Our Lady of the Gulf Parish choir travels to Rome
ByAnna Sharp
BAY ST. LOUIS -- At Our Lady of the Gulf
Church, the music director, Ed Grotkowski, had the
right idea for beginning the New Year perfectly, in
both a musical and spiritual way. In early spring of
last year, Grotkowski arrived to choir practice with
a very exciting idea that he, along with the 21-mem-
ber choir, would travel to Rome. Upon hearing this
news, the choir was somewhat skeptical as to how
they would possibly make that happen, due to travel
costs as well as being able to take the time off. After
pitching the idea to Monsignor James McGough and
receiving his blessing of encouragement to make the
trip happen, the choir embarked on the task of rais-
ing the remainder of their expenses through various
forms of fund-raising such as a silent auction and
raffle. “The Parish was truly spectacular,” says Grot-
kowski, “we could not have done it without the sup-
port of the community.”
On December 26, the OLG choir had officially
made it to Rome where they stayed at a convent lo-
cated in the city that invites international guests to
stay. There they attended Mass every day and en-
joyed having breakfast with the sisters each morn-
ing; the sisters even said it was the best Christmas
and New Year they have ever had. While in Vatican
City, choir member Yvonne Viguerie, originally from
The OLG choir members who went to Rome are
Ed Grotkowski, music director; Brother Eduardo
Baldioceda; Kathy Chapman; Tommy Chapman;
Karen Coco; Michael, no last name; Stephanie Crowe;
Theresa Crowe; Thomas Crowe; Lynne Harris, cantor,
Freizenkerk Church, Rome; Carolyn Jasper, cantor,
Freizenkerk Church, Rome; Edward Jasper; Mary
McCarthy; Father Ryan McCoy; Margaret Peak; Deidra
Pyron; Jason Pyron; Wendy Potier; Jessey Thibodeaux;
Josie Thomas; Yvonne Viguerie; and Michael Werda,
cantor, Freizenkerk Church, Rome.
Holland, suggested to Grotkowski that they contact
the Dutch church, Freizenkerk Church, and perform
at one of the Masses. They not only performed in
Freizenkerk Church but also received a standing
ovation for their beautiful performance of pieces
ranging from Mozart to the Dutch National Anthem.
Three OLG cantors, Lynne Harris, Carolyn Jasper
and Michael Werda, also performed the responso-
rial psalm and gospel acclamation during the Mass.
When asked about their adaptability to the different
acoustics in each church compared to OLGʼs acous-
tics, Grotkowski was confident in saying that they
had no issues with acoustics, “God's voice is allowed
to speak in these churches; the sound was perfect as
if performing at home.”
The choirʼs biggest performance took place in St.
Peterʼs Basilica where they were granted the privi-
lege of singing at the High Altar, playing the Vatican
organ and having the Vatican Schola perform with
them. All of their performances were in Latin and
Gregorian chant. Prior to their performance they
were able to attend Papal Vespers with Pope Francis
as the celebrant where he was said to have exempli-
fied true humility.
Choir member and cantor, Carol Jasper said, “He
[Pope Francis] was within feet of us as he came into
the Basilica.”
See olg choir, page 11
6
Gulf Pine Catholic
•
January 31, 2014
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