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