Being able to carry a tune is paying off in a big way for 13 members
of Arlington’s
diocesan choir, who have earned the opportunity to sing for Pope Benedict XVI
during the Mass at Nationals Stadium April 17. The representatives from Arlington
make up a small portion of the 250-voice Papal Mass Choir, one of four ensembles
that will perform that morning for the Holy Father.
Though the majority of the vocalists are from active parish ministries in the
Archdiocese of Washington, Tom Stehle, director of music for the Mass and pastoral
associate for liturgy and music at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Potomac, Md.,
said it made sense also to offer the opportunity to Arlington, a diocese that
has never hosted the pope.
“They’re our neighbors. The only thing that separates us is a river,” Stehle
said. “It’s kind of natural for us to reach out.”
Auditions from the Arlington Diocese were limited to members of the diocesan
choir for logistical reasons, Stehle added, and Rick Gibala, coordinator of music
for the Arlington Diocese and director of the diocesan choir, said the 13 will
stand in for all Arlington vocalists.
“Because the diocesan choir represents all the parishes in our diocese,
technically they’re representing all of us,” Gibala said. “It’s
a big responsibility, but they all understand what an honor it is.”
Sherri Katoen, a soprano in the diocesan choir and a cantor at All Saints Parish
in Manassas, certainly does.
A convert to the Faith, Katoen is ecstatic that she was chosen for the Papal
Mass Choir, and has already begun putting together a scrapbook.
“I think the entire experience is just going to be very extraordinary for
me,” she said. “For me, it’s just a joy to sing for the diocesan
choir when the bishop is there, so I can’t imagine what it’s going
to be like when the pope is there.”
Following Katoen’s early February audition at St. Matthew Cathedral in
Washington — “one of the most intense auditions I think I’ve
ever been on” — she knew the pressure was on.
“We’re not messing around,” she said. “This is a serious
thing (we’re) involved in.”
It’s definitely serious for retired Air Force pilot Robert Haydon, 77,
a parishioner at St. Timothy Parish in Chantilly. Married 53 years, Haydon and
his wife, Connie, joined the diocesan choir together when it was formed in 2001.
Because of her ongoing battle with Alzheimer’s disease, however, Connie
is no longer able to sing.
Though initially reluctant, when the opportunity opened up for Haydon to audition,
his oldest daughter encouraged him, calling it “a chance of a lifetime.”
On April 17 Haydon will sing not only for himself and for the pope, but for Connie.
On that Thursday morning, after arriving at the stadium in the wee hours, the
Papal Mass Choir will sing from reserved stadium seating in left field, just
to the right of the pope.
The choirs will begin performing at 8:30 a.m. and sing through the end of the
liturgy, which should be around noon. That’s potentially two-and-a-half
hours of music — or 48 total pieces, Stehle said. The repertoire (all contained
in a 131-page booklet) includes pre- and postlude material as well as songs for
the liturgy. Selections include “Sing Aloud Unto God Our Strength” by
Daniel Nelson and “Spirit of God Within Me” by Robert LeBlanc.
In addition to the Papal Mass Choir, an intercultural choir, a children’s
choir and a gospel choir will perform.
Rose Berns, also present from Arlington, is music director at Holy Spirit Church
in Annandale. She and her son, Sean, have both been singing with the diocesan
choir since its inception in 2001.
Berns said she was looking forward to being “such an integral part of such
a grand liturgy” and to leading others in song and prayer.
“How much more can you serve than for the pope?” she said. “You
serve for Jesus always, but to be in such a high visibility for the Holy Father,
it’s an honor. We’re going to do our best to represent Arlington
the best we can.”
Gretchen R. Crowe can be reached at gcrowe@catholicherald.com.
Welcoming the pope with bells on
Eight members of Blessed Sacrament Parish’s bell choir also will
perform at the Papal Mass at Nationals Stadium.
Henry Sgrecci, the director of the bells at the Alexandria parish, will
be one of the ringers.
“The bells will create an intonation that will introduce a song that
no one has ever heard of before because it’s been composed just for this
Mass,” he said. The music will focus on a two-octave range and will be
used for responsorial portions of the liturgy such as the “Gloria” and “Alleluia.”
Though there are challenges and concerns that go along with performing
in such a large space, Sgrecci said that to be able to do so is exciting.
“Some of them are founding members of our hand bell choir,” he
said. “What a thrill.”
Blessed Sacrament’s bell choir was formed in 1988 to coincide with
the opening of their new church building.
