Pastor's Column 1-15-2023
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January 8, 2023Dear Parishioners,
Last weekend we bid farewell to Mr. Alfred Panone our parish Director of Music for the last five years. In that time he has helped us worship God with his playing, singing, and directing. For the last year and a half it has been a pleasure working with Al. I thank him and wish him well in his retirement. If you would like to send him a thank you, you are welcome to send it to the parish and we will forward it to him.
We welcome as our new Director of Music Brother Roger Chingas. Bro. Roger grew up in Queens, NYC, where attended his parish grammar school and Bishop Loughlin Memorial HS, Brooklyn. Upon graduation he entered the De LaSalle Christian Brothers Novitiate in Narragansett, RI. After the novitiate he pursued an undergraduate degree from Rhode Island College, graduate degree from the State University at Stoneybrook, NY, with additional graduate studies elsewhere. He has taught at LaSalle Military Academy, Oakdale, NY, St. Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, RI and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN. Besides being an associate professor of music at St. Mary’s he also was director of the university art gallery. He has served as music director of Our Lady of Mercy Church, East Greenwich, RI and Blessed Sacrament Church, Providence, RI. At these churches he conducted adult choirs, children’s choirs, handbell choirs, and trained cantors for their liturgical roles. When not practicing the organ and learning new music, he also enjoys gardening, cooking, organ-building, historical architectural research, walking, bicycling and diverse reading. Simply, he is never at a loss to find something to keep the little grey cells ruminating.
When you see him (and hear him), please welcome him to our parish. I look forward to working with him in our worship of God.
The Christmas decorations have been put away and the remaining flowers rearranged. I want to thank our parish custodian Mr. Paul Masse, Mr. Andres Montoya and Mr. Claude Morin who helped. Because of them we are ready for ordinary time.
A happy Martin Luther King Jr. day to everyone. The parish office will be closed this Monday.
God bless,
Fr. Barrow
