April 10, 2008

Concert at Cathedral to Feature Celtic Performers

On Saturday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Dr. Janet Harbison of the Irish Harp College along with Sheila Mitchell-Hart of the Birdsong Harp Center will perform Celtic music on the harp, pipes and flute. This will be the Ensemble's second visit to the United States but the first to visit the Cathedral. Dr. Harbison is the founder and director of the Irish Harp College of Castleconnell, Ireland, and a skillful guide through the history of the aural harp tradition as well as the ancient music of the harp.

Call the parish office at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 901-725-2700 for more information.

Noelle Garcia to Perform at Free Concerts

Noelle Garcia, who began her music career in Memphis, will be returning to the local area to perform two free concerts.

Garcia will perform on Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Brigid Church, located at 7801 Lowrance Rd.

On Saturday, April 19, she will perform at St. William Church, located at 4932 Easley Ave. in Millington at 7 p.m. Before the concert, St. William is sponsoring a Pasta Bar dinner which includes traditional spaghetti or alfredo, salad, bread, and dessert; drinks are included. Proceeds from the Pasta Bar will benefit St. William Church senior high youth group's summer retreat to see the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Garcia grew up in Texas, Colorado, Tennessee, and now resides in Michigan. She is the Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Patrick Church in Portland, Michigan.

Garcia began writing songs while living in Memphis and shared them with local artist John Angotti. Angotti mentored Garcia and gave her the opportunity to share her original compositions, play, sing, and direct at their parish.

Garcia attended Christian Brothers University and majored in Human Development. At the same time, she performed and shared her faith at various ministry events and established the youth band called "Savio" - after Saint Dominic Savio.

After completing her student teaching, Garcia realized that teaching in a classroom setting was not the only way to reach young people and she began to pursue liturgical and musical ministry as a fulltime career. She loves sharing her passion for the Church and her music, bringing peace and setting people on fire with the love of God as people pray with her in song.

For more information about the concerts, call St. Brigid parish at 901-758-0128 or St. William parish at 901-872-4099.

Ladies of Charity to Host Sale

The Ladies of Charity will host a Craft and Garage Sale at St. Michael Church Gym on Saturday, April 19 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The Junior Ladies of Charity will offer a food concession stand on site throughout the day.

Booths are available. For more information, call Margaret Kelly, Ladies of Charity president, at 901-767-0527.

Ultreya Location Changed

The Cursillo Movement of the Diocese of Memphis is pleased to announce its monthly Ultreya will be held at Holy Rosary Church, beginning April 15.

Mass will be held at 7 p.m. followed by Ultreya in the parish Family Room. Child care will be provided.

School of Leaders for Cursillo will continue at St. Francis of Assisi Church on the first, second and fourth Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.

Concert Series Continues with Memphis Brass Quintet

The final concert of the SBA Crossroads Concert season will be held on Sunday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the SBA Performing Arts Theatre, located at 8250 Varnavas Dr. in Cordova.

Featured performers will be the University of Memphis Rudi Scheidt School of Music Memphis Brass Quintet. SBA's instrumental groups will also perform.

The Memphis Brass Quintet is the professional brass ensemble of the U of M School of Music and has developed a reputation for outstanding artistic concert presentations.

All seating is reserved. For tickets or information, call 901-260-2840,visit www.sbaeagles.org or send an email to crossroads @sbaeagles.org.

Tennessee Priest Ordained a Bishop for Missouri Diocese

By Dan McWilliams

Catholic News Service

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (CNS) — Newly ordained Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. told his flock in Missouri that he comes "full of the spirit of a Tennessee Volunteer," a reference to his home state's nickname as the "Volunteer State."

He vowed to help every youth in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau "discover the plan that Our Lord has for your life."

More than 3,000 attended the Mass of consecration and installation March 31 at the Springfield Exposition Center as the Knoxville, Tenn., native became the sixth man to sit in the bishop's chair for the church in southern Missouri.

The new bishop's principal consecrator was Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis. The co-consecrators were Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., the bishop with whom he served in East Tennessee, and Bishop John J. Leibrecht, the previous bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Archbishop Kurtz led the Diocese of Knoxville from 1999 to 2007.

"In the great joy of this solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the beginning of his work of our salvation, we are blessed to witness a most special sign of his living presence with us in the church in the gift of the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, through the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit," said Archbishop Burke.

Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia was the presiding bishop, and more than 20 bishops concelebrated. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, read the letter from Pope Benedict XVI announcing Bishop Johnston's appointment.

"It was 20 years ago this year, 1988, that our beloved late Holy Father, (Pope) John Paul II, established the Diocese of Knoxville, where I am arriving from," Bishop Johnston said in his address at the end of Mass.

"These 20 years later Pope Benedict sends me, a Tennessean from the land of (Davy) Crockett, to the land of Mark Twain, (Harry) Truman, (Hernando) de Soto, the French explorers, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and so many people of faith whose names have faded into history," he added.

During the prayer of consecration, Deacons Saviour Nundwe and Kizito Wenani, who will be ordained in May, held the Book of the Gospels over Bishop Johnston's head. The two men will be the first priests the new Springfield-Cape Girardeau bishop will ordain.

At the end of the Mass, Bishop Johnston thanked many people, including Archbishop Kurtz and Bishop Leibrecht, head of the Missouri diocese from 1984 until his retirement in January.

The new bishop also expressed gratitude to his family. "I love you all very much, and you know that, and I can never thank you enough for the rich blessing you are to my life," he said. "Every Christian vocation is a small mystery, but I am certain that I would not have realized mine without the love and example of my family."

The new bishop said he "continues to be struck by the warmth, the goodness, the deep faith, and enthusiasm of people here" in Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

When Bishop Johnston said he came to Missouri "full of the spirit of a Tennessee Volunteer," he received a round of applause.

"It's occurred to me that a volunteer spirit has to be present in each of our lives if we are going to follow the Lord's will and plan for us individually," he said.