Easter Hallelujah

…we might say that heat is necessary for fire. And in this way delight is necessary for happiness. For it is caused by the appetite being at rest in the good attained. Wherefore, since happiness is nothing else but the attainment of the Sovereign Good, it cannot be without concomitant delight... Delight that is attendant upon the operation of the intellect does not hinder it, rather does it perfect it… since what we do with delight, we do with greater care and perseverance.

- St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, II-I, q4 a1

So if you're ever wondering if it's ok to feel delighted by the music at Mass, I'm inclined to think Aquinas would say... yes! On that note, you’re all invited to the joint concert featuring the music ministries of St. Joseph and St. Bartholomew parishes. That’s on May 19th (Pentecost Sunday), 3:00-4:00 PM, in the Upper Church. There’ll be sacred music in various styles, choirs, singers young and old, piano, organ, yes – even guitar and drums, and of course, the Ruach Hako’desh, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter that Jesus promised – the Holy Spirit!

Now, most people are probably familiar with Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah. And even if you’re not familiar with the title or artist, if you’ve watched the first Shrek movie, then you’ve definitely heard it! At a certain Easter Mass somewhere in the world, a singer named Kelley Mooney was asked by her parish Priest if she could sing Cohen’s Hallelujah at Mass. While Cohen’s original lyrics were certainly masterful and expressed very complex feelings about faith and doubt, Mooney felt that the words were not exactly Catholic Mass-friendly, so she took it upon herself to write new words to his tune. The result is a beautiful retelling of the Easter story, with direct references to Scripture, while retaining the beauty of Cohen’s melody.

Below is a rendition by our very own Eloise Mascitti, from our parish Youth Choir, singing the Easter Hallelujah, using Cohen’s music with Mooney’s lyrics. The musical pause after the words “He drank his last and gave his soul to glory” is intended to call to mind the moment in the Passion reading on Good Friday, where all kneel and pause for a short time after the words “When Jesus had taken the wine, he said ‘It is finished.’ And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.” (John 19:30)

May this video, and of course our concert on May 19th, bring you much faith-sustaining delight!

With my peace,
Carlo Serrano, Music Director

Concerts this May

I am pleased to announce two upcoming concerts in this beautiful month of May. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

May 3^rd
7:00 PM, Upper Church
Memorial concert in honor of the late Dr. Charles Callahan

Did you know that St. Joe’s has one of the finest organs in the Archdiocese? A large part of that owes to the diligent work of Charles Callahan on the organ’s renovation. Callahan was an award-winning composer, organist, and choir director with over 300 works for organ, piano, chorus, and orchestra. In 1991, he was awarded the Papal Honor of Knighthood in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Callahan died on Christmas Day of 2023. The memorial concert on May 3^rd will feature organists Leo Abbott, Fred MacArthur, Wesley Parrott, as well as Ellen Hinkle (flute) and Danny Philipps (bassoon). Among others, former St. Joe’s Pastor Fr. David Michael will be in attendance!

May 19^th
3:00 PM, Upper Church
St. Joe’s & St. Bart’s joint concert

If you enjoyed the first ever joint concert between St. Joe’s & St. Bart’s last December, guess what – there’s a second one coming! On May 19^th, Pentecost Sunday, the music ministries of both parishes will come together once again to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. That’s right, you’ll get to hear the St. Bart’s Choir and the St. Joe’s Youth Choir, Adult Choir, and Worship Band, all in the same space. Among the readings for Pentecost Sunday is that wonderful event from the Acts of the Apostles which tells of people from different tribes and tongues, each speaking their own language, yet all of them understanding one another. Likewise, each of us from different groups and different parishes come together on the Sunday of Pentecost, as one Needham Catholic community, with hearts open to understanding one another. How Holy Spirit-inspired is that?

With my peace,
Carlo Serrano, Music Director