Photo by James A. McBride
Children involved in parish liturgies hold certificates they received at the annual clergy/musicians dinner sponsored by the Church Musicians Association of Camden (CMAC). It was held on Friday, Nov. 20, the feast of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, at Masso’s Crystal Manor in Glassboro.
Forty children involved in parish liturgies across the Diocese of Camden were honored at CMAC (Church Musicians Association of Camden)’s annual clergy/musicians dinner, celebrated on the feast of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, on Friday, Nov. 20, at Masso’s Crystal Manor in Glassboro.
For their service as cantors, playing musical instruments, or being choir members, the youth were recognized with a certificate.
Father John Tumosa, pastor, St. Rose of Lima, Newfield; Father John Cavagnaro, pastor, Our Lady of the Lakes, Collings Lakes; and more than 164 musicians, family members and diocesan staff were in attendance to support the young musicians.
Barbara Sykora, CMAC president thanked all who have helped the youth: the parish, parents, and choir and music directors.
“These children have had a foundation in faith laid for them by their parents, they then passed them on to further their Christian education to a Catholic school or a Religious Education program. They then further grew and matured and went on to you, the choir director, for more skills and formation, and eventually God will show them the path they will take to go on to greater things. We are all building upon them, helping them with their Christian formation,” she said.
“You help them develop their confidence; by your example, you enable them to do their best. You have made it your business to create, develop, maintain, and grow these young people into the leaders of tomorrow,” she said.
“Everyone sitting here tonight is a testament to your love and commitment to these children.
“It’s up to all of use to pass on the knowledge that we have of our faith, passing on our gifts and strengths, to these pure hearts willing to receive it.”
Addressing the youth, Sykora reminded them that “by serving in your music ministry, you are learning music, you are learning the Catholic faith, and you are learning the joy of serving other people. When you care and serve each other it creates something magical. It creates love. That is God’s most important command.”
Participating parishes at the dinner were Our Lady of the Lakes; St. Rose of Lima; Our Lady of Hope, Blackwood. The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill; Divine Mercy, Vineland; St. Michael’s, Gibbstown; St. Martin de Porres, Hammonton; St. Charles Borromeo, Sicklerville; St. Isidore, Vineland; St. Bernadette, Northfield; St. Catherine of Siena, Clayton; and St. Padre Pio, Vineland.
The Church Musicians Association of Camden is a non-profit local branch of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (npm.org), and through parish and individual memberships, provide educational and social programs benefitting musicians of this Diocese, in addition to scholarships to the youth who give the gift of music to their Church.
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