AN INVITATION FROM THE CONGRESS MUSICAL DIRECTOR

January 8, 2016


Dear Musician & Friend:

Blessings to you in the dawn of the New Year in which Pope Francis has beckoned us beyond our daily selves. This Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy calls and summons us to stretch beyond the normalcy of the every day to be channels of peace, mercy, love and reconciliation in this world so in need of healing and love.

"Boundless Mercy/Misericordia Inagotable” is the theme of the 2016 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress and the very talented Meredith Agustin has written a wonderfully energetic theme song for us!

The Sunday Gospel of the woman at the well reminds us of the infinite love of the grace of God which we cannot earn, nor do we deserve, but that which is complete and total gift to each and every one of us. If only uncertainty and fear could be forever subordinated to love, then perhaps all God’s children might know peace. In the Extraordinary Year of Mercy, this is our mandatum.

In acknowledging your ongoing commitment to music ministry, I am extending an invitation to you to participate in Congress Choir 2016. The combined talents of nearly 300 musicians comprise the group that will provide the music for the final liturgies on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Over 19,000 people attend these liturgies. I hope that in considering this invitation, you'll decide to join us. I promise you, it is an experience to remember.

To participate, RSVP complete the online form at http://tinyurl.com/Choir2016

Attendance at two rehearsals is mandatory. Several "first" rehearsals are conveniently scheduled at a location near you. Choose from one of the following.

*Choose the one geographically closest to and most convenient for you:

*Monday, February 15, 6:30 p.m. San Diego Area 10866 Manacor Court San Diego, CA 92124 (Tierrasanta Area) Contact: Ginger & Bob Infantino Phone: (858) 256-9351 Email:  rinfant1@san.rr.com *Tuesday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles Area St Jerome Church 5550 Thornburn St. Los Angeles, CA 90045 (La Tijera exit at the 405 Fwy) Contact: John Flaherty Phone: (310) 338-2720 *Thursday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. Phoenix/Scottsdale Area Franciscan Renewal Center 5802 E. Lincoln Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85253 Contact: Norbert Zwickl Phone: (480) 948-7460 Email: norbert@thecasa.org		*Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m. Northern California Bay Area Diocese of San Jose Chancery Office 1150 North First Street, Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95112 Contact: Diana Macalintal Phone: (408) 983-0136 Email: DMacalintal@dsj.org *Saturday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. Inland Empire – Moreno Valley/Riverside St. Patrick Catholic Church 10915 Pigeon Pass Road Moreno Valley, CA 92557 Contact: Maria Alvarado phone (951) 780-6049 Email:  BTK4GOD@aol.com *Monday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. Inland Empire – Rancho Cucamonga Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church 9135 Banyan St. Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 Contact: Cyndi Noble Phone: (951) 742-1334 Email: cmnmuzic@gmail.com Ventura/Santa Barbara - TBA New York, NY - TBA
ALL MUST ATTEND THIS FINAL REHEARSAL:
Wednesday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. St. Linus Church 13913 Shoemaker Ave., Norwalk, CA 90650 Contact: Anna Betancourt Email: Annalbetancourt@gmail.com

Should you have any questions, please contact me at John.Flaherty@lmu.edu

Again, RSVP by February 12, 2016 to me at http://tinyurl.com/Choir2016

Please take the liberty of forwarding this email to others who might enjoy being a member of Choir 2016!

*Finally, and most importantly - RSVP right away. We must cap the choir at 250.

With great love and care,

John Flaherty
Chair, Congress Liturgy Committee
Congress Music Director
Los Angeles Religious Education Congress