Advent III

Dear Friends,

What a great celebration not only of our patron of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe, but even more, a celebration oneness--oneness with the majority of the western hemisphere who speak Spanish, a oneness with all those who venerate the Blessed Mother, a oneness with our own parishioners from the 5:00 Mass.   I was so deeply touched by your commitment to being One Body in Christ.   Especially in the Agnus Dei/Lamb of God/Cordero de Dios.   What beautifully blended, unified, exquisitely soft  singing!  

I also know you want to join me in thanking Enrique for helping us with the Spanish and Thomas for providing such appropriate accompaniment for the Mexican music.  

On a different note:  I am very tied up at the moment.   I am co-producing/directing the Pageant of the Nativity at St. Mark's Cathedral with four choirs, nearly 100 singers and instrumentalists, lighting, incredible children, costumes and drama.

Our own tenor, Daniel Baker, has created dozens and dozens of  amazing crowns, hats and head pieces for the children to wear.  Joanne, the soprano who has sung with us on a number of occasions will be assisting.    There are even a couple of incredible dogs in the program!!!   and sing-along traditional carols for you to join in with.  

  And it's all Free if you want to come see it.   Monday, December 19 at 7:00 pm, St. Mark's Cathedral.   Easy metro ride on the No. 49 which stops right in front of the Cathedral.  

And now on to the traditions of another great and wondrous part of the Church, the Filipino celebration of light in darkness.     Our rehearsal on Sunday, Dec. 18th will be

5:45   Filipino singers

6:00   Choir of Hope

7:00 Mass for the Last Sunday of Advent with elements of the great Filipino tradition--Simbangabi.

Again, thank you for a wonderful Sunday.

Your most devoted,

jbs