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Sunday Word:A Weekly Reflection for Pastoral Musicians
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
January 9, 2022
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
(Luke 3:16)Reflection
So many choices! For the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Church gives us so many different Scripture readings to savor. They touch on themes of peace, justice, light, and healing, and emphasize the call to do good.
Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One, sent to give sight to the blind and set captives free. Baptized in water and sealed by the Spirit, we are called to do the same, to make manifest the glory of God by our lives! Weary as we are in the aftermath of the Christmas season, we are called to offer comfort to those we serve, to be the voice of peace in stressful times, to be the light of love and justice in a world too often beset by the darkness of fear and doubt.
As we reenter Ordinary Time, take a moment to savor the lingering joy of the Christmas season. Ask God to refresh and strengthen your spirit as you recall the day of your baptism.
Take heart, beloved child. With you, God is well pleased.
Prayer
God our Creator,
You make us new in the waters of baptism.
Strengthen us by the power of Your Spirit
that we may be the light of Christ for all the world.
Amen.
Nancy Douglass
Catholic Community of Christ Our Light
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Editor, Pastoral Music & The Liturgical SingerCopyright © 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’s claimed a chair in the adult choir since 2004, and also serves the parish as cantor. 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. Laura serves as a fulltime Youth Minister for nearby St. Mary’s parish. She continues to pursue formation through our diocese Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute, progressing toward a graduate degree in Pastoral Theology from St. Joseph’s College of Maine. Laura and her husband Jeff reside in Beaverdam. She loves gathering with friends around the table and creating unique pieces 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 Julia 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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