The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Choir
Of the Choir, Joyce Friedrich states:
“For many years Susan was/is the cornerstone of the Choir as Director. Her inspiration was the driving force behind the Choir's desire to go above and beyond their duties. The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Choir has been singing together since 1986 which in part, is responsible for the closeness felt between it’s members. Many of it’s members consider it a close knit community much like a family. The Choir members are very dedicated to their purpose. Through the years, the Choir has been so trained by Lois that the Choir can almost pick up music and go forward in 4 part harmony without practice. The Holy Spirit is often felt in the Choir loft during Mass. Also, SEAS Choir works very closely with St. Henry's Choir in Warrior. Their members join in with SEAS's Choir and visa versa. Some of the members do both. It is as if it is one large Choir at two locations.”
The holy Pontiff recalls that the special attention which sacred music rightly deserves stems from the fact that, "being an integral part of the solemn Liturgy, [it] participates in the general purpose of the Liturgy, which is the glory of God and the sanctification and edification of the faithful"[3]. Since it interprets and expresses the deep meaning of the sacred text to which it is intimately linked, it must be able "to add greater efficacy to the text, in order that through it the faithful may be... better disposed for the reception of the fruits of grace belonging to the celebration of the most holy mysteries"[4]. The Second Vatican Council followed up this approach in chapter VI of the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium on the Sacred Liturgy, in which the ecclesial role of sacred music is clearly defined: "The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred melody united to words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn Liturgy"[5]. The Council also recalls that "Sacred Scripture, indeed, has bestowed praise upon sacred song. So have the Fathers of the Church and the Roman Pontiffs who in more recent times, led by St Pius X, have explained more precisely the ministerial function exercised by sacred music in the service of the Lord"[6].
- CHIROGRAPH OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF JOHN PAUL II FOR THE CENTENARY OF THE MOTU PROPRIO "TRA LE SOLLECITUDINI' ON SACRED
- CHIROGRAPH OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF JOHN PAUL II FOR THE CENTENARY OF THE MOTU PROPRIO "TRA LE SOLLECITUDINI' ON SACRED