No matter how long we’ve been out of school, the beginning of September always feels like the start of something new, and this year is no exception. I am particularly excited this year about the launch of the choral season at the Collaborative, under the direction of William Endicott, our new Director of Music.
As you know, William joined us this past July as our Collaborative Director of Music, a new role that replaced our past structure of separate parish music directors. As Collaborative Director of Music, William has responsibility for and oversight over all facets of our music ministry, from the music of our weekend Masses, to our celebrations of the sacraments and special liturgical seasons, to all our choirs and music groups.
Over the summer, William announced the debut of a new Collaborative Children’s Choir, open to children in grades 3-7 (with some flexibility, just ask!) The children are learning about reading music and healthy vocal production while singing approachable and appropriate music for their age level in a fun and exciting environment. The choir will be singing the 9:00am Family Mass each week during the school year, as well as Family Masses on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday. We are thrilled to launch this new choir for our children, and are so excited to watch and listen as they learn and grow under William’s guidance!
At this time, it is important to acknowledge and thank Maria Wardwell, who has served for more than 20 years as the Director of Christmas & Easter Youth Choirs for St. John the Evangelist Parish, and in recent years for the Collaborative. Beginning as the cantor for the St. John Family Mass more than 20 years ago, she continued in that role after we moved to our Collaborative Family Mass program a few years ago. For many years, Maria has also worked closely with our Religious Education program, rehearsing with the children for special Masses and directing the Christmas Pageant and Passion Play. I am happy to share that Maria will continue to work with our Religious Ed team, leading the Grade 1 Christmas Pageant and helping the children learn the music for First Communion Enrollment Mass.
Over the years, countless children have been introduced to the joy of singing in church under Maria’s guidance, and we are so grateful for her many years of dedicated service to St. John’s and to the Collaborative. She deserves every minute of relaxation (and every round of golf!) she enjoys as she spends more wintertime in Florida.
Please join me in thanking Maria for her years of service and wishing her well in this new season!
-Fr. Jim