FROM THE DIRECTOR!
Greetings all of you folkheads, gathered near and far!
Of course it's snowing here in South Bend, the day before
St. Patrick's Day. But in the midst of the frigid midwestern
weather, we all wish you well as we approach our bi-lingual liturgy,
sung in Irish and English tomorrow. You will be held in prayer.
I've been writing to many alums over the past few days,
catching up after spring break. There are newborns just
announced (Andrew Stephen Trybus, son of J. C. and
Paula Trybus of Columbus). There are good words from
old friends like Lauren Pillar Trocano of Pittsburgh. And
musical greetings from former graduate students, Kim Hess
and Pat Schrock, with whom I had the pleasure of working
at a liturgy conference at Georgetown this past month. A
beautiful letter from Emmeline Schoen, who just finished a
marathon (in one piece!) and donated her labors to her
beloved ACE community. Several ACErs, Babs Smith and
Amy Seamon, continue to work in their placements this
year.
It's remarkable, as these little greetings and snippets pass
my desk and screen, to marvel at how all of you are making such an
impact, small but perceptible, in the world. Back here at
Notre Dame, we just keep doing what we've always done,
helping people pray through music. But I'm reminded, daily,
of what that exercise did you change people's hearts and
souls and perspectives once they left this place.
We can look back, from the vantage point of mid-March,
to an incredible tour of Ireland this past fall break. I was
astounded by the maturity, self-giving, and musical proficiency
of this year's overseas pilgrims. For the first time ever, I came
back from the Ireland tour with a glimmer of hope, because
for the first time I witnessed whole congregations joining in
our song.
Also coming up.... a joyful ordination this coming April 17th, where one of
our own, Michael Wurtz, will be celebrating his presbyterate with FIVE other
men of Holy Cross. The event promises to bring alumni and friends together from
all over the United States. We've already begun planning the music for this
incredible event.... be ready for many of your favorites, all of you who plan
on making the trip. And get to church early on Easter Saturday, because there
will be precious little space left when "All Creatures of Our God and
King" gets lifted up by the assembly at the start of Ordinations.
And we can look forward, with some eagerness, to a first-ever convocation of
Campus Ministers from all over North America here at Notre Dame at the end of
May. This symposium is the culmination of our spring tour, which initially
takes us to Illinois and Wisconsin. A tour that ends with five days back at
home base.... not a bad scenario! Plus, we get to bring all our favorite repertoire
to campus ministers from one end of this continent to the next.
Witness of the Saints was launched last year, and
it was blessed with the solo voices of many of our recent alums: Zack Linnert,
Tommy Curtin, Quinn Smith, and Erin Riley, to name just a few. This recording
has been an outstanding success, as is evident from the e-mails and letters
I receive weekly, asking for music to many of the songs.
Read up on all the goings-on in this issue. We're making progress, little by little, on the silver anniversary of the choir next May 2005. Kelly Kingsbury is working hard on every angle of our reunion days. There are photos to share of our Irish journey, and first impressions by new members of the choir.
And finally, a huge thanks to Paul Van Leeuwen, our webmaster,
for putting this electronic greeting together for all of us to share
and enjoy!
Be in touch! And come back to Notre Dame soon!
Sincerely, in prayer and song,
Steve