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Sunday Word:A Weekly Reflection for Pastoral Musicians
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 17, 2021
"So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."
(Hebrews 4:16)ReflectionWe crave grace and mercy. Especially these days as we go in and out of a variety of emotions and trials in search of a sense of normalcy. We have our own comfort levels as we journey on through the stages of pandemic and the stages of re-entering our music ministry, or perhaps even just stepping foot back into the church building itself. God sees our struggle and wants to meet us where we are. What better way to meet Him than in the sacrament of reconciliation?
Jesus walked this earth as one of us so that we know we have a God who truly gets it. Jesus felt what we feel. He, too, was tempted and tested. Jesus, unlike us, did not react with sin but set the example. He, as we should, turned to God the Father in prayer and supplication. We need to follow this example. Confession is for us. Our human self sits with the priest, who acts in the person of Christ as the “servant of God’s forgiveness” (CCC 1466). “Hold fast to your confession” (Heb 4:14); it is a cleansing that heals our soul so that we can strive more effectively to be the best version of ourselves in all situations. It is God’s offering of real-time reassurance and his audible words of forgiveness.
Prayer
Lord,
call us to your mercy,
give us strength to confess our weaknesses
and move through our trials.
Grant us the recognition of your grace in our lives
that we may respond, instead of react,
that we may go forth in the certainty
that You are in control and have a plan.
Allow us to be your grace and mercy
to those we encounter. Amen.
Tracy Wade Lake
NPM Austin Chapter Secretary
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
Cantor, accompanist, conductor
Holy Family Catholic School
Music Educator, Choir Director,
Liturgy Coordinator, Campus Ministry CoordinatorCopyright © 2021, National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Parish members of NPM may reproduce this material for use in their own parish. -
Get to Know Our Music Ministry
St. Michael Adult ChoirUnder the direction of Tom Kaczmarek, the St. Michael Adult Choir, now 60 members plus, has been together since 1992. Our Music Ministry also has a Children’s Choir and an Arts & Praise Choir (middle school), and a Handbell Choir, all under the direction of Jenny Ivens, Minister of Music. In addition to the Adult Choir, Tom also directs the Rhythm Section and Instrumentalists.
Currently, over 60 active members share lively, exuberant, and spirit-filled music with the St. Michael community each Sunday, ranging in age from high school to “seasoned.” The songs of the assembly are highly eclectic, coming from a wide palette of tastes, ranging from chant to gospel to Chris Tomlin—and most everything in between. Our Music Ministry/Choir has performed a number of musicals, including The Music Man, Oklahoma, and Godspell. They have also produced four CDs. There Is a Time was released this past year. St. Michael is blessed to have such accomplished and generous musicians who come together to praise God!
Tom Kaczmarek
Director of Music
Tom began accompanying Mass at St. Michael in 1994 and took on the Music Director role in 1999. Tom received his B.A. in Music Composition and Theory from VCU and earned an M.A. in Theology from Notre Dame in 2008.
Tom met his wife Lori when she joined the choir in 1994. They were married in 1997 and currently reside in Rockville with their two teenage sons, Jack (lector) and Sam (drummer). Together, they all care for their beloved family dogs, Jazz, & Louie. Tom has a daughter Macy, who, along with her husband Matt, is raising two young daughters in San Diego CA. Tom's parents, Jack and Rita, moved to Short Pump in 2017 and attend mass regularly at St. Mikes.
Tom enjoys time with his family, gardening, golfing and long walks with Lori. Originally from Wisconsin, Tom and Lori, along with their entire family (nuclear and beyond) are green-and-gold-blooded Packer fans.
Joe Sarver is one of the more in-demand bass players in the Central Virginia area. He has been playing the bass professionally since the age of 12. A native Richmonder, Joe has spent the better part of his musical career working with many of the most notable musicians in the Central Virginia region in every venue imaginable. Over the years, he has been fortunate enough to have some wonderful musical associations with great veteran jazz players on the Richmond scene, as well as a number of key figures in the jazz world of national prominence. Joe is a National Endowment of the Arts award recipient for Jazz Studies. He has a passion for Brazilian music, especially Brazilian jazz. St. Michael is so fortunate to have Joe in our Music Ministry.
Jenny Ivens
Associate Director of Music
Jenny Ivens, a native Richmonder, has been the Music Minister/Cantor at St. Michael since 1999. In addition to cantoring the weekend Masses, Jenny also directs the Children’s Choir, the Arts & Praise Group, and the Handbell Choir. She received her B.A. in Music from East Carolina University. Currently, she is the Department Chair for Music and Choir Director at St. Catherine’s School. Previous to St. Catherine’s, Jenny taught music and choir at St. Bridget School.Jenny and her husband Ed have been married since 2005, and have a daughter, Genevieve. When Jenny is not teaching or singing, she enjoys spending her time with family!
We are thankful, Jenny, that you have shared your talent with St. Michael all these years!
Joe Sarver
To get to know Joe and his musical endeavors, visit his website at joesarver.com.
Sandi Nguyen
Sandi Nguyen has been a member of Saint Michael’s choir since 1999. In addition to serving as a cantor, she is a passionate music teacher at Colonial Trail Elementary School in Henrico County. She received her bachelor’s degree in music with a vocal music education concentration from James Madison University (GO DUKES!). Sandi enjoys serving her community and is an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, which supports women’s education throughout the world. She spends what little spare time she has with her loving and patient husband, Quoc, and precious rescue dog, Cookie.
Julia Wright (left) & Laura Stapleton (right)
Laura Stapleton grew up in the wings of St. Michael. Nurtured by a musical family, singing in choir at an early age, she serves as a staff cantor both here at St. Michael and our neighbor St. Mary parish. Laura attended J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and Longwood University to earn her undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies, with a focus in elementary and middle school education. Over the years, she has studied voice with Jeanette Cross McCalla and continues with her mother and mentor Melanie Coddington. In addition to cantoring, Laura serves as a Youth Minister for St. Mary’s parish. She continues to pursue formation through our diocese Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute and progress towards a graduate degree in Theology from St. Joseph’s College of Maine. Laura and her husband Jeff reside in Beaverdam. When not singing, studying, spending time with youth, or commuting, she enjoys feasting and being merry with loved ones around the table, and quilting unique projects in her sewing workshop.
Julia Wright has been a member of St. Michael parish since she was three years old. She has gone through the ranks of the Music Ministry, starting with the Children’s Choir, and then moving on to the Arts and Praise Group and Adult Choir. Julia serves as a cantor, as well. She went to Christopher Newport University to earn her undergraduate degree in Mathematics, and she stayed an extra year to earn her Masters in Arts of Teaching. Julia loves serving on the EDGE core team, cheering on any Detroit sports team, and coaching basketball in her free time.
Soloists Laura and Julie sing in Daughter of God. -
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The Daughter of God Ensemble -
Latest CD: There is a Time
Visit the Music Ministry Facebook Page for more information about the CD! -
Contact
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Tom Kaczmarektkaczmareksaint-mikes.orgDirector of Music
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Jenny Ivensjivenssaint-mikes.orgAssociate Director | Music
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