Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Last weekend’s farewell to our Director of Music Ministry, Gabriel Löfvall, was a mix of emotion and overwhelming gratitude for the more than 15 years he gave to our parish. This weekend he begins his tenure at St. Joseph Cathedral, for which we offer our prayers and best wishes for his success.
As I mentioned in my letter a month ago when I announced Gabe’s impending departure, we have formed a search committee to find his replacement. The committee consists of Zachary Gilbert and Allison Holst-Grubbe, both choir members and cantors; Beverly Boyle and Joanne Huelsman, also members of the Gallery Choir; Marc Sherer, a parish trustee; and myself.
The search committee has held two meetings so far, and we have finalized a job description and an advertisement which will be placed in various professional music websites such as the American Guild of Organists and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, as well as various other publications. The deadline for submission of applications will be April 30, and auditions will take place some time in June before the end of the choir season.
During this interim period, the Gallery Choir will be directed by Meredith Neumann; the Treble Clef Choir will be under the direction of Benjamin Rauch; and the Bass Clef Choir will be led by Michelle Horsley; our organists will include Madison Thompson, Martin Smith and Ezequiel Menendez. I hope that our excellent music min- istry will continue without undue interruption during this period of transition.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor