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 Pope Benedict has said, "Music and song are more important than an embellishment of worship; they are themselves part of the liturgical action. Sacred music...is not therefore a kind of addition that frames the liturgy and makes it more pleasing, but an important means of active participation in worship."
St. Bernard's is fortunate to have many volunteer music ministers who help lead us in this very important aspect of our participation in worship. We have not one, not two, but FOUR active choirs whose members give of their time and talent to help the liturgy happen.
- Children's Choir
- Teen Choir
- Adult Folk Choir
- Adult Choir
Each group practices weekly so that they can lead us in song and help us pray as we listen to their choral meditation songs.
"I have always loved to sing and I am thankful to God for this gift. It brings me peace and it provides me the joy of interacting with others who share the same love of music.
I feel that whenever someone uses the gifts God gave them to the best of their ability, they are praising the One who gave that gift."
Nancy Hoare
Meet our new organist, Liz Bailey
It is my pleasure as Director of Liturgical Music to introduce you to Liz Bailey. Liz has graciously consented to fill the position of organist which became available upon the retirement of our dear parishioner Mr. John Hartofil. Please take a moment to read her incredible biography which follows.
Liz Bailey
I grew up on Long Island, living at various times in Malverne, Valley Stream and Garden City. I have a sister, Marie, who is two years older than I, is married withh three children and lives in Indiana.
After college, I took a position with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where I have worked for 31 years on air pollution issues. During most of my time in Alabama, I participated in the music ministry, playing organ and piano, at two parishes. When I started, I did not know anything about the organ. I started taking organ lessons as a "community student" at the local university and ended up getting a degree in music there.
A friend talked me into signing up for the Lay Ministry Program offered by the Birmingham Diocese. I met lots of enthusiastic people from other parishes and found this program to be very informative and a lot of fun. After it ended, I embarked on a Master's degree in theology from Spring Hill College, a Jesuit school, where I ended up combining my interests in environmental issues and theology, and then writing a thesis on ecotheology. (Ecotheology looks at the relationships among God, humanity and nature, especially in view of today's environmental problems.) I am very interested in other social justice issues as well.
Over a ten-year period, I did a variety of things as a parish staff member of St. Joseph Church, Florence, Alabama. I have been music director, director of religious education, and director of adult education. I even organized two Vacation Bible Schools!
Finally, I am an Oblate of Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, Alabama. (Sacred Heart is a Benedictine Monastery; an Oblate is a lay person who applies the Benedictine Rule, as best he or she can, to his or her circumstances of life.)
I have two cats: Miss Trouble, a well-named orange tabby, and China, a Siamese. I also like to read a lot. Bailey family members are voracious readers.
I have been impressed with St. Bernard's parish; it strikes me as a very active community. I look forward to making a contribution in the Music Ministry.
Liz
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