Dear Friends,

 

We are very proud of our Choir Boys who sang the great Mahler 8th last weekend at Boston Symphony Hall. It is such a massive piece (300 performers!) that it is usually a once in a generation event for most orchestras. Congratulations to St. Paul’s Music Director Mr. Brandon Straub for preparing the boys for the musical expectations, but also challenging and supporting them to rise to the rigors and discipline required for such an undertaking, which involved months of preparation, two lengthy dress rehearsals and three performances.  Bravi tutti!

 

We were also very happy to welcome the Harvard University Chapel Choir who joined us this week for Solemn Vespers with our Choir School. We will have sung Vespers four times this year, so watch for more information.

 

The St. Paul’s Gift Shop has been doing good business; remember that many of the items are one of a kind, so don’t miss out on them! RCIA is underway, but we can take new folks for a week or so more. All the wonderful offerings through the Harvard Catholic Center and Forum continue to fill the calendar, raising hearts and minds to God.

 

This weekend’s inaugural guided tour of the church to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its completion and dedication will now take place on Sunday, October 20th. Tours will begin at 12:30pm outside the front door of the church and last for 20 minutes, featuring insights into the spiritual, theological, architectural and historical layers of our beautiful place of worship. There is a tour planned for each Sunday, so be sure to spread the word! 

 

On Sunday, October 27, we will have special music and prayers to commemorate the official anniversary of the church’s Dedication.

 

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for Thursday, November 7. At 4:00pm that afternoon, the Harvard Catholic Forum is sponsoring a lecture about the Requiem Mass in Catholic tradition, with a special eye to the famous setting by Gabriel Faure. Then, as 5:30pm, we will celebrate a Mass for all the faithful departed from our parish and families. It will be a moving evening.  Blessed October to you, and remember it is one of the months specially dedicated to our Blessed Mother!

 

God bless, Fr. Kelly