I am sorry to announce that Siobhán Maguire, our Music Director, will be leaving us at the end of this month. She has accepted a similar position at St. Julie Billiart in Tinley Park beginning September 1. Siobhán has been with us for 11 years and has greatly enhanced our music program. Many people don’t realize the complexity of the ministry. In addition to being a staff person, the Director of Music must know liturgical music, be an accompanist at Mass, be skilled with the use of voice, train cantors, lead a choir, choose appropriate music that corresponds to the Biblical readings of the day, and relate to the assembly.
Furthermore, the ministry includes the administration of scheduling musicians for Sunday Masses, funerals, weddings, and special feasts. Like most jobs, this position has many behind the scenes responsibilities, including dealing with brides and grooms in planning their wedding music, a wedding workshop, and working with bereaved families for funeral music. Also he/she must have a connection with the Archdiocesan office of worship, go to seminars, retreats, and conventions pertaining to parish liturgical music. Networking with colleagues is also very important to keep abreast of what is current regarding liturgical documents and parish music.
Siobhán has done all this and has done it well. She has taught me much about liturgical music and has always had the patience to help me along when I had to learn a presider’s piece of music. I will forever be grateful to her for her insights, consultation, and suggestions when we renovated the church. She helped tremendously regarding place of the choir, sound, lighting and many other liturgical design issues. This required extra hours of work and thought.
Next Sunday, at the 9:00 Mass we will have an opportunity to thank her for her dedication to liturgical music and her commitment to St. Hubert Parish. I invite you to join me as we pray over her and ask God to continue blessing her at the new parish. Thank you, Siobhán, for the last 11 years. I miss you already.
Tomorrow begins our new school year with 393 students. Let us pray that as the children grow physically, they will mature emotionally and spiritually. It is important that they learn the secular subjects well, but in addition, we want them to learn more about our faith and grow closer to Jesus Christ. Also pray for our teachers, administrators and office staff as we begin the 2016/2017 school year.
I am grateful to all those who worked on the sharing parish picnic last week. Our attendance was down from last year, but those who were there had a wonderful time with games, good food, and lots of fellowship.
Please don’t forget that, officially, we still have another month of summer. Hoping for good weather, we can still take some time out for relaxation and fun.