Director of Music: Cynthia Arsenault, 978-475-0050 x34
“He who sings prays twice.” – St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s Parish is calling all young singers, both men and women to join the music ministry. No auditions are required. All voices are welcome!
Rehearsals are every Thursday night from 6:30pm – 8:30pm and we sing at the 11:30am mass on Sundays.
We also hope to sing once a month at the 4pm mass on Saturday.
Can’t join us weekly? Feel free to join us on Christmas, Easter, and other Holy Days.
If you are interested, email Cynthia at carsenault@staugustineparish.org.
Music plays a vital role in liturgies celebrated in our Catholic faith. As members of St Augustine Parish, we “sing” the liturgy at all our Masses. Music is not an enhancement, a filler or accompaniment. The music we sing in its many forms is intrinsic to ritual; music is the nature of the liturgical moment itself. We provide music for both the joyful and difficult times in our lives. Nothing can soothe the soul and provide solace like music. We invite anyone who loves to sing and those who are proficient in their instrument. There are no auditions, the door is always open!
To listen to some samples of our music, visit the music gallery.
The Music Ministry Program at St Augustine Parish consists of parishioners ranging from third grade to adults! We are truly blessed to have active cantors, instrumentalists (organists, pianists and guitarists), an adult choir, a growing Youth Choir and a contemporary ensemble. All these musicians provide music at our six weekend liturgies! We welcome anyone who plays additional instruments to join us.
For those who like to enrich other people’s lives outside the church, we visit area local Nursing/Care Centers to perform a mini concert, usually around Christmas and early Spring. These events are advertised several weeks in advance and are open to all!
Unless otherwise noted, please contact the Director of Music for info on any of our music programs.
Weddings
Couples planning to marry will be notified by the Director of Music several months prior to their wedding date. Links of music appropriate for your special day will be sent via email so you can plan in the privacy of your home, at your own pace. Once you decide, if you wish to hear your selections “in person” in the church, arrangements can be made.
Funerals
Grieving families planning funerals are provided this brochure from which they may select many music offerings.
Cantors (Youth and Adult)
Cantors lead the assembly in song. Anyone who has prior experience or is a member of the music program is eligible. Cantors normally are on a rotating basis and sing at least twice a month at the 4:00pm Vigil Mass, 9:30am and 11:30am at St. Augustine Church and the 10:00am Mass at St. Joseph Church on Sundays. Youth in grades 3 and up are welcome to train as co-cantors and eventually lead the assembly. We welcome students from our school who are members of the school choir too!
Adult Choir
Parishioners from high school age and older are welcomed! This choir rehearses weekly on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm in the Choir loft and sings each week at the 11:30am Sunday Mass from September to May, along with several special liturgies such as Christmas Eve and Holy Week.
Family Choir
This choir is invited to sing at the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass and/or Easter morning. There are no rehearsals, once you sign up, the music list is sent to you with all the links so you can practice at home. (Pre-registration is required and info will be found in the bulletin closer to the dates.)
Restless Hearts
“Restless Hearts”, our contemporary ensemble, is open to teens and adults. We rehearse from the Sunday before the scheduled Teen Mass 12:30-1:30pm in Fr. Smith Hall. Instrumentalists and singers welcomed!
Jesus’ Joyous Jammers
Students in grades 2-8 are welcome to join the 3 J’s at the 9:30am Sunday Mass during the school year to help us sing our special Communion Meditation hymn each week.
During the school year, children are invited up to the altar after Communion to sing a special song, with Bridget Rao, our Religious Ed Director. The song is usually accompanied by a video on the overhead screens. We are so exited to be offering a “J.J.J. Rehearsal Link” so the children can practice the songs and gestures at home ahead of time and come ready to sing with confidence! Songs will change every few weeks.
To receive the rehearsal links, please email Cynthia Arsenault, carsenault@staugustineparish.org with “Jesus’ Joyous Jammers Choir” in the subject line.
We look forward to hearing all the children sing!
StaRs
St Augustine’s Roaming Singers-This group is open to anyone who likes to sing popular music from many different eras! We sing at least two times a year at different nursing homes and other venues. The group rehearses the week before our scheduled gig to prepare our program. You can join this group any time, come to as many or as little events as you can…
Just another fun group for people who like to sing but can’t always commit.
St. Monica’s Handbell Choir
The handbell choir plays seasonally for Christmas and Easter. You do NOT have to know how to read music to be in this choir. Open to all ages. We are truly blessed to have a wonderful set of handbells and handchimes! Contact – Phil D’Agati
