Widowhood ~ God is with me

This week has been a tough week.  It was filled with some super things and some disappointments.  I found myself struggling.  I miss my husband - I really, really do.  This week was a time when his wisdom and down to earth thinking along with some bad words would have solved a few things for me.

Today I cried my way through the Spanish Communion song.  I didn't mean to but God touched my heart and there we were.  We sang one of my favorite songs - Pescador de Hombres.  As we sang, the words "O Lord, with your eyes set upon me, gently smiling, you have spoken my name; all I longed for I have found by the water, at your side, I will seek other shores", I fell apart.

 

Knowing that Jesus was speaking my name and I was surrounded by some of the dearest people I've ever known...I just cried and cried.  I try to stay strong - I think I've done a good job.  Today - the love of God, the love of my church family - it was my un-doing and I'll forever be grateful!

Thank you - all of you who love me on the good days and the bad days.  I'm so very blessed to have you in my life!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Some of My Favorite People ~ They're Fantastic!

Holy Thursday is in the books and it was beautiful!  It was so touching to hear the congregation singing and worshiping as we worked our way through the Mass.

I was able to get some pics of the best choir a church could have!

I love these wonderful people so much!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Holy Week ~ Almost There

I'm working on my 7th Holy Week preparation.  As a group we've come a long way.  This year we're more bilingual than ever and that makes me very happy and a good bit nervous.  I've included YouTube links of some of the songs we're singing during this time.  Feel free to join us because I'll be streaming!  https://www.facebook.com/saintstephenfirstmartyrcatholicchurch/

I grew up in a Charismatic world and now I earn my living in a Liturgical world - similar and yet very different.  Both are good and I love the diversity.

In my present liturgical world we'll walk out the Passion of Christ from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday and it touches me so.

During Holy Thursday our Priest will humble himself and wash the feet of some of our families.

The Altar will be stripped and we'll prepare for Good Friday.

  Donde Hay Amor y Caridad - Where Charity and Love Abound
As I Have Done for You

Good Friday will be Stations of the Cross in the Garden. 

Our amazing Hispanic community is giving us a "living" Stations of the Cross...

...to be followed by Good Friday Liturgy.  We enter in silence, we venerate the Cross, we have Communion and we depart in silence.  Very moving.

Behold the Wood ~ Entre Tus Manos

Saturday is our "Easter Vigil" - we begin at dark (8pm) - we enter in darkness and after the Readings, lights are turned on and we begin the celebration of the Savior's Resurrection.  Resucito

We're reminded of the importance of our Baptism.  I Saw Water Flowing

The entire evening is so moving to me.

Then we come back for Easter Sunday and what a celebration!  He is risen!

I truly hope and pray that you are celebrating the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during this time of year!

If you aren't, you're truly missing out!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Reflections as we near Christmas Eve

As we near Christmas Eve and I prepare my music notebook for multiple services (4 Masses, Children's Choir performance & 1 adult Choir Concert between the hours of 5pm Christmas Eve & 11am Christmas Day)...I'm reflecting on some things.

1st - A lot of prayer and preparation has gone into the upcoming services. We've rehearsed, we've tweaked and we've discussed the best way to minister to the people. I will rest in the fact that we're prepared.

2nd - We're making memories and reviving memories for others as well as for ourselves. People often tell me they always went to Midnight Mass as a child with their families, their grandparents, etc. We're ready to continue the tradition to worship Christmas Eve - at Midnight.

3rd - We're a better team because we'll have another Christmas "under our belt" by 11am Christmas Day.

Most importantly of all - I'm peaceful in the knowledge that my Heavenly Father can take my meager efforts and touch the hearts of others. I don't know what others need but God does. He loves us as no one else can. John 3:16 says it best - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son..."

Thanks for visiting & Merry Christmas! Reia

Thankful for ~ my Choir(s)

Yes, the weekend is over.  We rehearsed, we sang, we smiled, we hugged, we went on our way.  Another weekend in the books.

I don't always get the chance to tell each individual what unique qualities I see in them, what actions I appreciate and how very special they are.  I try but time restraints don't always allow me to say what I'm really feeling.

So I'm going to list a few of the things I absolutely love & appreciate about this diverse but loving group of amazing individuals.  (This includes those of you who have moved on to other pastures and those of you who sit with your families instead of in the front row at my elbow.  This also includes Deacon Doug who has a lovely voice but has his own special chair near the altar.)

I absolutely love...

1)  ...your Zeal!  You run right into new songs.  Who needs multiple practices on new songs - not you!  You run right into every new song & embrace it.  I Love you for that!

2)  ...your Ideas!  You come up with song ideas, ways to work the songs, good ideas about entrances, exits, preludes and so much more!

3)  ...your Thoughtfulness!  You pour over our Liturgy Today song selections.  You search YouTube for songs you don't know & songs you'd like to learn.  You send me links to share what you've found.  You put time and thought into our Music Program - all the time.  Talk about putting a smile on my face!

There are many other reasons that you hold a special place in my heart.  I'll try to tell you more often in the future.

For now - on Day 8 - I'm Thankful for YOU!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

It's Been a Week!

Some weeks float by and some weeks stampede you like a herd of elephants just ran over you.  I'm doing my best to make good use of the last few days we have before school begins again.

My career path often means periods of little if any income so to think that school will begin soon makes me smile & think we'll be able to keep our bills paid.  That said - I'm thankful for the money I saved up for Summer & the down time I have to get things ready for my "busy season".

Choir wise - I was able to create a "Rehearsal cd" for my choirs and for others that want to learn the songs that I'm incorporating into our portfolio of songs.  I don't know if I have a favorite but this song keeps going through my head & I keep singing it.

  If God Is For Us

Piano student wise - I've been finding new songs, etc. for my students.  I've want to keep them motivated and excited about adding new skills, etc.

I hope your week was smooth & you're ready for a fantastic week ahead!

Thanks for visiting! ~ Reia