January 20, 2010

Dear Friends in Music:

I hope and pray this finds you and your family well in the rich and overwhelming goodness of our God. I hear from many of you throughout the year and am heartened and humbled by the stories you share, especially as they pertain to the inspiration you draw from your yearly Los Angeles Religious Education Congress experiences. Again, I pray that you and yours have much reason to celebrate the fullness of God's love today.

The theme of the 2010 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, "Incredible Abundance," remembers us to a faith in which God lavishes love and compassion upon all whenever and wherever we are in life. We take to heart the words of Jesus, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). And in Sunday's gospel, we hear that Jesus was so moved by the death of his close friend, Lazarus, he wept before raising Lazarus from the death and darkness of the tomb.

In Los Angeles, Eucharist is celebrated every Sunday in no fewer than 50 languages. From Gregorian chant to gospel choirs; African and Vietnamese drummers to Latin percussionists; Byzantine and Eastern Rite choirs to guitars and flutes; from the very young to the young at heart - we've worked diligently to inculturate the liturgy shaped within the universality of the Roman Rite as it lives and breathes in the people of God. The L.A. Religious Education Congress is testimony and living witness to the vibrancy and vivacity of the Church across these United States and beyond. Congress remains the largest annual catechetical and liturgical gathering in the world; and it happens every year right here in Anaheim. Delegates travel from six of the world's seven continents every year to attend this conference.

Acknowledging your ongoing commitment to music ministry, I invite you to participate in "Choir 2010." The combined talents of nearly 300 musicians comprise the group that will provide the music for the final liturgies on Sunday, March 21. Over 19,000 people attend these liturgies. Today's Congress Band/Orchestra consists of approximately 40 instrumentalists. The choir will number more than 225 members from 7 dioceses. Donna Peña has composed two of our previous theme songs, and this year we've commissioned her to gift us with a new one. The result is a joyful and beautiful piece. Mary Janus is an invaluable friend and colleague who helps to put this all together, and Antonio Alonso and ValLimar Jansen return once again as our cantors. We're working hard to include as many talented people as possible. I fervently hope that in considering this invitation, you'll decide to join us. I promise you, it is an experience to remember.

Finally, I ask you to take the liberty of forwarding this email to all your friends in music ministry. Kindly cc. me as you do so.

You must attend the two final rehearsals in addition to one of the asterisked(**) local rehearsal.

* * For the first rehearsal, choose the (**) one most convenient for you. When you RSVP, let me know which one you'll attend.

 

**L.A. Area March 9, 7:30 p.m. St. Jerome La Tijera exit at the 405 Fwy 5550 Thornburn St. Los Angeles, CA 90045 contact: John Flaherty, johnkflaherty@yahoo.com **San Fernando/Ventura Area Date & Time: TBD. Contact Dan Delgado for information contact: Dan Delgado, 805.469.6293 rocknrolldan101@yahoo.com **Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, San Luis Obispo Area Date and Time: TBD. Contact John Flaherty for information Old Mission Santa Barbara, Music Room 2201 Laguna St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 contact: Roy Spicer, respicer@hotmail.com **Inland Empire Area Monday, March 8, 7:30 p.m. St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Church 12687 California Street Yucaipa, California 92399 Contact: Cyndi Noble, cmnmuzic@gmail.com 951-742-1334 **Riverside/Corona Area Sunday, March 7, 7:00 p.m. St. Catherine Of Alexandria Parish 7005 Brockton Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506 contact: Jeanine Trent jtrent@stcofa.org <jtrent@stcofa.org> maestra@greencafe.com <maestra@greencafe.com>

**Murrieta/Temecula Thursday, March 11, 7:15 p.m. Blessed Teresa Of Calcutta Parish 36515 Briggs Road at Winchester Road Murrieta, CA contact: Jeanine Trent jtrent@stcofa.org <jtrent@stcofa.org> maestra@greencafe.com <maestra@greencafe.com> **San Diego Area Tuesday, March 9, 6:30 p.m. Home of Bob and Ginger Infantino 5115 Ruette De Mer San Diego, CA 92130 (Carmel Valley area of SD) contact: Bob Infantino, rinfant1@san.rr.com 858-793-5609 **Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ Area Wednesday, March 10, 7:30 p.m. 5802 East Lincoln Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85253 contact: Norbert Zwicki, casaliturgy@aol.com 480.948.7460 **Boston, MA TBD, Contact John Flaherty for details.

FINAL REHEARSALS:
ATTENDANCE AT THESE TWO REHEARSALS IS MANDATORY:
Tuesday, March 16, 7:30 p.m.
St. Jerome Church
La Tijera exit at the 405 Fwy
5550 Thornburn St.
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Wednesday, March 17, Doors open at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 Rehearsal
St. Linus Church
13915 Shoemaker Ave.
Norwalk, CA 90650
Contact: Anna Betancourt, abetancourt@stlinus.org

Should you have any questions, please contact me at: johnkflaherty@yahoo.com

RSVP by March 1, 2010 to me at johnkflaherty@yahoo.com.

When you respond, please indicate which of the asterisked (*) rehearsals you'll be attending so that we can have the appropriate numbers of choir folders at each rehearsal.

Please take the liberty of sharing this email to others in your choir who might enjoy being a member of Choir 2010.

Finally, and most importantly - RSVP early.

With kind regards in Christ,

John Flaherty
Chair, Liturgy Committee
Music Director