

love for Christian music, the desire to serve the Lord and your

community, the gift of a good, healthy voice and the time to attend

weekly rehearsals (more during the holiday seasons). Please speak

to the music director after Mass or call 793-8544 and ask for the Music

Office or dial extension 7 after hours to leave a message for Ron, the Director of Music Ministries, or email us at mmstrita@comcast.net.

WHO, WHAT, AND WHERE

4:30pm Saturday Vigil Choir

Director: Ginnie

This choir accepts members of all ages and is accompanied by piano, organ, guitar, bass guitar and percussion.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays at 6:00pm.

7:00pm Saturday Vigil Spanish Choir

Director: Yolanda

This choral group accepts members 18 years of age and older and serves the Spanish Vigil Mass. It is accompanied by guitars.

Rehearsals: Mondays at 8:00pm.

7:30am Mass

This Mass is supported by soloist/cantor and organ or piano.

9:00am Sunday Mass Choir

Director: Ron

This choir accepts members 18 years of age and older. It is accompanied by piano, organ, bass guitar, guitar, and percussion.

Rehearsals: Thursdays at 8:00pm.

11:00am Sunday Mass Choir

Director: Ron

This choir accepts members 18 years of age and older. It is accompanied by piano, organ, bass guitar, guitars, and percussion.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays at 8:00pm.

1:00pm Sunday Spanish Choir

Director: Myriam

This choral group accepts members of all ages and serves the Sunday Spanish Mass. It is accompanied by piano and percussion.

Rehearsals: Mondays at 6:00pm.

5:00pm LifeTeen Band

Director: Mary Lou

This music ministry serves at the LifeTeen Mass. Restrictions apply to those who wish to join for specific reasons governed by LifeTeen guidelines and philosophies. Please see the director for further information. Click here to be connected to the official LifeTeen web site.

Children's Choir

Director: Lori

The children sing at Children's Masses during the months Faith Formation classes are in session. These Masses take place once a month at the 9:00am Sunday Mass. The choir also sings at a Christmas Vigil Mass. Please visit the Children's Choir Page for more information.

Celebration Choir

Director: Ron

This choir is for open for all active members of any adult music ministry serving our church. We combine our talents and sing at special Masses and Holy days, including Christmas Midnight Mass and the Triduum Liturgies which may require extra rehearsal times. Announcements will be made prior to any special events that would require your participation. Rehearsal schedules vary according to the event.

SAINT CECILIA

Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and Church music. Her feast day, celebrated both in the Catholic and Orthodox Church, is November 22. She is one of seven women, excluding the Blessed Virgin, commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass. It was long supposed that she was a noble lady of Rome who, with her husband Valerian(us), his brother Tiburtius, and other friends whom she had converted, suffered martyrdom, C. 230, under the emperor Alexander Severus.

The martyrdom of Cecilia is said to have followed that of her husband and brother by the prefect Turcius Almachius. The officers of the prefect then sought to have Cecilia killed as well. She arranged to have her home preserved as a church before she was arrested. At that time, the officials attempted to kill her by locking her in an overheated bathhouse. However, the attempt failed, and she was to be beheaded. The executioner attempted to decapitate her three times unsuccessfully, at which time he fled. Cecilia survived another three days before succumbing.

A Prayer to St. Cecilia

O God, who does make us glad with the annual feast of blessed Cecilia, your virgin and martyr, grant that, as we venerate her in our liturgy, we may also follow her example in Godly living, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.