Songs of Faith

According to William Merrill, there is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is. It expresses feelings, thoughts and emotions; it is above and beyond all words. It is a gift from God to be enjoyed and savored. November 22^nd is the feast Day of St Cecilia, who is the patroness of musicians.  

It was on her feast day that schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross united for a Songs of Faith Concert at Our Lady Crowned Church, Mayfield. It was a music project which consisted of musicians, a combined schools choir and eighteen liturgical songs culminating in a memorable concert. It is an opportunity for teenagers and young adults who love to sing and play music to come together to enjoy contemporary sacred music and song. Cork City Net Ministry team participated in the project also. It all came together after a number of workshops on three Sunday afternoons under well-known composer and conductor, Cork man Ian Callanan.

At the introduction to the evening, the choir assembled singing, ‘Come, now is the time to worship by Brian Doerksen. This was followed by other popular hymns, ‘My Lord will come again by David Haas and ‘Show mercy to us by Joanne Boyce to mark the Jubilee Year of Mercy beginning on December 8^th. Ian Callanan had the congregation singing the very popular Bambelela (Never Give Up), a traditional South African Hymn. The choir also performed, ‘Lord when you came to the seashore’ by Cesareo Gabaraim to mark the Year of Consecrated Life and the 50^th Anniversary of the Cork Mission to Peru. Among other popular hymns on the evening were two of Ian’s own compositions, ‘Taste and See’ and ‘Take and Eat, This is My Body’.

Due to the increasing popularity of Songs of Praise with teenagers and young adults, it was the third occasion that such an event has taken place. Another similar event is planned for 2016. For further details contact Sr. Karen. The parents, schools and others who encouraged and supported these talented young people to participate ought to be congratulated as does Sr. Karen and Fr. Charlie who worked together on the project at the Cork and Ross Pastoral Office.  

As the old saying goes: ‘When words fail, music speaks.’